[DM-MUG] Notes from Tonight's Meeting...

[Bailey Ford]

Introductions all around - some new faces this meeting.

There was no old business.

New Business:
It was moved, seconded, and voted in that Judy is the new Sgt. at Arms
It was moved, seconded and voted in that the position of Treasurer be 
created and that Ray fills this position.
We voted that there is now an official officer for webmaster. It's 
Brian.

Head count - 15

Kevin Gogerty - Applescript presentation:

Applescript defined - programming for the rest of us.

Microsoft script compared to Applescript for having the computer speak 
a specified phrase. Code for windows is a long ugly paragraph. The 
Applescript that does the same thing is one line: say "whatever you 
want to say".

He shows the applescripts that come preinstalled. Look in 
Applications/AppleScript/

Demonstrates the Script editor to type our first totally custom script. 
Shows the Record feature to move a window across the screen in the 
Finder.

Shows that in the Script editor, the contextual menu provides all kinds 
of code snippets for most common needs - from loops, to error handling, 
to dialog boxes - all the scrip is one menu selection away.

The Applescript Dictionary is the language reference that is built into 
each scriptable application to explain each of its particular keywords 
and methods. There are standard suites of actions that every scriptable 
application must have. Additionally an application may add its own 
keywords and functions that provide access to application specific 
abilities. Kevin writes an applescript that talks to iTunes on the fly. 
It makes iTunes play. Then he shows a script he wrote to take any of 
your current play list and make a playlist from it with all the tunes 
in random order.

Folder actions. Allows you to attach an applescript to a folder. 
Altering the folder can invoke any script. He demonstrates one that 
emails any screenshot as it is created on the desktop. Another one 
files stuff from the downloads folder so that pictures are sent to the 
pictures folder, movies to the movie folder, etc.

Resources given...
	Apple.com/applescript
	macscripter.net
	Kevin's site where you can search over 4000 messages from the 
AppleScripter mailing list. digiprint.hldns.com/applescript

  The meeting then disintegrated into a lively discussion in all 
quarters.

Cheers!
Bailey