AppleScript is a proprietary programming language in Mac OS X to control and exchange data with applications.
2
votes
4answers
815 views
Can Python/Ruby/Perl/etc (or even bash) replace AppleScript?
I'm not inviting people to hate on AppleScript in general; I'm just wondering if what makes AppleScript useful can instead be used by other general-purpose scripting languages. I.e., Lion & Mac ...
2
votes
5answers
424 views
Good/inspiring uses of automation on Mac OS X
I have been a mac user for quite a while now (about 5-6 years) and I would consider myself rather tech-savvy. That being said I have very little insight to the automation capabilities that have been ...
2
votes
1answer
857 views
How do I find out the applescript commands available for a particular app?
I'm trying to find out if I can get iTunes to do something complex, but don't know what can be scripted.
Is there a way to find out what applescript commands an app will respond to?
2
votes
2answers
203 views
Is there a definitive reference or introspection capability for Applescript?
Is there some canonical place I can find a reference for the scripting capabilities various things have in AppleScript?
For instance, I'd like to automate iTunes a little bit. Looking around on the ...
2
votes
5answers
3k views
How can I write a script to open multiple terminal tabs and execute code in them?
I want to be able to open the terminal application and have it either automatically run a script that opens several tabs and run an arbitrary set of commands in each. For example I would like one tab ...
2
votes
1answer
482 views
How can I automate changing the quality of several photos?
I would like to be able to reduce the quality of the photos I have in a directory through some sort of automation. One of the requirements is that I cannot change the dimensions of the photo. The ...
2
votes
3answers
86 views
Sort Finder columns reversed
I can't get this reversed thing to work:
Tell application "Finder" to set the sort direction of the modification date column to reversed
2
votes
3answers
2k views
/bin/sh: rm: command not found
I have problems with some applications that use AppleScript shell script feature. For example, Growl's uninstall scripts shows an error:
error "/bin/sh: rm: command not found" number 127
The source ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Automatically press a key every 60 seconds
Is it possible via Automator, an app, applescript, etc. to automatically press a key (i.e. "g") every 60 seconds?
2
votes
3answers
3k views
Applescript to retrieve account and password using keychain scripting
How can I use keychain scripting to write a script in Applescript that retrieves the login and password of a website from the login keychain, given the website's URL?
2
votes
1answer
238 views
Undocumented applescript functions
Is it possible for an application to have undocumented applescript functions. Commands that do not appear in the Applescript Editor Library for the application? Is this common? Is there someway to ...
2
votes
2answers
702 views
Creating wrapper script for Mail.app to send mail from Terminal
I'm trying to send mail from terminal with the help of bash and applescript. I use bash for taking care of arguments and the email message body. Then I have tried using Applescript to send the mail ...
2
votes
2answers
720 views
AppleScript “Kill” Command Error
I am attempting to run an AppleScript every 24 hours to close a running application and restart it. I have used the following code successfully with other Apps:
repeat
delay 84600
set app_name ...
2
votes
2answers
941 views
Osascript error
I was messing around with some external libraries, and for some reason when I enter any Osascript command, I now get this error (before it did work):
2011-09-07 19:13:43.306 osascript[1083:707] ...
2
votes
1answer
415 views
How do I create an AppleScript that will quit an application at a specific time and then put the computer to sleep?
I've been toying around with AppleScript and Automator to get this thing to work, but I just can't seem wrap my head around it. If anyone could show me an example or give me some tips on how I can set ...
2
votes
3answers
236 views
How can I see how long my computer has been active (as in not idle)
I've seen a variety of solutions to check how long my machine has been idle, and I know I can check how long since last reboot with uptime, but I'm curious if there's a way to see how long since my ...
2
votes
1answer
265 views
What are some good resources for learning how to AppleScript with Xcode 4.3.2?
I AppleScript quite a bit and I'd like to start working with Xcode 4.3.2, so that I can expand the functionality of the things I'm writing. However, I have no idea how to use Xcode, nor how to ...
2
votes
1answer
604 views
Run AppleScript after waking from Sleep?
