MAKE KEYBOARD BETTER THAN A MOUSE
Type in two or three letters from anywhere within Windows and
launch a program, or go to a specific web site, or see your name and
address typed in automatically, or do all of the above. That's the
power you get with a little utility program called ActiveWords.
Basically, ActiveWords lets you name the repetitive things you would
normally do. Once you've created and named the action, you simply type
it and press any pre-defined Function key, or the spacebar two times.
Let's say for example, that you are in Excel and you need to look
at the Computer America web site for some additional information. You
could do it the ordinary way by going back to the desktop to double
click on the browser icon and then type in the web address. Or you
could just type "CA" in any Excel cell and press the spacebar twice.
Assuming that you have set up the letters "CA" as an ActiveWords
action word in this example, it would make Windows launch your browser
and then go to the web site of the Computer America radio show. And
all you did was type two letters. You can evoke ActiveWords from
anywhere within Windows where a text cursor appears.
ActiveWords is really not a macro program but more of a utility
that works no matter what program you happen to be in. That's because
ActiveWords intercepts what you type before the Windows operating
system gets a hold of it. In fact, ActiveWords works just fine with
macro programs such as CE Software's Quickeys. In that case, you could
use an ActiveWords keyword to fire off a Quickeys macro action.
ActiveWords can be used to perform a variety of tasks such as
automatically create and address email messages, launch applications,
open documents and files of most any type, and substitute text. Type
in "ADDR" for example, and ActiveWords will replace those letters with
your name and complete address. The ActiveWords application uses
simple wizards to create the actions or you can script your own using
the included ActiveWords Scripting Language. Selecting the "Navigate
to an Internet Site" wizard for example, lets you fill in a web
address you want to see. Once assigned to a keyword you will remember,
typing it anywhere will invoke the action.
Once you have your ActiveWords in place, the program will monitor
your productivity and see how much time you save using ActiveWords as
opposed to doing things the old fashion way.
ActiveWords lets you try their ActiveWords Plus for 60 days before
you decide to purchase it for $49.95. If you're looking for a way to
get things done without having to reach for the mouse, you'll find
that ActiveWords lets you keep your hands on the keyboard.
www.activewords.com
You light up my computer
 After
seeing movies like The Fast and the Furious, you may be consumed with
the desire to drive one of those high performance, flashy street cars
traveling over 200 MPH and glowing with those ultra cool lights under
the chassis. Then again, you may also have a desire to remain alive.
So we substitute faster processor speed for horsepower, and large hard
drives to replace those big tires. But the one thing you don't have to
give up are the glowing electric colored lights. Antec has come up
with their iLuminate light sticks you can stick on your computer's
screen or on any part of your computer for that matter.
The iLuminate comes in two size versions. The iLuminate is a single
11.5 inches long light tube, or select the iLuminate Mini that
includes two shorter 3.1 inch tubes in the package. Both come in a
bright electric green, blue or red. Or for the ultimate, go for the
multicolor versions that sequence through seven different colors. All
versions can be switched to a sound sensitive mode that makes the
light rods react to your computer's sound. Playing your mp3s will take
on a whole new meaning with these babies attached to and flashing on
your computer's screen. The iLuminate plugs into any available USB
port and works with Mac and PC alike. Now all you need is to find a
gang of computer geeks and you'll be ready for anything. $15.95.
www.antec-inc.com |
