Copyright: Copyright © 1994 The Skamania Software Company
Citation: Copyright © 1994 The Skamania Software Company


Contents

Quick Start

Overview

Installation/ Uninstallation

Getting Started/ Basic Operation

Reference

Bonus Features

Compatibility

Glossary

Procedures

Suggestions

The Macro Mouse™ Window

Legal Considerations

Entering Your Registration Password

Limited Warranty and Liability

Registration

Software License

The Skamania Software Company

Address and Telephone

Technical Support

Updates and Upgrades


Installation
Installation/ Uninstallation

Installing Macro Mouse™ only requires copying all the Macro Mouse™ files to one, separate Macro Mouse™ directory designated by the user.  Uninstalling Macro Mouse™ only requires the deletion of that Macro Mouse™ directory and the files it contains.  Before uninstalling Macro Mouse™, be sure that you have deselected the option for Launching Macro Mouse™ Automatically.

When you install Macro Mouse™, you may want a Macro Mouse™ icon on your desktop or in one of your group windows for launching Macro Mouse™.  See the documentation for your system software for instructions on how to do this.  Generally, creating an icon for an application involves dragging the name of the application's program file, "MM.exe" for Macro Mouse™, onto the desktop or into a group window.  The preferred and most convenient way to launch Macro Mouse™ is covered under the option for Launching Macro Mouse™ Automatically.


The Macro Mouse Window
The Macro Mouse™ Window

About Button

Delete Button

Exit Button

Help Button

Macro Table

Mouse On Button

Options Button

Playback Button

Record Keys Button

Record Task Button

Status Bar

Target Button

Target Filter List Box


Overview

Macro Mouse™ is a totally new kind of program.  It gives your mouse extensive new abilities to command your applications.  You don’t have to change your focus to search for a window, menu item, button, or scroll bar.  You don’t have the distracting requirement to carefully position the mouse cursor before clicking.  Macro Mouse™ provides an intuitive, common interface to command, launch, and switch between your applications.

Macro Mouse™ lets you use your mouse like a telegraph key to send commands to your programs.  Left, Middle (optional), and Right mouse button clicks take the place of the dots and dashes of the telegraph.  Series of mouse clicks become Mouse Codes™ that are the equivalent of the words the telegrapher formed from dots and dashes.

Macro Mouse™ macros and Mouse Codes™ are defined by you.  After entering the Mouse Code™ that you want to use for a command or series of commands, use Macro Mouse™ to record a macro for your commands.  Then, when you put Macro Mouse™ into Mouse Mode™, you only need to click the assigned Mouse Code™ for the commands to be given to your application.  You can have up to 255 Mouse Codes™ and their related commands.

The Macro Mouse™ window provides a convenient user interface for the operation of Macro Mouse™ and for the viewing and management of your macros.  A minimum of effort is required to record, test play, re-record or delete macros.  It's easy to edit, sort, and filter your list of macros.  When you put Macro Mouse™ into Mouse Mode™, the window minimizes to get out of your way while Macro Mouse™ provides its services in the background.

Macro Mouse™ can be used to give any command that can be given from the keyboard.  For example:  save or close a file; exit or launch a program or a document;  copy and paste text; format text; minimize, maximize and restore windows; scroll a document; etc.

For registered users of Macro Mouse™, bonus features give Macro Mouse™ abilities beyond the commands that can be given from the keyboard.  You assign Mouse Codes™ that trigger the execution of micro-sized applications called MicroApps.  One MicroApp lets you make windows stay on top of other windows.  Other MicroApps let you move or extend the size of a window to the border of another window or to the edge of the screen.  MicroApps also let you copy or cut to the Clipboard and add to the Clipboard contents instead of replacing it.  Note that MicroApps are bonus features that are available only after you have registered Macro Mouse™.  See Registration and Bonus Features.

Be sure to read the topics on the Limited Warranty, Registration, and Software License for Macro Mouse™.


Record Keys Button

Use the Record Keys Button to begin recording a Keystroke Macro.  Select it with a mouse click or the [Alt + K] keys.

See Also

Recording a New Keystroke Macro

Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table


Record Task Button

Use the Record Task Button to begin recording a Task Macro.  Select it with a mouse click or the [Alt + T] keys.

See Also

Recording a Task Macro

Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table


Playback Button

The Playback Button plays the macro that is currently selected in the Macro Table.  Select it with a mouse click or the [Alt + P] keys.  Before playing the macro, the Macro Mouse™ window is minimized to give the next application on your screen the ability to receive the keystrokes from your macro.  As soon as the macro has completed playback, the Macro Mouse™ window will be restored to view.

See Also

Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table

Testing a New Macro


Delete Button

The Delete Button deletes the macro that is currently selected in the Macro Table.  Select it with a mouse click or the [Alt + D] keys.  Before the macro is deleted, you will be asked to confirm the deletion.

See Also

Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table

Deleting a Macro


Target Button

The Target Button toggles the Target Application, for the macro that is currently selected in the Macro Table, between the Target Application that was recorded with the macro and Target Application “Any”.  For example, if a macro is recorded to the Target Application Notepad, you can change the Target Application to “Any” and back to Notepad with repeated use of the Target Button.  Changing the Target Application to "Any" lets you play the macro to any Target Application instead of just to the Notepad application.  Select the button with a mouse click or the [Alt + G] keys.

See Also

Filtering the Macro Table

Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table

Using Keystroke Macros in Mouse Mode™


Mouse On Button

The Mouse On Button puts Macro Mouse™ into Mouse Mode™.  Select it with a mouse click or the [Alt + M] keys.  The Macro Mouse™ window is minimized automatically so that it is out of the way while you use Macro Mouse™ with your other applications.

See Also

Using Keystroke Macros in Mouse Mode™

Using Task Macros in Mouse Mode™.


About Button

The About Button displays information about the Macro Mouse™ program.  Select it with a mouse click or the [Alt + A] keys.


Help Button

The Help Button displays Help information for Macro Mouse™.  Select it with a mouse click or the [Alt + H] keys.


Target Filter List Box

Located at the top right corner of the Macro Mouse™ window, this list box lists all Target Applications for the macros that have been recorded and “All”.  Selecting a Target Application from this list box will cause the Macro Table to be filtered to show only macros with the selected Target Application.  Selecting “All” from this list box will cause the Macro Table to show all recorded macros.

See Also

Filtering the Macro Table


Compatibility

Macro Mouse™ can be run only under Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Windows for WorkGroups 3.11.  It will not operate under earlier versions of Microsoft Windows.

Macro Mouse™ has been tested with many applications, but it can't be tested with all versions of all applications.  You can help to ensure Macro Mouse's™ compatibility with other applications by reporting to The Skamania Software Company if you find any applications with which Macro Mouse™ doesn't seem to function properly.

If Macro Mouse™ doesn't function properly, or if your system or the mouse doesn't function properly when Macro Mouse™ is running in Mouse Mode™, you need to find out what other programs are running at the same time.  Programs such as word processors and spreadsheets are not likely to conflict with Macro Mouse™.  Programs that operate in the background, as does Macro Mouse™, are more likely to conflict with Macro Mouse™.  To find a conflicting program, start by making sure that no other programs are running when you run Macro Mouse™.  Check for programs that are run automatically from your autoexec.bat file, config.sys file, win.ini file (see the Windows Section, the "Load=" line or the "Run=" line), or from a "StartUp" or "AutoStart" group.  Once you have prevented all possible conflicting programs from running, you should find that Macro Mouse™ runs properly.  Then, run the other programs with Macro Mouse™, one by one, so that you can pinpoint which of the other programs is the conflict.

As of the original release, Macro Mouse™ is compatible with all applications with which it has been tested.  There are, however, a couple of application specific considerations to be noted.

Quattro® Pro for Windows (registered trademark of Borland International, Inc.), version 5.00, uses a "Delay Time" which should be adjusted in order to work well with Macro Mouse™ for "drag and drop" operations.  A setting of 1000 milliseconds works well, but you may want to experiment to satisfy your own preferences.  Check your documentation for Quattro® Pro for Windows for instructions on setting the "Delay Time".

There may be a rare application that makes use of mouse clicks that are considered to be Mouse Codes™ in Macro Mouse™.  For example, if an application used a triple right click for a particular function, Macro Mouse™ would override the application's response to the triple right click.  If there were a Macro Mouse™ macro using a triple right click Mouse Code™ for that application or for Target "Any", Macro Mouse™ would play that macro in response to a triple right click.  If there were no Macro Mouse™ macro using a triple right click Mouse Code™, then there would be no response to a triple right click.  The application would not respond as it was designed to respond unless you recorded a Macro Mouse™ macro that duplicated the application's function and assigned it a triple right click Mouse Code™.


