From: Julian Miller <julian77@scriptsoftware.com>
To: Julian Miller <info@scriptsoftware.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2004 10:26:31 -1000
Subject: Eliminate Slavery with iKey 2 Essential Automation for OS X with Manual by Adam Engst

11/23/04

Press Release

iKey Brings Speed and Ease to Automating Repetitive Tasks. iKey 2 includes a new manual written by respected computer and internet author Adam Engst.

Don't be a Slave to your Computer Anymore.

Today Script Software released iKey 2 the latest version of the the most powerful automation tool for Mac OS X. iKey allows anyone to automate any computer action and fire it off via a hot key or menu or button on a palette. Using a computer can become very repetitive. How many actions do you perform each day that you've done before? iKey eliminates the drudgery and allows you to move back to doing the creative work you were meant to do. Leave the work to iKey.

Download and try out the latest version of iKey 2 from here:
http://www.scriptsoftware.com/
http://www.scriptsoftware.com/ikey

Launch applications, type text, open folders, enter dates, do system tasks, perform actions in the finder, move windows, mount servers, command dialogs, use the clipboard and much more with iKey. Combine these actions into sequences that can perform anything in any application or the Finder. Then launch them via a hotkey, menu item, time, or button on a palette.

We are happy to announce that iKey now includes a wonderful manual and extensive reference written by Adam Engst. His indefatigable support of the Macintosh community and commitment to helping individuals has resulted in numerous awards and recognition at the highest levels. Adam C. Engst is the publisher of TidBITS, one of the oldest and most-respected Internet-based newsletters, distributed weekly to many thousands of readers. He has written numerous technical books, including the best-selling Internet Starter Kit series and iPhoto 2 for Mac OS X: Visual QuickStart Guide and also many magazine articles as Contributing Editor at MacUser, MacWEEK, and now Macworld.

Adam's 'Take Control of iKey' is an in depth manual and reference for iKey users. It is included free with each copy of iKey 2. It gives beginners and advanced users everything they need to:

Do less and accomplish more with iKey!

------------------------

Changes in iKey from Version 1 to Version 2

iKey 2.0 is a complete rewrite of the previous versions that enables to control much more of commands and how they are run, and has many new options.

The application has been structured with the following parts:
- command: the based part to do a task (each command is based on a type that define the task it can do - command types are grouped by family)
- context: it controls when a shortcut, a menu or a palette is available
- launcher: it runs shortcuts, displays menu and palettes depending on events (key, date, application or system event)
- shortcut: it groups one or more comands, and controls how they run
- menu: to run shortcuts and commands (including in submenus)
- palettes: to run shortcuts and commands (many new options)

iKey Engine:
- can check automatically for new version (preferences)
- improved applescript support: run command, run shortcut, display floating menu, show/hide palette
- you can now quit the iKey Engine or Open iKey Editor by re-launching iKey

iKey Editor:
- new interface with brushed metal windows and toolbars
- all settings can be defined for one user and shared by all users of a Mac
- integrated help
- preferences inside (not in a preference pane)
- preferences include default settings for new objects (commands, shortcuts, menus and palettes)
- preferences include delay before a palette is deactivated
- a list of invalid and unused parts can be displayed
- many examples of commands, shortcuts, contexts, launchers, menus and palettes for new users

Commands:
- one command can be used in several shortcuts, palettes or menus
- any change in a command is reflected in all parts that use it (shortcuts, palettes and menus)
- each command can be tested inside the editor
- all commands of iKey 1.0.7
- new commands: Quit iKey Engine, Open iKey Editor, Show iKey Report, Stop All Shortcuts ; Eject ; Volume Up/Down/Mute
- you can create commands by dropping files on the Editor dock icon

Shortcuts:
- each shortcut can be ran with several launchers (key combo event, date/time events, application events and system events)
- each launcher can be deactivated temporarily for a specific shortcut (for test purpose for example)
- each shortcut can be activated in several contexts (when various applications are on the foreground)
- each context can be deactivated temporarily for a specific shortcut (for test purpose for example)
- can run several commands by default
- each command inside a shortcut can be deactivated temporarily (for test purpose for example)
- each command inside a shortcut has result parameters to specify what to do if the command succeeds and if the command fails: continue, show a message, add to a report, stop or ask
- each command inside a shortcut has its specific run parameters: the number of times to run, the delay to pause after each run
- commands can be shared with other shortcuts (like aliases), so that if changes are made in a command, all shortcuts linked to it will be also changed
- each shortcut can be tested inside the editor
- can define how many times all the commands inside a shortcut need to be ran (one time, several times, by infinite) and the delay between each run
- result of each command in a shortcut can be viewed in a report

Contexts:
- add new context types: when an application is on the background; when an application is running; when an application isn't running
- ability to deactivate all key combo when a context is activated (for example: a specific application is on the foreground)
- easier to deactivate one or more specific key combo when a context is activated (for example: a specific application is on the foreground)

Launchers:
- one launcher can fire an unlimited number of parts (shortcuts, menus, palettes)
- for each key based launcher, specify if the event occurs the key combo is pressed or released
- for each key based launcher, specify if the event is repeated when the keys remain pressed, and the delay between each event
- key based launcher: more pertinent title of the key combo
- for each date based launcher, specify if the next planned date is exceeded (the Mac and/or iKey wasn't running) what to do (fire, nothing or ask)
- system based launcher: before go to sleep: now really run shortcuts before going to sleep
- context based launcher: new launcher that fire when a part becomes available the first time, or at any time (for example when an application becomes the front)

Menus:
- each menu has new specific settings:. to display in the menu bar, with an image and/or a name. to display image of items
. to display key combo of items (shortcuts with key based launchers)
- several menus can be displayed in the menu bar
- menus can be used as submenus, with unlimited number of levels
- menus can be previewed

Palettes:
- each palette has new specific settings:
. the origin of the default location (top/left, top/right, bottom/right or bottom left of the screen)
. the type of buttons (image only, image top, image bottom, image right, image left, image over, no image)
. the size of the image
. the size of the font to display the name
- palettes can be previewed from the editor

iKey is simple to use and more powerful than any comparable macro tool and much cheaper than Quickeys. It integrates very with Applescript for even more flexibility and power. But very simple for those that just want hot keys for launching and doing menu commands. From versiontracker.com

For more information.
info@scriptsoftware.com

Along with iClock and CopyPaste, iKey is one of the 3 essential utilities
for OS X.

To see our other software go here:
http://www.scriptsoftware.com/

/*/*/*\ J u l i a n M i l l e r
\*\*\*/ S c r i p t S o f t w a r e

* // * CopyPaste, KnowledgeMiner, iClock, Easy Card, iStar Karaoke
* \\ * PhotoMover, iWatermark, Camera Helper, Project Timer Pro and iKey!
* // * http://www.scriptsoftware.com

Please use the support forum at: http://www.scriptsoftware.com/support