News of the best autoclicker and testing tool

Autoclicker version 5.70 and a new forum of AutoClickExtreme

ace-forum — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:53:22 GMT

5.96 - surprisingly cool thing - read more on the new forum

Version 5.87 – we won!

ace-forum — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:44:01 GMT

Hello, dear users.

I am glad to introduce a new version 5.87 and apologize to everyone, who lost his\her patience in an uncompromising fight with bags and faults, which occurred due to change of the program basis. We especially thank V.Oblom, Kostya192, Sergey O. And there was really something to fight for: now the program structure is more efficient, and it contains all recorded actions. Due to this fact Playback was completely changed. However the best what the old version had was preserved. But the speed improved and the load on the processor decreased. All this opens further horizons for development. At present my "to-do” list contains about 500 large and small items, it will be enough for about 10 years, and in 2020, if I live until that time, I will understand, that it will be enough for the whole life. Anyway – my grandchildren will reap the fruits of a victory ;)

While struggling with those bags I came up with an idea to write in the program a special dialog for sending of users’ bag reports and requests directly to the server. Now the current record or a record from the Record tree can be sent in 2 mouse clicks. The record will be sent completely with all logs and stuff. At that parameters of the operation system and other details will be automatically specified, i.e. a user does not need to think what other important information he should send to the author of the program, though most often users are too laconic. But laconicism is not a problem – instead of words you can send screenshots, which can be made with hot keys Ctrl+Shift+F1. When you press them a screenshot is automatically added to the list of files to be sent. You can also edit it in Paint. Hot keys work in any Windows program after the button "Screenshots” is pressed in the dialog.

But creation of this dialog was not included into the version extension. The version was mostly extended by correction of bags or such things as:

- adding of the Playlist menu item "Play from the selected recording"

- preservation of column width in the Actions Table and the width of Record tree

New arrangement of actions in the Actions Table. Autoclicker version 5.70

ace-forum — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 19:03:33 GMT

Features of Autoclicker v. 5.70:

++++ Not only the appearance of the Actions Table was changed, but also the internal arrangement of actions. Now they are grouped according to belonging to the same window, one type, for example, pressings/releases of keyboard keys in the same window will be displayed as a single action. At that, such a group of actions will be accompanied with a small screenshot, which allows to orientate in the Recording faster. A screenshot is fully displayed in the editing dialog of the corresponding group of actions. These changes required reorganization of playback and recording processes. Now the program responds to changes of windows coordinates more accurately, playback works better and faster.

+ The left column contains more adequate icons, which inform about the type of action(s). Special thanks for Kdbled icons and gratuitous designer help!

+ Gradation of playback speed was changed, now by default AutoClickExtreme will play a Recording two times faster than the nominal speed. You can also set to three times faster and to the maximum speed as before.

- For now multiple changing of actions does not work, you cannot unbind actions from windows, but this all is in "to-do" list and will be available in the nearest future. As a temporary measure you can use recording of independent actions, if you press the "Record" button with the right mouse click.

New version 5.37 autoclicker.

ace-forum — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:24:44 GMT

New version 5.37 AutoClickExtreme.

+++ A new little button appeared in the dialogue box of Pixel Control editing. This button has the same function as a double click in the Pixel Control area. This button opens a new dialogue box in which you can see three options: change the image file through the dialogue box of *.bmp file opening, cut out rectangular areas of the image (so that they wouldn't take part in the image search) and save rectangular areas around the found image (it's useful either for making a report and partial screen shot of the screen or for using the saved image during other Pixel Controls, which provides dynamic Pixel Control)

+ A new column "Command line parameters” is added in the dialogue box of Application Control. It allows to start programs and open the needed documents in them at once or to send to these programs some other parameters which can be understood by the programs by means of the command line.

+ Into the described above parameters of the command line you can insert AutoClickExtreme variables, like %ClB% (the Clipboard contents). That is if the command line parameters look like "C:\Program Files\notepad\%ClB%.txt", then instead of %ClB% the Clipboard contents for the moment of Replay will be inserted.

+ Along with the ordinary application launch in the Application Control you can see "wait for the termination of the chosen application, "launch and termination”.

- During the process of creating all the mentioned above innovations I didn't put out of mind fixing the bugs, and I'm grateful to all the users who reported about them.

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New version 5.29 autoclicker. For testing program and more

ace-forum — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:54:37 GMT

New version 5.29 autoclicker.

+ new opportunity to Screenshot Record and Replay aip files (which is most useful for testers, and simply for making most important automations more reliable)

To switch on the Screenshot of Replay, you should check for each Recorded task.

To switch on the Screenshot of Record, go to the settings. On default it's inactive.