Macro Table

The Macro Table lists all the macros that match the Target Application selected in the Target Filter List Box.  For each macro, there are four columns of information with headings as follows:

•	Target

•	Mouse Code™

•	Description

•	Task File

See Also

Filtering the Macro Table

Filtering and Sorting the Macro Table

Printing the Macro Table

Sorting the Macro Table

The Macro Mouse Window


Macro Table:  Target Column

“Target” is short for Target Application.  You cannot move the cursor into this column and you cannot edit it directly from the keyboard.  The Target Application for a macro can be edited only by using the Target Button.

Double click on the heading of this column to sort the table using the Target Application as the sort key

See Also

Editing a Macro

Filtering the Macro Table

Sorting the Macro Table


Macro Table:  Mouse Code Column
Macro Table:  Mouse Code™ Column

Place the cursor in this column by clicking with the mouse or using the arrow or tab keys.

Edit the Mouse Code™ with the keyboard.  Macro Mouse™ will allow you to enter only the valid Mouse Code™ characters “L”, “M”, or “R” to represent Left, Middle, and Right mouse button clicks.  Macro Mouse™ will not allow you to enter a Mouse Code™ that conflicts with those previously entered for other macros.

Double click on the heading of this column to sort the table using the Mouse Code™ as the sort key.

See Also

Assigning Mouse Codes™ to Macros

Editing a Macro

List of Mouse Codes™

Sorting the Macro Table


Macro Table:  Description Column

Place the cursor in this column by clicking with the mouse or using the arrow or tab keys.  Edit the Description with the keyboard.  You may enter any Description you like for a macro, up to 60 characters including spaces.  Double click on the heading of this column to sort the table using the Description as the sort key

See Also

Editing a Macro

Macro Descriptions

Sorting the Macro Table


Macro Table:  Task File Column

You cannot move the cursor into this column and you cannot edit it directly from the keyboard.  The Task File for a Task Macro can be changed only by re-recording the Task Macro.

Double click on the heading of this column to sort the table using the Task File as the sort key.

See Also

Editing a Macro

Sorting the Macro Table


Status Bar

The Status Bar is the horizontal strip along the bottom of the Macro Mouse™ window.  Information about components of the Macro Mouse™ window and instructions on their use are displayed in the Status Bar.  Information and instructions are shown for the component of the window that the mouse cursor is placed on.  Different information is displayed when the mouse is moved, when the right mouse button is down and when it is released.


Procedures

Deleting a Macro

Editing a Macro

Exiting Macro Mouse™

Filtering the Macro Table

Finding Keyboard Commands for Keystroke Macros

Launching Macro Mouse™ Automatically

Printing the Macro Table

Recording a New Keystroke Macro

Recording a New Task Macro

Re-Recording an Existing Macro

Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table

Setting Macro Mouse Window Size

Sorting the Macro Table

Testing a New Macro

Using Keystroke Macros in Mouse Mode™

Using Task Macros in Mouse Mode™


Exiting Macro Mouse
Exiting Macro Mouse™

You can use either the Exit Button or the System Menu Close command to exit the Macro Mouse™ program.  New macros and changes to existing macros are saved automatically when you make them.  You don’t need to take any special actions to save macros or changes before you exit the program.


Finding Keyboard Commands for Keystroke Macros

If you are in the habit of clicking with the mouse on menus, icons and buttons to give commands to your application, you may not be familiar with methods to give the same commands from the keyboard.  It is the keyboard commands that you will need when you record Keystroke Macros.  Here are some sources for keyboard commands:

•	Check the menus of your application, including the System Menu of the application window.  Usually a menu item will have one letter underlined to indicate that it is an “Accelerator Key” for the menu command.  Accelerator Keys allow accessing menu items from the keyboard.  To give a menu command from the keyboard, press the Alt key to access the menu and then press the Accelerator Keys for each menu command that you want to give.  In this manner, for example, you would use the keys [Alt F S] to give the menu command “File Save”.

Keyboard equivalent commands, sometimes called "Shortcut Keys" or "Hot Keys", are typically listed next to the menu command.  Keyboard equivalent commands don't work through the menu system, so they don't have to be preceded by the Alt key to access the menu.  Either the Accelerator Keys or the keyboard equivalent commands could be used to record a Keystroke Macro.

•	Check the Help text for your application, searching for the keywords “accelerator”, “keyboard” and “shortcut”.

•	Access the System Menu for an application window from the keyboard with the keys [Alt Spacebar].  You can access the System Menu for a document window from the keyboard only if the document window is maximized, in which case use the keys [Alt Enter].

•	Check the labels for list boxes, buttons, etc., in your dialog boxes.  Typically the labels have one underlined letter.  The underlined letters are “Accelerator Keys” that can be used to access the items from the keyboard just as you would use Accelerator Keys to access menu items from the keyboard.

•	When recording a macro, make selections from a list box by typing the item to be selected.  You could use the arrow keys to move to the desired item in the list box, but this method is based on the position of the item in the list.  It is preferable to select the item from the list box by typing it so that the macro will still be valid if the list changes.  For example, if a font-setting macro assumes that the font Courier is the third font in the list, the macro would not be valid if fonts listed before Courier were added or deleted.  Typing the word "Courier" to select the Courier font is a more reliable method.


Re-Recording an Existing Macro

First, select in the Macro Table the macro that you want to re-record.  Then, begin procedures either for Recording a New Keystroke Macro or for Recording a New Task Macro, but skip the steps for entering a new Mouse Code™ and description.  The Mouse Code™ and/ or the Macro Description may be edited at any time.  See Editing a Macro.

You will be asked for confirmation before the pre-existing macro is re-recorded.  The macro that you record will replace the pre-existing macro, but the Mouse Code™ and Description of the pre-existing macro will remain unless you edit them.

The type of macro that you record, Keystroke Macro or Task Macro, does not need to match the type of the pre-existing macro.

See Also

Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table


Recording a New Keystroke Macro

Follow the procedures for Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table, but instead of selecting a macro select the blank line at the bottom of the Macro Table.  There is always one blank line at the end of the Macro Table for the purpose of adding a new macro.

Enter a Mouse Code™ in the Mouse Code™ column of the Macro Table.  This is required before you can begin recording.  See Assigning Mouse Codes™ to Macros.

You should enter a description for the new macro before you start recording.  See Macro Descriptions.

Just before starting the actual keystroke recording process, make sure that the Target Application for your macro is the next window behind Macro Mouse™.  It is easiest to do this if the Target Application window is sized and positioned such that both it and the Macro Mouse™ window can be seen at the same time on your screen.  By clicking on the Target Application window and then on the Macro Mouse™ window, you can be sure that these windows are arranged in the correct order.

You should know what keystrokes you are going to record.  See Finding Keyboard Commands for Keystroke Macros.

Select the Record Keys Button to start recording.  Macro Mouse™ will notify you of any conflicts between the Mouse Code™ that you have entered and those of previously recorded macros.  If a Mouse Code™ has been assigned to a macro for Target Application “Any”, then Macro Mouse™ will not allow that Mouse Code™ to be used for any other macros.  Also, Macro Mouse™ will not allow more than one macro with the same Mouse Code™ and Target Application, but Macro Mouse™ won't be able to check for this type of conflict until after you finish recording.

The Macro Mouse™ window will minimize to allow you to start recording keystrokes to your Target Application immediately.

As soon as you have completed the keystrokes that you want to record, stop the recording process by using the Control and Break keys simultaneously.  An alternative method to stop recording is to double click on the Macro Mouse™ icon to restore it to view.

Immediately upon stopping recording, the Macro Mouse™ window will be restored.  You will see that the Macro Table has been sorted to place the new macro in the correct order.

The Target Application is now listed in the Target column of the Macro Table.  If you intend to use the macro for all applications, not just the application you used to record the macro, then click on the Target Button while the new macro is still selected.  The Target Application listed in the Target column will be changed to "Any".

You may want to test the new macro by playing it back.  The Playback Button is designed for this purpose.  See Testing a New Macro.

See Also

Filtering and Sorting the Macro Table


Recording a New Task Macro

Follow the procedures for Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table, but instead of selecting a macro select the blank line at the bottom of the Macro Table.  There is always one blank line at the end of the Macro Table for the purpose of adding a new macro.

Enter a Mouse Code™ in the Mouse Code™ column of the Macro Table.  This is required before you can begin recording.  See Assigning Mouse Codes™ to Macros.

Macro Mouse™ will notify you of any conflicts between the Mouse Code™ that you have entered and those of previously recorded macros.  If a Mouse Code™ has been assigned to a macro for Target Application “Any”, then Macro Mouse™ will not allow that Mouse Code™ to be used for any other macros.  Note that all Task Macros are for Target Application “Any”.

You should enter a description for the new macro before you start recording.  See Macro Descriptions.

Select the Record Task Button to start recording.  Macro Mouse™ will display a dialog box that allows you to select an application's executable file or a document file for your Task Macro.  The dialog box is the same as those commonly used by applications to open a document file, and it should be used in the same way.  Complete the recording of the Task Macro by selecting the desired filename, the Task File for your Task Macro.

You may want to test the macro by playing it back.  The Playback Button is designed for this purpose.  See Testing a New Macro.

