QuicKeys 2 is the upgrade to the popular and handy macro utility from CE Software. A macro is a “shorthand” keystroke, or combination of keystrokes, that can trigger simple or complex actions by your Mac. For instance, you might set the keystroke Control-S to bring up your Scrapbook DA without having to reach for your mouse. Or you might want to set Control-N to type your complete name and address automatically. These shortcuts can be real time-savers when you do repetitive work. Macros can trigger more complex events, as we’ll see later. Macros are so handy that it would seem that everybody would want to use them.
QuicKeys 2 brings this power to anybody, and the new version is even easier to use and more powerful than before. Even the installation is easy; just run the QK2 Install program from a copy of the master disk. Just be sure you have a Mac Plus or higher and System 6.0.2 or higher. After installation is complete, restart your Mac, and you’re ready to go to work.
QuicKeys 2 will always be available to you, no matter what program you’re running. Look under the Apple menu and you’ll see a hierarchical QuicKeys 2 menu selection, with several selections available. You might even see some macros already installed.
*** ILLUSTRATION: QK2 Submenu
If You choose “QuicKeys 2” from the Apple menu, you’ll see the dialog box shown here. In the center is a scrolling list of all defined macros. Some shortcuts are already installed for you, but in this illustration, you can see several that I’ve defined. The macros can be sorted and edited from here. The bar just below the scrolling list is a filter bar, showing icons which represent the various types of macros: Aliases, Buttons, Clicks, etc. Clicking on one of the icons filters the list so that only macros of that type will show up. Press “Show All” to bring them all back.
*** ILLUSTRATION: QK2 dbox
There’s a separate menu bar in the QuicKeys 2 dialog box containing “File,” “Edit,” “Define,” and “Options.” The File menu provides a way to create new key sets, open sets which have been previously saved, print out keyboard layouts and so forth. The Edit menu lets you cut, copy, and paste keystrokes from one set to another. Here you can also delete or modify individual keystrokes, although double-clicking on a keystroke from the list also brings up the edit area. The Define menu gives you the choices of what kind of QuicKey you want to create. Just choose from the list, and the choices and options will be presented to you. The Options menu lets you sort your keys by different criteria and also provides online help.
***ILLUSTRATION: Extensions
In the illustration above, some of the available choices under the “Extensions” are shown.
There’s a Memory Indicator at the top left of the box which gives an indication of memory usage. Note the pop-up menu near the lower right corner. You can define macros to be universal (available from any program) or dedicated to a specific program. This allows for much greater flexibility and freedom from conflicts. I’ve defined a macro to type in my America Online password, but that macro is only active when I’m in America Online.
Macros can be of several types. “Buttons” lets you assign keystrokes to dialog and radio buttons, as well as check boxes. Thus you could define keystrokes that could automatically choose “Manual Feed” and/or “Black and White” printing from your Print dialog box. Or you might want to configure a key to make MacWrite documents always print from front to back, instead of the backwards way they normally do.
“Clicks” (and drags) can also be programmed as QuicKey macros. You might, for instance, assign Control-Left Arrow as a click on the small MultiFinder icon in the menu bar, which would switch between active applications without having to reach for the mouse.
*** ILLUSTRATION: Mousies submenu
Of course, Menu choices and Desk Accessories can be assigned to keyboard shortcuts. I’ve set Control-V to bring up my Vantage desk accessory and Control-P to bring up the Control Panel. Of course, you’ll want to be careful to avoid assigning a keystroke that is already in use by applications (like Command-Q for Quit or Command-S for save). QuicKeys 2 does a pretty good job of checking for conflicts; but you might want to use the Control key, since few applications use it.
The “File…” QuicKey lets you launch an application or file with a single keystroke. “Mousies” are mouse actions for adjusting windows, such as Line Up, Page Down, Zoom Window, and so forth. “Specials” offer a smorgasbord of actions, including Shutting Down or Restarting your Mac, Turning QuicKeys on or off, activating QuickQuotes (”smart” or “curly” quotes), selecting rear windows, and more. “Text” is where you can assign a text entry of up to 255 characters to a single keystroke. This will be handy for everybody.
