EntiCal 1.0

- EntiCal uses AppleScript to convert calendar events and uncompleted To Do's from Microsoft Entourage X to Apple's iCal application. [d/l]
5:52:41 PM    

The Little Page of AppleScripts: Latest news

- Recent additions include a "very rough version" of XHTMLParser library (posted on The Little Page of Rough Stuff) and stackLib2 library (posted on The Little Page of Libraries). What a great 'Little' resource!
9:46:09 AM    

24U Appearance OSAX 2.1 for Mac OS X

- 24U Appearance OSAX allows you to show error messages, generate dialog windows, open floating windows with text, display progress indicators and send notifications to the user. New features in version 2.1 for Mac OS X include: Terminology for menu item separators. "Giving up after" functionality. Default popup menu item doesn't need to be in the popup menu itself. Better text truncation.
8:55:56 AM    

Mac Net Journal: Making money on other people's dime

- "MacNewz.com is a relatively new Mac news site that repackages content from this Web site and others, then displays it alongside a wealth of ads to make money on other people's content. Blood sucking sites like this are one of the major reasons MNJ is about the switch to be a headlines-only site, with all original content on individual pages and out of reach of the scripts run by predatory sites." I agree - MacNewz.com is using the 'content' of other sites to generate income. In my opinion, this is unacceptable behavior that should be discouraged.
4:55:35 PM    

Mac OS X Hints: Using cron to display reminders in the Finder

- Anonymous: "I've been trying to figure out how to use cron to schedule reminders that provide an alert in a GUI window even if the Terminal isn't being used. The problem is that osascript can't be used if user feedback is needed. Display dialog won't work with osascript, but you can use osascript to tell the Finder (or some other application) to do something, which can include "display dialog." Then, the Finder apparently handlies the Apple Events that osascript can't from the command line." ...
10:36:23 PM    

Mac OS X Hints: Create a desktop Connect to Server shortcut

- davec: "This hint will create an application that can be stored on your desktop, in your dock, in DragThing, DropDrawers, etc., making Connect to Server accessible from anywhere without the need to first activate the Finder."
10:31:21 PM    

ScriptBuilders News

- New: HTML imageShow 1.0
10:44:24 AM    

ScriptBuilders News

- New: Folders Lock|Unlock 1.0, FolderOrg X 1.0
11:58:38 AM    

Kung-Apps & Icons

- Developer: "I released updates to the trio of Kung-Apps I have developed this year. The updates are only minor, except for Kung-Log which now has some Kung-Tunes power as well. For one, they all now sport new icons."
10:21:56 AM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Updates: AquaFix 1.5.1
9:50:28 AM    

YVS Picture Translator scripts available

- Numerous scripts for YVS Picture Translator have been released this week. YVS Picture Translator is a QuickTime image converter with extensive AppleScript support.
11:54:39 PM    

iDo Script Scheduler 1.5b9

- iDo Script Scheduler is a powerful scheduler for running AppleScripts at any desired time. Classic and OS X versions are available.
11:42:27 PM    

Mac OS X Hints: A script to convert aliases to symlinks

- "here's a little shell script to convert aliases to symlinks." A companion AppleScript version is available.
11:22:08 PM    

O'Reilly: The Do's and Don'ts of Shareware, Part 3

- by Sanford Selznick. In the final installment in this series, Sanford Selznick describes how to handle payment processing, distribution, and marketing of your new application. Solid information helpful to beginning and experienced developers alike. [via Mac Net Journal]
11:21:43 PM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Updates: GPG scripts for Mailsmith 0.3
12:54:39 PM    

Make Mine MPEG-4 3.5.1

- This AppleScript applet automates the process of ripping CD tracks and encoding them with QuickTime 6 Pro as MPEG-4 audio files. The tracks are then added to your iTunes Library. Changes in this version: Fixes a problem where a "parameter error" might be generated if iTunes was not the frontmost application. Removed shareware nag. Better error checking during transfer of track info.
12:18:57 PM    

Transmit 2.0 for OS X

- Transmit 2 is a scriptable FTP client that has been completely rewritten in Cocoa for Mac OS X. A demo is available for download and a partial feature list is available (found on the weblog of one of the co-founders of Panic).
5:15:02 PM    

DropDMG 2.0 now available

- DropDMG is a scriptable utility for creating disk images in Mac OS X's device image (DMG) format. [release notes]
12:23:33 PM    

Present a paper at MacHack

- "MacHack invites developers from all areas of Macintosh and UNIX development to come and share their experiences, insights, and even interesting failures with their colleagues." [details]
12:13:46 PM    

Kanzu Utilities: Image Info news

- Coming soon:

