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Best Free Boilerplate Text Manager
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Introduction
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Boilerplate text managers allow you to store and insert commonly used phrases into your e-mail, documents and other programs. For example, rather than typing "We have received your order," you can select the phrase from a list, press a hotkey, or type a brief shortcut text command, and it will be automatically inserted without you having to type the whole thing. These things are immensely useful. I save about 30 minutes a day by using one. |
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Discussion
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However, not only did I not enjoy using it, but as I've learned from the reviews over at SnapFiles, the program actually monitors what phrases you use and if it thinks that you're using it for commercial purposes by looking at the content of your phrases, it'll nag you. Although I find any program that monitors the behavior of it's users, especially in order to present nags, detestable, I do give the makers credit in disclosing this behavior on the PhraseExpress website. So, you may be wondering what freeware program do I recommend? Sadly, I have not found one that I can fully and wholeheartedly endorse. The old edition of Perfect Keyboard Lite that I'm currently using (it's almost 10 years old!) isn't free. Perfect Keyboard was never free, which is a shame because I'd recommend it in a heartbeat if it was. So I'm on an ongoing hunt for a new program to feature here, one that offers the same simplicity and basic features as Perfect Keyboard Lite v3.0, but is completely free with no catches. Namely it has to have an easy to use and understand interface, doesn't require knowledge of a complex scripting languange in order to use, allows macros to be triggered by either a text shortcut or a hotkey (a text shortcut would be like .sig to insert a signature), allows for non-text keystrokes (like TAB and ENTER) to be used along with text, and resides in the tray area. Now, I've done some looking around and tested out a few freeware alternatives, but so far none of them can do what I'd consider the BEST to be able to do. Here's what I tested and some very brief notes of what I thought of each after some quick testing. Of course, feel free to try them out as they may suit your needs quite nicely. |
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TagKeys - As of version 2.2, there's no way to increase the width of the main window, no option to pass text through the clipboard on a per item/tagkey basis, and it doesn't allow for hotkey triggers. I'm not too fond of the interface (I'd love to minimize it to the taskbar for when I'm working with other programs), but with some work this could just be the best freeware option. A few features are only available to registered users: import and backups - and apparently you can't create a new "tagset" either (that's a group of "tagkeys") unless you're registered! If it can be determined where the program stores your data, that file can be backed up and restored manually, thus getting around two of the registered-only features. Still, it would be nice if ALL of the features were available for free, especially the ability to create new tagsets. |
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FlashTray - As of version 4.0, it could have been good, but it tries to do too many other things. Although you can remove most of the junk from the menu, you still would need to do some unusual maneuvering to get to the Hotkeys area - and when you do, it's a really tiny window with not all of the options spelled out for you (it seems to be able to handle non-text keystrokes, but it doesn't give you a quick list of the supported keys). A few other programs I tested, but could instantly see that they were not something that I'd recommend include: LifeHacker's Texter, AutoHotKey, Ka Type In, HotKeyz, and MacroMaker. If anyone is curious as to what I'm looking for, here are some screen shots from Perfect Keyboard Lite v3.0 from 1999: Main Screen & Macro Properties - Tab 1, Macro Properties - Tab 2, Macro Properties - Tab 3, and Macro Properties - Tab 4. If you find a freeware program like this, please post a comment here. |
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text manager, free text manager, boilder plate, auto text detect software, auto text fill up, freeware |
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Comments
Not sure how the reviewer missed it, but hotkey triggers is one of the main features of Tagkeys. .sig, .addr, etc. Also, you can pass text through the clipboard. In fact, you can choose a "breakpoint" to decide when to use the keyboard buffer and when to use the clipboard.
Also, no limits on the ability to add tagkeys or tagsets. The only features not available in the free version is the ability to have Tagkeys perform automatic backups of your data, and the ability to import Tagsets from other users. Includes more than 20 non-printable macros such as {left}, {pgdn}, etc. and you can specify a count {left 4}.