See Also

Filtering and Sorting the Macro Table


Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table

You must select a macro in the Macro Table before you can re-record it, test it, edit it, or delete it.  To select a macro, use the mouse, the arrow keys or the tab key to move the cursor to the row of the macro you want to select. A red symbol to the left of the table will move to the row of the macro you have selected. Note that you cannot select a macro by clicking the mouse in either the Target or Task File columns, and the arrow and tab keys will not move the cursor into those columns.


Testing a New Macro

Immediately after recording a macro, you should test it to make sure that it was recorded as you intended.  First, be sure that the new macro is still selected in the Macro Table. Then, select the Playback Button.  The Macro Mouse™ window will minimize while the macro plays back and it will be restored to view as soon as the macro completes playback.  If you find that the macro wasn’t recorded as you intended, you can re-record the macro.

See Also

Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table

Re-Recording an Existing Macro


Deleting a Macro

You must select a macro in the Macro Table before you can delete it.  To delete the selected macro, use the Delete Button.  Before the macro is deleted, you will be asked for confirm whether you want to delete the macro.  After the macro is deleted, it cannot be recovered.

See Also

Selecting a Macro in the Macro Table


Editing a Macro

The Target Application for a macro, listed in the Macro Table column headed “Target”, can be edited only indirectly and only for Keystroke Macros.  First, move the cursor to the Macro Table column headed "Mouse Code"™ or the column headed "Macro Description" in the row of the macro that is to be edited.  Then, you can toggle the Target Application of the selected macro between the recorded Target Application and Target Application “Any” by using the Target Button.  Macro Mouse™ will not allow you to change the Target Application to "Any" if it will cause a conflict with other macros.  See Macro Table:  Target Column.

The Mouse Code™ for a macro can be edited directly with the keyboard.  First, move the cursor to the Macro Table column headed "Mouse Code"™ in the row of the macro that is to be edited.  You can use the normal editing keys:  Backspace, Delete, Home, End, and Arrow Keys.  The only keys that will input to the Mouse Code™ are the “L”, “M”, and “R” keys.  Other keys will have no effect.  The Mouse Code™ can be up to ten characters long.  Macro Mouse™ will not allow you to change the Mouse Code™ if the change will cause a conflict with other macros.  See Macro Table:  Mouse Code™ Column and Assigning Mouse Codes™ to Macros.

The Macro Description can be edited directly with the keyboard.  First, move the cursor to the Macro Table column headed "Macro Description" in the row of the macro that is to be edited.  You can use the normal editing keys:  Backspace, Delete, Home, End, and Arrow Keys.  The description.can be as long as a total of 60 characters including spaces and can include any alphabetic or numeric characters, with one exception.  The first character of the description can be an asterisk ("*") only for a Task Macro for a MicroApp.  MicroApps are a Bonus Feature available only for registered users.  See Macro Table:  Description Column and Registration.

The Task File of a Task Macro cannot be edited.  It can be changed only by re-recording the macro.

See Also

Filtering and Sorting the Macro Table


Filtering the Macro Table

You can restrict the Macro Table to show only the macros for a specified Target Application.  That Target Application would be called the "Target Application Filter" or "Target Filter".  Select the Target Filter from the Target Filter List Box.

You can modify the effect of the Target Filter so that the Macro Table will include all macros for Target "Any" in addition to macros for the selected Target Filter.  To set this option, select the Options Button to display the Macro Mouse Options Dialog Box.  Check the check box labeled "Always include macros for Target "Any" in the Macro Table" to select this option, or uncheck it to deselect the option.

Note that all macros are available for use in Mouse Mode™ regardless of whether the Macro Table is filtered to exclude some of the macros from the display.

See Also

Sorting the Macro Table

Filtering and Sorting The Macro Table


Sorting the Macro Table

The Macro Table can be sorted using any of its four columns as the "sort key", the part of the macro that determines its order in the table.  This allows you to see your macros in whatever way you find most helpful.  To sort the table using one of the columns as the sort key, double click on that column's heading.  The heading of the column that is used as the sort key is displayed in red to remind you of the current sort order.

Normal alphabetic sorting has been modified somewhat for the purposes of Macro Mouse™.  When you use the Mouse Code™ as the sort key, shorter Mouse Codes™ always come before longer Mouse Codes™, and then they are sorted in alphabetic order.  When you use the Task File as the sort key, Task Macros always come before Keystroke Macros.

The Macro Table sorts automatically when a macro is added or deleted or when the macro Target is changed by using the Target Button.  An automatic sort uses the currently selected sort key.  As noted above, the column with the red heading denotes the current sort key.

Automatic sorting of the Macro Table after you edit the Mouse Code™ or the Macro Description is optional.  To set this option, select the Options Button.  In the Options Dialog Box that will be displayed, check or uncheck the check box labeled "Sort Macro Table automatically after editing a macro" to select or deselect the option for automatic sorting after editing.  If automatic sorting after edit is selected, then the Macro Table will be resorted when you move the cursor out of the cell that was edited.  See Editing a Macro.

The macro selected before a sort remains the selected macro after the sort if that macro continues to be included in the Macro Table.  If the selected macro is deleted, then the macro on the next row is selected.  If the macro Target is changed to one that is not included in the current Target Filter, then the macro will be removed from the Macro Table and the first macro in the Macro Table will be the selected macro.

See Also

Filtering the Macro Table

Filtering and Sorting the Macro Table


Using Keystroke Macros in Mouse Mode
Using Keystroke Macros in Mouse Mode™

Mouse Mode™ describes the operation of Macro Mouse™ when its window is minimized and it has been enabled to translate Mouse Codes™ into the playback of macros.  Turn on the Mouse Mode™ feature by selecting the Mouse On Button at the top of the Macro Mouse™ window.

For Macro Mouse™ to be able to translate Mouse Codes™, the mouse cursor must be somewhere in the Client Area of any window, not necessarily a window of the Target Application of the macro you want to play.  The exception to this rule is for dialog boxes.  To play a Macro Mouse™ macro to a dialog box, the mouse cursor must be somewhere in the dialog box window when the Mouse Code™ is clicked.

To playback a macro that you recorded with Macro Mouse™, just click the Mouse Code™ that you assigned to the macro.  If the Mouse Code™ is "LLRR" then click the left mouse button twice and the right mouse button twice.  The time interval between each click must be no more than Double Click Time.

When a Mouse Code™ is clicked, Macro Mouse™ tries to play back a macro to the window that currently has the Input Focus.  If Macro Mouse™ finds a macro that matches the Mouse Code™ that was clicked and that has the same Target Application as the window with Input Focus, then the macro will be played back.  Note that Target Application "Any" will match any window that has the Input Focus.

If you have selected (highlighted) text in a text editor or word processor or a cell in a spreadsheet, clicking a Mouse Code™ will not deselect that text or cell.  If the related macro causes a command that effects selected text, such as deleting or formatting, the selected text will be effected only in that way.

When you restore the Macro Mouse™ window, Mouse Mode™ will be turned off automatically.


Using Task Macros in Mouse Mode
Using Task Macros in Mouse Mode™

Mouse Mode™ describes the operation of Macro Mouse™ when its window has been minimized and it has been enabled to translate Mouse Codes™ into the playback of macros.  Turn on the Mouse Mode™ feature by selecting the Mouse On Button at the top of the Macro Mouse™ window.

For Macro Mouse™ to be able to translate Mouse Codes™, the mouse cursor must be somewhere in the Client Area of a window when the Mouse Code™ is clicked.

To playback a macro that you recorded with Macro Mouse™, just click the Mouse Code™ that you assigned to the macro.  If the Mouse Code™ is "LLRR" then click the left mouse button twice and the right mouse button twice.  The time interval between each click must be no more than Double Click Time.

If the Task Macro's Task File is the executable file of an application (a file ending with “.exe”), and the application is not running when the Task Macro is played, Macro Mouse™ will launch the application.  If the application is already running but is out of view, Macro Mouse™ will switch to that application.  The application’s window will be restored, brought in front of other windows and given the Input Focus.  If the application is already in view and has the Input Focus when the Task Macro is played, Macro Mouse™ will minimize the application’s window.  Repeating the Task Macro will toggle the application between its minimized and restored states.

If the Task Macro's Task File is a document file instead of an executable file, the results of the macro can vary, depending on your application, if the application is already running when the Task Macro is played.  The document file may be opened in the running instance of the application or it may be opened in a new instance of the application.  If the application is not running when the Task Macro is played, Macro Mouse™ will launch the application and open the document file.

The application that Macro Mouse™ will launch if the Task File is a document file depends on associations that have been established between applications and the different kinds of document files.  Such associations are established during the installation of applications and may be modified by the user.  See your documentation for your system software if you want to modify the association between applications and document files.

When you restore the Macro Mouse™ window, Mouse Mode™ will be turned off automatically.