+ the productivity of the program is calculated, statistics for each Record and general statistics of AutoClickExtreme work

- some pixel control bugs have been fixed

- some other inconveniences have been eliminated

From time to time the users of my program ask me if it's possible to make AutoClickExtreme work on the same computer where a user works at the same time. Now I can definitely tell you that it's POSSIBLE!!! At last I've tryed VirtualBox upon which there a plenty of delighted comments... My comment will be even more delighted, as this powerful utility is free, and moreover, it's perfect for making a user and AutoClickExtreme work together. You can even make several emulations of AutoClickExtreme for it to fulfill the work of two, three and more people, depending on the power of your CPU. Overtaken by enthusiasm, I'm planning to make several emulations for compleltely automated AutoClickExtreme testing. So that I could only start the installer, and it would get installed itself and start the global testing of my program, and then tell me if I can make another release of my favourite autoclicker or continue fixing the bugs...

Another piece of good news - I've quitted my constant job at last - from now on I'll make high-quality releases more often, and I'll fix the bugs immediately. So if you find something you don't like in the program - send me letters at admin@autoclickextreme.com

To get an anonymous (rss) subscription to AutoClickExtreme news, just click on the link.

Some other interesting news:
Now AutoClickExtreme finds images even if they change
Working non-stop for 10 days
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New version 5.25 autoclicker

ace-forum — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:50:36 GMT

New version 5.25 autoclicker. In the Pixel Control is added the opportunity to limit the area of search of the required image which in the most of cases accelerates its search on the screen. While searching the images of the Pixel Control, the search area narrows to the coordinates which are close to the coordinates of the search of the images. Because of this the type of research changes from "Within the whole screen" to "Within the rectangle + sometimes within the whole screen". Thus a user don’t have to care to determine a search area preffered for every image, this areas automatically determined. When the AutoClickExtreme is launched repeatedly it begins to work noticeably quickly. After the successful reproductions it is recommended to save the changes with the help of the main menu "File->Save".

New version autoclicker with flexible Pixel Control.

ace-forum — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:27:31 GMT

New version 5.16 autoclicker with flexible Pixel Control.
+ Flexible Pixel Control. From time to time AutoClickExtreme doesn't find the Pixel Control image, even if there were no problems with this before. There can be lots of different reasons for that, beginning from menu buttons highlighting or smooth edges of screen fonts and finishing by dynamic image of a button background. Now, in the new version, the program on default finds an image with a minor deviation from the original one. The search process will look almost as usual for a user: the first several times AutoClickExtreme looks for the needed image as it did before, with complete coincidence, but if the image is not found, then the program tries to find an image with permitted deviation. The process is slower than during the standard search, it's 1,5 sec and more depending on the deviation value (the standard search time is 0,2 – 0,3 sec for one search on the whole screen). Anyway, it's a great help for a user, as it's not necessary to add many alternative variants for the images that often change. On the other hand, you can set the deviation value you need up to zero value (complete coincidence), while editing one or several events containing pixel control image. Or you can set a zero value in the default options of the program, and in this case the program will work as "conservatively" as before. The result of my non-stop work week has turned out to be not so huge as I expected, I hoped to do more, but life often changes our plans. In any case, after testing AutoClickExtreme at work, I clearly see the necessity of the new feature. So, I'm satisfied by the work result. Moreover, I have a vacation in February, and I think I will have more things done to be proud of :-)

Some other interesting news:
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Batten down the hatches, get ready for diving!

ace-forum — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:27:45 GMT

What is new in the autoclicker version 5.15:
+ backup of files with hotkeys and task manager files (if these files are damaged, they will be automatically restored)
+ excessive events are deleted if you stop the Record by a hotkey
+ insertion of the saved task before each selected event + multiple selection of mouse cursor movements through the main menu "Events -> Select -> Mouse cursor movements”
+ "precise coincidence (temporary)” added during the main window search – provides more precise search of the necessary window
+ the Replay process is saved with more details into the work journal
+ events with variables are copied more correctly now
+ window search is improved – more time is given to the search of the applications which are not yet started

Probably, you’ll be a little surprised that I haven’t congratulated you on the New Year, but I don’t consider it to be an important holiday. I wish you happiness and health not because of the New Year, but simply because I want you to be happy and healthy.
The overloaded December is gone. I’m sure all office workers had a tough time. Now we all can have a little rest. I myself have these 10 days off to work on the program – that’s a real holiday for me.
Batten down the hatches, we are ready for diving! Most of my friends and relatives are notified that during these 10 days of holidays I’m working non-stop on my program. This is the happiest time for me. I hope to add more abilities to the program during these days and the vacation in February. I’ll keep you in the know of the latest innovations in AutoClickExtreme. But for the time being I’m returning to my work.

