Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
iKey is a solid and affordable macro utility , but one that miss some of the bells and tin whistle of competing applications .
For those who exhaust of perform the same action on their data processor time and again , macro utility program can replicate those actions with the press of a key fruit . Plum Amazing ’s $ 30iKeyis just such a peter . Though lack some of the power of Stairways Software ’s $ 36Keyboard Maestroand Startly Technologies ’ $ 60QuicKeys , iKey is a capable and affordable utility for put to death your Clarence Shepard Day Jr. - to - sidereal day undertaking .
Like other macro utility program , iKey define macros by three degree — a launcher ( an action at law , such as a keyboard dictation or timed event , direct to start the macro ) , contexts ( the conditions under which the macro instruction can be activated ) , and command ( the action that the macro do ) . You configure these stages within a individual Shortcut windowpane .
The iKey Editor
iKey offers a moderately comprehensive repertory of commands . These are snap off into categories that include — among many other things — command for manipulating applications ( launching , quitting , and switching , for lesson ) , modifying text edition , pressing keys , choose and moving windows , selecting menus , mounting servers , impress document , executing playscript , adjusting audio , and inserting pauses ( to allow other commands to run before the macro instruction proceed to the next step ) . The launching option are likewise broad , allowing you to spark off macro instruction with the keyboard , date / metre events , program and organisation actions , and USB - gadget event . you could create macro instruction that occur within all applications or are confined to specific applications .
rocket launcher events are n’t the only way to trigger macro instruction . iKey also lets you create menus and palettes containing macros ; you could you could activate those macro instruction using the computer mouse cursor .
iKey lacks a couple of useful feature found in competing mathematical product . Both Keyboard Maestro and QuicKeys admit a transcription feature that lets you memorialize your onscreen activity with the click of a push button . Such recording often need to be heavy edited to make a useful macro , but they ’re sometimes the easiest way to get going cobblestone together a complex serial of actions . Both utilities also include a text - elaboration feature — one where you type an abbreviation to insert a clod of boilerplate text — similar to SmileOnMyMac’sTextExpander ( ) and Ettore Software’sTypeIt4Me ( ) . And QuicKeys additionally permit you place conditionals ( determination full stop ) within a macro , and includes a feature that identifies Web varlet elements , make it easier to automate interactions in WWW - based variety .
iKey is a good macro public utility company and the most affordable one available to Mac user . Its set of dictation is reasonably thoroughgoing and its option to trigger macro from menus and palettes is welcome . For those on a budget who ask a basic - to - medium macro software , iKey is a right scene . If you ’re looking for more ripe options , Keyboard Maestro or QuicKeys are better choice .
