Constructive laziness is what computers are all about. Machines should relieve us of tedious tasks. Computer mavens, like Harry Maram, creator of Maram's Law of Conservation (NNN, Nov. 22), will never type two letters where one will do.

On the principle that we have only so many keystrokes remaining in our lives, Harry uses ready-made utilities, when available, or creates his own macros or batch-files to automate all possible tasks. Many, perhaps most, computer users approach the PC as a glorified typewriter or calculator. This approach works, but leaves the real power of computers untapped. Typical users just want to get their work done, and have little patience for learning arcane procedures to automate tasks.

A macro or batch file is a set of commands that combine to produce a given result, often generated via "hot-keys." For example, in Windows 95 the hot-key Ctrl+Esc (holding down the Ctrl key while simultaneously pressing the Escape key) brings up the Start menu, just as if you had clicked it. Alt+Tab (holding down the Alt key while pressing Tab) switches between open applications.

But why not extend this metaphor? Why can't we all be little Harrys? Constructing such timesaving procedures may require knowledge we are too lazy to learn. Windows has long offered a limited macro recording facility. Fortunately, "automagic" automation is possible even for those of us too lazy to learn how to be constructively good at it, in the form of a snazzy utility called Macro Magic, which is what the Windows recorder should have been.

MM (see, I'm saving keystrokes already!) is a $30 utility that automates the creation of macros to do virtually any computer task you can define by keystrokes, mouse movements or clicks. A Macro Wizard helps you create macros to launch applications, check your e-mail, visit favorite Web sites, or sign your messages or letters in as detailed a manner as you could wish.

For example, I set "Ctrl+J" to launch Juno, the free e-mail program (available from www.juno.com) that I use for most of my personal messaging. If, like me, you don't like to have your password saved by e-mail programs, you can have the macro include it; or have a 2d macro (like "Ctrl+P") to enter it. I sometimes like my e-mail signature to be followed by the date and time, so I set it in MM for "Alt+J," like this: // Jerry < Friday, April 24, 1998, 10:33:28 AM >.

Avoid hot-keys used by other applications (like "Ctrl-C," which copies information to the Windows clipboard). MM usually prevents this, and prevents assigning duplicate hot-keys to different macros.

Advanced MM users can create complex macros, calling one macro from another to complete a series of tasks, including pauses, allowing one task to complete before another begins. You can also create macros to ease tasks for less experienced friends.

A free trial version of MM (for Windows 95/NT only) is available from www.iolo.com.

Lazy folks of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your boredom, and a world of keystrokes to save!

Make Harry proud of you.

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