• Intro to AutoHotkey Intermediate AutoHotkey Intermediate Objects GUIs are Easy w/AutoHotkey Painlessly switch from V1 to V2

September 27th, 2023 AutoHotkey Newsletter

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Howdy,

If you don’t currently floss your teeth regularly you should try to floss just one tooth.   Once you floss the one you are infinitely more likely continue to floss the others.

This is a great tip I learned when reading Atomic Habits.

Of course this approach can easily be adapted to virtually any habit you are trying to adapt.

For instance, if you’re wanting to Learn HotStrings in AutoHotkey, you should just learn the basics of creating a HotString.  Not plan to learn every option available for it.  It’s one of the reasons all of our AutoHotkey courses are broken down into small “bite size” videos that allow you to learn “One thing” when you have time.

Now on with the show…

Intro to AutoHotkey HotStrings with AutoHotkey Intermediate AutoHotkey Intermediate Objects GUIs are Easy w/AutoHotkey Make the switch to v2

😲You’ll never believe this❗

I was watching an old Microsoft video with Bill Gates.  During his presentation he did something that blew my mind!  Check it out in this video.  Keep in mind, this was a long, long time ago!

I never expected to see this in a Microsoft Video by Bill Gates
I never expected to see this in a Microsoft Video by Bill Gates

Now that you checked out that video, you might want to watch this one to see how you can recreate the magic with AutoHotkey

Intro to AHK v2 HotStrings Extract
Intro to AHK v2 HotStrings Extract


Adding a ToolTip to a GUI

A couple of weeks ago Irfan, Isaias and I were in a team meeting and Isaias mentioned how “easy” it is to add a mouse-over to a GUI.  We all know that GUIs are Easy in AutoHotkey but I’m really glad I hit record because this as a great little lesson I captured in this video.

Adding a tooltip-MouseOver to a control in a GUI :tatm
Adding a tooltip-MouseOver to a control in a GUI :tatm


Fixing Your Phone / Phone Link

Isaias and I both upgraded to Windows 11 and we both were disappointed when we realized our Phone Link tool wouldn’t run properly.   You see Phone Link (formerly named Your Phone) is a built-in Windows app that allows you to easily connect your Android phone to your PC.  (Apparently, in Windows 11 there is an update which let’s you connect an iPhone).

Anyway, I didn’t realize just how much I relied on the app until it was gone 😢

I googled a lot and found a lot of “fixes” that didn’t work.  Then, one of them finally did!   I showed the approach to Isaias and, sure enough, it fixes his as well.  So, if you’re having issues with Phone Link, be sure check out this video.

🙌From Frustration to Success: Watch How we Fixed Microsoft Phone Link❗
🙌From Frustration to Success: Watch How we Fixed Microsoft Phone Link❗


📚 What we’re reading


🤖 AI / Chat GPT-3 News / Usage

Meta Just Blew Everyone’s Minds!
Meta Just Blew Everyone's Minds!


⚡️Productivity tips: Parkinson’s Law

The amount of work expands to fill the time available for its completion.  Force yourself to have deadlines to projects and, magically, it will get done!


🤣 A spot of Humor:  Hilarity ensues when a comedian uses charts!  Make sure you make it till the end!

Don McMillan – Greatest Charts (Volume 1)
Don McMillan - Greatest Charts (Volume 1)


AHK Hero 🦸

Consider joining the 🦸AHK Hero club! Members receive 25% off courses, consultations, tutoring, done for you project work, etc.

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

  • Put systems in place that will allow ordinary people to do extraordinary things Joe Glines
  • I will always hire a lazy person to do a hard job, because they will always find an easy way to do it Bill Gates
  • As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another Proverbs 27:17
  • If you want something done, ask the busiest person you know to do it and stand back!

AHK Newsletter⏩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 hereWe never share your email with anyone.  Ever!


The-Automator

Joe, Isaias, Irfan, and staff


P.S. Learning AutoHotkey is a great way to “buy time”.  Our AHK courses help you learn AutoHotkey however that’s only one piece of it.  Talking to others, seeing what they’re automating, is equally important.  It’s one of the reasons our Hero members LOVE the AHK Hero group and I know you will to when you join.

