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Which expander do you recommend? - curious

Posted: Jun 13, 2013

I am looking at different word expanders to replace my autocorrect and find the choices almost overwhelming. I will be starting over (ugh). What do you use and why? I am looking for the easiest to use with the least amount of keystrokes to do commands. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

I use Smartype - and love it

[ In Reply To ..]
I use Smartype. Have since I started as an MT. I've tried Instant Text, but because I had so much muscle memory invested in Smartype I could never make the transition.

Shortcut is a good one, also. It's very, very basic, but it's pretty decent.

Smartype is a little more advanced in that you can do some basic commands that I'm not sure you can do with Shortcut. They have made some improvements in the new version of it that have made it even better.

Instant Text is sort of the big daddy that's out there. I can see its appeal, but I never really warmed to it. It's a little too complex for me and quite frankly, did more than I needed something like that for. It's like the Maserati of expanders, where Smartype is a Mercedes SL and Shortcut is a nice sedan.

Hope that helps. Oh, and almost all of them will convert your autocorrect entries (if you still have access to them) into their library. You may have to then go in and tweak them a bit, but they should convert.

Instant Text 7 has a a powerful command menu - and imports Autocorrect

[ In Reply To ..]

if that is what you are looking for.

It takes a few clicks to import your Autocorrect file. So you can continue to use what you are used to.

To see the commands click on link below.

To see for yourself I would download IT and try it out for 30 days.

I have used Instant Text for years... Sm - Old Woman

[ In Reply To ..]
Although I am not as proficient as I would like to be with it, I could not work without it. It is easy to learn and has the capability for multiple glossaries. There is also an on-screen advisory, which I really like.

I use Shorthand now - ICManiac

[ In Reply To ..]
I used Smartype back in the days of DOS and it was my first love, but when when it did not update to a Windows product, I had to choose something else. I imported my files to Instant Text and after two weeks, decided to move on to Shorthand. Shorthand feels more like Smartype than IT to me. I've tried the new Smartype, but now that I've been with Shorthand for over 10 years, I don't care to change again.

The beauty about Shorthand is that if your computer crashes, you can install it on another computer by just paying for a month of service, and your current subscription is extended for that month. I think Smartype will do something like that, too, if you have to change computers. I highly, highly recommend doing regular backups of whatever expansion program you choose. In 10 years, you can imagine how many times I've had to upgrade or replace a computer.

Shorthand will also convert your autocorrect entries. You will probable lose template entries with whole blocks of text, but those should not take you too long to get entered on your own.

ShortHand fan. - sm please

[ In Reply To ..]
There is a little learning curve to find out how to do everything you want it to do. There are websites that are great for getting info (this goes for just about any expander). For commands, if you mean deleting 1 or more words, replacing commas with periods and capitalizing the next word, that sort of thing, it does take a little effort to program at first, but so worth it (this goes for *any* expander that allows commands). Once you get the hang of it, it is a breeze (this goes for...ah, you know the rest).

Last I looked, SH still had a 30-day free trial (I believe IT does, too). You can transfer Autocorrect entries to SH from the menu(?) tab. Sorry if this sounds like a commercial for them, really it is not, but I have used SH for years and really like it.

Instant Text 7 - gksc

[ In Reply To ..]
I have used Instant Text since version 3 and absolutely love. It is worth every penny you pay for it. Recently looking for jobs, if there was one where I could not use it (had to use their own equipment), I would not hire with them. That's how much I rely on it.

Another fan of Instant Text (nm) - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
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