Is there an easy way to run an AppleScript or application immediately (or a brief delay of X seconds) after waking up from sleep?
I'm looking for a solution that doesn't involve a 3rd-party app.
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Software to record and playback mouse movement/clicks and keyboard presses?
I was wondering if there was any software out there that could record mouse/keyboard input and allow you to play back the input that was made?
I've tried using Automator but for some reason it's not ...
2
votes
1answer
177 views
How can I find the intersection of two lists in AppleScript?
Let's say I have two lists in AppleScript:
set listA to {"red", "green", "blue"}
set listB to {"green", "blue"}
I'd like to create a third list that has only the items present in both lists:
set ...
2
votes
1answer
560 views
applescript (osascript) for changing Terminal.app profile
Is here a way to changing the Terminal.app profile from the command line?
Here is already couple of questions about changing colors, but I need change the whole profile from the "Basic" (what is my ...
2
votes
1answer
238 views
Force a file to overwrite instead of appending
I've got an application that won't overwrite a file with the same filename. It will only append the filename with a 'space 1'. If I write a file more than once I get something like this:
...
2
votes
2answers
722 views
AppleScript or Automator Workflow for Bulk-Converting Powerpoint Presentations to Keynote
I have a large set of Powerpoint presentations that I would like to convert to Keynote. I can convert each one manually by following these steps:
In Finder, right-click Powerpoint document and ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
How to use the built–in VPN Server on Mac OS 10.6.6
I know that Mac OS 10.6.6 has a built in VPN server that one can access through command line. Is there an easier way? Can I make an Automator or AppleScript program that starts and stops the built–in ...
2
votes
2answers
81 views
Applescript to run when iPhone connects/disconnects
I'm trying to figure out how to run an applescript when I connect and disconnect my iPhone with the USB cable.
So far, I think I can run an applescript when it connects by using Image Capture ...
2
votes
1answer
175 views
Automatically forward “Starred in Gmail” messages to OmniFocus
Summary: I would like to create some sort of an automated process where any messages that I 'star' in Gmail (aka 'flag' when using Gmail via IMAP) will automatically be added to OmniFocus, and then ...
2
votes
1answer
40 views
What techniques work to handle errors in AppleScript so I can place a dialog?
I'm new to programming and AppleScript and I have lots of problems with error handling.
Could anybody share their error handling for file operations like move/trash files? Here is my code so far:
...
2
votes
2answers
96 views
Inconsistent results when getting folder size in AppleScript
I'm using this line to get the size of a folder:
set thesize to physical size of folder x
The problem is that sometimes it works, other times it doesn't, and it's very annoying because there ...
2
votes
1answer
370 views
Applescript to turn off Mission Control in OS X 10.7
I found most of the below on https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3046230?start=0&tstart=0, but I believe it relates to OSX10.6 (or earlier) given that Mission control seems to have replaced ...
2
votes
1answer
344 views
How do I reliably get the file name of the current background picture?
Latest Lion update broke a simple Geeklet osascript that used System Events to lookup of Background picture names. Running the associated command from the terminal returns the same name, every time, ...
2
votes
1answer
756 views
Is is possible to format an Applescript dialog?
I am writing an AppleScript and I'd like to be able to format text in a display dialog box. For instance, I want part of the text to be bold or italic. How can I do this?
2
votes
1answer
542 views
AppleScript to display the VPN status bar area icon
I am trying to write an AppleScript to connect to a VPN service. Once connected to the VPN, I want to display the VPN icon in the status area of the menu bar.
I've gotten as far as
connecting to ...
2
votes
1answer
318 views
Combining Finder's File Open/save dialog with Alfred
Finder's Open/Save File dialog is actually very dumb (in terms of flexibility). When I look for a file or its location, I can probably find it much faster using Alfred.
However, in many cases, you ...
2
votes
2answers
696 views
Is there a way to turn on and off the Mouse Keys feature using AppleScript or a terminal command?
I'm running Mac OS X 10.7.2. Is there a way to run an AppleScript or terminal command that quickly turns on or off the "mouse keys" feature under the Universal Access tab? Ideally I'm looking for a ...
