http://www.keytext.com
by
http://www.mjmsoft.com/
Reviewed December 2007

What’s It Do?

KeyText is a keyboard macro and Windows automation program. It replaces repetitive typing and stores hundreds of boilerplate texts and scripts that can be pasted into any application with the press of a hotkey letter or combination of letters. It has a built-in scheduler to automate tasks, watches for windows, dialogs, or password requests , and applies if/then/else logic in accomplishing tasks.


Does it do what it Promises?

Reviewer 1: Yes, once you work out how to use it, it does exactly what it says it will do. It is a very powerful program including the ability to script macros that work like batch files.

Reviewer 2:  It does many things that it promises, but I found it also did some bizarre things that it didn’t promise (see below).

Reviewer 3: For the most part, KeyText performed as promised. It is a powerful macro program which can automate many functions within a Windows environment.

Reviewer 4: Yes. In fact, MJMSoft design, the developers of KeyText, has one of the most refreshingly honest and straightforward Web sites I have seen. It states simply what the program can do without the grand promises or hyperbole seen on other Web sites. Unfortunately, this is where their being straightforward (if not totally honest) ends. See below.

Reviewer 5: Yes, it does, although for most projects, one will have to work to get the results wanted. Essentially, this program allows automate often-repeated functions, both in any application or in Windows itself. Although there are a number of ways to activate a particular function, the two most common ones would be a "Hotkey" combination and "Trigger Text." An example of a Hotkey would be Ctrl-Shift+P to type a name. Or, choose a set of keystrokes (that would not be confused with a word or part of a word) to begin an event. One I use is "gml + space", which opens up my Gmail account. (I have to be careful as I type that, because it jumps right into Gmail!) To help, there are a number of tools, the most important one being the "Insert Field Wizard." Use of this wizard, with careful reference to the manual, will help automate many of the repetitive tasks that one would normally have to do manually.


Was it easy to install?

Reviewer 1: Yes.

Reviewer 2: Yes.

Reviewer 3: Installation was simple. The license agreement allows installation on one work computer and one home computer.

Reviewer 4: Yes. It is a surprisingly very small 1.66MB download (2.2MB on one’s hard drive) that installs easily and quickly using the familiar installation wizards. I had no installation difficulties of any kind.

Reviewer 5: Yes, it is a standard Windows installation. I was able to put the program and shortcuts where I wanted.. A hot-key combination for form-filling can be set up during installation or later if desired. I was asked if I wish the program to start up with Windows or not. I appreciate programs that ask, and do not assume a place in the boot-up process. The start-up screen (which can be turned off if desired) tells that the program is available in the system tray.


Good Points?

Reviewer 1: KeyText is a versatile and useful program. It does so many things one might not have even thought of automating that it takes a little working with it to get acquainted with the tricks. Those accustomed to coding or programming will not find this software foreign. I’ve been using a program, basically an “ultra-clipboard”, to do some of these functions already. But KeyText does much more. It is capable of “normal” clipboard functions of course. It can also execute macros that will do things like logon to a Web site, pick up mail, then logoff. It can be set to do things on a scheduled time. It will even simulate typing with an ability to adjust the speed. The macro function is really what sets KeyText apart from just another clipboard program. Macros act like scripts and the capabilities are only limited by one’s ability to think logically and create the working script. There are many examples of macros in the help files to lead the way down this fascinating path. Macro creation is logical (if not intuitive). The user who can think logically can probably easily create working macros with KeyText.

Reviewer 2: The very reasonable EULA (End User License Agreement) permits KeyText to be installed on one home computer, one work computer, and one laptop PC as long as these are not being used simultaneously except to transfer files. The EULA also gives permission to transfer the software to someone else as long as you’ve stopped using it and no longer have a copy. Support documents include both a User’s Guide and a tutorial. KeyText offers an awesome number of ways to speed up repetitive tasks. Some are very simple, such as inserting a prepared text or automatically inserting today’s date and/or time. Others are more complex; for example, by using regular expressions, KeyText can recognize that a selected piece of text is an email address and call up one’s email client with a message to that address, or call up a page on Google Maps that corresponds to a selected zip code. Items can be scheduled to occur at certain times or dates, and fairly complex scripts can be created by embedding several other KeyText commands inside a given text.