Are you more incompetent than you realize❓ / September 20th AutoHotkey newsletter

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Imagine you have a friend named Joe who likes to write AutoHotkey scripts. He thinks he is very good at it, but his scripts all imitate a human and do not utilize an API approach. Joe also thinks AutoHotkey is “buggy” because his scripts often don’t work (especially when he shares them with other people.)

Joe thinks that other people who write AutoHotkey scripts are not very good and take overly-complicated approaches to make more money.

He thinks he is the best script-writer in the world.

This is known as the Dunning-Kruger effect.  The Dunning-Kruger effect is when people think they know more than they really do.  They are not very good at something, but they don’t realize it. They also don’t accurately evaluate how good other people are.

They believe they are better than average, or even experts (Yikes!), when they are not. This can make them act overconfident and make mistakes and often blame the instrument instead of themselves.

The Dunning-Kruger effect happens because some people don’t have enough knowledge or skill to judge themselves or others correctly.

Often People don’t know what they don’t know

The more you learn about something, the more you realize how much you still need to learn. You become more humble and realistic about your abilities.

To avoid the Dunning-Kruger effect, you should always try to learn more about the things you are interested in or need to do. You should also ask for feedback from others who are more experienced or knowledgeable than you. This is one of the best benefits of the AHK hero group.  We have 3 hours of Zoom calls each week where we help provide guidance to Hero members.   Not to mention the private Telegram group where people can ask for help during the week.   Give it some thought.  If you’re not sure, check out these objections that many people think.  You’re probably a better-fit for the group than you think!

Now on with the show…

Intro to AutoHotkey HotStrings with AutoHotkey Intermediate AutoHotkey Intermediate Objects GUIs are Easy w/AutoHotkey Make the switch to v2

HotStrings & Hotkeys that paste: Images, Text, and Hyperlinks / Rich text

For several years now sending keystrokes with AutoHotkey has been problematic.   It got so frustrating I asked Irfan to adapt many of my HotStrings to paste the text (instead of sending keystrokes).

This is a much more reliable way to get the text where you want it.   Nothing too special here…   But I also realized it is super easy to trigger them with either a Hotkey or a HotString.   Still, nothing too “wow” leveled (other than having automations that worked reliably).

Then I realized why don’t we kick it up a notch by making it easy to paste Rich text / Text with Hyperlinks and/or pictures.  Wow Now we’re on to something!

The function parameters are very easy to follow.  We share how to use them in this video.

Easily sending text, HTML or pIctures with Clipster
Easily sending text, HTML or pIctures with Clipster


We’re also considering wrapping the whole thing in a GUI to allow non-AutoHotkey users a way to have this functionality.  😊

Easily Adjusting your DPI

We just released two scripts that do (basically) the same thing.   They both make it super-simple to assign a hotkey to change your DPI.  One of them allows you to assign the monitor the hotkey will be applied to while the other just looks at the monitor your mouse is over.  You can see them in use in this video.

Two AHK scripts to easily change your Monitor’s DPI Scaling
Two AHK scripts to easily change your Monitor's DPI Scaling


How to Create & Use Custom functions

Last week I mentioned this video extracted from Intro to AHK v2 that explains how you can use the built-in AHK functions.    This week I’m following up by sharing this video which helps you see how you can write your own functions.  Functions are a crazy-powerful way to level you up!

Defining custom functions in AutoHotkey v2
Defining custom functions in AutoHotkey v2

Don’t forget, all of our courses come with an amazing 200% money back guarantee!


Pinning Files / Scripts in Windows 11

I have to say I’m not loving Windows 11❗ Granted, I wouldn’t even be using it if I hadn’t found this app that allows me to put the Taskbar on the side.  In this video I walk through a work-around on how to pin non-executables to the Taskbar.

How to Pin a non-executable file to Taskbar in Windows 11
How to Pin a non-executable file to Taskbar in Windows 11


How to create a File Installer with InnoSetup

A while back Jean Lalonde, author of Quick Access Popup, gave us a great tutorial on how to use InnoSetup.  In this video Jean walks us through many of the settings and how it can be configured to give your script a “level-up”.

💻 Take file installation to the next level – Use Inno Setup like a pro!
💻 Take file installation to the next level - Use Inno Setup like a pro!

Incidentally I spoke with Jean last week and he’s been hard at work on his other “clipboard” tool.  You can see an overview of it’s functionality in this video.

