Ghost Control for Windows

User Reviews

• Plenty of features along with a few glitches

  Cyber_Multi_LingualJanuary 21, 2011

  Pros

  Create separate, complex macros (jobs); Edits job details with a built-in editor - dissect jobs, splice jobs, continue recording at end of job, and more; Adjust replay speed of individual events; Recorded everything I could throw at it.

  Cons

  Will intermittently miss an edit box or button in a job. This isn't a big deal for my work, but could be a problem for some folks. Errors could be from my hyper-sensitive mouse - it will occasionally send a Mickey when I'm not even touching it.

  Summary

  When I'm able, I help out with a website that has tens of thousands of products. To get a new website product online, I start out with one manufacturer-supplied image and need to produce three website-sized image files like this: Detail SKU 100192 - XXX.jpg (600 x 600 pixels) Medium SKU 100192 - XXX.jpg (300 x 300 pixels) Thumbnail SKU 100192 - XXX.jpg (150 x 150 pixels) Where the XXX is whatever the original name of the image was from the manufacturer. That means a LOT of image manipulation in short bursts. The work consists of gathering 100 or so images and their associated SKUs, then running them each through a small image resizing program. To complete processing of one product set of three images takes about 30 keystrokes, 10 mouse clicks, 7 edit box selections with the mouse, and 6 switches between mouse and keyboard for the right (or left I suppose) hand. With de-cramping breaks, it takes roughly 2 hours to do a set of 100 products if things go well. I have used macro recorders before when developing large programs and I have even written one of my own for some custom tasks. I realized I could really cut down the website image processing task if I could find the right macro recording utility. I tried a few and then downloaded the demo version of Ghost Control. I immediately ran into the 30 second macro length limitation in the demo version. Manually, I was doing an individual product in about 45-50 seconds. I practiced a bit and wrote a short script to read and follow, but it still took 10 or more tries before I was able to beat the 30 second clock. Even then, I was going at warp 10 switching from keyboard to mouse and back while trying to think 3 steps ahead. The developers probably should revisit this issue in the demo version. I would have been happier if they had limited me to recording 5 or 10 macros total with the demo, but left the individual macro length unlimited. Once I succeeded in recording a macro to do the job though, it was all worth the effort. As I mentioned, it took me about 45-50 seconds per product doing it by hand on a good day while the Ghost Control macro runs in less than 5 seconds and is far less prone to typing and other errors than the manual work. Ghost Control has pretty much everything you'd want in a low-cost but effective macro recorder. It records all keystrokes and mouse movements/button clicks (both the up and down key and button messages are recorded). It also allows you to create macros (called Jobs in the software) of surprising complexity after you get up the learning curve with the editor. You can get other packages with a slicker interface and some additional functionality - but you won't find much that competes with Ghost Control for only $35. The job editor is especially useful. You can adjust individual event durations and delays between events. This is critical if you have a program whose interface does not play well if it gets keyboard and mouse messages from Ghost Control at superhuman speed. In the image processing package I use, there is one particular operation that needs to complete before ANY additional keyboard or mouse input is sent to the window. No problem - I opened up the job in Ghost Control's editor and inserted a short delay. I then gradually increased the delay until I got consistent results. Finally, I added a little extra to the delay just to be on the safe side. I have found one annoying issue with Ghost Control. It will intermittently miss an edit box selection or button press. I haven't yet had a chance to track down the cause, but it could very well be my hyper-sensitive mouse. My mouse sometimes sends a Mickey or two - even when I'm not touching it. Operator keyboard or mouse input while Ghost Control is trying to run a macro is a recipe for failure. For my purposes, an occasional error is not a big problem since Ghost Control has reduced our overall error rate by at least a factor of 10. I can see where this could, however, be an issue for some users. Again, don't dismiss Ghost Control based on my complaint as I don't know if the problem lies in the code or my hardware. If you find yourself doing repetitive typing or mousing (and especially combinations of the two) and you don't have a corporate budget, Ghost Control should be on your computer. Cheers, MLC

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• Trial version limited to 30 seconds-not enough to test

  elliots3November 16, 2010

  Pros

  Specs look good, but need a real trial.

  Cons

  I need macro software to deal with some complicated sequences. I'd be glad to pay for it, but need a good test -- I've been burned before. The trial version times out after 30 seconds which is not enough time if you are doing mouse clicks etc.

  Summary

  My 3* rating is meaningless -- I'm unable to rate for my possible uses.

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• Easy to understand and consistently works

  hleibacAugust 30, 2010

  Pros

  Many other macro programs just don't seem to work well across windows. This one does.

  Cons

  None that I have found so far.

  Summary

  It has a simple interface, ability to edit the resulting script, and it simply works. Many other macro programs just don't seem to work well across windows. This one does and I recommend it. I also found a small bug in the product after purchasing it. I e-mailed support with low expectations. To my surprise the author responded and actually fixed the issue. Wow! If you are looking for a macro recorder give this one a try.

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• Very nice piece of software

  dcajicJuly 12, 2010

  Pros

  Macros executes at the fastest possible speed, very accurate, export to exe feature, it waits for a web page to load if you use it for web tasks, etc. very intuitive and easy to use...

  Cons

  old fashion gui... needs improvements

  Summary

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• i downloaded myself it is awesome

  theanimemastaJune 26, 2010

  Pros

  the auto is the best i have ever seen but....

  Cons

  the only problem is that if u dont want to buy it then u will have the trial version which records for a 30 second limit/ i have heard that the part when u pay for it u dont get what u paid for. only problem.

  Summary

  if u want a long term recorder then get like ghostmouse.. but one problem with ghostmouse for some computers it comes with a trojan.. one person said it has malware but i dont believe that. i know a person who has it and it is awesome .!!!!!!!!!!! i hope u liked my review everything said in this is and always will be true.?? :-)!!!

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• Just what I needed

  richiepostDecember 3, 2009

  Pros

  Works great for the simple tasks I needed to macro. Plenty of features in the trial to satisfy me.

  Cons

  none to list

  Summary

  Took a few tries to get the fastest speed the macro would function properly at.

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• i'm interested.. how do i use it? :D

  cactusghostMay 6, 2008

  Pros

  i Like the idea of automatically doing things for you

  Cons

  uhmm.. i don't know how to use it yet

  Summary

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• This Program Is The Best Of The Best

  blondidogMay 13, 2006

  Pros

  Ghost has wonderful tech support. <p>Easy to use. <p>the gui is great.

  Cons

  Doest not work for runescape.

  Summary

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• hw do u use it

  freakboy1007April 30, 2006

  Pros

  i would use it on my game

  Cons

  i dont know how to use it

  Summary

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• Its not a smart program

  anek18April 19, 2006

  Pros

  1. It's very simple <p>2. It does whatever, you tell it to do. <p>3. You can tell it to copy a file from one folder to another folder, and a executable memory ghost file works on any computers.

  Cons

  1. Lack of features to make it a smart program. <p>2. I cannot run two executable memory ghost files at the sametime because it will conflicts. <p> <p>The program works ONLY by remembering key strokes and parameters, so that makes it a dumb program because it can be deleting wrong files.

  Summary

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