Check it out at http://www.tagkeys.com
Hello,
Does anyone use PhraseExpress with Office 2007 ?
since upgrade from Office 2003 to Office 2007 all PhraseExpress phrases have a "double caracter" at the beginning; ie when I type "bjr" which stands for "Bonjour," => Office displays "Bbonjour,".
The PhraseExpress Support forum didn't help saying "refer to MS documentation" and worse deleted my topic ;-(
So who work both with Office 2007 and PhraseExpress ?
Don't know why PhaseExpress is doing that. I use Office 2007 and it works as advertised. However I did not upgrade from Office 2003. My O/S is Windows XP Pro.
Perhaps a re-install would fix the problem.
Obviously, people have different needs and requirements of their software. If, as I did, you want a small, unobtrusive, no-frills boilerplate prog, then you won't go far wrong with Speed Typing (see #10 above).
Many thanks for the link!
- Darren -
Ok.. ok.. so I didn't realise the post numbering changed! Here's the link, save ya searching :
http://www.colorpilot.com/speed-typing.html?st1
Hi
I keep getting a Trojan warning from ZonealarmPro trying quarantine and uninstall.
Due to my own paranoia I have indeed uninstalled PhraseExpress v6.0.146
"This program enables a remote user to control your computer. It runs in the background and opens a back door on your computer. The back door allows an unauthorized remote user to connect to and access your computer, circumventing your computer's security. When you connect to the internet, this program notifies the remote user that your computer is vulnerable. This program may also have built-in tools used to manage your files, run executables on your computer, control your mouse and CD tray, screens, and retrieve passwords, keystroke, and screen shots.
How dangerous is it?
Privacy
This program enables a remote user access to your entire computer and everything on it.
Security
This program is a major security threat. The program includes server software that allows a remote user to connect to your computer and have complete access and control over it.
What should I do?
It is recommended that you delete this application immediately because it constitutes security and privacy risks, and has no known usefulness."
It will be because of the monitoring element as described in the notes above and on the PhraseExpress website.
Texter is excellent, if you have problems with it (like I did, because I also use PowerPro and HotkeyP) than just always use "Instant" as a trigger.
It's even better, because you can use only "2 characters" shortcuts, for example:
< f will paste some text (or execute script) without hitting tab, enter or space.
Silly me, I've just found that PowerPro can do this and much more than Texter. (Help file is like a book so it's not easy to find)
i really like texter but it seems to interfere with hotkeys / shortcut keys from other programs. they don't work but once i exit texter they instantly work again. any suggestions on how to fix? i did email the author..adam pash of lifehacker...
I also stopped using Texter after a while because of some similar sort of conflict , though I can't remember quite what.
The "permanent items" feature in ArsClip lets you set global hotkeys for commonly used pieces of text, etc. Works a charm!
Link on "Best Free Clipboard Replacement Utility" page:
http://tinyurl.com/7hqg42
I too don't feel comfortable with the idea that PhraseExpress is monitoring my data.
However, LifeHacker's Texter does seem to fit my basic needs. I can understand that Texter may not provide all the functions you're ideally looking for. But I suspect it might be useful for at least some users of this site.
You say: "A few other programs I tested, but could instantly see that they were not something that I'd recommend include: LifeHacker's Texter, AutoHotKey, Ka Type In, HotKeyz, and MacroMaker."
I wonder why Texter gets such a thumbs-down.
[N.B. Re Hotkeyz: I like this programme a lot as a free Hotkey Utility -- though I too wouldn't rate it as a Boilerplate Text Manager.]
+1 for PhraseExpress. It is still the shiznit. They just released a new version...
I've been using a piece of freeware called Speed Typing, which works very well under Windows XP:
http://www.colorpilot.com/speed-typing.html?st1
Yeah I like that Texter program! I don't do a lot of code insertion stuff but I do a lot of technical writing. And a lot of the things are the same from one document to another. I can see the usefullness of being able to insert snippets of text (or bundles of text) related to what I'm working on.
