Marcus' Macro Scheduler Blog

There’s a new beta version of Direct Access available from our friends at Nagarsoft. Regular readers will probably know how much I love this productivity tool. Direct Access lets you define keyboard abbreviations for commands, applications and folders etc. Once an abbreviation is set up you can type it wherever you are, whatever application is active. It’s great – I no longer wade through long lists of shortcuts in my Start menu, and I no longer have to switch from my open windows to the desktop and scan through desktop icons. All I do when I need to start something, or open my Documents folder is type in the abbreviation and hit F12. Doesn’t matter what window happens to be in front of me. It works like a dream. And it complements Macro Scheduler nicely too. I have a number of important macros that I run several times a day. With them set up to run from a Direct Access abbreviation I just type the macro name on my keyboard and it fires up. Really very handy.

Nagarsoft want your feedback on this new beta. Details here. This version is fully compatible with Microsoft Vista.

And don’t forget that Macro Scheduler customers can get 25% off Direct Access. Log into your account to get a coupon code and find out more.

Did you know it is now possible to purchase Macro Scheduler in Romania? Selling software in some Eastern European countries is difficult for two main reasons:

1) The local USD exchange rate means the regular USD price is much more than most can afford.
2) Credit card penetration is low.

These factors have lead to a high rate of piracy in places like Romania, where people either cannot afford, or simply don’t have the means to pay for software.

So we have teamed up with SoftMall.ro to sell Macro Scheduler in Romania. They are able to take local payment methods and Macro Scheduler is available from SoftMall.ro at 49 RON which equates to approximately $20 USD.

MJT Net Ltd, and Macro Scheduler, will be 10 years old this year. The company was officially incorporated on 15th August 1997, though Macro Scheduler itself was launched sometime in March. So 2007 will be a special year for us. When I first created Macro Scheduler back in 1997 I never imagined that it would evolve into the product it has become. The evolution of the product is largely thanks to the many wonderful users who have always offered valuable suggestions and ideas for new features. Development has always been extremely user-driven and here we are today with a superb product I can be very proud of. So, many, many thanks to everyone who has contributed with suggestions and feedback over the last ten years. It has been an amazing ride. Thanks to all who have contributed to our success so far with your custom and loyalty.

Here’s to another ten years, and more, of Macro Scheduler!

My sister and her partner are emigrating to New Zealand. Her partner went out there a few weeks ago. In order to ensure his legal and financial affairs could be easily dealt with he gave his mother power of attorney. So he gets to New Zealand and opens a bank account, then asks his mother to transfer some money from his UK bank account to his new NZ one. His mother goes to the bank to sort this out but is told that they can’t do it because they don’t know her – she’s not the account holder. But she has power of attorney. She shows them the power of attorney papers and demonstrates that all is in order legally. Nope they won’t budge. They won’t authorise the transfer. So she has an idea – can she transfer some money from her UK account to his NZ account instead? Yes, no problem. And, as power of attorney, can she transfer money from his UK account to her UK account? Yes, no problem. Ok, job done then. Seriously. I’m not making this up.