Overview
AppleScript for Applications: Visual QuickStart Guide is a visual, task-based introduction to AppleScript, Apple's powerful scripting language. The book starts with writing simple scripts to create shortcuts and increase productivity on the Mac OS, then moves on to working with popular Macintosh applications with scripts. The author also details how to script a complete workflow project: building customized graphics and documents with data from FileMaker Pro.Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewScripting is yet another thing Apple has made easier. And Ethan Wilde's AppleScript for Applications Visual QuickStart Guide makes it easier still. If you haven't tried AppleScript yet, this book will make you a believer.
Some Mac users don't realize how much AppleScript can do for them. Ever need to rename a folder full of JPGs, or change 100 file creator types at once? With AppleScript and this book's short, step-by-step instructions, it's done -- in a heartbeat. Better yet, AppleScript is supported by many of the Mac's premiere applications, including Word, Excel, FileMaker Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator, QuarkXPress, Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, QuickTime, and many others. Wilde offers simple techniques for automating each of them.
Want to automatically modify all the type styles in a Word document (or a folder full of them?) Calculate depreciation in FileMaker by drawing on a function built into Excel? Produce graphical text in Photoshop? Export each page of a lengthy QuarkXPress document as EPS files, or export all the text from a QuarkXPress document, so it can be updated or used for other purposes? Convert an audio CD's contents to QuickTime files? Even script network administration or WebSTAR Web servers? These are just a few of the many useful examples you'll find here.
The book covers both Mac OS 10.1 and 9.2.1 -- there are differences, but Wilde scrupulously points them out.
Even a brief look at the back-of-the-book command reference will tell you just how easy AppleScripting can be -- and how useful. Why not try your hand at it? (Bill Camarda)
Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer with nearly 20 years' experience in helping technology companies deploy and market advanced software, computing, and networking products and services. He served for nearly ten years as vice president of a New Jerseybased marketing company, where he supervised a wide range of graphics and web design projects. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks For Dummies®, Second Edition.