I'll play with it some more and try to break it. But so far so good!
Thanks for the tip Jacob! Nice!
Is it Kindergarten here or what the heck is the chit chat here about?
Phrase Express is kind enough to offer a free version for personal(!) use and you complain that it detects if you cheat it, or what? Again, it is free for personal use only. Again: Personal use. Have you recognized the word p*e*r*s*o*n*a*l???
What is so difficult about accepting this clear policy. they explain it at http://www.phraseexpress.com/free.htm
I like the program and it has very powerful features. And I am not complaining and gladly support their work with a license as it saves me so much time.
Texter from Lifehack can also do Autotext but it is far away from Phrase Express. It's comparing a bicycle with a Porsche.
Kevin
IMPORTANT:
Note about uninstalling Phrase Express with Revo Uninstaller!
I keep meaning to post this, and Gizmo's "9 Must-haves" ebook reminded me...
This is just an FYI for users of Revo Uninstaller to USE CATION if they ever uninstall Phrase Express. I've used Revo for years and had NEVER had a problem with it uninstalling the wrong thing--and I trial LOTS of software! This means multiple MBs of leftover junk that Revo has saved me from! I decided to check out Phrase Express, then quickly uninstalled it. I don't remember what options I chose when installing it, but apparently I had associated it with every single file type on my Vista PC. Upon uninstalling, I had Revo set to "Moderate Uninstall" mode and blindly clicked-through, having Revos get rid of the associated registry items and other leftovers. In retrospect, this was a pretty dumb thing to do with an automation program like PhrExp, but then hindsight is 20-20 :o). My system was critically wacked. Any icon that I clicked on took me to the "There is no associated application for this file type, do you want to choose one from the list" error dialog. I had made system backups with FixIt Utilities, but couldn't access them... Couldn't access the Control Panel, My Computer, or anything... I decided to manually reset the file associations. The fist thing I happened to go to was a .TXT file. I associated it with EditPad Lite, but then every single thing I attempted to open would automatically (and unsuccessfully) attempt to open into EditPad Lite!!! Argh. If I was knowledgeable enough, I mightn't been able to restart into command line-mode, then install the FixIt Utilities back up from there (??). As it turned out, I decided this was a good opportunity to REINSTALL Windows--which I did, thus losing all my settings and docs. Anyhow, I guess this post can be summed up with "use Phrase Express's built-in uninstaller." I thought you guys (and gals) would get a kick out of my no-brainer horror story though :o) I'll cross post this on the Uninstaller page and the Phrase Express page.
-Steve
Dear Steve,
why not contact http://support.phraseexpress.com ? We gladly help.
PhraseExpress actually has a sophisticated uninstallation procedure and we took great care that it completely removes the software. The only only file which is kept is your personal phrase file to avoid accidential deletion (in case that you just uninstalled in order to install a newer version). Just like MS Office would not erase all .doc files if you uninstall Office.
Of course we cannot speak for 3rd party uninstallation utilities if they run crazy. :-)
Marco
PhraseExpress Team memeber
Phrase Express may not be used for commercial purposes, as spelled out here: http://www.phraseexpress.com/freeware.htm
Can you recommend a boilerplate utility that is free for commercial use ?
The current Lite edition of Perfect Keyboard is not free. Is the old edition still available ?
PhraseExpress IS free for personal use. Have you actually read the page you were referring to? :-)
Marco
PhraseExpress Team member
Did you actually read the comment you were replying to? They were asking for a program that is free for COMMERCIAL use.
ShortKeys is a good product. It has a free lite version, but the lite version is restricted to 15 entries. Google "Shortkeys Lite."
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steve
LifeHacker's Texter is a completely free version that gets the job done:
http://lifehacker.com/software//lifehacker-code-texter-windows-238306.php
Jacob
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