ActiveWords 1.9 builds keyboard shortcuts for everything you do on your PC. $10 from www.activewords.com/default.html.

Aldo's Macro Recorder 1.0 records keystrokes and mouse clicks for easy macro creation. Works with most every app out there, and even finds a use for the heretofore-useless Scroll Lock key. Free from www.aldostools.com/macro.html.

Brain Clone Pro 1.0 is a simple, powerful program that automates and simplifies repetitive tasks. Lots of uses, and for $300, it should have plenty. Find out more from www.brain-clone.com/information.html.

EZ Macros 3.06 is for the user who wants to use macros in their work, but can't stand the programs that make it such a headache to program and remember the things. One reviewer compares it favorably to that old DOS warhorse, Prokey. Check it out from www.americansys.com/ezmacros.htm. Keeping it costs you $30.

GhostTyperXML 2.01 Private Edition enables macros for e-mail, word processing documents, and more. Free from www.sc-data.de/ghosttyper/en/.

GroundControl 3.2 eliminates many repetitive PC tasks by letting you create custom macro files that can be triggered by toolbar buttons or hot key combos to automate tasks on your computer. Provides more than 200 built-in functions, from basic Window controls to more advanced e-mail and Internet features. $40 from www.acrasoft.com/.

Hot Chime 1.0.0 offers "hot word" activation for programs, files and URLs. It features drag and drop, auto-start with Windows, configurable hotkey to open program, quick-access F1 to F5 keys, is fully accessible by keyboard, and more. You call it up by using its keyboard shortcut (hotkey) and then type a preset abbreviation to open a program, a file, a Website, etc. For example, you can type the letter "g" and press the Enter key for your default browser to open the Google search site. Free from www.chime.tv/products/hotchime.shtml.

HotKeyz 2.1.1.0 is a keyboard utility with hotkey control for executing other files, folders or RUN commands. You can launch applications in a normal, minimized or maximized state. $18 from www.skynergy.com/hotkeyz.html.

iOpus Internet Macros 3.61 is a macro recorder designed for the Web. Check on the same sites every day; submit to search engines; remember passwords; or test Web sites multiple times. $30 from www.iopus.com/iim.htm.

Journal Macro 1.80 is another simple-to-use macro creator and editor. $40 from www.keyboard-macro-recorder.com/.

KeyIt 2.0.10 is a simple but full-featured macro utility, with extras many macro utilities lack. $20 from www.keyit.com/.

KeyText 2000 2.23 stores pieces of text ready to be typed or pasted into any application by a simple hotkey press or menu selection. $25 from www.mjmsoft.com/keytext.htm.

Macro Anywhere1.1.0 is a $13 utility from www.infinitefreedom.com/keygen/ that lets you create hot-keys to perform complex tasks with just a single keystroke. You can assign key commands for inserting commonly used text, such as addresses or passwords. It works with most Windows applications and can hold up to 256 commands.

Macro Express 98 1.6h, from www.macroexpress.com/index.html, lets you create system shortcuts and run them from your chosen hotkeys or a button panel in the system tray. Try it for $30 days, keep it for $56.

Macro Magic is a highly recommended $30 program that records and plays back macros in any specified application. Macro Magic can be downloaded from www.unisyn.com/macromagic/. If you like it after 30 days, keep it for $40.

MacroMaker 2.0.0.4 automates text strings, mouse clicks, Clipboard entries, and more. Free from members.ij.net/anthonymathews/MacroMaker.htm.

MemoKeys 1.8 allows you to create shortcut key combinations (hotkeys), like F5 + A or ` + W, and associates them with any text information of your choice. You can use it to store your address, name, e-mail signature, or any other text you enter. Free from www.interlogic-concept.com/.

Microsoft Office Macros are 10 macros designed by Karen Kenworthy at Windows Magazine for souped-up productivity for MSOffice users. Available as a free download from www.karenware.com/.

Quick Macros 2.1.4 quickly creates macros to press keyboard keys, move and click the mouse, type text, run and manage files, change various window parameters, close pop-up windows, and more. $30 from www.quickmacros.com/.

QuicKeys is a powerful macro creation utility that, among other things, scans your drives to see what apps are installed there and creates macros to run them. It'll cost you $40 ($50 if you want it on CD) to keep it; get the lowdown from www.quickeys.com/.

Pathbuddy 1.0 lets you define hotkeys for selecting folders in almost any program's Open & Save dialog (as well as Windows Explorer). Free from www.pathbuddy.com/.

RoboType 3.0 is a freebie from www.pcmag.com/utilities/ that lets you build text macros (up to 32,000 characters) triggered by a choice of over 5,000 keystroke combinations. Basically, this appeals to the macro freak who finds himself running out of Ctrl-this and Alt-that combinations.

If you use a lot of boilerplate phrases, type the same account numbers over and over, or whatever, Shorthand for Windows 5.41 lets you insert frequently used text strings using representative characters -- for example, type "asap" and have it print "as soon as possible". We're talking simple macros here, folks. $50 from www65.pair.com/lim/shorthand/.

ShortKeys Lite 1.7 is another simple, free macro utility from www.shortkeys.com/. If you like it, you might upgrade to the fancier $20 version.

SureType is a simple, free macro utility from www.rampellsoft.com/.

TypeItIn 1.4 is an easy little macro creation utility that lets you create and use up to 50 macros. The regular version is free; the "professional" version is $18. Both are available from www.www.wavget.com/typeitin.html.

UltraKeyboard 3.60 is a hotkey, key logger and macro-based keyboard utility. $25 from www.fadsoft.com/UltraKeyboard.htm.

WinKeySim 1.00 lets you set up macros to define keyboard sequences. Free from mwganson.freeyellow.com/WinKeySim/.

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