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I haven't done by whole lot with AppleScript for OS X yet, but with reference to Chris Long's review of QuickKeys X below, I should note that AppleScript 1.6,1.7, and 1.8, which are the OS X compatible versions of AppleScript (that also support OS 9.x), can also add many macro functions to the Mac OS, although there are a few differences and limitations when running in OS X.

AppleScript is an English-like language used to write or record script files which can control the actions of both the computer OS and applications.

Scripts can make decisions based on user-interaction or by parsing and analyzing data, documents or situations. AppleScript scripts can speed your work, make actions on your computer more productive and save you time and money.

With AppleScript, many Finder and System functions can be automated, and macros written or recorded perform complex tasks with a mouse click. AppleScript savvy applications can also be equipped with time-saving macros. I use of AppleScript extensively in Tex Edit Plus, for instance.

Unfortunately, a few AppleScript functions still don't work with OSX:

• Folder actions
• Network scripting
• Printers can't yet be scripted in OS X
• Preferences also can't be scripted yet

However, while AppleScript Language Mac OS X version 10.0 through 10.0.4 did not support Program Linking. With Mac OS X version 10.1 and later, and AppleScript version 1.7 and later, Program Linking works between Mac OS X machines as well as between Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X machines.

AppleScript has tons of potential, and if you haven't tapped into this powerful feature of the Mac OS -- X or legacy -- you're missing out on a lot of great functionality.

AppleScript features in Mac OS X version 10.1.x:

• Scriptable Applications — As part of the standard installation, Mac OS X includes several scriptable applications. The following is a partial list of the scriptable applications included with Mac OS X:
• Finder
• Image Capture
• Internet Connect
• Mail
• Print Center
• Sherlock
• Terminal
• TextEdit

Toolbar Scripts — Mac OS X has the ability to place links to files, folders and applications in the Finder Toolbar, a special area at the top of every Finder window. The Toolbar provides convenient access from within any Finder window to the items, tools and locations you use the most.

Placing scripts on the Finder Toolbar can give you drag-and-drop, click-and-run power tools available in any open Finder window. To use the Toolbar Scripts, place the scripts in a convenient folder (perhaps a folder you create in your Home Library folder named “Toolbar Scripts”). Open this folder and drag the icons of the scripts you want to use to the Finder Toolbar in the folder’s window. Your setup is complete. The scripts will now be easily accessible in any Finder window

Web Services — This enhancement allows you to use AppleScript to query and command XML-aware applications on any platform, over the Internet or local networks.

Script Menu — Get easy access to the scripts you use the most. The Script Menu turns on the power of AppleScript anytime, anywhere, and it can execute Perl and Shell scripts, too. Introducing a Script Menu worthy of Mac OS X. This utility will launch Perl, Shell and AppleScript scripts with a quick flick of the wrist. Power at your command, anywhere, anytime, from within any application.

To install, just drag the ScriptMenu.menu file to the menu bar at the top right of your screen and let go. Now you’re ready to use any of the dozens of scripts which are pre-installed with Mac OS X 10.1. To remove the Script Menu, hold down the Command key and drag the Script menu icon off the menu bar.

Add your own scripts to the menu by choosing the Open Scripts Folder menu item and placing your script files in the Scripts folder. Sub-menus are automatically created when folders are added within the Scripts folder.

AppleScript Studio — Apple’s development tools for using AppleScript to easily create native Mac OS X applications with complete user interfaces.

QuickTime Scripts — Lets you do lots of cool things with QuickTime and AppleScript.

For more information on AppleScripting in OS X, visit:
http://www.apple.com/applescript/macosx/

QuicKeys OS X Review

From: Chris Long

Hi Charles:

"I've never used QuickKeys, and as you say, TypeIt4Me, which I do use extensively, is for text macros only."

You really ought to try QK -- even the OS X version (see below) is worth checking out, ESP for those of us with physical problems -- why use a mouse to pull down & select something from a sub-sub-sub-menu, which can take 3-5 seconds of menu travel when you can click a key & get the same result? Try the free demo! (see below) ...

"What about AppleScripts? I've mainly used them for text stuff in Tex Edit Plus, but I have one that quits all running applications with a double-click. I think you can get AppleScript to do many of the sorts of things that OS 9 Quickkeys macros do."

This is true, BUT (big but here): A'script is MUCH slower at doing many of the tasks that QK can do in a fraction of a second. i find that some A'scripts will take 2-3-4 seconds to run (no big deal ONCE but do it 1,000 times a day!) ... QK macros are generally (not always) pretty fast.

Re: my earlier rant about QuicKeys for OS X -- which was based on reading other folks' opinions online and reading a few reviews -- didn't sound like it was worth buying. I downloaded the 30day demo anyway ...

For automating simple tasks, QK for OS X works just fine. Its main shortcoming is in it's ability to do complex multi-step tasks -- which in fact I DO use QuicKeys for now & then -- the OS X version falls far short of the older legacy version -- there are lots of things it just won't do at all ... :-(

Depending on what one USES QK FOR, you might love or hate the new OS X version. I use it mainly (95%) to streamline very simple 1-2-3 step tasks, and to provide keyboard shortcuts to menu items that don't offer keyboard equivalents. so it works PRETTY well for me.

If you're hoping to build complex macros (as I have) that can literally run for hours and hours (eg: processing huge text files) you'll probably be hugely disapppointed in new QK.