* Image Info version 3.0 is no longer an AppleScript library, but a fully scriptable application.
* Image Info REALBasic Classes 1.0, available for REALBasic developers.
11:43:32 AM    

Mac OS X culture mapping: stirring the melting pot

- Jon Udell: "I've always thought that culture-mapping is a rich publishing model. Documentation that translates the experience of one culture into the experience of another is incredibly useful." ... "the AppleScript cross-pollination is a really nice touch."
11:28:58 AM    

ScriptBuilders News

- New: QT MP3->AIFF Decoder 1.0
8:46:58 PM    

X-Commands 0.8b1

- X-Commands contains nearly five dozen new commands for AppleScripters in OS X. Some of the commands include:

* Keyboard and mouse simulation
* Autotype text (type key using command, etc)
* System Info
* Screen Info
* Interface commands(display message, display progress)
* String commands (hex to string, sort strings, etc.)

Many example scripts are included. [d/l]
7:52:12 PM    

Apple's Ken Bereskin on Jaguar's ColorSync Utility

- "ColorSync technology ensures that the representation of color remains true and consistent from input capture devices, displays and printers. Like so many technologies in Mac OS X, it is based on established industry standards and provides benefits for professionals and consumers alike.

In Jaguar, we include the ColorSync Utility that allows you to see and manage all of the profiles installed on your system. You can view the Lab plots for each of the spaces and can assign any profile of your choice to an installed scanner, camera, display, printer or proofer." Ken forgot to mention that ColorSync can be bossed around with AppleScript.
7:13:35 PM    

EntiCal 0.9

- EntiCal converts calendar events from Microsoft Entourage X to iCal via AppleScript. You can specify a date range for the Entourage calendar items to transfer and the iCal calendar in which to transfer the calendar events. EntiCal transfers the calendar events plus event description. [d/l] [via MacScripter.net]
7:06:49 AM    

24U Appearance OSAX 1.3

- 24U Appearance OSAX is an AppleScript scripting addition that provides better dialogs, enhanced movable alerts, system notifications, floating windows with text messages and progress indicators, and pop-up menus. Version changes are listed on the product's web page.
7:02:29 AM    

Make Mine MPEG-4 v3.5

- This AppleScript applet automates the process of ripping CD tracks and encoding them with QuickTime 6 Pro as MPEG-4 audio files. The tracks are then added to your iTunes Library. [release notes]
6:48:07 AM    

A Cocoa literature list

- HyperJeff offers a useful resource for Cocoa programmers: Cocoa Literature List [via Mac Net Journal] An AppleScript Studio section is included.
6:31:42 AM    

Key Xing 2.2.1

- Key Xing is a Mac OS X program that allows you to launch programs, files, system actions, AppleScripts, and URLs from your keyboard. Changes in this version: Includes French translation. Fixed a problem where the "Launch at Login" checkbox couldn't be clicked.
11:31:29 AM    

InfoWorld: Apple on the move

- Apple's Phil Schiller, Avie Tevanian and Ken Bereskin discuss web services, digital rights management, Bluetooth and Apple's plans for enterprise.

Tevanian: Our focus on Web services [is] not necessarily as a raw technology that only developers use, but in terms of actually providing benefit directly to users in the form of, say, Sherlock. An example where it does provide benefits to developers would be the integration of Web services into AppleScript and even Cocoa.

This article is part of InfoWorld's Apple Unpeeled special report.
11:20:53 AM    

Mail2iCal 1.0

- Mail2iCal is an AppleScript that allows users to export new email messages from all accounts in Mail to calendars in iCal. They can then be exported to an iPod using iSync. [d/l]
8:38:44 AM    

Tex-Edit Plus for OS X: Beta Version 4.3.1b5 available

- Tex-Edit Plus is a scriptable, styled text editor. Changes include expanded AppleScript dictionary to clarify class hierarchy, improved AppleScript recordability in OS 10.2.x, and a new "Tex-Aid" AppleScript Studio application added to Scripts menu to provide a simple shortcut pallet. Source code for Tex-Aid is included.
12:33:05 AM    

Big Cat 1.0b2 for Mac OS X

- Big Cat adds a Scripts menu when you ctrl-click in applications - such as the Finder, BBEdit, Internet Explorer, and Eudora - that support system contextual menus. Among the changes in this version is the ability to run shell scripts as well as AppleScript scripts.
12:11:11 AM    

Amazon Get Info

- "This application is for Amazon Associates who are interested in using the power of Amazon's new Web Services to gather information about products available on Amazon.com for the purposes of creating ads on web sites. Searches 14 product categories and more than 25 types of information about products. Has Sherlock integration and two AppleScripts for BBEdit integration."
10:16:37 PM    