Suggestions

Assigning Mouse Codes™ to Macros

Choosing Commands to Record

Filtering and Sorting The Macro Table

Learning to Use Macro Mouse™

List of Mouse Codes™

Macro Descriptions

Uses and Benefits of Macro Mouse™


Learning to Use Macro Mouse
Suggestions:  Learning to Use Macro Mouse™

Learning to use Macro Mouse™ has similarities to learning to touch type on a computer keyboard.  The Mouse Codes™ and their macros are like the keyboard layout that must become second nature to you in order to get the benefits of speed and efficiency.  Draw on your experience with learning to touch type.  Use similar learning techniques to learn to use Macro Mouse™.

You can aid the process of learning your Mouse Codes™ and macros by grouping them with consideration for type of command and frequency of usage.  See Assigning Mouse Codes™ to Macros.  You may find it helpful to learn one small group of Mouse Codes™ and related macros at one time.  For example, start with a group of Mouse Codes™ that have similar configurations, such as the four four-click Mouse Codes™ that all begin with "LL", making them easier to remember.

Just as you wouldn’t want your keyboard layout to change after you have learned to touch type, you should plan ahead so that you won’t need to make many changes to your assignment of Mouse Codes™ to macros.  Draft a list of Mouse Codes™ and the corresponding macro descriptions.  The list should encompass all of the macros that you will foreseeably want, even though you may not want to record or to learn all of them at the same time.  Leaving some Mouse Codes™ unassigned in each logical group in your plan will allow for adding unplanned macros to the groups later.  To help you in making your list, copy from the List of Mouse Codes™.  Also, see the sample list of Mouse Codes™ and macros in Assigning Mouse Codes™ to Macros.

Print a hard copy of your macro list and keep it where you can refer to it while you are learning your Mouse Codes™.  For a hard copy of the macros you have recorded, as displayed in the Macro Table, see Printing the Macro Table.

Learning requires some patience and concentration.  Try to pick the right time and occasion to learn to use Macro Mouse™.  For example, don’t try to learn to use Macro Mouse™ when you are hard pressed to meet a deadline.  After you have learned to use Macro Mouse™, it will help you to meet those deadlines!

See Also

Choosing Commands to Record


Assigning Mouse Codes to Macros
Suggestions:  Assigning Mouse Codes™ to Macros

Consider four factors when assigning Mouse Codes™ to macros:

•	Mouse Code™ length (number of clicks)

•	Macro usage frequency

•	Grouping macros

•	Mouse Codes™ available for use

Try to assign shorter Mouse Codes™, those requiring fewer clicks of the mouse, to macros that will be used with greater frequency.

By planning ahead, you can group macros together in their Mouse Code™ assignment to aid in learning and using them.  Group them by functional classification or whatever grouping scheme is best for you.  Set aside a series of Mouse Codes™ for each group of macros that you define and leave one or two of the series unassigned to allow for future additions.  See Learning to Use Macro Mouse™.

For Keystroke Macros that you want to have available for use in any of your applications, the Target Application can be changed to “Any” by using the Target Button.  The same macro can then be used for any application and the additional frequency of its use should be considered in assigning it a Mouse Code™.

Remember that a Mouse Code™ assigned to a macro for Target Application "Any" cannot be used for any other macros.  Also, remember that all Task Macros are for Target Application "Any".

In some cases, the same macro function may be desired in all applications although the keystrokes to achieve the function might vary from application to application.  In these cases, you can reserve one Mouse Code™ for separate macros for each application.  You can then use the same Mouse Code™ for the same function in each application, providing a common interface to the applications that wasn’t available before Macro Mouse™.

The table below shows an example of Mouse Code™ assignments to macros.  Note that macros with a Macro Description that begins with and asterisk ("*") are MicroApps, a Bonus Feature that is available only to registered users.

	Mouse Code™	Macro Description
Frequently used	LR	Enter [ENTER]
Keystroke Macros	RL	Escape [ESCAPE]
that use the same
keystrokes for	LLL	File Open [ ALT F O]
each application:	LLR	File Save [ALT F S]
	LRL	File Close [ALT F C]
	LRR	File Exit [ALT SPACEBAR C]
	RLL	Edit Copy [CONTROL C]
	RLR	Edit Paste [CONTROL V]
	RRL	Edit Cut [CONTROL X]
	RRR	Edit Clear [DELETE]
	LLLL	*Stay on Top
	LLLR	Window Restore [ALT SPACEBAR R]
	LLRL	Window  Minimize [ ALT SPACEBAR N]
	LLRR	Window Maximize [ALT SPACEBAR X]
	LRLL	Window Page Up [PAGE UP]
	LRLR	Window Page Down [PAGE DOWN]
	LRRL	*Size Window to Window
	LRRR	*Move Window to Screen
Frequently used	RLLL	*Copy Append New
Keystroke Macros	RLLR	Edit Undo [Depends on application]
that use different	RLRL	Find Forward [Depends on application]
keystrokes for	RLRR	Find Backward [Depends on application]
each application:	RRLL	*Cut Append New
	RRLR	Format Underline [Depends on application]
	RRRL	Format Bold [Depends on application]
	RRRR	[Unassigned]
Task Macros:	LLLLL	Word
	LLLLR	Excel
	LLLRL	Access
	LLLRR	Calendar
	LLRLL	Calculator
	LLRLR	address.xls
	LLRRL	todo.txt

See Also

List of Mouse Codes™

Choosing Commands to Record


Choosing Commands to Record
Suggestions:  Choosing Commands to Record

The benefit of Macro Mouse™ derives from the 80/20 Rule.  It provides a faster and more convenient way to give the commands that you repeat frequently.  By recording macros for only a relatively small number of commands, Macro Mouse™ can assist you in making 80% of the commands that you give to your applications.

Because it is the commands that you use most frequently that you should record as macros for Macro Mouse™, the commands to be recorded will depend on the applications that you use and how you use them.

You may have a choice between two or more sets of keystrokes that could be recorded to achieve the same function.  Here are some examples and some considerations you may want to keep in mind:

•     The convention for shortcut keys for text editing has been changed as shown in this table.

FUNCTION	ACCELERATOR KEYS	OLD SHORTCUT	NEW SHORTCUT
Copy text to clipboard	Alt E C	Control Insert	Control C
Paste text from clipboard	Alt E P	Shift Insert	Control V
Cut text to clipboard	Alt E T	Shift Delete	Control X
Clear text	Alt E L	Delete	Delete
If you use either the old or the new shortcut keys for a macro, you may find that your macro doesn't work with some of your applications.  Some of your applications may be using only the new shortcut keys and some may be using only the old ones.  For this reason, you may want to use the Accelerator Keys for menu selection.  The typical menu keystrokes for text editing are not in transition and are likely to be the same for all your applications.  The drawback to this approach occurs if you frequently copy or paste in dialog boxes where there is no menu and the Accelerator Keys would not be functional.

•     There are two sets of keystrokes that you can record for closing an application.  Accelerator keys that access the application menu are [Alt F X] to access the Exit command on the File menu.  Accelerator keys that access the System Menu are [Alt Spacebar C] to access the Close command on the System Menu.  Because the System Menu tends to be more uniform among applications, you may prefer to use the latter Accelerator keys for greater compatibility of your macro with your applications.  There are, for example, some applications that do not have an Exit command on a File menu, but all System Menus have a Close command.

Note that when you record keystrokes to close an application, you should record to an application that will refuse to close.  For example, a word processor or a spreadsheet application will typically refuse to close if changes to a file have not been saved.  If an application does close while recording the macro, the macro may not be valid because the closing of the application's window prevents completion of the macro recording.

See Also

Uses and Benefits of Macro Mouse™

Finding Keyboard Commands for Keystroke Macros


Macro Descriptions
Suggestions:  Macro Descriptions

A Macro Description can include any alphabetic or numeric characters for a total of 60 characters including spaces.  The first character of the description, however, can be an asterisk ("*") only if the macro is to be a Task Macro for a MicroApp.  MicroApp's are a Bonus Feature available only for registered users.  See Registration.

The first purpose for a Macro Description is to provide a record of what a macro was recorded to do.  This purpose is easy to satisfy with descriptions such as “Close File”, “Copy”, “Paste”, and Notepad”.

You also may want to include in the description of a Keystroke Macro the specific keystrokes that were recorded.  If you try to use a macro on an application for which the recorded keystrokes don't have the intended effect, this additional information will be helpful.

Because you can sort your Macro Table using the Macro Description as the sort key, you might want to design your Macro Descriptions so they will sort in a particular order.  For example, you could cause all of your text editing macros to sort together by prefacing the description of each with the word “Edit”.  See Sorting the Macro Table.


Filtering and Sorting the Macro Table
Suggestions:  Filtering and Sorting the Macro Table

After you have recorded more macros than can be displayed without scrolling the Macro Table, you may want to take advantage of the filtering and sorting capabilities of the Macro Table.  See Filtering the Macro Table and Sorting the Macro Table.

