Ben Waldie helps cut through the controversy surrounding OS X Mavericks, the iWork suite and get to just the facts. There has been concern about the current lack of support in Mavericks, and also in Numbers, Pages and Keynote. Ben calms the waters a bit, explaining what is missing, what still works, and what his expectations are for scripting in both Mavericks and iOS 7 going forward.
MacVoices Interview > Ben Waldie Clarifies the Situation with AppleScript and Mavericks
AppleScript Support Returning to iWork Soon
My recent Macworld article discussed the state of AppleScript in OS X, focusing heavily on scripting changes in iWork '13. Well, today, Apple posted a tech note discussing features and compatibility with iWork. In it, they explain that productivity features, including AppleScript support, will begin returning soon. For more, visit...
Apple promises to restore some iWork features within six months
Macworld Article > The state of AppleScript: Let’s not panic … yet
It’s that time again. A new version of OS X is out, and with it come the recurring cries of AppleScript’s demise. But let’s try to remain calm: Recent Internet rumors that the sky is falling may be slightly exaggerated. Nobody knows for sure what the future holds, but personally, I don’t think AppleScript is going anywhere just yet.
[Read more on Macworld.com...]
MacTech Article > Workflow Quick Tips > Productivity App Pick: File Juicer
I develop custom automation solutions for lots of clients, but I don’t like reinventing the wheel. If there’s an existing tool that works well and reduces development time, I tend to use it. File Juicer, from Echo One (http://echoone.com), is one such tool, which I’ve used with great success in numerous client projects.
[Read the full article in MacTech magazine's September 2013 issue, available in print and in the MacTech iPad Newsstand app]
Automation Changes in Mavericks – Official Tech Links
Lots of AppleScript and Automator changes were introduced with OS X 10.9 Mavericks. Here are links to official Apple technical resources that discuss some of them...
- AppleScript Release Notes (Updated for OS X 10.9 Mavericks)
- AppleScript Language Guide (Updated for OS X 10.9 Mavericks)
- Technical Q&A QA1802 (Adopting Scripting Targets for Composing Mail)
- OS X: Using AppleScript with Accessibility and Security features in Mavericks
- WWDC 2013: Session 416: Introducing AppleScript Libraries
- WWDC 2013: Session 417: Automation Update
For a general overview of the automation changes in Mavericks, visit macosxautomation.com (not hosted by Apple Inc.).
AppleScript Easter Egg: Nothing to see here; move along.
In honor of AppleScript's 20th birthday (it was introduced at WWDC 1993), here's a little Easter Egg to share.
1. Create an empty text file.
2. Change the extension of the text file to .sdef (an AppleScript terminology file)
3. Drag the .sdef file onto AppleScript Editor
AppleScript Editor displays an empty dictionary window, stating "Nothing to see here; move along."
2013 Penn State MacAdmins Conference > Automation Sessions
I'm presenting two sessions at the Penn State MacAdmins conference next week:
- Mac OS X Automation Workshop - Thursday May 23, 2013 - 9:15am - 12:00pm - With AppleScript, Automator, and Services in Mac OS X, there’s more reason than ever before to begin automating time consuming and repetitive tasks. In this session, we’ll explore the potential of each of these automation technologies, discuss their benefits, and see how you can use them to boost your productivity and efficiency. Join us as we dive right in, begin creating Automator workflows, building services, and writing some simple AppleScripts. Take time to finally learn how to take advantage of these unique technologies in a relaxed “learn-by-doing” class.
- Giving Your AppleScripts a Face Lift - Friday May 24, 2013 10:45am - 12:00pm - You’ve been using AppleScript Editor on your Mac for years. You’ve developed dozens of useful scripts. It’s time to take those scripts to the next level by migrating them to AppleScriptObjC (Cocoa-AppleScript). In this session, we will expore the potential of this powerful technology. See first-hand how you can use Xcode to develop native Cocoa applications using AppleScript, complete with interfaces that allow you to capture data and provide detailed user feedback. In addition, learn how to add greater power to your AppleScript-based applications by integrating directly with Cocoa.
If you're attending, be sure and find me to say "Hi."
TUAW Post > Adding Copy to Clipboard Rollovers in Contacts App via AppleScript
Apple's Contacts app includes a lot of great shortcuts for initiating different forms of communication. Just click an email address, phone number, or URL field label to display a list of available options. You can send an email, show a phone number in large type, or start a FaceTime call, for example. Curiously, one shortcut that's absent from most of these popups is one for copying the email address, phone number, URL, etc. to the clipboard. Mailing addresses are one exception, as they provide an option to copy a mailing label. But, other fields don't include this option. Sure, you could just select a phone number, email address, URL, etc., and press Command+C to copy it. But, what fun is that? It sure would be nice if there were just more handy copy to clipboard shortcuts instead. With the help of AppleScript, you can add your own. Here's how...
[Read more on TUAW...]
MacTech Article > Migrating AppleScript Studio Apps to AppleScriptObjC (Cocoa-AppleScript)
For years, AppleScript Studio provided scripters with a framework, through Xcode and Interface Builder, for implementing Cocoa interfaces in AppleScript-based apps. When it comes to AppleScript, end users are often accustomed to faceless apps that simply run when launched and quit when finished, with minimal feedback along the way. AppleScript Studio gave developers the power to implement feature-rich and user-friendly interfaces, which allowed users to configure script behavior, displayed progress during processing, and gave scripts the look and feel of virtually any other OS X app.
In August of 2009, Apple released Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6). At the same time, AppleScript Studio was deprecated and its official replacement, AppleScriptObjC, also known as Cocoa-AppleScript, was announced. AppleScriptObjC provides all of the benefits of AppleScript Studio, but with numerous additional benefits such as the ability to integrate scripts with any Cocoa framework in OS X.
Today, in Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8), Xcode no longer supports AppleScript Studio. Xcode includes project templates for creating AppleScriptObjC apps, but all references to AppleScript Studio are long gone. For long-time AppleScript Studio developers, this raises some core questions about supporting and migrating existing apps.
[Read the full article in MacTech magazine's March 2013 issue, available in print and in the MacTech iPad Newsstand app]