InfoWorld: Mac marks the enterprise

- by Jon Udell. "As the Macintosh clan soaks up Unix, LDAP, and first-class scripting languages, the Unix tribe is discovering AppleScript, AppleEvents, and most crucially, a refined end-user sensibility. The world has never seen, until now, a Unix computer that the average computer novice could use."
9:29:57 PM    

EntourageGPG 1.2

- EntourageGPG is a front end for GPG inside Microsoft Entourage. GPG, or GNU Privacy Guard, is an OpenPGP-compatible free public key encryption tool. [change log]
7:03:16 PM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Updates: Image Info 2.0.2
11:50:47 AM    

Apple: iSync Uninstall 1.0

- "You can use iSync Uninstall 1.0 to remove files associated with the use of iSync Beta software. " Cool! It's an AppleScript Studio application! For those wishing to learn how to incorporate shell scripts within their AppleScript scripts, check out the lengthy script that is contained within this package.
9:41:36 AM    

MacCentral: CMS updates backup software for Jaguar

- "CMS Peripherals announced on Thursday an update to the company's ABSPlus backup solution, making it compatible with Mac OS X 10.2." The article goes on to say that while an automatic backup, initiated by plugging the drive into the FireWire port, requires users to be at their Mac, AppleScript can be used to automate incremental backups.
9:11:12 AM    

Apple: Using SOAP with PHP

- "SOAP, the Simple Object Access Protocol, is the powerhouse of web services. It's a highly adaptable, object-oriented protocol that exists in over 80 implementations on every popular platform, including AppleScript, JavaScript, and Cocoa."
8:54:07 AM    

Kung-Log 1.5

- Kung-Log is a OS X application to post to and manage entries of a MovableType weblog. This version includes completely rewritten XML-RPC routines that use WebServicesCore. Kung-Log was made with AppleScript Studio. [release notes]
8:47:23 AM    

Ken Bereskin introduces Jaguar users to Ruby

- "Ruby is an interpreted scripting language for quick and easy object-oriented programming. Ruby is included in Jaguar, joining AppleScript, Perl and Python making Mac OS X the most script-friendly OS around."
8:18:43 AM    

Daring Fireball: Stepping on eWeek's Blue Suede Shoes

- John Gruber offers his take on a report earlier this week of a journaling file system code-named "Elvis" in OS X 10.2.2.
8:41:53 PM    

MacScripter: Adobe Systems joins the AppleScript Pro Sessions in New Orleans

- MacScripter.net has all of the details.
4:31:05 PM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Here's a new ScriptBuilders submission from Jeremy Clark which uses the Jaguar feature mentioned by Ken Bereskin today. AutoRip 0.1b will import songs from a CD automatically if they are not already in the iTunes library.
4:13:46 PM    

Mac OS X Hints: Make Spam Sieve easier to use in Entourage

- Anonymous: "I was very exicted about Spam Sieve, but it's a little cumbersome to use in Entourage. Spam Sieve adds Bayesian (as in Jaguar Mail) spam filtering to Mailsmith, Entourage, and PowerMail. I've updated the Applescripts that come with it to make it easier to use, and I thought you might be interested in sharing these ideas with other users."
10:56:11 AM    

AppleScript Studio example: Saving 'Properties' between launches of an app

- Jesse Shanks, in a message to the applescript-studio mailing list: " If you are up to AppleScript Studio 1.2, you can pretty easily read and write user defaults in a plist and it is quite similar to the old properties behavior. Here some examples from a Quicktime controlling app I have been working on." AppleScript Studio beginners: If you have scripts that store properties between runs, and you plan to move the scripts into Studio apps, this is an example of what lies ahead. In essence, you'll need to create a preference file/plist to store the properties. A plist is a property list.
9:27:19 AM    

The Little Page of AppleScripts has moved

- The home of AppleScript Web Publishing System (AWPS), ASTest and numerous script libraries and applications has moved. Please update your bookmarks to reflect the new URL.
8:44:41 AM    

Jaguar: More control over CD/DVD player when disk is inserted

- Apple's Ken Bereskin continues to reveal the 150 new features in Jaguar: "There's a new System preference that gives you full control over what happens when you insert a CD or DVD in Jaguar." ... "For example, let's say you have the world's coolest AppleScript"...
8:03:39 AM    

Archipelago 2.0 Released

- Archipelago, a GUI editor for web sites, has been released: “Utilizing the services built into UserLand Manila and Radio, and Blogger API and MetaWeblog API sites, Archipelago provides a simple writing environment that makes it easy and enjoyable to update your weblog.” It includes support for NetNewsWire’s drag formats. [via Mac Net Journal] From the product's web page, "Archipelago supports AppleEvents so that you can script various functions."
6:29:44 PM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Updates: Entourage Email Archive 2.1
5:34:03 PM    