When you are recording a new macro or editing the Mouse Code™ of an existing macro, you need to be aware of which Mouse Codes™ are already assigned to the Target Application of the macro or to Target “Any”.  Macro Mouse™ will not allow conflicts.  You can check for conflicts by (1) selecting the option to always include macros for Target "Any" in the Macro Table and (2) sorting the Macro Table using the Mouse Code™ as the sort key.  These steps will display all the relevant Mouse Codes™ in use and put them in an order that will make it easy to see which ones are available.

When you want to look for a particular macro in your Macro Table, or review the Macro Table for macros of a particular type, the sorting feature will help you.  Sorting on the Target column with the Target Application Filter set to “All” will display all macros and those for each Target Application will be grouped together.  Sorting on the Task File column will bring all Task Macros together at the top of the list.  Sorting on the Macro Description column will arrange the macros in whatever order you determine by the way you design you Macro Description.


List of Mouse Codes
Suggestions:  List of Mouse Codes™

The following lists of Mouse Codes™ are provided to help you in preparing your own list to plan your assignment of Mouse Codes™ to macros.  You can copy from these lists by using the Edit Copy command from Help's Edit menu.  Then paste the lists into your spreadsheet to fill in macro descriptions and to print them.  Note that there are a total of twenty-six Mouse Codes™ that are two, three, and four clicks long and there are another 32 Mouse Codes™ that are five clicks long.  Mouse Codes™ that are not listed but can be used:

•	64 Mouse Codes™ six clicks long

•	128 Mouse Codes™ seven clicks long

•	256 Mouse Codes™  eight clicks long

•	512 Mouse Codes™ nine clicks long and

•	1024 Mouse Codes™ ten clicks long.

Users of the three-button mouse have many more Mouse Codes™ to choose from.  For example, while there are 8 Mouse Codes™ three clicks long for a two-button mouse, there are 27 Mouse Codes™ three clicks long for a three-button mouse.  There are 59,049 possible Mouse Codes™ ten clicks long for a three-button mouse!

Two, Three, and Four-Click Mouse Codes™

Mouse Code™	Macro Description	Mouse Code™	Macro Description
LR		LLLL
RL		LLLR
		LLRL
LLL		LLRR
LLR		LRLL
LRL		LRLR
LRR		LRRL
		LRRR
RLL
RLR		RLLL
RRL		RLLR
RRR		RLRL
		RLRR
		RRLL
		RRLR
		RRRL
		RRRR

Five-Click Mouse Codes™

Mouse Code™	Macro Description	Mouse Code™	Macro Description
LLLLL		RLLLL
LLLLR		RLLLR
LLLRL		RLLRL
LLLRR		RLLRR
LLRLL		RLRLL
LLRLR		RLRLR
LLRRL		RLRRL
LLRRR		RLRRR
LRLLL		RRLLL
LRLLR		RRLLR
LRLRL		RRLRL
LRLRR		RRLRR
LRRLL		RRRLL
LRRLR		RRRLR
LRRRL		RRRRL
LRRRR		RRRRR

See Also

Assigning Mouse Codes™ to Macros

Learning to Use Macro Mouse™


Uses and Benefits of Macro Mouse
Suggestions:  Uses and Benefits of Macro Mouse™

Benefits

Any commands that your application lets you give with the keyboard, Macro Mouse™ lets you give with the mouse.  You don’t have to move the focus of your eyes to a menu or a tool bar and back again.  You don’t have to move the focus of your attention away from the cell in your spreadsheet or the sentence in your word processor.  Without moving the mouse, click a series of left, middle, and right clicks, a Mouse Code™, and your command is given.  Macro Mouse™ is faster and less distracting.

Macro Mouse™ can give you one Mouse Code™ for a function such as Undo, Find, or Format Bold,  which would require different commands in each application you use.  The common mouse interface simplifies your computing.

Starting or switching to an application is as easy as clicking its Mouse Code™.  You don’t have to search through a confusing array of overlapped windows.  You don’t have to give a series of keyboard commands.  You don’t even have to think about whether an application has already been launched.  Just click its Mouse Code™.

For registered users only, there are Bonus Features called MicroApps that provide functions for window management and editing that can't be provided by regular macros.

Editing and Formatting Text

Editing and formatting text is a natural for Macro Mouse™ because you often select the text with the mouse before giving the commands to edit or format.  With your hand already on the mouse, just click Mouse Codes™ for cutting to the clipboard, pasting from the clipboard, formatting bold or underlined, indenting a paragraph, formatting currency, or any other editing and formatting your application allows.  Use Macro Mouse™ to find text for editing by recording a Macro Mouse™ macro for the Find or Search commands used by your application.  For registered users only, MicroApps allow you to copy or cut to the Clipboard without deleting its prior contents.

Editing Graphics

Graphics applications are a good fit with Macro Mouse™ because of their mouse intensive nature.  With your hand already on the mouse, there is even more advantage to using Macro Mouse™ to give commands to your application.

Task Launching and Switching

Macro Mouse™ offers the most powerful and convenient way to launch and switch between your applications.  With just one Mouse Code™ for an application, Macro Mouse™ can launch the application if it isn’t running, switch to the application if it is running, and toggle the application between an icon and a restored window.  In addition to just launching an application, Macro Mouse™ can open a specified file in an application when it is launched.

Application and Window Management

Giving the File Save, Close and Exit commands with Macro Mouse™ is a natural complement to Macro Mouse's™ Task Launching and Task Switching features.  Also, you can use Macro Mouse™ to give the window Maximize, Restore, and Minimize commands that are accessed from the keyboard through the System Menu.  Scroll up and down your document window with Macro Mouse™ by recording macros for the Page Up and Page Down keys.  For registered users only, there is a MicroApp that lets you make a window stay on top of all other windows.  Other MicroApps make it easy to arrange windows to take full advantage of your screen area.

Application Specific Commands

Most applications have commands that are unique to them.  Macro Mouse™ is adaptable to these unique commands because it can be used to give any commands that can be accessed from the keyboard.


Glossary

Client Area

Double Click Time

Input Focus

Keystroke Macro

Macro

Mouse Code™

Mouse Mode™

Target Application

Task File

Task Macro


Glossary:  Target Application
Target Application

The Target Application is the application which is to receive the keystroke input of a macro being recorded or played back.  The term "Target" may be used as a short form of the term "Target Application".


Glossary:  Mouse Code
Mouse Code™

A Mouse Code™ is a series of clicks with the Left, Middle (for the three button mouse), and Right mouse buttons.  It is represented by a set of the characters “L”, “M”, and “R”, standing for the "Left", "Middle", and "Right" mouse buttons.  Mouse Codes™ recognized by Macro Mouse™ can be up to ten mouse clicks in length.  They exclude only the single mouse clicks and the double mouse clicks [LL] and [RR] that are used by other applications without Macro Mouse™.

For Macro Mouse™ to recognize a Mouse Code™, the time interval from mouse click to mouse click must not exceed Double Click Time.


Glossary:  Double Click Time
Double Click Time

Double Click Time is the maximum time interval between two successive mouse clicks for which the two clicks will be recognized as one double click instead of two separate, single clicks.  The length of this time interval can be set by adjusting the “Double Click Speed” in the "Mouse" application in the Control Panel.

Macro Mouse™ uses this time interval to recognize Mouse Codes™ as distinguished from separate, single mouse clicks.  Macro Mouse™ takes action for a mouse click only after hesitating by the length of this time interval.  To avoid an unnecessary hesitation in the response to your mouse clicks, set the “Double Click Speed” in the Control Panel to the fastest speed that is comfortable for you.


Glossary:  Input Focus
Input Focus

Input Focus is the status of a window’s ability to receive input from the keyboard or the mouse.  Only one window can have the Input Focus at any one time.  The window with the Input Focus will be the only window with a dark (default blue) top border or Title Bar.  The concept of Input Focus is important to Macro Mouse™ when it is recording or playing back a macro.

Macro Mouse™ records the input to the window with the Input Focus when it records a macro.  It plays back a macro to the window with the Input Focus regardless of what window the mouse cursor is over when you click a Mouse Code™, with one exception.  If a dialog box is displayed for the window with the Input Focus, you must place the mouse cursor somewhere over it before clicking a Mouse Code™ in order for the dialog box to be effected by the resulting macro playback.

Note that when mouse clicks conform to the requirements for a Mouse Code™, then it doesn't matter where the mouse cursor is as long as it is over the client area of any window.  Only the window with Input Focus will be effected by the mouse clicks.  In contrast, when mouse clicks do not conform to the requirements for a Mouse Code™, it is usually the window that the mouse cursor is over that is effected by the mouse clicks.


Glossary:  Task File
Task File

A Task File is the executable file or document file that defines a Task Macro.  An executable file is one whose name ends with “.exe”.  It contains the encoded logic required for the operation of an application.  There are many kinds of document files.  They contain the data generated by the input and processing of an application.


Glossary:  Mouse Mode
Mouse Mode™

Mouse Mode™ describes the operation of Macro Mouse™ when its window is minimized and it has been enabled to translate Mouse Codes™ into the playback of macros.  Turn on the Mouse Mode™ feature by selecting the Mouse On Button at the top of the Macro Mouse™ window.


