Appendix C. Tools and Resources

This appendix provides sources for software, tools, documentation, and further information on various topics discussed in this book.

Free software from Apple mentioned in this book is already on your hard drive. For AppleScript Studio (Xcode , Interface Builder ) you must install the developer tools. Applications mentioned by name only, but not discussed or used in examples, are not listed here.

Scripting Software and Tools

• Script Debugger, a commercial environment for developing and debugging scripts and exploring scriptable applications, crucial to my use of AppleScript (this book couldn't have been written without it):

  http://www.latenightsw.com

• JavaScript OSA , an Apple-event savvy OSA language version of JavaScript:

  http://www.latenightsw.com/freeware/JavaScriptOSA/

• Mac::Carbon and Mac::Glue, modules for using Apple events in Perl:

  http://projects.pudge.net

• Appscript, an Apple events implementation for Python:

  http://freespace.virgin.net/hamish.sanderson/appscript.html

• UserLand Frontier , and its inexpensive little brother Radio UserLand , a brilliant, powerful scripting environment with its own scripting language and built-in persistent storage, great interapplication communications, and Internet server/client capability. There is now also a free open source version:

  http://www.userland.com

  http://sourceforge.net/projects/frontierkernel

• OSABridge , a set of components making Perl, Ruby, Python, PHP, sh, and Tcl available as OSA languages:

  http://homepage.mac.com/philip_aker/

• Loader , a system for rationalizing AppleScript libraries:

  http://applemods.sourceforge.net

• PreFab UI Browser , an indispensable tool for GUI scripting:

  http://www.prefab.com/uibrowser/

• REALbasic , an application development environment:

  http://www.realbasic.com

• HyperCard , a once free, then overpriced, now out-of-date, Classic-only, unsupported, but historically insanely great Mac scripting and interface construction environment. Sales ceased in March 2004. For more information:

  http://pan.uqam.ca/pan/pmwiki.php/Pan/HomePage

• Gary McGath's EightyRez , a free 'aete' resource editor; this book could not have been written without it:

  http://www.mcgath.com/EightyRez.html

• Smile , a free script editing environment:

  http://www.satimage.fr/software/en/softx.html

• FastScripts , a replacement for Apple's Script Menu:

  http://www.red-sweater.com/RedSweater/FSFeatures.html

• Big Cat , a contextual menu script runner:

  http://ranchero.com/bigcat

• Bellhop , a utility for turning a script into an application service:

  http://www.xendai.com/bellhop/

• acgi dispatcher , a utility for using AppleScript applets for CGI with Apache:

  http://www.sentman.com/acgi/

• QuicKeys , a macro program:

  http://www.startly.com/products/qkx.html

• PreFab Player , a Classic macro program:

  http://www.prefab.com/player.html

• iKey , Keyboard Maestro , and DragThing , launcher programs that let you run a script by typing a keyboard shortcut:

  http://www.scriptsoftware.com/ikey

  http://www.keyboardmaestro.com

  http://www.dragthing.com

• Script Timer and iDo Script Scheduler , commercial products for running scripts at specified times:

  http://www.appsandmore.com

  http://www.sophisticated.com/products/ido/ido_ss.html

• PreFab UI Actions , a scriptable utility for observing applications through the Accessibility API:

  http://www.prefab.com/uiactions/

• Late Night Software's free List & Record Tools scripting addition:

  http://www.latenightsw.com/freeware/RecordTools/

• Jon's Commands scripting addition:

  http://www.seanet.com/~jonpugh/