would like a few automation examples before buying mac book pro

[achoo]

Hi. There's only one thing keeping me from buying a mac book pro. I'd like to be sure I can automate certain things (I'm a user of AutoHotKey on a Windows machine)

I'm wondering if there are examples (or if someone can put together examples -- is it easy or hard?) that I can take to my co-worker to see if it truly works on his mac the way I want.

The kinds of things I'd like are these:

1. Press F5. Result: regardless of what application has the focus and regardless of the state of Safari, this will cause Safari to be running and have the focus and be entirely visible (vs behind some other window)
2. Press F6. Result: do nothing if terminal or emacs does not have the focus. But if either does have the focus, type out a fixed string like "hello world".
3. Type "youre". Result: "you're" appears instead, in any context, not just smart editors which have this feature.

I remember a long time ago trying to implement #1 and failing. So I'd probably need a full example from someone.

Final question would be whether I need to buy an app to get this to work or if Mac OS has built in ability to automate to this level.

Unfortunately I'm not interested in replies that simply say it can be done. I need to see it before laying out the money for a mac.

Thanks in advance!

 

[chscag]

Welcome to the Mac-Forums.

Unfortunately I'm not interested in replies that simply say it can be done. I need to see it before laying out the money for a mac.

Unfortunately, no one here is in professional technical support and will likely take the time to lay out automator functions or Apple Scripts just to "show you" so you can make up your mind whether or not to buy a MacBook Pro.

Break out your Google skills and look up "How to use automator in OS X" and "Apple Script". There are a myriad of articles including several from the Apple KB.

Another suggestion is to go to your nearest Apple Store (not a Best Buy) and have one of the floor techs walk you through a MacBook Pro. A hands on approach is what will either sell you on buying one or sticking with a Windows PC.

 

[achoo]

I asked a floor tech at an Apple store and he said that's beyond his expertise and he didn't recommend anyone else in the store to speak with.

I already tried finding instructions and then followed them when I had access to a mac a year ago -- creating an AppleScript, then creating a service, and then tying it to a keystroke. Nothing happened when I pressed it.

 

[achoo]

Maybe someone here can say "I know where those guys hang out. Go to /link/ and someone can probably copy/paste one of their existing scripts", taking zero time from anyone.

 

[pigoo3]

Hi. There's only one thing keeping me from buying a mac book pro. I'd like to be sure I can automate certain things (I'm a user of AutoHotKey on a Windows machine).

I'm not sure why this is the "one thing" keeping you from purchasing a MacBook Pro (unless you have some special needs). Otherwise (IMO)…this is a pretty weak reason to NOT purchase a MacBook Pro if EVERYTHING else about a MacBook Pro meets your needs (and you are positive towards the Mac OS).

I say purchase the MacBook Pro (if this is what you want to do)…then figure out how to do the automation you desire. The automation you desire is most likely possible…you just need to figure out how to do it to meet your specific needs.

- Nick

 

[chscag]

You didn't speak to the right floor tech or he/she was just too busy and might have given you a brush off answer. Apple stores are generally very busy but I have found that most floor techs are willing to help out.

The automator and Apple script functions are very powerful and can be used to do many things in various ways. But like I said above, it's unreasonable to ask our forum volunteers to spin up a script for you just to show that it works. There are many reasons to buy a Mac not just because you can do some things automatically. Many of us use both a Mac and PC and are familiar with the ups and downs of both platforms.

You really need to get on a Mac and play around with one before purchasing. Most Apple stores have plenty of machines on display that you can use and ask questions about.

 

[dbm]

A quick search turned up this specialist forum: MacScripter

Maybe ask people there?

I've done some basic experiments with Automator, but never tried to use it for anything serious.

 

[Slydude]

I am sure the first thing can be done. I did something similar a few years ago. It brought Safari to the front and loaded a series of web pages upon launch. It could easily have been modified to include bringing Safari to the front when it isn't active.

The second is probably possible but i've never tried it. The third goal is probably possible but might be better accomplished with a third party utility. This now might do the job Spell checker for Mac OS X - correct spelling errors as you type.

Here are some of the things I've done tin the past few years using Automator and AppleScript:
1. E-mail birthday greetings to contacts (not functional at the moment but could be fixed if I had time).
2. Make iTunes skip forward or backward in 30 or 60 second increments.
3. Make iTunes speak the name of the currently playing track.
4. Play next / previous song.

 

[disturbed13]

achoo

i have a program called Keyboard Maestro
you should take a really good look at this program
im sure it will work for you