Macros

Run Macros from System Manager and DOS

The Palmtop's System Macros help automate keystrokes in the built-in applications. Unfortunately, there's only space for 10 System Macros and they don't work in DOS applications on the Palmtop. Described below is a way to create additional macros which run under both System Manager and DOS and can be activated by key combinations other than the Fn + F-key combinations.

The file EXKEY022.ZIP contains two programs: EXKEY.COM and RECKEY.COM.

EXKEY.COM a TSR utility that runs from DOS and lets you create macros that will run in DOS or System Manager. The documentation file that comes in EXKEY022.ZIP has been translated to English from the original Japanese. If you type EXKEY /? at the DOS prompt you will also get instructions in English.

When you load EXKEY the first time, type EXKEY -F. EXKEY stores its macros in a file named EXKEY.INI (similar to the *.MAC files for System macros). The documentation that comes with EXKEY contains a sample of an EXKEY.INI file. Below is an example of an EXKEY.INI file (I added the comments, indented below the command, to explain the line. They should not be in the file.)

[200]

{cc:Mail}={Database}

  1. -Start Database with cc:MAIL key (Pocket Quicken key on the 200LX)

[200]!

{Shift+F1}=200{Enter}

  1. -Start System Manager.

{Shift+c}=chkdsk{Enter}

  1. -Do a CHKDSK.

The macros listed below [200] operate in System Manager. The macros below [200]! are for DOS.

RECKEY.COM a utility that lets you record EXKEY macros on the fly. Type RECKEY /? and you get instructions in English. When I want to do a macro, I start RECKEY.COM and press the keys I need for my macro. RECKEY will record every key stroke I do in DOS and System Manager. When I want to see the key strokes I did, I type RECKEY -S. I prefer to save the information captured by RECKEY to a file with re-direct command RECKEY -S >RECKEY.TXT. From there I cut and paste it into the EXKEY.INI file.

Jorgen Wallgren

jorgen@palmtop.net