Reviewer 3: There are many options to choose from to automate one’s computer experience. The simplest is the ability insert repetitive text into documents. This could be name, address, e-mail address, long technical terms or phrases, or anything which might be entered repeatedly. A keyboard combination can be pressed, typically Control-Shift plus a character, to execute the command, or it can be executed via a menu. While some keyboard combinations are automatically assigned during installation, most others have to be created by the user while editing or creating the shortcuts. The program can simulate mouse clicks in Windows, to schedule actions, or to capture multiple items which are copied to the clipboard. The TriggerText function worked well on my system. A unique keyboard sequence is entered and KeyText monitors keyboard input. When it detects that a sequence has been entered, it erases that text and substitutes the text that is pre-selected for entry. While there is a similar function in MS Word, the KeyText function spans a wide range of programs. The “Right Click Anywhere” function also worked well. Press Control-Shift and Right Click simultaneously and the KeyText menu of functions pops up regardless of which program one is currently working within. Delving deeper into the program, one finds that it essentially includes a programming language which can manipulate numbers, text, run programs, and use conditional (if, then, else) logic. Sample macros are included in the program to demonstrate the use of these functions. These can be modified to provide macros which are useful for individual purposes. There is an option to password protect the use of KeyText. This would be indicated if KeyText is used for sensitive functions such as automatically entering passwords on financial sites.

Reviewer 4: KeyText is a small and compact yet flexible and powerful utility that allows automating work and minimizing efforts when working with different types of texts. It can be activated from the system tray where it resides if desired as an autorun item and offers both right and left click menu functionality. The left click menu is the best place to start as it contains a list of items such as samples to demonstrate how the program works. The utility is actually a text storage program—rather like a super-clipboard for text--that enables pasting text into any application. In addition, there are features such as “Trigger Text” that opens the software and is great for filling out forms, and “Smart Select” through which one can, for example, select text in any application, hit a hotkey and, if it’s an email address the email program will automatically start with a new message ready; or if it’s a zip code it might go to an online map; a URL to a Web site, and so on. KeyText can also perform automated actions such as launching programs, selecting menu items in response to keyboard hotkeys or whenever certain dialogues appear on the computer screen. It can also perform scheduled actions to run programs at certain days and times. Scripts can be created using either a built-in wizard or through a simple editor, making this a function that even the less advanced computer user can master. In fact, there are over 20 functions that KeyText can accomplish with easy wizards to assist in setting them up.

Reviewer 5: When KeyText is first started, either in the trial-demo mode or as a fully-registered program, there is access to twelve sample items already created using different functions of the program. The first one is "Welcome to Key Text". It demonstrates some of the basic functions that one would likely try out at the beginning, and would, perhaps, be the main ways in which you use the program. In my case, it is the ability to fill in blocks of text that I tend to use over and over. Other sample items show the range of some of the other functions from simple things such as typing one’s name or taking an email address in any application and opening the email client with the address already in the To: field, to pretty complex "programettes” such as a little window which will tell the day of the week after the day, month and year are entered. The license granted to a user is much more realistic than often is the case. The EULA (End Users License Agreement) states: "You agree not to apply the Unlock Code on more than one computer at a time. However, you may install an individual copy simultaneously on one computer at work, one computer at home, and one portable computer, IF (and ONLY if) all these computers are used primarily by the same individual, and there is no possibility that the computers will be in use at the same time except while you are actively transferring files between them." This is a far more reasonable attitude than that of many other developers, and the KeyText people should be applauded for this enlightened approach. The support that is given by the development team is really top-notch. I found them to be quick, courteous, and very helpful whenever I had to get in touch with them. I am sure, though, that a User's forum, where aficionados of the program could answer questions, share tips and hints, and even post their own KeyText projects would be an excellent addition to the support available from the KeyText team itself.

The range of possible projects that could be developed is extensive. It is, in fact, a kind of programming language. There are 19 pages of possible commands listed and explained in the Reference Section towards the end of the manual.


Weak Points.

Reviewer 1: If all that is needed is an expanded clipboard capability or if the default Windows clipboard works sufficiently. KeyText might be more than needed. KeyText is a bit of an overkill in that scenario although not all functions need be used. In some instances, there were some problems in that KeyText was overriding my existing clipboard software and I could not get it to function as it should. When I turned off the program, the problem was resolved and KeyText performed well.