Some other interesting news:
Now AutoClickExtreme finds images even if they change
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I'm not the only person to use this program

A 25% (!!) discount for AutoClickExtreme in October + version 5.0

ace-forum — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:05:42 GMT

What is new in this Version 5.02:

+ Now log files of the Replay process are more detailed. In other words, if you open the menu item "Help - Open the work journal", you can learn more about the replay process, such things as: at what point the program switched to another Replay branch, what application was launched.
+ The Replay speed of mouse clicks, key strokes is much higher now.
- A rare bug of program escape is fixed.

As the program reached version 5.00, you can buy it at a discount prise. In October, 2009 one registered version costs only $35. Hurry up this price is available only in October.

To get an anonymous (rss) subscription to AutoClickExtreme news, just click on the link.

Some other interesting news:

Now AutoClickExtreme finds images even if they change

Working non-stop for 10 days

My secrets of productive work

My secrets how to improve self productivity ( + version 4.97)

ace-forum — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:34:59 GMT

Dear users, this is another update to the version 4.97.
The last two weeks were very productive: how pleasant it is to spend a two weeks’ holiday on AutoClickExtreme :-) I’d like to inform you that I’ve fixed all known bugs in the program. Now I’ll take pains to make it more understandable.
What has been done in Version 4.97:
+ The program now has a handy randomizer: you can set random variance in mouse clicks, clicks on Pixel Control images, random branch replays. In other words, you can imitate a completely crazy behavior of a user who clicks everywhere on the screen :-) Or you can imitate logically random behavior: different Replay branches determined by one and the same condition.
+ The item "Copy current image” is added in the "Image” dropdown list in the Pixel Control dialog box.
+ I’ve changed the dialog box of mouse and keyboard event change.
The following bugs were fixed:
- A rare bug of the program escape, if it worked for a long time through Playlist. I thank Andrei Soft for his help here.
- In the previous versions the program hung up at the stage of window search during Replay (in the dialog box "Stop me” only "##" was displayed). Now it works ok. I thank Denis Sorokin for using the debug version to find this bug.
For afters, I want to share my own secrets of productive work. These methods are all mine and may work only for me. Anyway, I’ve practiced them for a long time and can say that they really help to increase my productivity.

1. To aspire to a norm: to have one successfully fulfilled task per week. You should define tasks the fulfillment of which you could consider to be a success for you personally. You should also define the days of the week you could spend on achieving the aim. Suppose, you know the Tuesday and Wednesday will be relatively free, so these days are best for fulfilling your tasks. This can be a little success noticeable only for you, but a big success never comes all of a sudden. More over, such a success norm for each week gives a feeling of self-confidence – you are always sure you’ll have success this week. But don’t let this feeling turn into the feeling of being "damned” to success :-) Why you shouldn’t plan success every day? You may do it but as an exception – when you have to do lots of things in a short period of time. From the Pareto principle we can conclude, that 80% of work can be done in 20% of time. So, the rest 20% of the work you will do in the rest 80% of time. As a rule, you won’t get the feeling of success from the completion phase of work, when the main part is done and the project is functioning. To fully complete the work you’ll need 5 times more of the time you’ve spend on the main part. But this is mostly routine. If you plan success for every day, you’ll have a huge amount of routine, and sooner or later this will recoil on you.
(I wrote an article about this in Russian 2 years ago: Hunting for success time.)

2. "Clever” work, especially things concerning information perception should be done in the morning. "Stupid” (routine) work is better to be done after noon. Work with out coming information, such as text writing, structuring, preparing a speech – should be done in the evening. So in other words, theoretical part – in the morning, practical part – in the evening. For example, it’s better to read articles or watch video lessons in the morning, but arranging of what you should read ant watch should be left for the evening. This part of the day is also more appropriate for practical work, that doesn’t require information absorption, but processing of what you’ve learned in the morning.

3. Timer controlled work. Dynamic work increases productivity and reduces mistakes: 40 – 60 minutes of intensive work without interruption + 10 – 20 minutes of "relaxing” easy work with compulsory 5 minutes of rest. This is a heavy schedule, I break it often myself. It’s much easier just to work all day long :-) But thus, you’ll loose persistency, and the work process will be inactive. You’ll only have the illusion of being busy, for your conscience to be clean :-)

4. While you are working on computer, keep your head fixed on your shoulders straight. I don’t know why, but it puts thoughts in order. Your hands may move fast over the clipboard, your eyes may move fast from line to line, but your head, remaining immovable, keeps thinking :-), producing interesting ideas. But if you are close to stress, I strongly recommend not to use this method, as slight head movements help to relieve stress, both physical and emotional.

I’ve experienced all these methods myself. If you want to share your own thoughts on this subject, you can send them to admin@autoclickextreme.com

To get an anonymous (rss) subscription to AutoClickExtreme news, just click on the link.

Some other interesting news:
Stop crying, AutoClickExtreme will help you out

Now AutoClickExtreme finds images even if they change

I'm not the only one to use this program