Agree that PTFB is about the best there is. Here, tho, are a few other
possibilities:
http://members.ij.net/anthonymathews/MacroMaker.htm
Current version for download 2.0.0.4, released 09/10/03
MacroMaker is truly a free piece of software for personal home use, but
the author would not refuse a donation if the software proved useful to
you. You DO NOT have to donate money to use MacroMaker for personal
home use, only if you want to. There may be a way for you to make a
donation without even spending any money out of your own pocket. Click
the "Making a donation" hyperlink in the left column for details on how
to make a donation.
MacroMaker has been out since August of 2000 and has proven to be
extremely helpful to it's users.
MacroMaker has been tested on Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000 and
should have no problem running on any 32 bit Microsoft Windows
operating system.
MacroMaker allows you to create macros or recordings to automate most
anything that you already do by hand. MacroMaker was written more for
the use of people who regularly use computers and programmers rather
than the casual PC user. Most anything you know how to do by hand can
be translated into a macro or recording in MacroMaker. If you are
having to perform repetitive tasks, this program will help you out
tremendiously. The user can simulate a series of keystrokes, mouse
events, play back previous recordings of keystrokes and mouse events or
execute some built-in functions with just a keystroke. You can even
store content from the clipboard in internal MacroMaker buffers for
later use.
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AutoHotKey
http://www.autohotkey.com/
Customize your keyboard, joystick, and mouse with an open source
scripting language that is backward compatible with AutoIt v2. It
includes a quick-start tutorial, an automatic script writer (macro
recorder) that records your keystrokes and mouse clicks, and a
comprehensive help file.
In addition to its automation features described below, AutoHotkey
excels at hotkeys, able to make almost *any* mouse/joystick button,
keyboard key, or combination into a hotkey. It can also individually
disable or override Windows´ own shortcut keys, such as Win+E and
Win+R. It may also help alleviate RSI; for example, it can create
substitutes for Alt-Tab using keys, mouse wheel, or buttons.
MAJOR AUTOMATION FEATURES
Define abbreviations that expand as you type them (auto-replace).
Create custom GUI windows and menu bars.
Retrieve or change the volume, mute, and other settings of any
soundcard.
Remap keys and mouse/joystick buttons.
Send keystrokes and mouse clicks to any window (without needing to
activate it).
Launch programs, shortcuts, URLs, and documents.
Activate, hide, close, or resize any window.
Make a window transparent and/or always-on-top.
Change the priority of a process or close it.
Create custom tray icon menus and popup menus.
Use a joystick as a mouse.
Monitor your system (e.g. close unwanted windows the moment they
appear).
Automate game actions by detecting pixel colors.
Retrieve and change the clipboard´s contents, even if it contains
files copied from the Explorer.
Perform any operation upon a set of files and folders that match a
wildcard pattern.
Read, write, and parse text files more easily than in most other
languages.
Work with the registry and INI files using the included interface
commands.
Display simple tooltips and balloon tips.
Display dialog boxes to interact with the user.
Convert any script into an EXE that can be run on any computer.
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SuperKeys
http://www.vellosoft.com/
With SuperKeys, a couple of keystrokes can trigger any sequence of text
you assign, saving you from the repetition of typing frequently entered
passwords and logins, documents and signatures, and program commands.
Unlike other programs where you´re limited to simple text, SuperKeys
makes it easy to add control codes (such as CTRL, ALT, and TAB),
enabling a couple of keystrokes to trigger a command or a series of
commands in any Windows program. You can even use SuperKeys to launch
programs quicker than you can say "double-click."
Version 5.1 fixes an issue where using function keys to generate text
resulted in extra backspaces added before the Replacement Text and also
features an updated help file which explains how the use of the Key
Capture feature can expedite the process when recording a sequence of
keyboard commands.
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AutoIt
http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/
AutoIt v3 is an opensource BASIC-like scripting language designed for
automating the Windows GUI. It uses a combination of simulated
keystrokes, mouse movement and window/control manipulation in order to
automate tasks in a way not possible or reliable with other languages
(e.g. VBScript and SendKeys).
AutoIt was initially designed for PC "roll out" situations to configure
thousands of PCs, but with the arrival of v3 it is also well suited to
performing home automation and the scripting of repetitive tasks.
AutoIt can:
Provide a general-purpose scripting language
Execute Windows and DOS executables
Simulate keystrokes (supports most keyboard layouts)
Simulate mouse movements and clicks
Move, resize and manipulate windows
Interact directly with "controls" on a window (set/get text from edit
controls, check boxes and radio buttons, select items in drop-down
lists, etc.)
Work with the clipboard to cut/paste text items
Work with the registry
-------------------
RemoteKeys
http://www.freewarehits.de/
RemoteKeys replaces complicated key combinations to simple mouse clicks
to send commands & text modules to applications. It offers 10 user
profiles with 250 free assignable buttons. Send text modules into
letters, phrases into formulas and password requester, CTRL/ALT and
pull down menu combinations and more. It can also open applications,
files and internet addresses. RemoteKeys is not only a tool for sending
any keystrokes (& text modules) to any application but also a macro
recorder. Easy to use and runs without installing.
I hope the web page saves you some time in the future - that's what it's there for.