Glossary:  Macro
Macro

A macro is an automated sequence of steps that can be initiated by one command from the user.  A macro saves the user from the need to give individual commands for each of the steps in the sequence.  Macro Mouse™ provides for both Keystroke Macros and Task Macros.


Glossary:  Task Macro
Task Macro

A Task Macro automates the process of launching an application or switching to that application when another application is active.

See Also

Using Task Macros in Mouse Mode™

Recording a New Task Macro


Glossary:  Keystroke Macro
Keystroke Macro

A Keystroke Macro automates any sequence of commands that would normally be given manually and individually from the keyboard.

See Also

Using Keystroke Macros in Mouse Mode™

Recording a New Keystroke Macro


Glossary:  Client Area
Client Area

The Client Area is the main area of an application window.  It excludes the borders, title bar, menu and scroll bars of the window.


Registration

Why You Should Register

When you decide that you want to continue to use Macro Mouse™ beyond the 30 days covered by the Trial Period License, you must register Macro Mouse™ to obtain a Single User License.  Registration gives you the following benefits:

•	You will be in compliance with copyright laws.

•	You will encourage further development of Macro Mouse™ and other shareware software products.

•	You will be entitled to free technical support.

•	Product updates will be free and upgrades will be available at a greatly reduced price.

•	Macro Mouse™ will stop reminding you to register.

•	Bonus Features will significantly enhance Macro Mouse's™ capabilities for editing and window management.

Registration Fee

The price to register and obtain a Single User License for Macro Mouse™ is $25.00.

Customers from countries other than the U.S.A. must note that we cannot accept every form of international payment.  Payment by International Money Order or by check must be in U. S. dollars and must be drawn on either a U. S. bank or on a bank that has a U. S. Correspondent Bank.  Also, note that the option below to register online on CompuServe will let you pay through your CompuServe account.

How To Register

Macro Mouse™ offers two methods for registration:  (1) by Mail, (2)  Online with CompuServe.

(1)  Registering by Mail:

Click on the About Button at the top of the Macro Mouse™ window.  For unregistered users, this will produce a dialog box that has a button labeled "Register" at the bottom.  Clicking the "Register" button produces the "Register Macro Mouse" dialog box that lets you enter the information required to register Macro Mouse™.

The name that you enter will appear on your Software License and in various places within Macro Mouse™.  The address that you enter will be used to mail you the Registration Password that is required to make Macro Mouse™ operate as a registered product.

When you finish entering the registration information, click on the "Setup Printer" button if you need to select the appropriate printer or printer settings and then click on the "Print Registration Form" button to print two copies of the registration form.  Sign one copy of the Registration Form and mail both copies to The Skamania Software Company at the address indicated on the form.  The unsigned copy will be mailed back to you with your Registration Password completed at the bottom and with a validation to show that you have a legal license to use Macro Mouse™.

Please use the back of the signed copy of the Registration Form to write in any comments that you can give us about Macro Mouse™.  We would especially like to hear where you obtained Macro Mouse and where you heard about it.  Be sure to let us know what you like about it, what you don't like about it, what features you use and what you don't use.  We are very interested in your comments.  We use them to determine future changes to Macro Mouse™.

(2)  Registering Online with CompuServe:

You can register Macro Mouse™ while you are online on CompuServe in the "SWREG" Forum (Go SWREG).  When you are in the SWREG Forum, you can select Macro Mouse™ for registration by its SWREG ID of 3904.  When you register online, CompuServe will charge the Macro Mouse™ registration fee to your CompuServe account and will notify The Skamania Software Company that you have registered.  Then, we will send you the Registration Password that you need to enter to Macro Mouse™ to make it operate as a registered product.


Exit Button

The Exit Button exits the Macro Mouse™ program.  Select it with a mouse click or the [Alt + X] keys.

See Also

Exiting Macro Mouse™


80/20 Rule

Macro Mouse™ is based on the 80/20 Rule.  If we tracked all the commands we gave to our applications over a period of time, we would find that 80% of the commands we gave accounted for only 20% of the available commands.  In other words, we tend to repeat the usage of a small percentage of the available commands, and some of the available commands are seldom if ever used.


Options Button

The Options Button displays the Options Dialog Box.  Select it with a mouse click or the [Alt O] keys.

The Options Dialog Box provides the following options:

•	Set Number of rows in Macro Table

•	Launch Macro Mouse automatically at startup

•	Sort Macro Table automatically after editing a macro

•	Always include macros for Target "Any" in the Macro Table

•	Print the Macro Table


Setting Macro Mouse Window Size
Setting Macro Mouse™ Window Size

The length of the Macro Mouse™ window can be set at three different lengths based on the number of rows in the Macro Table.  Click on the Options Button to see the Options Dialog Box which offers selections of 15, 20, or 25 rows in the Macro Table.  Click on the number of rows that you want and then click on the Ok button.  Exit Macro Mouse™ and then restart it to make the change in the number of rows take effect.  This setting will be retained until you change it again.


Launching Macro Mouse Automatically
Launching Macro Mouse™ Automatically

Macro Mouse™ can be launched automatically when you boot your system.  When Macro Mouse™ is launched automatically, it also automatically goes into Mouse Mode™ and minimizes its window.  These features are designed to allow Macro Mouse™ to provide its services while staying totally in the background.

There are three ways you can set up Macro Mouse™ to launch automatically.  First, your existing system software probably provides a special group, called "Startup" or "AutoStart", which automatically launches all the applications included in it when you  boot your system.  For Macro Mouse™ to automatically go into Mouse Mode™, you must also set the options required by your system software so that Macro Mouse™ will launch with its window minimized or iconized.  Check the documentation for your system software for instructions on how to include Macro Mouse™ in this special group with the required options.

The second way to launch Macro Mouse™ automatically is provided by Macro Mouse™.  Select the Options Button in the Macro Mouse™ window to see the Options Dialog Box.  In the dialog box, the check box labeled "Launch Macro Mouse™ automatically at startup" should be checked if you want the automatic launching feature.  Unchecking this check box will remove the feature.

The third way to launch Macro Mouse™ automatically is also provided by Macro Mouse™.  The command line parameter "mousemode" (without the quotes), optionally preceded by a dash [-] or forward slash [/], will launch Macro Mouse™ in Mouse Mode™ and with its window minimized.  Assuming a Macro Mouse™ directory named "MacroM" in your C: drive, the Macro Mouse™ command line would be "C:\MacroM\MM.exe /mousemode".


Printing the Macro Table

While you are learning to use Macro Mouse™ and the macros you have recorded, you may want a hard copy of the Macro Table to refer to.  Macro Mouse™ provides an option to print the Macro Table.  Select the Options Button to display the Options Dialog Box.  Then, click the button labeled "Print Macro Table" to print the table or click the button labeled "Setup Printer" to select the appropriate printer or to set printer options.

Note that the printout of the Macro Table appears the same as the Macro Table displayed on your screen.  You can modify the appearance of the Macro Table by filtering or sorting it.

See Also

Filtering the Macro Table

Learning to Use Macro Mouse™

Sorting the Macro Table


Getting Started/ Basic Operation

You may want to begin by reviewing the components of the Macro Mouse™ Window.  The Status Bar at the bottom of the Macro Mouse™ window provides a quick and easy way to do this.  The Status Bar displays information about whichever part of the window that the mouse cursor is on.  Different information is provided when you hold down the right mouse button, when you release it, and when you move the mouse.

When you first launch Macro Mouse™, you will find that some Keystroke Macros have already been recorded for you.  This allows you to begin using Macro Mouse™ immediately, before learning how to record macros, and these macros can be deleted or re-recorded or their Mouse Codes™ or descriptions revised according to your preferences.  To use the provided macros to get a feel for Macro Mouse™, you must first put Macro Mouse™ into Mouse Mode™ by clicking on the button at the top of the Macro Mouse™ window labeled "Mouse On".

When you put Macro Mouse™ into Mouse Mode™, its window will minimize to get out of your way and you will no longer have the Mouse Codes™ and Macro Descriptions displayed in front of you in the Macro Table.  Get a printout of the Macro Table before going into Mouse Mode™ by clicking on the button labeled "Options" and then clicking on the "Print Macro Table" button in the resulting dialog box.

For your first practice with Macro Mouse™, launch the Notepad or your word processor and either open a file you can practice with or create a small amount of text in a new file.  Now, refer to your printout of the Macro Table and select some macros to playback.  For example, try maximizing the Notepad window, or your word processor window, by clicking the Mouse Code™ "LLRR".  This means that you must click the left mouse button twice and then the right mouse button twice.  For the four clicks to be recognized as a Mouse Code™ instead of just four separate mouse clicks, the time interval between the clicks must be no more than the time interval between ordinary double clicks (Double Click Time).  The window you want to maximize must have the Input Focus when you click the Mouse Code™.  For further instructions, see Using Keystroke Macros in Mouse Mode.