💥 Supercharge your productivity with this Amazing Clipboard Tool!😲
💥 Supercharge your productivity with this Amazing Clipboard Tool!😲


New YouTuber: Easily set windows locations

I was watching YouTube the other day and stumbled upon this video from Inthekhud.  He did a pretty good job.  He walks through using WinGet to detect where a window is located and then how to set it’s location.  I hope he continues to make AutoHotkey videos.  The more the better!

STOP manually adjusting windows | Use AUTOHOTKEY!
STOP manually adjusting windows | Use AUTOHOTKEY!


**********************

📚 What we’re reading


🤖 AI / Chat GPT-3 News / Usage

HUGE Bard Update: The Future of Google is Now AI

HUGE Bard Update: The Future of Google is Now AI



⚡️Productivity tips: Setting Goals

Setting Daily, Weekly, Monthly and annual goals are a great way to make sure you achieve what you want.   Having said that, goals only take you so far, in the Atomic Habits book, he explains how habits are what truly drive action!


🤣 A spot of Humor This would freak me out!

Our Most Chaotic Prank Of ALL TIME | Just For Laughs Gags
Our Most Chaotic Prank Of ALL TIME | Just For Laughs Gags


AHK Hero 🦸

Consider joining the 🦸AHK Hero club! Members receive 25% off courses, consultations, tutoring, done for you project work, etc.

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

  • How you deal with failure determines whether or not you ever get to deal with the success Dan Kennedy
  • A major reason for procrastination and lack of motivation is vagueness, confusion, and fuzzy minded thinking about what you are trying to do and in what order and for what reason. Brian Tracy
  • You must stop expecting perfection — either from yourself, or your employees, or your customers and clients. It will never happen. John Carlton
  • History is just new people making old mistakes Sigmund Freud

AHK Newsletter⏩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 hereWe never share your email with anyone.  Ever!


The-Automator

Joe, Isaias, Irfan, and staff


P.S. Are you one of those people that don’t know what you don’t know?  One of the best ways to safeguard against this is to regularly meet amongst others that know more than you.  The AHK Hero group is a great place to learn from others and ensure you’re accurately assessing your skills.  Do yourself a favor and sign up.   The only thing you’ll regret is that you waited so long!

August 24, 2023 AutoHotkey Newsletter

AutoHotkey Newsletter

As I mentioned a few times I’m reading (and loving) the amazing Atomic Habits book from James Clear.

Often we have “high aspirations” to obtain a new goal (Eat healthier, get in shape, learn AutoHotkey, etc.) but, when the goal is a big undertaking, we will find it easy to come up with excuses not to start now.

A great way to get around this is to adopt James Clear’s “Two-Minute” rule.

Instead of trying to achieve a large thing, aim your sights on something much smaller that can be achieved in under two minutes.  The amazing part is, you’ll often “be in the mood” to keep working towards the bigger goal after you’ve started.

With some practice you’ll find that nearly any habit can be scaled down into a two-minute version:

  • Read before bed each night ➡ Read 1 page
  • Do the dishes➡ wash 1 dish
  • Run three miles ➡ Tie my running shoes
  • Learn everything about VS code ➡ Learn how to select multi-lines in VS code

So “think small” and you’ll achieve your big goal like Learning AutoHotkey

Now on with the show…

Intro to AutoHotkey HotStrings with AutoHotkey Intermediate AutoHotkey Intermediate Objects GUIs are Easy w/AutoHotkey Make the switch to v2

How AI Will DISRUPT The World In 3 Years

Last week I watched an amazing video on how AI will disrupt the world within 3 years.  It’s a long video (nearly 3 hours) however I think it is one of the best videos I’ve seen discussing the upcoming disruptions we can expect.   I liked it so much I had Irfan watch the video and add hyperlinks to this page so people can easily see the examples they referred to.

I can’t stress how important it is that you watch at least the first hour of this video❗

How AI Will DISRUPT The Entire World In 3 Years (Prepare Now While Others Panic) | Emad Mostaque
How AI Will DISRUPT The Entire World In 3 Years (Prepare Now While Others Panic) | Emad Mostaque


Update to Chat GPT API

While we’re talking about AI, on a client project we were using the Chat GPT API and realized they had made drastic changes to the API.    We haven’t updated our public library yet however we did demonstrate some of the cool new functionality in this video.

