EODTECH  I have tried ALL the typing assistants out there for the Mac. The one that is at the top of my list and the one I have used the past 4 years is Typinator. The program is a snap to configure ( with predefined words for spelling error corrections ) as well as making your own free form snippets to be typed wit a few key strokes. The nice feature is the s/w sits within easy reach on the Menu Bar for adding additional snippets. Developer has several predefined tables to choose from, one being a list of HTML codes.

The HTML snippets set for Typinator provides over 100 abbreviations for elements of the HTML 4.01 standard. Just type a double less-than sign (  
(Version 3.6)

DTRUETT1  I have a license for both TextExpander and Typinator and spent some time comparing the two. I have always preferred the interface and feature of Typinator. For one, the ability to specify whether an abbreviation is expanded when typing the whole word or not is important to me. I also prefer having it nested in the menu bar preferable to System Preferences. The one thing that TE had over it was the ability to sync sets between my work and home computers. Now, with the current version I just moved the folder from Application Support (not physically) to Dropbox in Typinator's preferences. Works perfectly.

I recently had an interesting Email conversation with the developer and CEO and find him very reasonable and customer-centric. Good company, good product.   
(Version 3.6)

PHILMAC  Typinator is great (and now *very* fast). But with the advent of Snow Leopard, we need to know why an app like this is worth installing. Even the names of these apps — Typinator, TextExapander, TypeIt4Me — highlight a function that is now performed by the OS: "for example," says Apple, "'pnc' can expand to 'privileged and confidential,' and your initials can expand to your full name." This essentially the opening sentence of the Typinator webpage.

Typinator can insert images and rich text, and you can use different expansion sets with different programs. Anything else important I've forgotten?  
(Version 3.5.1)

ERICKPATRICK  Well, I've downloaded this version and update from the 3.0 and the stability is easy to see in this new version.

The speed in which the expander acts is incredible and you know what? I do prefer this one rather than others through the web. It fits exactly my needs and the support is one of the best I've seen.

I do indicate this to all my friends, so to you too.  
(Version 3.5)

TEKL  The speed improvement of v3.5 is enormous. I'm glad I switched from TextExpander to Typinator. But I also criticize the license politic, so only 4 stars.  
(Version 3.5)

HMURCHISON  While the lack of a family plan (multi computer license at discount) is bothersome I will give Ergonis credit on their willingness to distribute Typinator via the many Mac software bundles. This month I'll be picking up my 3rd license of Typinator and I've not paid full price once so I doubt that I'll be too miffed about upgrade pricing and there's nothing stopping version 4.0 from moving to a multi computer license. I'm loving the speed of 3.5 though kudos on that bit of work Ergonis.   
(Version 3.5)

PLASTERPYRUS  Don't you get a feeling that some developers out there think that their applications are something really great that they have created, very special in fact so special that they can't understand how the world has gotten along without it all this time. I think if I was a small developer I would sure want my client base to feel that their business is important to me and it is appreciated. I sure would not alienate them by trying to squeeze more money out of them, specially in these hard economic times. Just a thought! Anyway its theirs to do and market as they see fit.  
(Version 3.5)

TREKKER  I liked it, bought it, have used it for a long time, and have just decided to trash it and switch to TextExpander. The reason is that I just bought a MacBook Air to go long with my desktop machine because I'm writing a book and sometimes I write in my office on the desktop and sometimes out in a park under the trees on the MacBook Air. I emailed ergonis software to see if I could use ti on both machines, and they replied that they require that I pay them another $26 for a second copy of Typinator to run on the Air even though I only use one computer at a time and no one else is using the computer that I'm not using at the moment. Since I would have to spend the money for a second copy anyway, I am switching to TextExpander instead for about the same as I would have paid ergonis for a second copy. It's not only the two purchase fees, but I'd have to pay TWO UPGRADE FEES as well for EVERY paid upgrade for years to come!

TextExpander will allow me to run it on any computer I own, and it also syncs the abbreviations/snippets via my .mac/mobileme account. On top of this, TextExpander works great!

Although I prefer the interface of Typinator I'm going to swith because I would not only have to buy another license, but EVERY time there is a paid upgrade in the future I'd have to pay TWO upgrade fees as well. Not so with TextExpander. With TextExpander I pay ONE price, i can use it on BOTH of my machines, and will only have to pay ONE upgrade fee. The differences between the two programs are NOT worth paying TWO purchase costs and TWO upgrade fees every time there is a paid upgrade.

