Howdy %Name%,
Last week I was chatting with marketing guru & automation expert Ryan Wells. We were discussing progress on our projects and how difficult it can be to “finish” a script.
When developing scripts it’s too easy to always want keep improving it.
I mentioned that I used to really struggle with the problem however, now that I have 3 full-time employees that I pay to develop scripts it has become much easier to focus on determining the MVP (Minimum Viable Product).
And that, by building a Roadmap, it helps get the first version out because it helps the developer remember the other features can be planned but don’t have to exist.
That’s when Ryan asked me if I’d heard of Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono. I hadn’t but loved the idea. So much so I adapted the concept and came up with 6 hats to wear when programming. You can read about them here.
By being aware of the different goals, you’re more likely to develop things in a more-timely manner. Ensuring you focus on the critical things to get your script out and get feedback on it soon (before you invest too much time/resources on it)
Of course we’re happy to help you think through each stage, simply reply to this email and we can schedule a call.
Now on with the show…
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Changing the width of Scroll Bars
Microsoft made a lot of changes in Windows 11 (most of which I didn’t care for). One in particular was the “shrinking” of the width of the scrollbars.
I did some research and found the registry setting that allows the changing of it however the values were really weird!
So I asked Rizwan to create a simple AHK v2 GUI (after all GUIs are easy in v2).
This made it much easier to change and allow you to have a preview how it will look because you need to reboot to see the effect.
You can check it out in this video and download the script here.
How to easily Change the Width of Scrollbars in Windows 11
How to Easily Automate Older Programs
If you’re like me you probably use some older programs. Did you know that most older Windows programs are easily automatable with AutoHotkey?
If the program was built with Win32 controls AutoHotkey has amazing ways to automate (and even CHANGE the GUI).
Take a look at this video to get some ideas. We cover Controls in our Intermediate AutoHotkey course which comes with a double-your-money-back guarantee!
Easily manipulate Older Windows Programs with AutoHotkey
How to make changes to YOUR AutoHotkey v2 GUI
Speaking of changing GUIs, AutoHotkey v2 GUIs are far superior to v1 GUIs because the GUIs are all objects! In this video Isaias shows how much easier it is to update your GUI in v2. If you’re new to Object Oriented Programming you might check out our Functions, Objects & Classes course.
How to easily Change/Update your AutoHotkey v2 GUIs
Improving People’s Lives: Story #16
Stephanie, one of our favorite clients, called me up the other day and asked my thoughts on how to help them onboard new purchasers.
We discussed several approaches however the “lowest hanging fruit” was to create an “onboarding email drip campaign” which will welcome new purchasers, customers, provide relevant links, answer FAQ and upsell them.
All of this is easily done with automation!
What we’re reading
- Tidy up your Excel spreadsheet with TRIMRANGE Function
- Always do this before handing Your Android Phone to someone else
- Windows terminal can now Save Your Sessions
AI / Chat GPT-3 News / Usage
- Have some fun with this “clothes swapper” (thanks Ryan)
- Deepmind is having models verify their own outputs
- Computer Vision from Alibaba
- Open AI added Structured Outputs in their API
⚡️Productivity tips:
Ctrl + Shift + F11: Insert a new worksheet in Microsoft Excel.
A spot of Humor
One of my favorite clips from the IT crowd
TOP 5 The IT Crowd Best Moments | Series 1
Testimonial
The content is great in general and often questions can actually help and improve interest in AutoHotKey. — Rodrigo Costa
AHK Hero
Consider joining the AHK Hero club! Members receive 25% off courses, consultations, tutoring, done for you project work, etc.
Currently we have over 309 hours of recordings teaching AutoHotkey that is exclusive to AHK Hero members❗
During this Friday’s call we’re planning to discuss:
- Help AHK Members with their code
- Discussing various AHK Hats
- Branching in VS code with git
- Attach debug to running script
- Using “invert” on a slider so it is intuitive
- Example using keywait
- Example suspending an exe
- Adding tooltips on Disabled buttons
- Adjusting GUI controls (Up/Down) so take into account Scrollbar Width
- Updates to Automator spy & Ultimate spy: Checking for Virtual programs
They also have access to exclusive & pre-released content and a 3 hours a week where we help people with their AHK issues (the Saturday calls are geared towards people new to AutoHotkey.)
️ Quotable quotes
- Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend — Theophrastus
- Time is linear; Success doesn’t have to be — Joe Glines
- Time spent alone in silence can yield breakthrough insights — Dave Dee
- New goals don’t deliver new results. New lifestyles do — James Cleary
⏩SHARE WITH A FRIEND⏩
Do you know someone that would benefit from learning useful automation tips like the gems in today’s issue?
Take a second and forward this newsletter and bask in the glow of their undying gratitude. Was this email forwarded to you?
Sign up for this Newsletter here. We never share your email with anyone. Ever!
Joe, Isaias, Irfan, Rizwan and staff
 |  |  |
P.S. If you’re having problems “finishing” your script I highly recommend you check out the 6 hats I mentioned earlier.
Of course you could always just hire us to get your project done.
Our team can get things done in hours that would probably take you weeks!
