Meetings

Meeting Summary for March 24, 2004

The meeting began with a short demonstration on AppleScript and its potential to automate tasks like adding a word to the beginning of a lot of files at once or starting your iTunes in the morning. AppleScript is an English-like, scripting language built-in to Mac OS that allows you to control certain applications. For example, you can write AppleScripts that work with iPhoto, Mail, and third-party apps, like Stone Design's Create, InDesign, and many more. Think of AppleScript as another way to interact with your Mac, not unlike your keyboard and mouse. There's a lot of information about AppleScript out there. Apple has an AppleScript Resources, which contains links to email lists and discussion groups, reference documentation, and books on AppleScript. Also be sure to check out MacScripter.net, a huge site devoted to writing AppleScripts. Finally, the AppleScript Source Book has a free, electronic book available online called AppleScript for Absolute Starters. Check it out to get started.

Next, we talked about Mac OS X's Speech Synthesis Recognition capabilities. Unbeknownst to most, you can control your Mac by speaking to it. We demoed some things you could do, like telling it to show you address book entries or get your mail. We also gave some tips on how to fine-tune it so that it works really well. While there's tons we could talk about here, O'Reilly's MacDevCenter has a great article on the speech system called Are You Talking to Me? Speech on Mac OS X. Be sure to check it out if you're interested in the speech system.

The meeting ended with a short question and answer session where MUG members asked others for help on stuff.