Sorry Typinator... I'll miss you, but the TextExpander people have a great product with a much better competitive edge and pricing for anyone who uses more than one computer.  
(Version 3.5)

FRANK REIFF  Good tool, but unfortunately let down by restrictive one-machine-at-a-time-only licensing.

In other words, if you have a laptop and a desktop machine on the same network, you need to quit Typinator on one machine to get it to work on the other. Or you can pay full price for each machine.

It's a crying shame that a good product like this is let down by such a poor licensing policy.

I've paid for it once, but I'm not going to buy 5 more licenses just for the privilege of actually being able to use it wherever I happen to be. I'd hope they'd see reason and remove this stupid limitation, but this has been posted a couple of times already by other people.. to no avail.

I didn't even get a reply to my email enquiry about this.

I've switched to TextExpander which works just fine, isn't burdened by a restrictive license and is SYNCHED via MobileMe.

If you only have a single machine, this isn't a bad option, but if you have multiple machines (and who hasn't these days?) it's a definite no-go.  
(Version 3.4.1)

ZZING  Typinator does just what it says it does - turns keyboard shortcuts into phrases. I have used it on several Macs since 2005 and consider it an essential app. It's been consistently rock-solid and easy to use.

Typinator does make you buy a separate license for each computer. For me, the benefit of using Typinator is worth it. To the reviewer who called this greedy, please keep in mind that the developer keeps Typinator up-to-date and dependable and has done so for years. That's worth paying for.

Highly recommended.  
(Version 3.4.1)

D-SKY  I used TypeIt4Me for years, complaining for its slowness and lack of reactivity. Often when typing, the expanding word was mixed with the next word, with the result of loosing more time to correct the mixes than to type without an expander.

But, I discovered Typinator. Simply amazing and sooo fast.

Typinator is the king of software which make me happy.

Many thank you.

Désiré Rusovsky   
(Version 3.4.1)

TERYZX  Just got this and I don’t see where it is any better than my QuicKeys. Does the same thing actually and QuicKeys does a LOT more and runs on all Macs as long as they are not on the same network.  
(Version 3.4.1)

RODDY MCKAY  These greedy people made me pay full price for an update and now they want me to pay again to install it on a second Mac! No application of this calibre is worth $75.

I'm using the freeware RapidoWrite instead.  
(Version 3.4.1)

TSWENSEN  Here's another way to look at this, MACVAULT. If you bought this software in an MU Bundle, that means you got an incredibly great price on it and the other apps in the bundle. If you have to pay for a second license, as I have done, consider that you will be getting a great application and you will be rewarding a software developer who could just as easily invest his resources in developing Windoze software where the opportunity to make money may be far greater. Fortunately for those of us who have chosen the Mac platform, we have dedicated developers willing to make less money in order to work on a superior platform. That's how I look at it and I thank Ergonis and all the hundreds of other Mac developers who provide us with terrific tools so we can do our work.  
(Version 3.4.1)

MACVAULT  I bought this in the MU bundle, and was really enjoying it until this 3.4 update. Now it won't run on my two machines at the same time complaining that I need to buy another license. I think that's really lame. Even Photoshop allows you to install on a desktop and laptop since you can't physically use both machines at the same time. I'm moving over to Textexpander because of it, which doesn't have such a ridiculous license scheme.  
(Version 3.4)

CHARLIE SUISMAN  Saves an incredible amount of time, stable, just one of those must-haves that, when I'm on another computer, I miss immediately. Plus, I had a small problem (ultimately caused by an old copy of a competitor's program) and the email help was nearly instantaneous.   
(Version 3.4)

MAGOSILVAN  Some time ago I wrote a Five Star review for Typinator. Now I wish to add a Five Star to the support.   
(Version 3.3.1)

WILMA  One of THE most useful programs for the Mac. I switched from TypeIt4Me about a month ago, and now use Typinator all day, every day.

Typinator is fantastic for:

+ Correcting commonly misspelled words (such as "teh" for "the")

+ Shortening common words, phrases, and names that you type a lot

+ Typing email signatures and tag lines, phone numbers, addresses, HTML snippets, etc.