Bug warning: Smile's do script and implicit string to file coercions

- The developer of Smile offers a warning about the possible impact of a recently discovered Jaguar bug.
3:43:12 PM    

Mac OS X to Get Journaling

- Elvis lives!...in OS X 10.2.2. I wonder if this file system will offer any advantages or disadvantages to scripters. [ via MacNN]
3:23:48 PM    

ScriptSaver 2.0

- ScriptSaver is a screensaver module which can execute any AppleScript when it activates. Use it to log out the current user, refresh a folder, empty the trash, launch an application, and more. Changes in this version: Rehashed configuration panel. Added support for running a screen saver inside ScriptSaver. [d/l]
2:49:51 PM    

iCalibrate 1.0

- iCalibrate, using the power of AppleScript, provides a user-friendly way to customize Apple's iCal by changing the text colors of any type of event for any of the themes.
2:45:04 PM    

Key Xing 2.2

- Key Xing is a Mac OS X program that allows you to launch programs, files, system actions, AppleScripts, and URLs from your keyboard. This version includes various new features and enhancements. [release notes on product page]
2:35:43 PM    

To: Anyone who publishes material related to the sniper in DC

- Please don't give the idiot (sniper) in Washington a title that feeds his/her ego. "The Beltway Sniper" is too glamorous. Refer to him/her with a title that is more fitting, and less likely to be bragged about in prison, such as "The Murdering Coward".
1:51:48 PM    

NetNewsWire Pro Progress Report

- Brent Simmons: "I started with the hard stuff first, some new UI programming. In various states of done-ness are weblog editing, AppleScript support, the notepad, and train-friendliness."
1:19:38 PM    

WebServicesCore, AppleScript and XML-RPC

- The author of Kung-Log notes changes which have been made in the forthcoming release of Kung-Log. He briefly explains why he has replaced all AppleScript XML-RPC calls with calls to the WebServicesCore API, the framework in Mac OS X Jaguar responsible for handling the WebServices support in Cocoa, Carbon and AppleScript.
1:09:55 PM    

Tuna 1.0.1

- Tuna is a simple OS X AppleScript that generates a php file with iTunes (v3.0.x) song info for server upload. Changes in this version: Can now (optionally, via a preference) show network and ftp errors in the Finder.
10:26:11 AM    

Build Keychain Info 1.0

- Build Keychain Info is an AppleScript Studio app that allows you to create keychain entries for mountpoints via AppleScript directly, without having to access the mount first. This can be useful for admins setting up a new user. Built and tested with OS X 10.2.x. [d/l]
12:10:28 AM    

DVD Bookmarking 1.0

- DVD Bookmarking implements the capability of temporarily bookmarking a location in a DVD as a stay-open AppleScript application that is controlled by compiled scripts run from the Script Menu. Included are the commands to Make Bookmark, Show Bookmarks, Clear Bookmarks, Save Bookmarks to File, Load Bookmarks from File, Take Captures of Bookmarks, and View DVD Info in Text Edit.
7:32:52 PM    

Manila Envelope 1.0.3a

- Manila Envelope is a native Mac OS X app, written in AppleScript Studio, that allows posting to a Manila-compatible site via XMLRPC. The app allows you to quickly and easily post either news items or stories to your web log without using a browser. Source code available at the product page. This version adds Jaguar compatibility. [release notes]
3:17:17 PM    

ScriptSaver 1.1

- ScriptSaver is a screensaver module which can execute any AppleScript when it activates. Use it to log out the current user (AppleScript included), refresh a folder, empty the trash, launch an application, and more. Changes in this version: Added an opacity slider so that the screensaver can be made transparent. This, when "Use my user account password" is unchecked, means that running an AppleScript after a period of inactivity looks as though the computer were just sitting idle. This new feature also allows you to dim the screen partway, also helpful in a computer lab situation. [d/l]
3:06:48 PM    

GetTIFFinfo 1.0 osax

- GetTIFFinfo returns the size of a TIFF file like the ones generated by a Nikon slide scanner or Photoshop. The plugin is very fast because it does not read the whole image file. Requires Mac OS 7.6.1 - 9.2.2.
1:36:53 PM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Trash Tender 1.0b2
9:23:03 AM    

Uptowner 1.3

- Uptowner is an AppleScript Studio application that allows a user with administrative priviliges to temporarily become the owner of a file and its enclosing folder. It temporarily promotes you up to owner. This version allows dropping of items onto its main window and requires OS X 10.2.
9:14:48 AM    

My Favorites Martian 1.0

- This AppleScript Studio app keeps your Internet Explorer and/or Chimera bookmarks in sync between multiple computers using an FTP site of your choosing.
8:38:20 AM    

