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NCH's FastFox Typing Expander is basically a supermacro utility that you can use to create, store, and activate keyboard shortcuts that instantly insert lines or whole paragraphs of text as you type. It's a dream come true for those unfortunate souls who must type the same thing over and over. Properly used, it can drastically reduce typing time and keystrokes.
At just over 190K, FastFox is a small download that installs with equal speed. It features a simple dialog interface with File, Shortcut, and Help menus, and labeled icons for Options, Shared Shortcuts, and downloading the optional NCH Toolbox, which gives access to the developer's other tools. The Toolbox is worth trying, but we've used it before, so we skipped it. The Shared button adds common shortcuts, such as those used throughout a company's network: a nice touch. There are actually two sources of assistance, the Help file and an icon that opens the program's Web-based manual, but this program is easy enough to figure out without them. We clicked the green plus sign to add a new shortcut, entered our keywords, selected the expansion type, entered our text, and clicked OK. When we typed the keyword, FastFox automatically replaced it with our expanded text. It's that simple.
FastFox Typing Expander is free to try for 14 days. It downloads as a compressed file and installs desktop icons without asking. It's ready for Windows 7. If you find yourself typing the same blocks of text over and over again, give it a try.
Publisher's Description
From NCH Software:
FastFox will dramatically reduce the time you spend typing. FastFox Text Expander is an easy to use typing expansion utility that can create and store keyboard shortcuts that, when pressed, will expand to lines of text. FastFox allows the user to define keywords that become the shortcuts. When FastFox sees that a keyword has been typed by the user that keyword will then be replaced by the expanded text. FastFox macros, or simulated keystokes and mouse clicks, can work for you. This shorthand software is ideal for people who are continually typing the same thing over and over or frequently visiting the same web sites to perform common activities.
Text Expansion Features: * Instant text expansion from keyboard shortcuts (e.g., "QBF" expanding to "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog"); * Use FastFox shortcuts and macros while you type in any program; * Save an unlimited number of keyboard shortcuts; * Auto complete feature learns what you type most and makes suggestions for insertion on the fly; * Expanded text shortcuts can insert simple text, rich format text or images; * Create advanced macros to simulated keystrokes and mouse clicks and automate functions in addition to inserting text; * Share shortcuts with others in the office or department; * Audio tone played when a keyword has been matched and replaced; * Simple and intuitive user interface for day-to-day operation.What's new in this version: Version 2.27 is a maintenance release.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 4 votes
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Current version:
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Results 1-4 of 4
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"simple and convenient"
Version: FastFox 2.03
Pros
Simple to use. Easy to download.
Cons
If you accidentally hit a key you may inadvertently bring up an expansion.
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"Reduces your keystrokes with a simple program"
Version: FastFox 2.03
Pros
Simple to use. Easy to download - download a trial version and purchase when it expires. Low cost. I estimate it reduces my keystrokes by 30% and I aim to further reduce by adding more and more expansions.
Cons
Don't re-issue product key. When I tried to install on a different computer it said the version was old. If your computer is slow expansion comes up slower and slows you down. if you accidentally hit a key you inadvertently bring up an expansion.
Summary
Excellent product that I highly recommend. Benefits by far outweigh the cons I list above.
I researched the internet to find a product that would speed up my transcription of research interviews, which is a very time consuming process. This is the best product I have found. If you want to reduce your keystrokes this is it. I tried another program which involved memorizing codes for a long list of words. The problem was if you couldn't remember them all it didn't work so it was a waste of $70. With Fastfox you add your own codes which make sense to you and you add as many as you want. I also tried Dragon Naturally Speaking. It's a good product but even a small error rate results in extra work and in the end it didn't really help me to speed things up.
I make codes for email beginnings and endings, my address, cell phone number, email address, commonly used words in my research as well as commonly used words that I use over and over. Anything that you type many times you can just make a code for.
I've recommended this product to many people although I don't think any of them bought it because they didn't realize how revolutionary it is for reducing your typing.
Though I bought this for transcription I use it for all my typing - it works anywhere on your computer, including on email. I hope this product stays on the market, as I have really come to rely on it. If I have to use someone else's computer, it's a drag having to go back to the old way of typing out everything in full and makes me see what a great tool this is. -
"Acts like a virus"
Version: FastFox 1.12
Pros
There are no pros that I can find.
Cons
Every 20 startups or so this product continues to ask if I want to buy it, then proceeds to log me onto its web site. I have deleted the program, but there is something hidden that I cannot find to remove.
Summary
Do NOT download this product. Unless you know your stuff, you may be stuck with it for longer than you want!
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"Very small, fast and convenient"
Version: FastFox 1
Pros
This is ag great tool. Just watch using common 1 or 2 letter shortcut keys or you'll be doing Emailed 1 week promotion for 820 MB and 1.4 GHz Celeron processor and eTurbo glass for promotion price
lot of back spacing. If configured properly you'll have no problems.
Cons
If you use shortcuts that are commonly used in regular writing you'll be doing Emailed 1 week promotion for 820 MB and 1.4 GHz Celeron processor and eTurbo glass for promotion price
lot of back spacing. Such as single vowels, etc.
