Stuff that Powerpro replaces

AUG
24
2007

A running list of the utilities that I find that can be replaced by Windows Powerpro.

  • ID=1563">TitleBarClock
    Freeware that puts the date, time and unused RAM in the titlebar.

  • Windows DM2
    Freeware that does a number of things: Minimize to an icon (not sure that Powerpro can do that, but it can make floating bars with active app icons), minimize to tray, hide window, align and resize, opaque and always-on-top windows, mark favorites in the open/save common dialogs. All but that first one are quite possible in Powerpro.

  • SlickRun
    Freeware providing a floating command line interface with aliases. As far as I can see, Powerpro provides 100% of its functionality.

  • Xecutor
    Free (for non-commercial use) utility that can execute commands at scheduled intervals or startup/shutdown, not unlike cron in Unix.

  • sTabLauncher
    A tab-based launcher for Windows.

  • Texter
    A tray utility that keeps snippets of text and can insert them into any edit area. PowerPro not only lets you send any keys to any app, but it creates a “snippets” command list on installation, and it can pop up this list with any combination of mouse/key commands (not just yet another icon in the system tray).

  • PhraseExpress
    A ‘snippet’ utility, that allows short passages of text to be quickly pasted into the active application. PowerPro has a ‘snippets’ menu just for this purpose, and can activate those snippets in other ways as well.

  • Pistachio
    A bunch of tweaks for the Windows UI. At least some of these are entirely doable in Powerpro.

  • ClickWhen
    A small tool to automate mouse clicks. Easily doable with Powerpro’s macros and scheduled tasks.

  • PowerMenu
    Adds some extra choices to the window menus. Most of these are by default part of Powerpro’s “activewin” list, and the rest could be added.

  • RunMe
    Allows for the creation of a bar with hierarchial lists of programs to run. Should sound totally familiar, because that’s one of Powerpro’s main functions.

  • WinOff
    A free utility that can shut down a Windows computer, or cause it to enter the various low-power states, based on several criteria, including time-of-day and time-from-now. It certainly appears that PowerPro offers that whole feature set.

  • ShellEnhancer
    PowerPro can do most of the tricks listed. Roll up windows, set transparency, enhance the secondary click menu, screen corners, and the like.

  • SysTrayMeter
    Puts an icon in the system tray that gives indications of system load.

  • ClickZap (scroll down, no direct link)
    Adds a double-secondary-click action.

  • The Wonderful Icon
    Adds a tray icon with several utilities, all of which seem to be doable with Windows PowerPro.

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Comments

No way does it replace PhraseExpress

25 Aug 2007 — Sherryl (not verified)

I tried PowerPro and I do not see how it even comes close to PhraseExpress:

  • PhraseExpress stores text formatting and bitmaps

  • PhraseExpress is MUCH easier to use. PowerPro’s attempts to do anything and creates a horrible cluttered UI

  • We use the tool in a network. PowerPro has no network management

No need to switch for us. Sherryl

Unconvinced

25 Aug 2007 — eafarris

  • Text formatting and bitmaps can be copied to the clipboard, saved with PowerPro’s autoclone *Note command, and from there be retrieved on command with a key or mouse combination.

  • PowerPro’s UI is complicated, as it packs a very large feature set. In my experience, it takes a new user a couple of weeks to get used to it, and then they end up using it more and more. It’s plenty user-friendly, just not new user friendly. This is extremely common in the world that I come from (Unix). Ask any new user about vi or vim.

  • Not sure what you mean by ‘no network management,’ but PowerPro seems to be quite happy to load its pproconf.pcf file from a mapped drive.

This list is not a list of “If you use any of these, you should switch to PPro,” but instead is a list of utilities, that, if you find yourself needing functionality from multiple entries, you should consider PowerPro.

Thanks for stopping by. I don’t use any of these tools, anymore, and it’s good to hear differing opinions, even if you did register your name with the PhraseExpress website. :)

PowerPro vs. SlickRun

02 Oct 2007 — Hengist_Ludd (not verified)

I use PowerPro a lot, but are you sure it compares with SlickRun? PowerPro’s Tiny Run Box and the Advanced Run Box script look a lot harder to set up and use.

If you like launching things the “magic words” way, take a look at Find and Run Robot (FARR) over at DonationCoder, http://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Mouser/findrun/index.html Sign up (free) in the forums to gain access to the much more powerful Version 2 beta.

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