+ Simplifying long or difficult-to-spell words, phrases, and names.

Favorite features:

+ User-editable spelling correction in 3 languages.

+ Multiple expansion lists. If expansions cause problems in some programs (such as curly quotes in email apps), set up a second list with alternates.

+ Allows you to position the cursor anywhere in the expansion. Handy for typing the name at the beginning of a letter, or content in a block of HTML or computer code.

+ Expands on typing ANY non-alphanumeric character, including a few that TypeIt4Me ignores (including ellipses and em [long] dashes).

+ Free of expansion glitches that plagued TypeIt4Me (which were why I switched).

+ Can import TypeIt4Me shortcuts.

+ Friendly and responsive developer.

A TypeIt4Me user since 1995, I do miss a few features. Typinator has no shortcut for adding new expansions directly from the clipboard. There is no plural S setting, so you must add plurals individually. Expansions cannot delete the preceding character or expansion trigger (useful for typing the date into file names in the Finder.)

Having tried TypeIt4Me and SpellCatcher, I recommend Typinator.

I use this program hundreds of times a day. It's a HUGE time-saver. It will reduce your spelling errors, speed up your typing, and can make your life a lot easier.  
(Version 3.3.1)

MISHA  Super handy... I don't use this nearly as much as I should, but it definitely saves me time anyway!  
(Version 3.1)

DAN FRIML  Now it's much better! Thanks for updating the menu bar icon!  
(Version 3.1)

GARY W.  Latest update (6/30/08) of Butler fixes conflict between Typinator and Butler clipboard.  
(Version 3.0)

GARY W.  Typinator is great, especially given that it includes auto-correct on lots of words, with the option to install an even bigger set of common typos.

It's incredibly helpful for any number of repetitive tasks. One thing I have is my credit card number accessible with a short key sequence, as well as email address. Plus lots else.

I used Textpander (earlier free version of Textexpander), which was fine, except no auto-correct. Plus, when I got Typinator through the Macupdate bundle, I felt I needed to leave Textpander behind.

Only problem is a conflict with Butler, also a fabulous and free application that I need to donate to, where snippets called up with Typinator are added to the Butler clipboard item list, which can get a little confusing. However, after emailing both developers, it appears they may be working together on a fix. I'll be looking for an update hopefully soon on either or both of these apps.  
(Version 3.0)

DRUMSHANBO  The menubar icon looks and fits fine for me. I don't know what everybody else is so concerned about.  
(Version 3.0)

DAN FRIML  This is a killer application.... But please, update the menu bar icon. The current one is ugly and doesn't fit the menubar.  
(Version 3.0)

CASTLE  Generally a great little app, but the menu icon is ugly and really ruins the aesthetic of my menu bar - plus it cannot be moved so it sits at the far left of my menu icons. Any option for a menu icon more in line with the standard menu icons would be great!  
(Version 3.0)

CHIEFTED  I have tried pretty much all the "type expander" programs (TextExpander, TypeIt4Me, etc).

Typinator is the king of the hill.

First it is a program (unlike TextExpander and Typeit4me) which means its more flexible and doesn't have the constraints of a System Preference.

It seems "speedier" than the other expanders and it seems much more stable than the current version TextExpander (who should take a lesson on what customer service should be from these guys).

Loads up with out a hitch, a small learning curve, and has work flawlessly.

This is my new "must have upon getting a new Mac" program.  
(Version 3.0)

MAGOSILVAN  Better and better! Now Typinator frees space in the dock. Really a very useful tiny great everyday application.   
(Version 3.0)

GREEKTRANSCODER.ORG  I have used text expanding utilities for years. TypeIt4Me under Mac OS Classic, SpellCatcher 8 and X, iType, the free Text Expander etc.

Version 1.0 of Typinator lacked one essential feature for a bi(or multi-)lingual user: support for several abbreviation files, glossaries, autocorrect files etc. (TextExpander is much too limited in that regard: if you only type in English, it's OK I guess, but as soon as one must manage several languages, it falls short).

Typinator 2 offers such support and works very well.

The fact that it's a full-fledged application offers a very good UI to manage abbreviations (prefpanes such as TypeIt4Me are constrained by the System Preferences window).