After seeing how Macro Mouse™ works with the pre-recorded Keystroke Macros, try recording your own Keystroke and Task Macros and try using a Task Macro.  For instructions on recording macros, see Recording a New Keystroke Macro and Recording a New Task Macro.  For instructions on using Task Macros, see Using Task Macros in Mouse Mode™.

Before you record many macros and start learning to use them, you should plan the macros that you will want to record and which Mouse Codes™ you will assign to them.  By planning ahead, you can avoid having to change and re-learn your Mouse Codes™ later.  For suggestions on learning to use Macro Mouse™, see Learning to Use Macro Mouse™.


Limited Warranty

The Skamania Software Company warrants that the Macro Mouse™ program will perform in substantial compliance with the documentation supplied with the software product.  If a significant defect in the product is found, the purchaser may return the product for a refund.  In no event will such a refund exceed the purchase price of the product.

EXCEPT AS PROVIDED ABOVE, THE SKAMANIA SOFTWARE COMPANY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT.  SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, THE PURCHASER ASSUMES THE RISK OF PAYING THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION AND ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.  IN NO EVENT WILL THE SKAMANIA SOFTWARE COMPANY BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT EVEN IF THE SKAMANIA SOFTWARE COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Use of this product for any period of time constitutes your acceptance of this agreement and subjects you to its contents.


Software License

Macro Mouse™ is Copyright (c) 1994 by The Skamania Software Company.  Macro Mouse™ is not public domain or free software.

No one is permitted to modify or patch any of the Macro Mouse™ executable files in any way, including but not limited to decompiling, disassembling, or otherwise reverse engineering the Macro Mouse™ software program.

Trial Period License

Non-licensed users are granted a limited license to use Macro Mouse™ software for a 30-day trial period for the purpose of determining whether it is suitable for their needs.  Any use of Macro Mouse™ software, except for the initial 30-day trial period, requires registration.  The use of unlicensed copies of Macro Mouse™ software outside of the initial 30-day trial period by any person, business, corporation, government agency or any other entity is strictly prohibited.

Single User Software License

A single user license is obtained by registering Macro Mouse™.  It permits one user to use Macro Mouse™ software on one computer at a time.  Licensed users may use the program on different computers at different times, but may not use the program on more than one computer at the same time.

Shareware Distributor Software License

A limited license is granted to copy and distribute the Macro Mouse™ software only for the trial use of others, subject to the above limitations, and also the following:

1)    The software must be copied in unmodified form, complete with the file containing this license information.

2)    The full machine-readable documentation must be included with each copy.

3)    The software may not be distributed in conjunction with any other product without a specific license from The Skamania Software Company to do so.

4)    Sales of Macro Mouse™ software in retail stores (by "rack vendors") is specifically prohibited without prior written authorization.  Written authorization will generally require payment of a small royalty on each disk sold.

5)    No fee, charge, or other compensation may be requested or accepted, except as authorized below:

A) Non-profit user groups may distribute copies of the Macro Mouse™ software to their members, subject to the above conditions, without specific permission.  Non-profit groups may collect a disk duplication fee not to exceed five dollars.

B) Operators of electronic bulletin board systems (sysops) may make Macro Mouse™ software available for downloading only as long as the above conditions are met.  An overall or time-dependent charge for the use of the bulletin board system is permitted as long as there is not a specific charge for the download of the Macro Mouse™ software.

C) Mail-order vendors of shareware software approved by the ASP may distribute Macro Mouse™ software, subject to the above conditions, without specific permission.  Non-approved vendors may distribute Macro Mouse™ software only after obtaining written permission from The Skamania Software Company.  Such permission is usually granted.  Please write for details (enclose your catalog).  Vendors may charge a disk duplication and handling fee, which, when pro-rated to each individual product, may not exceed eight dollars.


Address and Telephone

The mailing address of The Skamania Software Company:

The Skamania Software Company
1500 SW Park Avenue #108
Portland, Oregon 97201-3472

The telephone number of The Skamania Software Company:

Voice and Fax (503) 222-3361

The CompuServe address for The Skamania Software Company:

Forum:  Go WinShare, Section 6 "General Win Utils"

CIS E-Mail:  72703,127


Technical Support

To the extent possible, your questions were anticipated in developing the Help documentation.  Please use the Help feature before asking a question that may have been anticipated and answered in Help.  If you don't find an answer in Help, we want you to ask us for an answer.

The preferred source for technical support for Macro Mouse™ is the WinShare Forum, Section 6 ("General Win Utils") on CompuServe.  Be sure to include "Macro Mouse™" in your message subject so we can find your messages and respond.  Please review other peoples' messages concerning Macro Mouse™.  The question you want to ask may already be asked and answered.  There also may be answers to questions you haven't yet thought to ask.

Our second preferred source for technical support for Macro Mouse™ is E-Mail.  Our E-Mail address is on CompuServe CIS:72703,127.

The telephone is not a preferred source for technical support for Macro Mouse™.  We will not be able to return calls to you if you get our answering machine or if we can't answer your questions immediately.

Regular mail and faxes are better for one-way communications than for technical support, which requires some degree of dialog.  We like to receive your comments and we especially like to receive your Registration by regular mail and fax!


Updates and Upgrades

As of the date of the first release of Macro Mouse™, there is not an established schedule for an update or upgrade.

Improvements to Macro Mouse™ will depend on

1.  User support through Registration.

2.  User feedback on desired changes and feature additions -- tell us what you want!  See The Skamania Software Company Address and Telephone.

Any updates (bug fixes and minor performance and feature improvements) will be free to registered users.  A registered user will only need to obtain and install the updated application files.

Any upgrades (significant performance and feature improvements) to Macro Mouse™ will be free or greatly reduced in price to registered users, depending on the nature and extent of the improvements.  The Skamania Software Company believes that upgrade pricing should be commensurate with only the incremental improvements in the product.  We do not believe that the registered user should be required to pay a second time for the feature base that continues from the original product to the upgraded product.

Note to Software Developers

The nature of Macro Mouse™ lends itself to the possibility of 3rd party add-on products.  In its first release, Macro Mouse™ provides Bonus Features that are available only to registered users through micro-sized applications called MicroApps.  Macro Mouse™ could be modified to provide for add-on products in the form of MicroApps.  These add-on MicroApps would give the user added functionality through the Macro Mouse™ interface.  They could be for general usage, such as the existing MicroApps, or they might be for a particular vertical market or target application.  If you are interested in creating MicroApps for your own use or for the use of others, please contact The Skamania Software Company.


Bonus Features

When you register Macro Mouse™, you have even more benefits to look forward to!  As soon as you enter the password that you receive after registering Macro Mouse™, you will be able to record macros that give you features that you couldn't get from regular macros.  These features are provided in the form of micro-sized applications called MicroApps, that Macro Mouse™ launches similar to the way it launches applications with Task Macros.

MicroApps differ from regular Task Macros in the way that they run and the way that you record them.  You won't see a window for a MicroApp.  You only see the effect of running it, as described below for each MicroApp.  To record a Task Macro for a MicroApp, follow the normal procedures for recording a Task Macro except that you must enter an asterisk ("*") and the MicroApp's name for the Macro Description.  Then, when you select the button labeled "Rec Task Macro", the MicroApp Task Macro will be recorded with no further steps required.

Below are the names and brief descriptions of the Macro Mouse™ MicroApps.  You must enter the MicroApp name precisely as displayed below for the Task Macro description.  Click on the names below to get further information on the MicroApps.

*Copy Append New copies selected text to the Clipboard without deleting prior text contents of the Clipboard.

*Copy Append Old is the same as Copy Append New but uses old Clipboard shortcut keys.

*Cut Append New cuts selected text to the Clipboard without deleting prior text contents of the Clipboard.

*Cut Append Old is the same as Cut Append New but uses old Clipboard shortcut keys.

*Move Window to Screen moves a window to the edge(s) of the screen.

*Move Window to Window moves a window to the border(s) of another window(s).

*Size Window to Screen changes the size of a window by extending its border(s) to the edge(s) of the screen.

*Size Window to Window changes the size of a window by extending its border(s) to the border(s) of another window(s).

*Stay on Top causes a designated window to "stay on top" such that it cannot be covered-up by other windows.


*Stay on Top

A "Stay on Top" MicroApp macro causes a designated window to stay on top of other windows.  This means that the designated window cannot be covered-up by windows that haven't been designated "Stay on Top".  A window retains its "Stay on Top" status regardless of whether it is maximized, minimized, or restored.  A "Stay on Top" MicroApp macro effects the window that currently has the input focus.  Using a "Stay on Top" macro on a window that already has "Stay on Top" status removes the "Stay on Top" status.


*Size Window to Window

A "Size Window to Window" MicroApp macro changes the size of a window by extending its border(s) to the border(s) of another window(s).

