Things are moving ahead smoothly with the rollout of Macro Express 4. HCL has rolled out the software across the board, and other HUL units are in the process of doing so. If there are desktops in your unit that should have received the new version of Macro Express and did not, please contact your IT unit. We are still well within the number of available licenses, so if there are additional desktops you want to add this software package to, please request that from your IT unit as well. (A reminder: Macro Express 4 is installed in parallel to Macro Express 3, so some staff may not realize that they have it on their machine - check your program list in your Start Menu.)
Some units have converted their macros and others are in the process of doing so, and some units new to Macro Express are building macros directly in the new version. Other units are still in the planning stages for their migration.
Overall feedback from those using Macro Express 4 is very positive. The Aleph Macro Working Group is providing a number of resources to help make this a very successful transition.
1) Macro User Group
November 10: 11 am-12 noon — Lamont 310
This is an opportunity to get information and discuss macro issues with your macro writer/user peers.
Macro Conversion Tips — This session will focus on the issues involved in converting your Macro Express 3 macros to version 4. The Aleph Macro Working Group has compiled a "How-To" document for macro conversion [Word], which will be reviewed in this meeting. Even if your unit didn't previously use Macro Express, and you're getting started directly in Macro Express 4, this session is worthwhile, as it does highlight a number of Macro Express 4 macro structure principles.
Units that are converting their Macro Express 3 macros are encouraged to review the document and to provide feedback if you identify additional macro conversion issues.
January 21: 11 am-12 noon — Lamont 310
Macro Open Lab — Bring your questions about macros that you can't get to work quite right, macros you'd like to write, but aren't sure how to approach them, or workflows that you'd like to support with macros and want to find out if others have done so, or anything else related to macros that you'd like to raise. In particular, attendees are encouraged to bring questions relating to macro development issues that they have encountered in Macro Express 4.
2) Your Feedback Needed
Macros in the HUL Shared Macro Set have not been converted to Macro Express 4 yet. The majority of these macros originate in HCL Technical Services (HCL TS). The process of converting the HCL TS macros is underway and has a target date as of late December. Since HCL TS has changed its workflow considerably, some of the existing macros are no longer relevant to their workflow and will not be converted unless they are used by other units. The same is true with the shared macros that originate from other units. If your unit is using macros from the HUL Shared Macro Set, please let us know ASAP which ones so that we make sure that they are converted and made available in the new macro set.
3) Macro Training
We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for MEXC - Introduction to Macro Express 4 for Macro Express Users. Register on the OIS web site.
The class will include an overview of new features in Macro Express Version 4, an exploration of file management options, and a discussion of macro conversion issues.The class is geared towards those who have previous experience with creating macros inMacro Express3; features available in Macro Express 3 will not be covered. (MexA and MexB classes will be upgraded to reflect the Macro Express 4 environment and will be made available to new users this winter.) If you did not take MEXA/MEXB but have been using Macro Express and would like to take MEXC, we encourage you to review the documentation for MEXA [pdf] and the documentation for MEXB [pdf].
All classes will be held in Lamont 310, on the following dates:
- Tues. Dec. 1: 1:30-3pm
- Thurs. Dec. 3: 9-10:30am
- Wed. Dec. 9: 10:30am-12pm
- Tues. Dec. 15: 3:30-5pm
- Thu. Jan. 7: 9-10:30am
- Thu. Jan. 13: 1:30-3pm
We look forward to working with you as your unit moves ahead with Macro Express 4.
Aleph Macro Working Group
Danielle Adams
Lee Fenn
Marc McGee
Minna Popkin
Carol Tierney
Sarah Tudesco
Elizabeth Vernon (Chair)