Reviewer 2: After installing KeyText, I tried to test some of its features. I clicked on the KeyText icon in the system tray; this brought up the main window, which included examples of a number of KeyText’s features. These were labeled A, B, C, etc. along with a brief explanation. Letter A was entitled “Samples: click here first!” Foolishly, I did so. KeyText immediately ran amok, moving rapidly up and down the Windows Start menu, opening just about every program it could find, even programs I have never used, such as Outlook, which it tried to configure. It opened nine or 10 copies of another program, asked me whether I was sure I wanted to delete a third program and all its associated files (I most definitely did not!), opened up Microsoft’s Help & Support page, opened The Cleaner, opened Internet Explorer (which is not my default browser), opened the Find box in Directory Opus, tried to open Adobe Bridge, asked me for the password for my Palm Desktop, changed a text file in UltraEdit, typed words into the Windows Run box and tried to run them as if they were a program, etc. etc. It was total chaos. Eventually, I was able to close all the open programs and shut down KeyText. No permanent harm was done, but it took me several days before I was willing to give KeyText another try. The second try proved to be only somewhat less bizarre than the first. This time, I clicked on example C, which I think was supposed to show how I could use KeyText to send my browser to a given Web site. Instead, KeyText sent Firefox to a number of random Web pages, ending up on Google’s Image search page, where KeyText then typed instructions relating to example C in Google’s search box. These were by no means isolated instances. I got similar results on a number of occasions when I tried to use KeyText. It’s possible that I should not have proceeded as I did, but if that’s the case, the program is very poorly thought out. Clicking on the program brings up a screen with examples, and the first example (letter A) clearly invites you to try it out; why else would it say “Samples: click here first!”? I wrote to KeyText’s tech support about these issues. I received a very prompt response, but the writer addressed only one of the problems I mentioned, and he assumed that I must not have established a file association for text files, which is definitely not the case. I wrote back, but I did not receive any further response. Technical support is limited to 90 days. This seems paltry and inappropriate for a commercial program.

Reviewer 3: I experienced nearly two-minute computer freezes when I closed or maximized the KeyText Windows using the ‘X’ or the “Maximize” box in the upper right corner of KeyText windows. I also noted that the time of the freeze increased significantly if I was to try to close or maximize a subsequent KeyText window during the same Windows session. This was not a problem while in Safe Mode and was likely to have been caused by a conflict with another program on my system. Technical support said that they had never encountered my issue before and was unable to solve it. Their suggestion to set KeyText to be run manually instead of at startup did not work in my case. Fortunately, I found that I could close the windows without the lockup by clicking on the “OK” button at the bottom of the window. Hotkeys and text items did not work in every program. For example, the Control-Shift-Character hotkeys which worked in Notepad did not work in Eudora where they seemed to be “out-competed” by keyboard shortcuts which were native to that program. Strangely, the Eudora shortcuts were often Control-Character of Alt-Character rather than the Control-Shift-Character ones which were entered to enable KeyText activity. The user’s manual is 110 pages long and is filled with some very dense reading. It is not the type of manual that one can read lightly or just once to master the full capacity of this program. There are so many features and functions to choose from that it can quickly become confusing and overwhelming. This, I suppose, is the price to be paid for having a powerful and complex program such as KeyText. The “Help” text is written in a slightly friendlier and more relevant manner. The link to the discussion forum led to an essentially blank page. This program could use more graphics rather than pure description in the user’s manual and help screens. What I think would be really helpful would be some videos showing how functions are constructed and executed.

Reviewer 4: The several GUIs (Graphic User Interface) are a bit overwhelming in their complexity with too much in too little space. See below for one example:

This can appear overly complex at first sight and one can be easily overwhelmed by the great number of functions. There is, however, a lengthy help file and a users manual that can be downloaded or viewed on line. By far, the worst weakness and the reason I will refuse to recommend this product is, however, its lack of technical support. A search on the Web site looking for information on the developer’s support policy will reveal nothing. The “Legal Page” and the Users Manual contains nothing with regard to support policies. The “Contact Us” link navigates to an online email form for technical support help but there is no mention of turn around time and, again, nothing else regarding any policy. It is not until one has downloaded and installed the program, possibly paid for it (there is a 30-day free trial), read the users manual, I clicked on the system tray icon, found the “Help” link, open and drilled down through the index to “Technical Support” and drilled down yet further to “Further Information” will there be found obviously hidden, the following statement: Technical support is available free to all users for a period of 30 days and to users who have purchased for a period of 90 days, starting from your first request to MJMSoft Design for technical support. No wonder they hide this information. In fact, I am suggesting that this information is purposely hidden in the hope that an unsuspecting customer will purchase the program assuming, and rightfully so, that the product will come with support—free or at a cost—for the life of the product. As far as I am concerned, this is little more than outright consumer deception. I can only imagine how many consumers have been taken in by this “hidden fine print.” My advice to anyone who reads this review is to stay away from any product which would hide its customer policies in such a way and to certainly stay away from and inform others about MJMSoft Design and any of its products.

