So, we've all seen the latest gaming keyboards and mice with support for
macros, but the assumption being made here is that every customer knows what
they are and what they're good for without anyone actually taking the time to explain it. So, in just a few words,
a macro is a way of creating a faster, easier shortcut that lets you perform an
otherwise multiplestep process in just
one step. They're most often created to speed up and simplify the execution of
repetitive tasks. Some applications like Microsoft Office actually have excellent
built-in support for macros, allowing you to create your own shortcuts to
execute complicated presscripted strings of commands. Something I used to use
quite often in my old job in marketing and product management when sorting out
gigantic spreadsheets. But most of the programs you use, including games, have
no or very limited inherent macro support. So that is where fancy
peripherals with macros come in. While some allow macros to be recorded
directly on the device, most use their own custom software to create multi-step
commands and save them to a small built-in memory chip on the device where
they can be executed with a single button press. This allows the user more
flexibility to customize their macros. All right, Ninus, this seems pretty
simple. I pre-record something like, "Lol, that's so funny. Thanks for
sharing it." Then I only have to press one button to have the perfect reply
ready every time someone sends me a sweet picture of like a cat wearing a
hat or something. What could I want to customize about that? Well, actually a
couple of things. The most important of which is the recorded delay between each
of the discrete commands. That pre-programmed input bit from before is
a perfect example. Normally, I can only type as fast as my fingers can move. But
an email client or word processor could easily accept that entire sentence all
at the same time. In this case, I would actually want to execute my macro with
no delay. But that's not always ideal.
In a game, it might be beneficial to create a macro that calls in a holy
strike, waits 2 seconds, activates a lightning resistance buff, and then 3
seconds later casts, I don't know, Firefly Swarm or something like that.
So, you can see how this would be a great thing to be able to control.
Generally speaking, macros support playing back with the same delay with
which they were recorded, injecting a fixed delay, or removing all delays for
instant input, with some supporting manual input of the delays. While this
feature is most often present on products targeted at gamers, there are
plenty of legitimate uses for reprogrammable keys that support macros
outside of games as well. And in fact, when the Logitech G15 keyboard first
launched with its impressive 18 programmable G keys, it was a gamer and
productivity enthusiast dream come true, and both of
those groups of people were flocking to buy it. So, there you have it. If you've
got a gaming keyboard or mouse, there's actually a very good chance that using
the software included with the aforementioned computer peripheral will
unlock this functionality for you. And once you get the hang of using macros,
they're fast and easy to create and very, very useful. Speaking of very
useful, Josh from Fractal Design gave me a call the other day about advertising
on Techquy and he kind of goes, "Well, yeah, I was talking to some of your
viewers and they were telling me they're tired of hearing you blab on and on
about sponsors at the end of every video. So, if we do this, I want to do
something a little different. Instead of a normal integration where you talk
about our quality PC cases and power supplies with minimalistic Scandinavian
design and outstanding customer support, I just want to buy the sponsor spot and
watch you get pied in the face instead. I figure that'll be pretty fun for
everyone. So, I pondered his idea for a moment and then it hit me. I've done
worse for 20 bucks. Never mind what one of these sponsor spot costs. So, here we
go.
So, um, if you guys appreciate Josh's approach to sponsoring Techquicki and
you want to see more of it, hit up the Fractal Design Facebook page linked in the video description and give it a big
old like. While you're at it, don't forget to like this video and share it
if you liked it. Dislike it if you disliked it, and leave a comment with
your favorite uses for macros or any suggestions you have for future fast as
possible episodes. Thanks for watching, and as always, don't forget to subscribe
if you haven't already.