One result of the super-simplification of QK: the new interface is MUCH simpler for beginners to pick up. there aren't anywhere near the number of palettes and options ... building simple macros has never been easier.

Overall review: 3.5 stars out of 5. The price is a tad steep considering its limited abilities, but as I said, for those of us w neuritis, etc it's a godsend, and i've been unable to find anything comparable.

Gotta go -- lemme know if u try QK, and if so, if u like it.

C

Thanks for the review, Chris. Perhaps I'll give it a try, although I'm still intrigued by the potential of built-in AppleScript.

Charles

Follow up on Via Voice

From James Boyd

Charles,

In answer to your suggestions on my Via Voice problems, Yes and Yes. I did download another installer and I did create a new user in OS X. Neither helped. To be honest, I was very dubious on the new user method anyhow as three different machine installs seems like it eliminates that possibility, but I was desperate and tried it anyway. By the way, so far I have been concentrating on my Pismo as that is the machine I use primarily.

I finally found a way of getting it working. I actually run other programs for awhile and then launched the set-up. If I try to launch first thing after restart, no go. Seems like running other programs settles the kernel down, if there is such a thing, and then it runs. It finally ran long enough for me to read a couple stories into the unit and then analyze. On my third story, it hung up on a word and would proceed no farther. I had to force quit and then restart several times before getting it to run again. I then finished all of the stories and so far, it has launched and run a few times. I’m crossing my fingers.

In summary, this is ridiculous. I would expect this from a PC, not a Mac. Either OS X is still temperamental or the ViaVoice installer is not ready for prime time. Maybe a little of both. I’m certainly not a Mac neophyte, having used them since the old 512K model in college and I expect products for the Mac to be at a high level of quality. My G4 is a brand new machine with very little software on it (I use it only for video editing). For ViaVoice to fail on that machine makes me doubt the quality of the programming. I’m betting their first update will do the trick. Of course, as a PC centric company, IBM is used to using us as unwitting beta testers, just like Microsoft.

James Boyd

Hi James;

I'm inclined to agree that OS X is pretty ragged in places, and ViaVoice (all versions) have borne the limitations of being ports from the Dark Side. However, I've just installed iListen 1.2 on my WallStreet, and that was a bit of a battle too. Took me three or four tries. This dictation software is arguably the most complex application program most users will have on their hard drive, and it is immature technology as yet. Note that iListen is a Mac - only application.

However, the truth is that Mac OS X, at least compared with the legacy Mac OS, is still beta quality software in terms of refinement. And of course ViaVoice for Mac OS will improve too with subsequent version upgrades.

While I was successful in getting ViaVoice X to install using the new user identity method suggested by IBM tech support, I agree that I should not have been obliged to do that.

One thing that intrigues me is that you were unsuccessful on three different machines. My provisional deduction is that there must be some piece of third party software that you use on all three of your Macs that conflicts with the the ViaVoice installer the way the ASM installer did on my machine. IBM obviously has some work to do on their installer.

Charles

Via Voice Issue

From Scott

Hi,

I too recently got the Via Voice X Update. I found that I did have problems getting the included microphone to recognize. I even went as far as buying a pricier USB microphone and still had problems. I then connected the mic directly to the USB port on the back of My G4 Tower and bam! -- it recognized both. That may be an issue if people are trying to connect it to the keyboard, hub, or the USB inputs on the monitor.

Scott

Could be the problem in some cases, indeed.

Charles

Re: ViaVoice X - Installation woes

From Bruce Riegel

Thanks, Charles

I received an email from Chris late last week regarding my installation
problems. Nothing has been resolved at this point.

I'll let you know if I can get it resolved.... (or not).

Bruce Riegel

Re: ViaVoice For Mac OS X German?

From Thomas Hartmann

Vielen Dank für die Antwort!!!

"Unfortunately, things are not looking very promising on ViaVoice's languages
Web page. :-("

So that will be a strong reason for me to stay with Mac OS 9. On
the other side - from what I've heard IBM ViaVoice "Classic" has been
selling very well in good ol' Germany ...

Herzliche Grüße aus Wiesbaden / Deutschland :-)

Thomas

Loud and clear, Thomas. Ich lese Deutsch viel besser dann ich scribe konnen es.

Charles

RAM & Pismo

From Gerald
Hi Charles,

I bit the bullet & upgraded the RAM on my Pismo500 to 1 gig a couple of month ago. (Did not catch the lowest price on RAMs but the price point was what I considered to be attractive). The Pismo is very useable & the best thing is with 1gig of RAM there is no more Virtual memory thus hardly any spooling to HD. Also with 1gig RAM, all my programs are up & I hardly ever restart my machine.

Go for 1gig. You'll enjoy it.

Best regards,
Gerald

Hi Gerald;

Thanks for the encouraging report.

One GB would be great, however I'm hoping that 640 MB will give me a nice performance boost.

Charles

OSX Software

From Stephen L. Fisher

I continue to be disappointed with the majority of software coming out for OS X. The main reason: cruddy bit-mapped icons carried over from OS 9. OS X offers beautiful photo realistic rendering via Quartz yet with the exception of MS Office and Apple products, virtually every other application I've seen continues to use bit-mapped icons for toolbars etc. Think many people will continue to be disappointed with X until applications released for X look like OS X applications and not "ports" from OS 9.

Stephen Fisher

All in the fullness of time, Stephen. Personally, as long as stuff works well, I don't much care what it looks like, but that's just me.

Charles

CM

Charles W. Moore

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