Here are some anticipations of the new features you’ll get in Direct Access 1.5, which I expect to release in beta in January. Here are the main new features of 1.5:

• support for Windows Vista
• reduced memory footprint
• new, redesigned, easier to use interface
• instant search to quickly find your abbreviations
• new powerful functionalities for Autotext commands

The new interface of Direct Access

Office 2007 style tooltips

Commands are displayed so that you can get the maximum amount of information in a very reduced space. For each command you can clearly see its description, abbreviation (the word you have to type to activate it) and the preview. The little yellow ball tells you if the abbreviation requires a confirmation or will be fired immediately.

Instant Search

With Instant Search you can quickly locate your favorite commands typing a few keystrokes. The commands list is updated instantly to reflect your request.

Redesigned edit dialogs with a number of new features

The dialogs used to create commands have been redesigned to be much clearer and easier to use. A number of new commands have been added to perform special tasks:

• insert a manual text input: this allows you to perform a number of tasks: when the command is executed, a pop-up window is displayed asking for additional information: for example, you will be able to search google, wikipedia, a dictionary from any application and compose personalized messages executing a command and typing a parameter of your choice in the input window.
• insert the current date (using the time/date formats of your choice)
• insert special keys like TAB, ENTER
• insert an ASCII character typing it’s ASCII keycode
• have the cursor positioned at a certain place in the inserted text

OSD Command execution confirmation

Direct Access shows an OSD text confirming the execution of a command. So, you immediately know if the command has been correctly triggered.

I’m expecting to release Direct Access 1.5 in beta in January. All registered users will get the upgrade for free.

Technorati Tags: Direct Access, autotext, Nagarsoft