Probably the most powerful feature of the new program is its ability to record sequences of mouse movements and keystrokes automatically; just choose “Record Sequence” from the QuicKeys 2 submenu and perform the action(s) you want to record. When you’re finished, just choose “Stop Recording” from the same menu. Finally, assign a keystroke to that sequence, and you’re finished. In the future, press the keystroke and the entire sequence will be performed for you while you sit back and watch.
Sequences can be edited later if necessary; just double-click on a macro and you’ll get an editing area.
Here’s an example I use everyday with DesignStudio. I have a two-monitor setup, with a 13" color monitor and a Portrait monitor off to the side. When I run DesignStudio, I usually drag the window onto the Portrait monitor, center the image, and then zoom to full size for viewing. Now I accomplish this normally tedious task by simply pressing Control-1. It’s a breeze!
Another macro I use with DesignStudio toggles all block outlines, guides, and rulers, thus allowing me to view my page without distractions. This would normally take several trips to the menu bar and a couple of clicks in dialog boxes. With QuicKeys 2, it’s just a keystroke away.
*** ILLUSTRATION: Installed keystrokes
Another welcome new feature is the ability to install your macros directly into the QuicKeys 2 submenu. That way you don’t have to memorize them.
A new Timer function can be used to perform macros automatically at a predetermined time. You might set it to save your work every ten minutes. Or how about having your backup program run automatically every Friday afternoon at 4:00 PM.
Another new area for QuicKeys 2 is the Extensions feature. These are add-ons that can be placed in an Extensions folder that can give advanced capabilities, such as playing a sound in the middle of, or at the end of, a sequence. Another Extension allows you to bring up a particular CDEV without having to go through the Control Panel. Stuff and UnStuff Extensions allow owners of StuffIt Deluxe to perform these actions at the touch of a keystroke. Other extensions from CE and third-party developers will be available through on-line services. Chooser, an extension that lets users make a Chooser selection with a single keystroke, is due out soon.
“Real Time” recording is another new feature. This will play back recorded movements at the same speed you make them. (Regular sequences play back as fast as the computer can execute them.) Real Time recording would be useful for demonstrating features in a program, or for creating a tutorial to show new users how to perform specific tasks.
In the new version, keystrokes do not have to be named. If you’re building a sequence from a number of intermediate steps, you no longer have to assign a name to each step.
I’ve been happily and productively using QuicKeys for some time, and the new version is even better. I use it many times every day and can’t imagine doing without it. The macros are easy to define (and edit, if necessary). Once defined, they can take a lot of the drudgery out of repetitive tasks.
Here’s another example, right off of the QuicKeys package: Suppose you just printed a letter. To print its envelope, you select the address, copy it, open a new document, hit the return key 15 times, select Paste, “Select All,” change the margin, select Page Setup, click Landscape, OK, Manual Feed, OK, and close the document without saving the changes. Whew! Save yourself the trouble of doing each step again and again by making a QuicKeys sequence. Then just select the address and press a key—instant envelope!
QuicKeys has a retail price of $149. Upgrades will be $49.95, or $24.95 for users who bought an earlier version after August 1.
CE Software also publishes QuickMail, DiskTop, CalendarMaker, Amazing Paint, Alarming Events, Vaccine, as well as other utilities. They can be reached at (515) 224-1995 (information) or (800) 523-7638 (orders only). They can also be reached at P.O. Box 65580, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265.
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The article above is reprinted from Mac Monitor, the newsletter of The Savannah Macintosh Users Group. It may be reprinted in a single issue of newsletters published by non-profit user groups. Payment shall consist of a single issue of the newsletter in which the article appears, sent to the following address:
