AutoHotkey News 2024-08-29 This simple tip will change your life!

AutoHotkey NewsletterHowdy,

Here’s a super quick tip to change the entire trajectory of your life❗

I know that’s a bold statement but trust me, it’s true!

It’s all about preventing procrastination .

Procrastination is one of the worst habits there is.  Period!

So here’s how I deal it:

Always create “soft deadlines“

Nearly everything you do should be bound by a time constraint.

For big tasks take your final deadline and break it down into tiny “bite size” steps putting soft deadlines on each one.

As the saying goes “you’ll thank me later!”

You might grab our Simple Checklist to help keep track of your status!

Now on with the show…

Learn how to Master VSCode Make the switch to v2 Intro to AutoHotkey Intermediate AutoHotkey Intermediate ObjectsGUIs are Easy w/AutoHotkey Access all our Courses; Quit when you want

Tackling those ginormous tasks…

Speaking of breaking down a large task I remembered this chat where I spoke with Ryan Wells about so many ways improve tackling those big tasks

The proper way to eat an elephant
The proper way to eat an elephant


Are you wondering where to Start with AutoHotkey?

If you have and of the following questions, I highly recommend you watch this video to help you answer this (somewhat) complicated topic

  • Which version of AutoHotkey should you use
  • What Editor is right for you
  • What should you be learning next

Answers to Important AHK Questions (depending on your Skills & goals)

Answers to Important AHK Questions (depending on your Skills & goals)


Easy way for Tweaking Older Windows Programs

Did you know that, if you are working with older programs, chances are you can literally change the GUI❓

If the programs were created using Win32 controls (and a TON of programs were) then you’re in luck!

Not only can you automate them, you can actually change how they look & work.

In this short tutorial we demonstrate the approach.

Easily manipulate Older Windows Programs with AutoHotkey
Easily manipulate Older Windows Programs with AutoHotkey

Simple Spy is great for working with win32 Controls

You also might like our SimpleSpy tool that greatly simplifies working with win32 controls.

Amazingly Simple Spy tool for Inspecting Controls: SimpleSpy in AHK v2
Amazingly Simple Spy tool for Inspecting Controls: SimpleSpy in AHK v2

We go deep on working with Win32 controls in our
Intermediate AutoHotkey course which, comes with a 30-day double-your-money-back guarantee!


Intermediate AutoHotkey


200% Money Back Guarantee badge with a yellow and green starburst seal for AHK courses


Improving People’s Lives: Story #13

One of our Radiologists mentioned some of his colleagues are “old school” and don’t use “voice to text” tools.  Instead, his luddite colleagues record the audio of their report and send it off for human transcription.  This means his company has to have “live transcriptionists” available during the time (which is not cheap!)

We waved our “magic AI wands” and created a tool where you drag your audio file on it and “ipso-presto” out pops a highly reliable transcription.


What we’re reading


AI / Chat GPT-3 News / Usage


⚡️Productivity tips:

The intro is this week’s productivity tip.  Have you started creating soft-deadlines yet?


A spot of Humor Get the “how to stink at work” book by Jeff Foxworthy

How to NOT suck at your job

How to suck at your job


Testimonial

“The content is great in general and often questions can actually help and improve interest in AutoHotKey.” — Rodrigo Costa

Cartoon superhero mascot in green costume beside the bold text AHK Hero on a yellow background 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 300 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
  • Branching in VS code with git
  • Handling non-AHK files when compiling scripts
  • Attach debug to running script
  • How do Settimers Track time❓
  • WinKill, WinClose, and Processclose
  • Using AI to create Documentation for your Project
  • Using “invert” on a slider so it is intuitive

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

  • Work harder on yourself than you do on your job — Jim Rohn
  • How you deal with failure determines whether or not you ever get to deal with the success — Dan Kennedy
  • Don’t sacrifice peace of mind for a piece of luxury — James Cleary
  • Knowledge is power; Automation knowledge is a “super-power” — Joe Glines

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The-Automator

Joe, Isaias, Irfan, Rizwan and staff


P.S. Over the years I’ve worked with a lot of people in corporate America.  By far the majority of people do NOT give themselves deadlines.  This is, by far, one of the best things you can do to be more productive.

What’s even more interesting is how small you can go.   Dividing even small tasks into smaller ones is surprisingly beneficial.  For instance, I break this newsletter into sections of which I do different parts every day.  It ensures I can stay Focused (and productive) and not easily get side-tracked.