Update to AutoHotkey GPT library
Update to AutoHotkey GPT library


15 minute Intro to AutoHotkey Tutorial

If you’re new to AutoHotkey, this video is a great place to learn some of the basics with AutoHotkey.  Isaias and I walk you through some of the most important and helpful things to know when you’re learning AutoHotkey

If you’re wanting more, our Intro to AutoHotkey course would be a great compliment to this tutorial.

Intro to AutoHotkey Version 2 | Learn to automate programs with AHK v2
Intro to AutoHotkey Version 2 | Learn to automate programs with AHK v2


Resetting the AutoHotkey Association on Windows

We’ve had several AHK Hero members run into problems where they go to double-click an AutoHotkey script and it opens up in their editor (instead of running the script).   For most people their default editor is SciTE4AutoHotkey but we’re not 100% certain what the cause is.  The “fix” is pretty easy (as long as you’re aware of it) which we document in this video.

Fixing Lost association of AutoHotkey executable
Fixing Lost association of AutoHotkey executable


AutoHotkey v1 API Syntax Writer

I’m going through our downloads adding summaries to the videos and transcripts to the download pages and remembered this great API syntax writer.   I discuss how it works in this video.  If you’re new to APIs, you can learn a lot about them from this page or check out the API Webinar.

AutoHotkey API Syntax writer
AutoHotkey API Syntax writer


📚 What we’re reading


🤖 AI / Chat GPT-3 News / Usage


⚡️Productivity tips: Ctrl + Shift + T

My son taught me this one yesterday.  😃

You can Reopen the most recently closed tab in your browser by hitting Control+Shift+T


🤣 A spot of Humor:  🤣🤣🤣

I was watching a great video on how to grow trees three times faster.   Then, at the end of the video, the video changed and turned into one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen!  Here a link to the full video (which makes the ending even funnier) but if you don’t have time, here is a 1-minute clip I made.   Be sure to watch out for us borrowing this approach in future videos!!!

How to plant a tree so that it grows 3 times faster. Root training method.
How to plant a tree so that it grows 3 times faster. Root training method.


AHK Hero 🦸‍♂️

Consider joining the 🦸‍♀️AHK Hero club! Members receive 25% off courses, consultations, tutoring, done for you project work, etc.  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 call is geared towards people new to AutoHotkey.)


🗣️ 💭 Quotable quotes

  • Good leaders don’t make excuses. Instead, they figure out a way to get things done Jocko Willink
  • I’m not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did Yogi Berra
  • It’s better to get started in the wrong direction than not get started; We can fix the direction, we can’t fix not getting started. Norm Schwarzkopf
  • When experiencing errors with tools, typically you should blame the operator, not the tool. Joe Glines

AHK Newsletter⏩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 hereWe never share your email with anyone.  Ever!


The-Automator

Joe, Isaias, Irfan, and staff


P.S. The intro is a great and simple tip to make sure you perform your habit.  It’s one of the reasons why most of the videos in our AHK Courses are short and to-the-point.  We know you’re busy!  Purchase a course now and plan to watch 1 video a day (but I’ll bet you get through more!)

August, 10th, 2023 AutoHotkey Newsletter

August 10th, 2023 AutoHotkey Newsletter

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Want to become an Automation expert?

According to James Clear (in Atomic Habits) our identity emerges out of our habits.  We aren’t born with preset beliefs. Every belief, including those about ourselves, is learned and conditioned through experience.

More precisely, our habits are how we embody our identity.

The more you repeat a behavior, the more you reinforce the identity associated with that behavior.

In fact, the word identity was originally derived from the Latin words essentitas, which means being, and identidem, which means repeatedly.

Your identity is literally your repeated beingness

Whatever your identity is right now, you only believe it because you have proof of it.

  • If you go to church every Sunday, you have evidence that you are religious.
  • If you study biology every night, you have evidence that you are studious.
  • If you go to the gym, even when it’s snowing, you have evidence you’re committed to fitness.

The more evidence you have for a belief, the more strongly you will believe it.

This is why I highly recommend you schedule time each week on your calendar for learning AutoHotkey

There are many AHK Hero members that are on our calls every week.  And it’s super obvious they are becoming automation experts!  By regularly attending our calls, contributing to the private Telegram chat, and working through our AutoHotkey courses they are becoming true automation experts!  We can tell because we see what they’re working on and are often inspired by their scripts.