ChimerIcon 0.5.1

- ChimerIcon is an AppleScript Studio application that allows you to change Chimera Navigator's icons and splash screen. It comes bundled with several icon themes and splash screens. Changes in this version: Added new Add Bookmark icon. Added two new Preference icons (WebFeatures and Security). Changed the appearance of all six Preference icons (the Personal icon is presently unused). This distribution also contains a new version of ChimeraKnight 1.6.3, which now also installs the new icons. [d/l]
1:56:41 AM    

Osiris 2.2

- Osiris is a drag and drop application to post a folder or folders of files to specified newgroups using Thoth or MT-Newswatcher. Osiris was written with AppleScript Studio, requires OS X 10.2 or higher, and is open source. Changes in this version: Added edit menu. Paste into text fields now works. Added support for Y-Enc & MacBin and no encoding (Thoth only). Adjusted interface to accomodate other changes.
1:50:11 AM    

Ciboulette X 1.5.8

- Ciboulette is high security file and clipboard encryption software for Mac OS and Windows. Changes in this version: An AppleScript bug has been fixed.
1:00:58 PM    

AppleScript Studio Beta: DVD Navigator

- "DVD Navigator allows the creation of chapter catalog files for DVDs viewed on the computer. These files can be saved and used to access particular parts of a DVD quickly. Chapter names can be entered. AppleScripts can be written from DVD Navigator to the DVD Player Scripts folder that will allow navigation to chapters straight from the DVD Player. Reading the Read Me is essential."
12:45:47 PM    

Access Stream Address 1.0

- This iTunes script gets the internet address obtained from the currently playing URL track and displays it in a dialog text box so that you can copy and paste it to your browser (or wherever).
7:33:44 PM    

Mail Scripts 1.3

- Mail Scripts is a collection of AppleScripts for Mail and Address Book offering additional features or simplified workflow. This version includes new scripts, "Archive Messages" and "Export Messages", as well as improvements and bug fixes.
7:25:19 PM    

Get NFL News from Web Service

- "For the Script Menu, Get NFL News sends a SOAP call to get the latest NFL Headlines. The data is written to an HTML file on the desktop and opened in Internet Explorer. The script can be edited to change this behavior."
7:01:17 PM    

AppleScript Sourcebook updated

- Bill Cheeseman, caretaker of The AppleScript Sourcebook, has been hard at work updating this valuable resource for AppleScripters. Referring to the latest changes, he says:

The AppleScript Sourcebook's traditional report on new versions of AppleScript has just been posted for "AppleScript 1.9 in Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar)." At the same time, the AppleScript 1.8.3 report has been posted, and the AppleScript 1.8.1 and 1.7 reports have been slightly updated. In addition, the News and Links sections of the site have been updated with many new entries.

6:31:57 PM    

Mac OS X Hints: Use AppleScript to set default printer

- "You can use Print Center to designate which printer should be the current (default) printer, which is easy enough. But you may want to do it via AppleScript for automation purposes. If so, here's an example script"...
12:15:59 PM    

PGP 8.0 Public Beta

- PGP is encryption software that secures data and email. PGP 8.0 for Mac OS X features a completely new Cocoa-based user interface to take maximum advantage of Apple's new operating system. The PGP suite in its AppleScript dictionary includes:

decrypt and verify text: Decrypts and verifies input.
encrypt files: Encrypts a list of files.
encrypt text: Encrypts input.
wipe files: Wipes a list of files.
encrypt and sign files: Encrypts and Signs a list of files.
encrypt and sign text: Encrypts and signs input.
decrypt and verify files: Decrypts and verifies a list of files.
sign files: Signs a list of files.
sign text: Signs input.

It's good to see that the AppleScript support has been retained.
10:58:04 AM    

maintain1 v2.8

- maintain1 provides a simple interface for running some shell scripts. Changes in this version: Changed the netspeedup script again - now the script shows you the current values and then gives you the option to multiply the default value by something or nothing. Took out the extra useless menu items. Worked on the help file a little bit. [d/l]
10:09:47 AM    

ASTest 0.4

- ASTest is a framework that enables quick and easy construction of automated tests for putting your scripts through their paces. Changes in this version: Mostly internal changes to improve structure and allow easier expansion. It also includes the first release of ASTest Goodies for Smile, a pair of custom Smile dialogs (in both 1.x and 2.x flavours) which allow closer integration between the Smile environment and ASTest. As always, the developer is interested in feedback.
12:39:09 AM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Updates: Cache Out X 2.0
12:34:43 AM    

No more news today

- My teenage nephew, who is in the military and stationed in California, is now in an intensive care unit due to head and brain injuries received when he was attacked by a gang who didn't want him walking through their turf. Assuming that his condition improves, posts will resume tomorrow (Friday).
3:02:50 PM    

X vs. XP > Scriptability

- Mac Net Journal: A focus on scripting and AppleScript have been a major focus on a number of Weblogs lately. Here is the latest:

X vs. XP > Scriptability. OS X's philosophy of scripting is allowing users to automate the operating system as well as applications on their computer. This philosophy makes it very intuitive to automate your workflow, since your scripts will follow the same application steps that you would use. XP's philosophy is slightly different. Rather than automating individual applications, Microsoft's scripting languages hook directly in to XP's underpinnings. The idea is that if you can hook directly in to Windows, you should be ...