The only problem with that approach is that it's much too easy to accidentally quit the application. Which is why I've only given it 4 stars for ease-of-use (that and the fact that most multi-cilpboard applications are not fully compatible with the program and fill their stacks with abbreviations; but then again those programs are just as much to blame for the issue and do not work any better with most other text expanding utilities: finding a working combination is time-consuming and frustrating -- those developers should get in touch with one another and make sure their programs work well together).

However, Ergonis is working on those issues. The first one even has a workaround, as discussed in the product's FAQ:

http://www.ergonis.com/products/typinator/TypinatorWithoutDockIcon.pdf

The program is extremely stable and reliable (I've had a lot of stability issues with SCX for instance because of the way it interracts with the keyboard menu, and a few with TypeIt4Me).

In a nutshell, Typinator 2 is the best text expanding utility I've used so far.

And as part of the Macility bundle it's also quite cheap (PopChar X and KeyCue are very useful utilities too).

Highly recommended.  
(Version 2.0)

PQXYZ  P.S. The update was free for me. The developer provides free updates for two years from date of purchase.  
(Version 2.0)

PQXYZ  When I switched from Windows/PC to OS X/Mac back in early 2004, I tried every Typinator-like app available for OS X, looking for something to replace AsUType (for Windows). I settled first on TypeIt4Me, but later switched to Typinator (v. 1.3) as the best of the bunch. I have been using it ever since--and it just keeps getting better: really neat in this 2.0 version are the autocorrection feature and the ability to create different sets of abbreviations for different purposes.

Another of the outstanding features of Typinator (in my opinion) is the fact that, if you make a mistake in typing an abbreviation, you can backspace, retrace your steps from the point of error, and the abbreviation still expands (unlike TypeIt4Me and some others).

I also like the feedback sound so that you know when an expansion has taken place, rather than having to check visually.

-Don-   
(Version 2.0)

GRYPHONENT  Typinator 2.0 is still an app that shows in the dock and on the desktop. Why oh why? And I've been truly looking forward to this upgrade after writing to customer support last year. If it would work like PopCharProX and all the other text expanding utilities such as Textpander and TypeItForMe I'd maybe consider purchasing it... but as it stands I'm sticking to Textpander. Less obtrusive.  
(Version 2.0)

SKLADKO  Finally In version 2.0 there's the possibility to have different sets of abbreviations and you can assign them to different applications. It is very useful to extensive typists like me - I am a translator. The app is really stable and fast. I don't regret buying it. Thanks for saving my "typing" time ;-)  
(Version 2.0)

BILLYH  I'm a Web applications and site developer. I usually shun the big development tools and work in TextEdit, using the big guys only for specific tools now and again. I use Typinator every day all day long. It cuts my daily routine significantly. I also use the suite and find them all a very strong value. Little cost, big use, transparency. And I appreciate the clever use of UI. The updates make a good thing even better.  
(Version 1.6)

JUSTUS  Typinator is great! My work is accelerated a great deal since this utility is installed. Simple setup. So it is a central libray for words and phrases frequently used and- it works in every application.

Thanks to the developer!  
(Version 1.5)

ANONYMOUS  Typinator is a good app. But Textpander (free) is far from better.

Typinator lacks a menu (in the menu bar for example) with shortcuts and their expansion. It's very hard to remember 50 or 100 shortcuts. Let's suppose you forget a shortcut : you need to go to the dock, to open Typinator, to find the shortcut, to close Typinator and go back to your app.

It's counter productive :-(((  
(Version 1.1)

MARK.ANDERSON  Don't waste $19.99 Get "Textpander", it's free and works like a charm.

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/19147  
(Version 1.1)

HARDCAT  I've been using Typinator now for a couple of months. I can recommend this to anyone who enters a lot of data or who have repetetive tasks. Setting up abreviations is very straight forward. You are not limited to just text, images can also be used, useful for a signature at the end of a letter. entering an abreviation is very quickly recognised and Typinator replaces it with text/image very quickly. I use an iBook and judge many of my applications on their ability to function effectively and at the same time be unobtrusive. Typinator fits the bill with ease and style.   
(Version 1.0)

DETLEF HOGE  Great Timesaver. Works with no Problems in my G4 PowerBook with Tiger. A must have for me.  
(Version 1.0)