When setting up a task or macro in AutoMate the user is prompted to choose steps from an extensive list of possible actions. These can be in the following categories:
General
Window
Internet
Mouse
File I/O
Clipboard
System
Control Panel
Flow Control
Security
Recorder
Basic Scripting
Variables
With over 75 pre-configured actions, and many more available via Basic scripting, the user is bound to find a use for this software (see screenshot). They can setup their computers to do unattended FTP sessions during hours when the Internet isn't so busy. They can secure their computers by disabling the mouse and/or keyboard. They can have their computers check the Internet for software upgrades. Some administrators might find this to be a better solution than Windows Scripting Host. There is no need to learn scripting, but if a user knows scripting he will find AutoMate even more capable at whatever task he needs to do.
Once the actions have been set, choose a trigger. A trigger starts an action, or a set of actions. It can be based on time and frequency, Hotkeys, a series of keystrokes, the appearance of a specific window, the computer idle time, Windows Startup, screensaver activation, a logout from the computer, system time changes, and various other system state changes. AutoMate has a long list of very useful triggers that allow definition of just about any situation.
There are great support options via Web site, where users can get helpful hints on how to combine actions in a task to do things they never thought possible. AutoMate intercepts all communication between operating system and the applications run, so that it can catch any triggers that may be defined. But if installed on a slower computer, running AutoMate with everything else that may be needed to run tasks can become prohibitive. If the tasks have flow control actions that tell the computer to wait a specific number of seconds before proceeding to the next step, they may need to be retimed if exported to another computer of differing speed. Overall this program makes computer life easier...no more tedious repetition of the same old keystrokes or mouse clicks. Just trigger the task and go play.