10:45:47 AM    

Memory Usage Getter giveaway

- MacScripter.net:

Memory Usage Getter giveaway from Ellipsis Productions and ResExcellence. Memory Usage Getter (MUG) is an AppleScript Studio application that graphically displays memory usage of applications and processes. This contest involves downloading the MUG package and doing a little detective work to answer the following question: "What is the name of the person who created the icon for Memory Usage Getter?"

3:46:26 PM    

Reading and Parsing Tab-delimited Text Files

- "Parsing the tried-and-true tab-delimited text file with AppleScript is very easy and creates lists of lists that are pretty easy to access. Using tab-delimited files is important because it is such a common data exchange format. Spreadsheets, contact databases, HTML tables, other database and many other applications export their data as tab-delimited text files."
2:53:46 PM    

24U Hex OSAX 1.0 released

- 24U Hex OSAX encodes text and integer numbers into a hexadecimal notation, commonly used by programmers and software engineers. Hexadecimal notation can be then decoded back to the original text or number.
2:05:59 PM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Updates: PPP-OnlineTime 2.0
1:25:25 PM    

Script Debugger 3.0.5 released

- This free update corrects compatibility problems with Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) that have come to light since the previous Script Debugger 3.0.4 update. See the release notes for a full list of changes.
12:27:33 PM    

Mail Scripts 1.2.2

- 'Mail Scripts' is a collection of AppleScripts for Mail and Address Book offering additional features or simplified workflow. Release notes: Fixed "Cannot convert '10.2.1' into a number" bug. Fixed a problem where the user would be presented with a cryptic error message when the BSD subsystem was not installed.
10:49:29 AM    

O'Reilly: The Do's and Don'ts of Shareware, Part 2

- by Sanford Selznick. "Last time we were together we introduced a few ideas about shareware: what shareware is, expected startup costs, developing an idea, and sales strategy. Now we will discuss some basic approaches for writing maintainable code, testing software, assembling a deliverable package, writing ReadMe files, and marketing and distributing your software."
12:04:08 AM    

TidBITS: Mac OS X Report Card

- by Adam C. Engst. Adam takes a look at various aspects of OS X and issues a grade for each category. When discussing programmability, he finds that Apple has finally turned a corner by making development tools available for free. He also points out that while it's apparently very easy to implement scriptability in Cocoa applications, Apple doesn't support AppleScript in all of its own applications and he feels that this makes them look "downright stupid". Overall, the report card seems to reflect a fair assessment.
9:09:31 PM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Updates: ManilaHandler 1.1.1, iTunes2Manila 1.0.3, SOAPXMLRPCHandler 1.1.1
6:10:41 PM    

WeatherMan 1.7

- WeatherMan and WeatherManX download current weather conditions, current weather forecast and Nexrad radar images from the National Weather Service to your Macintosh. Along with being scriptable, WeatherMan can run AppleScripts in response to new data being downloaded. [version history]
5:13:48 PM    

The State of AppleScript: Another View

- "Last week and this week, John C. Welch published an article, "The State of AppleScript" in two parts, on workingmac.com that enumerated many of the problems with this "critical technology." I agree with many of the points he made and I am glad to see AppleScript get publicity, even if it is less than enthusiastic. But, on the other hand, he ignored many of the amazing developments and possibilities of the language and scripting system that are here and now and..." [Mac Net Journal]
5:03:37 PM    

Write Track Media automates Election Night

- MacScripter.net report:

Associated Press again enlists an AppleScript solution from Write Track Media to streamline the process of converting cryptic election data into easily handled tables used in a news graphics web site and video processing. The previous script, now two years old, will be upgraded and tested to insure that it is up to the task of converting data into readable form for AP graphics. This is one of just over a dozen testimonials to the quality and level of AppleScript service Write Track Media provides.