For the purposes of the macro, the client area of the window to be resized is divided into nine equal rectangles.  The rectangle that the mouse cursor is in when the Mouse Code™ for the macro is clicked determines how the window is resized.  If the mouse cursor is in the top center rectangle, for example, the top border of the window extends or retracts until it meets the bottom of another window.  Clicking in the top center rectangle again causes the top border of the window to extend until it meets the bottom of the next window up.  If this is repeated until there is no window with its bottom border between the top of the window to be resized and the top of the screen, then the top border will be extended to the top of the screen.

"Size Window to Window" works similarly when the mouse cursor is in the left center, bottom center, and right center rectangles.  The window extends in the direction of the rectangle.  "Size Window to Window" does nothing when the mouse cursor is in the middle of the window client area.  If the mouse cursor is in one of the corners when a "Size Window to Window" macro is used, the window extends in the direction of both of the borders that meet at that corner.


*Size Window to Screen

A "Size Window to Screen" MicroApp macro changes the size of a window by extending its border(s) to the edge(s) of the screen.

For the purposes of the macro, the client area of the window to be resized is divided into nine equal rectangles.  The rectangle that the mouse cursor is in when the Mouse Code™ for the macro is clicked determines how the window is resized.  If the mouse cursor is in the top center rectangle, for example, the top border of the window extends until it meets the top edge of the screen.  "Size Window to Screen" works similarly when the mouse cursor is in the left center, bottom center, and right center rectangles.  The window extends in the direction of the rectangle.  "Size Window to Screen" does nothing when the mouse cursor is in the middle of the window client area.  If the mouse cursor is in one of the corners when a "Size Window to Screen" macro is used, the window extends in the direction of both of the borders that meet at that corner.


*Move Window to Window

A "Move Window to Window" MicroApp macro moves a window to the border(s) of another window(s)

For the purposes of the macro, the client area of the window to be moved is divided into nine equal rectangles.  The rectangle that the mouse cursor is in when the Mouse Code™ for the macro is clicked determines how the window is moved  If the mouse cursor is in the top center rectangle, for example, the window is moved until the top border of the window meets the bottom of another window.  Clicking in the top center rectangle again causes the window to move again until it meets the bottom of the next window up.  If this is repeated until there is no window with its bottom border between the top of the window to be moved and the top of the screen, then the window will be moved until its top border meets the top of the screen.

"Move Window to Window" works similarly when the mouse cursor is in the left center, bottom center, and right center rectangles.  The window is moved in the direction of the rectangle.  "Move Window to Window" does nothing when the mouse cursor is in the middle of the window client area.  If the mouse cursor is in one of the corners when a "Move Window to Window" macro is used, the window is moved in the direction of both of the borders that meet at that corner.


*Move Window to Screen

A "Move Window to Screen" MicroApp macro moves a window to the edge(s) of the screen.

For the purposes of the macro, the client area of the window to be moved is divided into nine equal rectangles.  The rectangle that the mouse cursor is in when the Mouse Code™ for the macro is clicked determines how the window is moved.  If the mouse cursor is in the top center rectangle, for example, the window is moved until the top border of the window meets the top edge of the screen.

"Move Window to Screen" works similarly when the mouse cursor is in the left center, bottom center, and right center rectangles.  The window is moved in the direction of the rectangle.  "Move Window to Screen" does nothing when the mouse cursor is in the middle of the window client area.  If the mouse cursor is in one of the corners when a "Move Window to Screen" macro is used, the window is moved to that corner of the screen.


*Copy Append New

A "Copy Append New" MicroApp macro copies selected text to the Clipboard without deleting prior text contents of the Clipboard.

"Copy Append New" begins by saving any text that is already on the Clipboard.  Other data that is on the Clipboard, such as bitmaps or other graphics and other special data formats are not saved.  Text in Rich Text Format is saved in order to preserve text formatting.

The second step of "Copy Append New" is to cause whatever application that has the input focus to copy selected (highlighted) text to the Clipboard.  It does this by issuing to the application a command in the form of the Shortcut Key [Control C].  As of a couple of years ago, this Shortcut Key was adopted as the convention for copying to the Clipboard as versus the old Shortcut Key [Control Insert], hence the word "New" in "Copy Append New".  If you will be working primarily with an application that understands only the old Shortcut Key, use "Copy Append Old".  Many applications understand both the old and the new Shortcut Keys.

Finally, "Copy Append New" merges previous and current Clipboard text contents and puts the merged data on the Clipboard.  Successive usage of the macro continues to accumulate text on the Clipboard.  If you exceed the 64K bytes limit on text data for the macro, Macro Mouse™ will notify you.


*Cut Append New

A "Cut Append New" MicroApp macro cuts selected text to the Clipboard without deleting prior text contents of the Clipboard.

"Cut Append New" begins by saving any text that is already on the Clipboard.  Other data that is on the Clipboard, such as bitmaps or other graphics and other special data formats are not saved.  Text in Rich Text Format is saved in order to preserve text formatting.

The second step of "Cut Append New" is to cause whatever application that has the input focus to cut selected (highlighted) text to the Clipboard.  It does this by issuing to the application a command in the form of the Shortcut Key [Control X].  As of a couple of years ago, this Shortcut Key was adopted as the convention for cutting to the Clipboard as versus the old Shortcut Key [Shift Delete], hence the word "New" in "Cut Append New".  If you will be working primarily with an application that understands only the old Shortcut Key, use "Cut Append Old".  Many applications understand both old and new Shortcut Keys.

Finally, "Cut Append New" merges previous and current Clipboard text contents and puts the merged data on the Clipboard.  Successive usage of the macro continues to accumulate text on the Clipboard.  If you exceed the 64K bytes limit on text data for the macro, Macro Mouse™ will notify you and you should immediately use the "Undo" feature of the application from which you cut the text.


*Copy Append Old

A "Copy Append Old" MicroApp macro copies selected text to the Clipboard without deleting prior text contents of the Clipboard.

"Copy Append Old" begins by saving any text that is already on the Clipboard.  Other data that is on the Clipboard, such as bitmaps or other graphics and other special data formats are not saved.  Text in Rich Text Format is saved in order to preserve text formatting.

The second step of "Copy Append Old" is to cause whatever application that has the input focus to copy selected (highlighted) text to the Clipboard.  It does this by issuing to the application a command in the form of the Shortcut Key [Control Insert].  As of a couple of years ago, a new Shortcut Key [Control C] was adopted as the convention for copying to the Clipboard as versus the old Shortcut Key [Control Insert], hence the word "Old" in "Copy Append Old".  Unless you will be working primarily with an application that understands only the old Shortcut Key, use "Copy Append New".  Many application understand both the old and the new Shortcut Keys.

Finally, "Copy Append Old" merges previous and current Clipboard text contents and puts the merged data on the Clipboard.  Successive usage of the macro continues to accumulate text on the Clipboard.  If you exceed the 64K bytes limit on text data for the macro, Macro Mouse™ will notify you.


*Cut Append Old

A "Cut Append Old" MicroApp macro cuts selected text to the Clipboard without deleting prior text contents of the Clipboard.

"Cut Append Old" begins by saving any text that is already on the Clipboard.  Other data that is on the Clipboard, such as bitmaps or other graphics and other special data formats are not saved.  Text in Rich Text Format is saved in order to preserve text formatting.

The second step of "Cut Append Old" is to cause whatever application that has the input focus to cut selected (highlighted) text to the Clipboard.  It does this by issuing to the application a command in the form of the Shortcut Key [Shift Delete].  As of a couple of years ago, a new Shortcut Key [Control X] was adopted as the convention for cutting to the Clipboard as versus the old Shortcut Key [Shift Delete], hence the word "Old" in "Cut Append Old".  Unless you will be working primarily with an application that understands only the old Shortcut Key, use "Cut Append New".  Many application understand both the old and the new Shortcut Keys.

Finally, "Cut Append Old" merges previous and current Clipboard text contents and puts the merged data on the Clipboard.  Successive usage of the macro continues to accumulate text on the Clipboard.  If you exceed the 64K bytes limit on text data for the macro, Macro Mouse™ will notify you and you should immediately use the "Undo" feature of the application from which you cut the text.


Entering Your Registration Password

From the time that The Skamania Software Company receives your registration, you should expect to receive your Registration Password in from one to three weeks.

When you receive your Registration Password, you need to enter it into Macro Mouse™ so that Macro Mouse™ will operate as a registered product.  As a registered product, it will stop displaying reminders to register and it will gain the capabilities descriibed in Bonus Features.

Click on the About Button at the top of the Macro Mouse™ window.  For unregistered users, this will produce a dialog box that has a button labeled "Enter Password" at the bottom.  Clicking the "Enter Password" button produces the "Macro Mouse Password" dialog box that lets you enter your Registration Password.  If you had previously entered registration information through the "Register Macro Mouse" dialog box, you will find your name already entered in this dialog box.  Otherwise, be sure that you enter your name exactly as it appears on the document that provides your Registration Password.  Enter your Registration Password exactly as it is provided to you.  Finally, click on the "OK" button and Macro Mouse™ will be transformed into a registered product!