Synopses & Reviews
One-stop reference helps you get the most out of AppleScript
and Automator
One of the handiest ways to streamline your workload is to automate some of your most routine computer tasks. Mac users are lucky in that they have AppleScript and Automator automation tools built right in. This comprehensive guide shows you how to tap both these useful Mac features for Mac OS X and regularly perform such tasks as extracting unread e-mails from your Mail, scheduling workflows, and manually recording actions to create new automated routines.
- Brings you up to speed on Apple's built-in automation tools for Mac OS X, including a more thorough look at Automator than in many books, and shows you how you can automate many of your most repetitive or error-prone tasks
- Explains how to automate aspects of some of your favorite Mac features, such as iCal, Mail, iPhoto, iTunes, and iDVD
- Covers how to manipulate files and folders; work with PDFs, emails, and Web pages; schedule workflows; set up watch folders; create and use variables; manually record actions; and create AppleScripts that further automate functions
The instruction in this detailed guide will help you increase your productivity using Automator and AppleScript.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
Synopsis
Other titles out on the market lump Automator into discussions of AppleScript and Xcode, giving Automator very little attention it deserves. Apple Automator with AppleScript Bible provides the right amount of attention to Automator, but at the same time provides AppleScript essentials for the more advanced readers. The Apple Automator with AppleScript Bible starts by introducing automation in brief as well as Mac OS X Automator and AppleScript concepts. The reader will quickly learn how to use the interface, as well as learn some key terms (such as actions, workflows, variables, watched folders, and the like). As soon as some fundamentals are in place, the reader will ramp up and learn such things as how to manipulate files and folders, working with PDFs, emails and web pages, scheduling workflows and setting up watch folders, creating and using variables, manually record actions, create AppleScript tools that further automate functions and more.
Synopsis
If you use a Mac, you'll be amazed at what you can automateSave time when using your Mac with Apple's powerful AppleScript and Automator automation tools, which come standard with Mac OS X. This comprehensive guide shows you how to tap both these handy features to streamline your workflows. Learn how to launch your e-mail every day at a set time, or extract data for analysis on a regular schedule, or dozens of other useful ways to automate routine computer tasks, avoid errors, and save yourself time.
Explore the most current Automator tricks for Snow Leopard
Learn essential Automator concepts, such as actions, workflows, plugins, and Apple events
Create a droplet and simple scripts while mastering AppleScript's syntax, variables, objects, and properties
Automate routines you do all the time, such as opening iTunes® to a random track or making slideshows
Manipulate files and e-mails, convert PDFs to images, find Calendar items, and discover other functions to automate
Companion Web Site
Visit www.wiley.com/go/applescriptbible for the author's code samples from the book.
About the Author
Thomas Myer is a consultant, technical author, and speaker. He owns Triple Dog Dare Media and specializes in many aspects of Linux- and Mac-based development, including Web content management systems, blogs, wikis, dashboard widgets, iPhone applications, UNIX systems programming, and Applescripting. He is the author of five books, including Professional CodeIgniter and Mac OS X UNIX Toolbox.
Table of Contents
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
Quick Start: Dive into Automator and AppleScript.
Part I: The Fundamentals of Automation.
Chapter 1: What Is Automation?
Chapter 2: Automation from a User’s Perspective.
Chapter 3: Automator Basics.
Chapter 4: Advanced Automator Topics.
Part II: A Detailed Look at AppleScript.
Chapter 5: AppleScript Basics.
Chapter 6: AppleScript Objects and Dictionaries.
Chapter 7: Working with Variables and Properties.
Chapter 8: Operators, Expressions, and Statements.
Chapter 9: Conditionals and Loops.
Chapter 10: Handling User Input.
Chapter 11: AppleScript Subroutines.
Chapter 12: Applets and Droplets.
Chapter 13: Folder Actions.
Chapter 14: AppleScript Studio.
Part III: Automation Projects.
Chapter 15: Ten Automation Projects for Files and Folders.
Chapter 16: Ten Automation Projects for Music and Audio Files.
Chapter 17: Ten Automation Projects for Photos and Images.
Chapter 18: Ten Automation Projects for Text Files.
Chapter 19: Ten Custom Automation Projects.
Part IV: Appendixes.
Appendix A: Automator Resources.
Appendix B: AppleScript Resources.
Appendix C: AppleScript Reference.
Appendix D: Automator Actions and Variables.