Run an Applescript In an Applescript

You can run an applescript, using applescript, with the "run script" command.

For example:

set the_script to "beep 3"

run script the_script

Don't forget that you need to escape quotes and other items:

set the_script to "say \"hello\""

run script the_script

You can also run a script from a dialog box:

try

run script (text returned of (display dialog "Please type a script to run:" default answer (return & return & return & return & return)))

on error err

display dialog err

end try

Or, you can run a script with the path to a file:

set the_file to "Crocs:Users:oliver:Documents:Applescripts:Convert to MP3.app:" as alias

try

run script (the_file)

on error err

display dialog err

end try

Or, you can choose a file to run the script:

set the_file to choose file

try

run script (the_file)

on error err

display dialog err

end try

Finally, you can run a script using the clipboard:

try

run script (the clipboard)

on error err

display dialog err

end try

Notice that in the last four examples, I made sure that the script would notify you if it has a problem.

Weekly Rental: Panic Room

The 99¢ weekly rental for this week is Panic Room.

Open Panic Room in the iTunes Music Store.

Read about Panic Room on IMDb.

Watch the trailer for Panic Room on YouTube. (Embedded below.)

Quickly Get the Path To a File in the Finder Toolbar

You can find out the path to a folder or file in a Finder window's toolbar by mousing over it for a couple of seconds. However, if you hold down the option key, the file path will pop up instantly.

In addition, you can get the POSIX file path for an item in the toolbar by holding the command key.

Get Quick Information About Files

You can see the version number of an application you've installed by navigating to it in Finder. Then, switching to Column view (Cmd-3). When in column view, the version number is in the preview column.



There is other information in the preview column depending upon what you are looking at. For example, when looking at images, it displays the dimensions and file type of the image. For movies, it tells you the duration and dimensions. For almost every file, there is the file size.

Finally, you can open the info window for a file by clicking on the "More Info..."

Crossover For FREE!

Because the gas price in the Twin Cities dropped below $2.80 this past week, Codeweavers is giving away free copies of their software for TODAY ONLY.

Crossover is a Windows emulation tool for Mac that allows you to install applications for windows without a copy of Windows installed.

http://down.codeweavers.com/

Give 'em your email address and download the copies while you still can.

Tips For Making a Movie in iMovie

Below are three tips for making a movie in iMovie HD.


1: Export at Full Quality

Exporting at Full Quality is important if you want the best image when saving your video. To export at full quality, hit Cmd-Shift-E, or go to File > Export…. Next, go to the Quicktime section and set the quality drop-down menu to "Full Quality".




2: Drag clips between projects.

Instead of exporting a clip, then importing it into a different project, simply drag the clip from the timeline or clip viewer of one project into the timeline or clip viewer of another project. You won't lose any quality and you'll save several steps.


3: Record straight to disk.

To record to your Hard Drive (as opposed to MiniDV tapes) simply plug your FireWire camera into your Mac. Next, click on the Capture/Edit slider to switch over to camera mode.



Turn on your camera and a live video stream from your video camera should appear in iMovie. Once it does, hit the Import button to start recording. Hit it again to stop recording.

If possible, I would advise that you record to the tape in your video camera as well.

Widget Recommendation: Minutes

A great timer widget for the dashboard is Minutes.

To set the time, move the little triangle around the circle. When you let go, your timer will start and the center of the circle will start pulsing. (Much like the sleep light on your Mac.) To stop the timer, click on the center of the circle.

By clicking on the lower-left hand corner of the widget, you can activate one of four functions when the timer runs out:

1: Play sound effect.
2: Open document.
3: Play iTunes Playlist.
4: Stop iTunes playing/sleep computer.




You can set the settings for each item (desired sound effect, which document to open, etc.) using the options on the back of the widget.

Finally, you can have the timer restart (1,2,3) or sleep (4) by clicking on the icon in the lower right hand corner of the widget.

[Link]

Welcome2Mac: Keyboard Shortcuts, the Dashboard, and The Dictionary Panel

Welcome2Mac is The MacTipper Blog's weekly tip where all the people new to Apple's latest operating system can get Mac tips to help them better use Mac OS X.


Add a keyboard shortcut to a menu:

Step 1: Go to System Preferences.
Step 2: Go to the Keyboard & Mouse preference pane.



Step 3: Click on the "Keyboard Shortcuts" section.
Step 4: Click on the + button in the lower left hand corner.



Step 5: Set the "Application" menu to the application you want to add the keyboard shortcut to.
Step 6: Set the "Menu Title:" item the exact name of the menu item you want to add. If the menu item contains an ellipsis, then use Option-:
Step 7: Set the keyboard shortcut to the one you desire.



Step 8: Hit the Add button.

Once you've added the keyboard shortcut, it should show up instantly in the application you added it to.

-÷-÷-÷-

In the dashboard...

...click on a widget and hit Cmd-R to refresh a widget.
...hold down the option key, then mouse over a widget to bring up a close button for that individual widget.



...hit Cmd-+ to expand the widget bar.

-÷-÷-÷-

Right click on a word and select "Look Up in Dictionary" to do just that.



If it doesn't pop up a little dictionary panel, go to the Dictionary preferences (Cmd-,) and select "Open Dictionary Panel" from the bottom of the preferences window.

Hidden Keys in QuickTime

In QuickTime, use the J, K, and L keys to control a movie.

J = Slow down.
K = Pause
L = Speed up.

These act in increments. So 3L + 2J = 1L.

K always pauses the movie. To play, hit L once.

Hidden Shortcuts In Preview Slideshow

When you are in a slideshow in Preview (Cmd-Shift-F) you can use the following keys to execute functions:

F: Zoom to fit screen.
A: Zoom to actual size.
E: Add to iPhoto
D: Unadd to iPhoto
I: Activate index sheet. (Use arrow keys to navigate and return to select.)
Escape/Q/W/. : Use one of these to exit the slideshow.
Left/Right Arrow keys: Navigate slideshow. (You can also use [ and ])
Spacebar: Pause/Play slideshow.

Paste Escaped Text in Terminal

In Terminal, you can use Cmd-Ctrl-V to have terminal escape text before you paste it. (Edit > Paste Escaped Text)

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