11:41:43 AM    

Deneba: Canvas scripting in Mac OS

- Learn how to use AppleScript to automate Canvas. A PDF version of the tutorial is available, as is a Canvas scripting references guide.
11:36:11 AM    

ScriptSaver 1.0

- ScriptSaver is a screensaver module which can execute any AppleScript when it activates. Use it to log out the current user (AppleScript included), refresh a folder, empty the trash, launch an application, and more. [d/l]
3:29:57 PM    

workingmac.com: The state of AppleScript - part 2

- by John C. Welch. "Video isn't the only area where Apple's split personality with regard to AppleScript appears. Applications such as Mail, Address Book and iCal are AppleScriptable, but their implementations are really mystifying." [part 1]
1:58:50 PM    

unScripted: AppleScript Studio FAQ - Vol. 1

- In this month's unScripted article, MacScripter.net's T.J. Mahaffey shares some of the tips that he's encountered while on his way to becoming a more proficient 'Studio' user.
12:52:34 PM    

Buddy 0.6.2

- Buddy will fetch a dozen newspapers, clip out summaries of the top stories, stock quotes, sports scores, weather data and comics you want and paste them together into an uber-newspaper. The GUI version of Buddy uses AppleScript for some tasks. Changes: Stocks page, 9 new newspaper sites and scheduled fetching. Buddy is open source.
10:37:19 AM    

AppleScript Studio App: Amazon Get Info Beta

- This application is for Amazon Associates who are interested in using the power of Amazon's new Web Services to gather information about products available on Amazon.com for the purposes of creating ads on web sites.
9:13:07 AM    

More RSS improvements at osaxen.com

- In addition to the changes mentioned on Saturday, the following features have been added to the Scripting Additions database at MacScripter.net.

- The RSS search interface now uses the same code as the web page. You can search for authors, commands, etc.
- You can now limit the search result with the "limit" tag.

Examples:

http://www.osaxen.com/backend.php?keywords=ScTl&limit=3
http://www.osaxen.com/backend.php?keywords=popularfolder&limit=10

The first URL retrieves all scripting addition packages using the Apple Event class "ScTl", limiting the results to 3 packages. The second URL retrieves the 10 most popular scripting additions (by download count).
8:45:13 AM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Updates: iPhoto Diet 1.0.2
8:27:22 AM    

XGuest 1.0

- XGuest uses AppleScript to enable/disable guest access of personal file sharing in OS X. [d/l]
8:10:50 AM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Updates: Ibis 1.5
9:35:20 PM    

Make Mine MPEG-4 v3.1

- This AppleScript applet automates the process of ripping CD tracks and encoding them with QuickTime 6 Pro as MPEG-4 audio files. The tracks are then added to your iTunes Library. [release notes]
9:12:11 PM    

iPhoto Diet 1.0.1

- iPhoto Diet is an Applescript droplet for slimming down iPhoto libraries. Changes in this version: Removed the requirement for Tanaka's System OSAX. Fixed a crash bug related to hidden files (.*) that may exist in the iPhoto Library root folder.
4:44:40 PM    

viewTunes 1.0

- viewTunes is an AppleScript Studio application that gathers the song information from iTunes and displays it in your AOL Instant Messenger profile.
4:41:14 PM    

MacScripter.net Scripting Additions database: Search via RSS/RDF

- MacScripter.net's Scripting Additions database can now be searched via the RSS/RDF interface by using the "keywords" parameter to specify a search string. Using numbers as the search string searches for packages not older than the specified number of days. The default behavior is to search for packages released within the last 90 days - currently this doesn't retrieve any packages because updates are behind schedule. Examples of use:

http://www.osaxen.com/backend.php?keywords=270 - Retrieves packages released in the last 270 days
http://www.osaxen.com/backend.php?keywords=mail - Retrieves packages containing the keyword mail

The XML-RPC interface is slated to receive similar changes.
6:06:57 AM    

workingmac.com: The state of AppleScript

- by John C. Welch. "In a nutshell, AppleScript's current status at Apple is pretty inconsistent, which ends up meaning bad."
1:00:59 PM    

Kung-Log 1.4.2

- Kung-Log is an OS X (AppleScript Studio) application to post to and manage entries of a MovableType weblog. Today's updates address XML encoding issues and add a preference for the date format of the weblog. Comment, ping, and line-break settings are also remembered.
7:54:41 AM    

O'Reilly: Why Unix Matters to Mac OS X

- Quote: O'Reilly's final lesson was one also learned from Microsoft, "a platform beats an application every time. AppleScript matters because you get a virtuous circle of hacker innovation." As you develop applications, think about what it means to be a platform. Create hooks so that other people can write to it. Think about extensibility and interoperability when you create an application. He advised developers to think of their applications as "network and open applications. Play well with others and have fun." [ranchero.com]
8:25:47 PM    

ScriptBuilders News

- New: Format Address Book Phone Numbers 1.0, Count Contacts 1.0
7:58:24 PM    

Xupport 1.1.3

- Xupport uses AppleScript to easily perform several system related tasks. New in this version: Turn on/off guest access of your Apple FileServer. "Empty Trash" regardless of the file's permissions. Guide to delete files and folders, regardless of the file's permissions. Corrections in state display of "Network Optimizer".
4:25:15 PM    

Applelinks: AppleScript In Tex-Edit Plus And Response To Tom Bender's OS X Letter

- "In his follow-up note that appears below, Tex Edit Plus developer Tom Bender says":

"I think the Cocoa development system is possibly the second best-kept secret on the planet. (The first is AppleScript.)"