Why don’t you join?  Here are a list of common objections why most people don’t join and our best response to their concerns.  Most members realize the membership is an investment in themselves!  Sign up now!  I guarantee you will be happy with your choice!

Now on with the show…

Intro to AutoHotkey HotStrings with AutoHotkey Intermediate AutoHotkey Intermediate Objects GUIs are Easy w/AutoHotkey Make the switch to v2

How to Use AutoHotkey without Installing it

Most of us are fortunate enough to have admin rights on our computers.   Sometimes, especially in Corporate America, we have to jump through hoops to get AutoHotkey installed.  (Think about how crazy that is!  We have to fight to install a tool that will make us more efficient, productive, and accurate).

Anyway, sometimes it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission and just use AutoHotkey without installing it.   In this video Isaias and I show how you can easily use AutoHotkey if you have access to the AutoHotkey executable.

Using AutoHotkey without installing it
Using AutoHotkey without installing it


Quickly Comparing Lists

Irfan and I were discussing using colors to help convey relationships in a GUI.  I asked him if he’d seen the Compare Sets script I wrote some years back.  When you have a list of items and you’re trying to understand which ones are unique and which ones overlap it is a HUGE time saver!  This script is a “must have” to keep in your AHK toolbox.

The tool breaks out the two lists into three, distinct, groups. It also provides hotkeys that allow you to easily copy the items in each one to the clipboard.

Easily Compare lists / comparing sets Sets with AutoHotkey
Easily Compare lists / comparing sets Sets with AutoHotkey


Getting the Text Under your Mouse

While the built-in OCR on our Window Snipping tool is pretty amazing, a lot of programs let UIA peek inside it to grab text.  This tool uses UIA to, programmatically, get the text under your mouse.  It can be a life-saver!  You can learn more here in this video.

🖱️ Get the scoop on the text under your mouse with AutoHotkey : Works in most Windows programs❗️
🖱️ Get the scoop on the text under your mouse with AutoHotkey : Works in most Windows programs❗️


Before you Wipe your system…

A couple of weeks ago I made the plunge and switched to Windows 11.   I asked Isaias to join me on this call to discuss what I should keep before wiping my C:\drive / Windows Install.    Thankfully the vast majority of my files are stored under DropBox.  This includes things like: My Desktop, Documents, Pictures, etc.  We did go through some of the places where Windows stores settings that I wasn’t clear on…

Wiping my system before installing Windows
Wiping my system before installing Windows


Hiding a program from the Taskbar

Often when I’m recording my screen I’d like to remove the tool I’m using from the TaskBar.  In this video I show how this can easily be achieved with AutoHotkey.  Obviously there are other reasons you might want to do this (most are ethical)

🔥 Master the Art: Hiding Programs Like a Pro
🔥 Master the Art: Hiding Programs Like a Pro


📚 What we’re reading


🤖 AI / Chat GPT-3 News / Usage


⚡️Productivity tips:  Prioritizing your Tasks

Remember saying “I don’t have time” really means that it is not a priority.  If someone offered you a ton of cash to do whatever you claim you don’t have time for…you’d probably find the time!  We all priortize what we do; understanding that is key!


🤣 A spot of Humor:  One of my favorite bits!

The Expert
The Expert (Short Comedy Sketch)


AHK Hero 🦸‍♂️

Consider joining the 🦸‍♀️AHK Hero club! Members receive 25% off courses, consultations, tutoring, done for you project work, etc.  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 call is geared towards people new to AutoHotkey.)


🗣️ 💭 Quotable quotes

  • Whatever Your Mind Can Conceive and Believe, It Can Achieve. Napoleon Hill
  • Give me 6 hours to chop down a tree and I’ll spend the first four sharpening the axe Abraham Lincoln
  • If the world should blow itself up tomorrow, the last audible voice would be an expert saying: it can’t be done Peter Ustinov
  • Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded Yogi Berra

AHK Newsletter⏩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 hereWe never share your email with anyone.  Ever!


The-Automator

Joe, Isaias, Irfan, and staff


P.S. Your habits define you (over time).  This is one of the main reasons why I recommend you block time on your calendar for learning AutoHotkey.   As I mentioned above, we’ve been seeing Hero Members really level-up their skills!  When you join the AHK hero club you are making the commitment to yourself to become an AHK expert!  Do it now!