Reviewer 5: Using KeyText, it is possible to create complex macros that will work inside of the applications that you use each day, as well as in the Windows operating system. The KeyText Manual (110 pages) covers the KeyText commands extensively and thoroughly. However, when I first started using KeyText as a rank beginner, I found myself a bit overwhelmed with all the possible options for implementing any one of the different functions. For example, in the instructions at the beginning of the manual to "use text stored in KeyText", there are six different ways to “get the text out.” As a beginner, I only needed one at that point. I would suggest that a simplified "Getting Started Tutorial" with the really basic functions explained would be very helpful. Several simple examples could be given. Once a person has been able to build several, personally useful items, he will have the interest and confidence in building other, more complex structures. Instructions for those could remain in the KeyText manual. I also found that I quite frequently gave KeyText hotkey combinations that I thought were original, but were actually used by Windows or other applications. KeyText does have a method to get around this problem when it occurs in a specific application; but the only way to find this out is by trial-and-error.
I found the “debugging” help provided in the program to be very thin. I would build a series of instructions, with the help of the Insert Field Wizard, and then try to run it inside the application. Whenever it stopped, because of an error I was making in my instruction set, most of the time that was it. Sometimes a message would appear about a Format Error, but no more. This was discouraging, and it required a lot of time to work out the error and move on to the next step.


Other Comments?

Reviewer 1: There does not seem to be a problem with running KeyText and the standard Windows clipboard, but, as I previously indicated, users may encounter problems with other clipboard-type programs running concurrently with KeyText.

Reviewer 2: At $29.95, KeyText costs substantially less than another program offering many similar features, ActiveWords. However, the bizarre behavior I repeatedly encountered with KeyText makes me unable to recommend it.

Reviewer 3: There are no prompts to use KeyText once it is installed. This is both a strength and a weakness. A strength in that it took up very little real estate; just a small icon in the taskbar. A weakness in there being no prompt to use this program so the user needs to remember to initiate this program’s use. There is a distinction between entering text as a macro compared to entering the same text as a paste function. In macro mode, the text is typed relatively slowly and into specific programs (such as text being typed in notepad despite the macro being called when using Word.) It also does not interfere with the data stored on the clipboard. When the same text is pasted, it appears much quicker and in the program from which it was called. Technical support was mixed with some courteous and fast responses, and other queries left unanswered. They were unable to determine the cause of the freezes.

Reviewer 4: I can find no other mention of this hidden customer support issue among any other reviews on the Internet. I am not surprised, as one does have to really search to find it. What is even more amazing is that that this program, KeyText, has been around since at least 1998 as I found a version history dating back to a version 1.2. So for nearly 10 years no one has bothered to call attention to the fact and thus inform consumers of this “hidden non-support” issue, and has thus allowed this company to go unchallenged. To this I say shame on not only the developers of KeyText, MKMSoft Design, but also to all of those software reviewers who purport to be helping consumers make informed choices about software programs on the market but have failed to do so—at least in this instance.

Reviewer 5: My most common difficulty was getting different Macros to work properly. Even with the help of the Insert Field Wizard, I had to put in quite a bit of time, working out what each of the Fields actually did, and when they would or would not work. In fact, with programming experience, one will find himself in familiar territory; otherwise, this program can be quite a challenging one. To help to overcome this difficulty, a “recording macro” module would be a major improvement. Once recorded the basic repetition steps have been recorded, , it would be much easier to debug the macro so that it will run the way desired.


Will you continue to use it?

Reviewer 1: I will keep it on my system to further explore its usefulness. He other program I have has been developed over some time with many text libraries that I am hesitant to convert over to KeyText.

Reviewer 2: No.

Reviewer 3: Yes.. I found the computer freezes to be a significant obstacle until I found that I could work around them. Despite the steep learning curve to get to advanced features, the ability to insert boilerplate text into documents and forms is very useful and easy to learn.

Reviewer 4: Absolutely not.

Reviewer 5: Yes, I will, but mostly for the automatic Text Insertion functions.
 

OPERATING SYSTEMS USED IN THIS REVIEW
Windows XP Pro, XP Home

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