Visit Applelinks for the rest of the story.
2:47:41 PM    

ASTest 0.3

- ASTest is a unit testing framework for AppleScript. Changes: Heavy redesign. The download is still labeled as version 0.2 but it is actually 0.3.
1:37:48 PM    

Spamfire 1.21

- Spamfire is an anti-spam email filtering application that deletes unwanted commercial and pornographic email. It works with any POP3 account and any Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X email program. Changes include: Rudimentary AppleScript support. More AppleScript features are on the way.
10:34:51 AM    

Apple: AppleScript Studio at NASA Langley

- by Barbara Gibson. "Dr. Craig Hunter's Jet3D Unix application gets a user interface. With the help of AppleScript Studio and a Power Mac G4, the aerospace engineer has created a program that simulates and predicts the noise from jet engines so manufacturers can work on building quieter aircraft." This was reported by MacInTouch, and then mentioned here, back in July. Here's the doctor's web page for the project.
10:44:30 PM    

iCal Script Integrator 1.0

- 'iCal Script Integrator' allows you to use AppleScript with iCal's events by modifying it's "e-mail notification" script. This means that you can let iCal schedule tasks or start applications for you. Write your script directly into the event subject, or use a simple "open item" command to launch any script or program.
4:59:44 PM    

Eudora 5.2b10

- Eudora 5.2b10 is a new update to the venerable Eudora email application fixes a long list of bugs (documented in the release notes) and adds SSL support under OS X 10.2, menu sharing, and ability to use sounds in your OS X sound library. [Mac Net Journal] Among the many fixes in this beta: Restored "start notifying" apple event, which became lost in carbonization.
2:33:04 PM    

Apple's Ken Bereskin on Jaguar's Keychains

- "Here's a feature that many people have overlooked. The user interface for Keychain Access enjoys several improvements and one that I rely on all the time for my PowerBook is the ability to lock your keychain and most importantly, your screen, directly from the menu bar." ... more info - Ken forgot to mention that keychains are scriptable.
10:49:55 AM    

Mac OS X Hints: An Entourage script to delete junked messages

- "Once in a while I look at the Junk folder and I can usually tell from the subject lines of the messages that they are indeed junk mail. Then I have to delete them manually which involves selecting them all, etc. ... This was irritating, so I wrote an AppleScript to do it..." [hint #20021002063853736]
10:14:23 AM    

24U Hex OSAX coming soon

- The new 24U Hex OSAX will allow AppleScript to easily convert text and integer numbers to hexadecimal notation and back. [more info]
9:00:06 AM    

Acme Script Widgets 3.0 is Jaguar compatible

- MacScripter.net: Acme Technologies Support responds to postings about the incompatibility of Acme Script Widgets 3.0 under Jaguar, and reports that those issues have been resolved. "The ASW osaxen predate even the introduction of the PowerPC chips in the Macintosh hardware line, and they will continue to be updated as long as there is a Scripting Addition API on the Mac (and people find the software relevant and useful). My apologies to Mr. Faiman for the delays. I know how frustrating it is to have software you rely on break, and not know if or when a fix will arrive."
8:53:06 AM    

ScriptBuilders News

- Updates: BurstBulletin 1.0b2
8:15:29 PM    

NetNewsWire Scripting Support

- "This is a preliminary document describing scripting support for the pro version of NetNewsWire. Feedback is very appreciated." [ranchero.com]
7:44:02 PM    

O'Reilly: Sal Soghoian Knows AppleScript

- by Derrick Story. "I had every intention of checking out all the tutorials this morning at the Mac OS X Conference, that is, until I stopped for 'just a minute' in Sal Soghoian's AppleScript class."
1:20:42 PM    

Lanette's Weblog: AppleScript tidbits from Mac OS X Conference

- Topics include:

- Sal rocks!
- New Script Editor coming
- AppleScript is peer to Aqua
- Digital hub scripting will include any device that can be hooked to a Mac
- iPhoto is an AppleScript Studio application?
- The next release of AppleScript will allow one to script every piece of the user interface

[ranchero.com]
12:26:20 PM