2
votes
3answers
192 views
How can I run a PHP script by dropping file on icon?
I have a php script that takes a filename as an argument. When I run it from a terminal window I type
./my_script.php file_to_process.txt
It works great!
What I would like to be able to do is to ...
2
votes
1answer
279 views
Can you (semi-)automatically rate all songs with at least X plays with Y stars in iTunes?
After reconsolidating my music collection in iTunes, I’m curious if there is any way to programmatically set star ratings based upon the number of plays, but only for songs that I have not yet rated?
...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
how to send scheduled mails with Mail?
I would love to send mails in my apple mail scheduled!
What is the most comfortable way to do that?
only method i found: http://homepage.mac.com/aamann/Mail_Scripts.html
(but this is quite tricky + ...
2
votes
2answers
27 views
How can I stream audio to multiple computers at the same time?
I'm trying to stream music to different computer's speakers simultaneously. Currently I'm doing this by physically timing the start of the song on each computer.
Are there any built in utilities or ...
2
votes
2answers
125 views
Using cURL to download images in XML feed?
I have an XML file that has links to various .jpg I want to create an applescript that downloads a local copy of these. The idea is to also label them sequentially with a number say 001 to 030.
...
2
votes
1answer
49 views
Unique volname for DMGs
We have a build process that is now doing the common layout for distributed DMGs. This is done in a way that I've seen in many places -- the DMG is attached, then Finder does its job via osascript. ...
2
votes
1answer
386 views
Activating Mountain Lion screen saver from Applescript, part 2
This example was shown earlier:
tell application "System Events"
set ss to screen saver "Random"
start ss
end tell
Is there an incantation instead of "Random" to display a slideshow from ...
2
votes
2answers
288 views
Is there a sane way to emulate the newer media key behavior completely on an Apple Extended Keyboard II?
The operative word here being "completely". I recently found a nearly flawless (cosmetically and functionally) AEKII (Alps, not Mitsumis) on eBay and won it for $30. It's an awesome keyboard and it ...
2
votes
1answer
171 views
AppleScript SL to ML Issue (compatibility error?)
I've written the following script in Applescript in Snow Leopard, and I tried to use it in Mountain Lion, but to no avail (doesn't work). The script watches a folder for added files, and if the ...
2
votes
1answer
475 views
Why won't my AppleScript run as a Service?
I have a simple AppleScript that works exactly as expected when run on its own, ether as an app, directly from within ScriptDebugger or Script Editor, or as an element of an Automation from within ...
2
votes
1answer
215 views
Finder list view, change column with to optimal with using AppleScript
I'm trying to create an AppleScript script that resizes the columns of Finder's list view (e.g. Name, Size …) to their optimal width (i.e. the minimum width where all text in the column is visible) on ...
2
votes
1answer
127 views
Launch Genius via AppleScript
I would like to launch a Genius playlist for the currently playing song in iTunes via an AppleScript.
A prerequisite would be for the script to work when iTunes is in full screen.
And ideally, it ...
2
votes
1answer
185 views
How do I enable “Announce the time” programmatically?
The "Date & Time" System Preferences pane has an option to "Announce the time". I'd like to be able to turn on this preference option by invoking a shell script. Is this possible?
(It's fine if ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Why is my applescript for checking if a file exists failing?
I have an applescript application that inputs a username and starts a download based on that username. In the app I use the code below to check if a file exists already and then rename the file if it ...
2
votes
2answers
230 views
Safari bookmark to activate an Automator action
I'm trying to make a HTML page that I can save as a bookmark in Safari or Google Chrome that runs an Automator workflow, action or application, or possibly an Applescript.
It's only for my personal ...
2
votes
1answer
669 views
Is it possible to switch to a specific keyboard layout via `defaults`, *.plist or similar?
I have figured out a workable shell script using osascript (AppleScript) to automatically switch to US keyboard layout when MacVim activates (triggered by Keyboard Maestro), and Swedish layout when it ...
