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AppleScript for Dummies
 
 
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AppleScript for Dummies [Paperback]

Tom Trinko (Author)
2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

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Book Description

September 3, 2004 0764574949 978-0764574948 2
Spending a little time with this book can save lots of time on the computer!

AppleScript is object-oriented programming language used to write script files to automate tasks and customize applications for the Mac. AppleScript can automate much of what you do with your Mac computer, saving time and helping you be more productive. Businesses and individuals frequently use it for:

  • Batch processing
  • File conversion and manipulation
  • Performing tasks at specified times
  • Transferring information between databases and other applications
  • Creating automated workflows by linking the actions of multiple applications to perform a series of related tasks

Written by Tom Trinko, a Mac man since 1984,and author of articles for MacTutor and MacTech Journal, AppleScript For Dummies, 2nd Edition covers everything from the basics to more advanced stuff, with information on:

  • Finding and installing AppleScript
  • Using AppleScript to automate tasks in programs such as Word, Excel, FileMaker Pro, and the Mac OS Finder
  • Arranging applications to work together to accomplish complex tasks
  • Controlling applications that aren’t even scriptable
  • Taking advantage of tools that make composing AppleScript programs easy and fun
  • Finding additional AppleScript information on the Internet and elsewhere

With this book, you’ll discover how to script Internet activities, iLife applications, and more. Then, instead of letting your computer and/or software dictate how you do things (and often, how you have to do them over and over and over), you take charge! You’ll agree —this book is MacNificent!


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AppleScript for Dummies + AppleScript: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition + Apple Training Series: AppleScript 1-2-3
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Scripting for Mac OS® X is not only easy, it’s fun!

Give your Mac marching orders to automate iLife®, Office 2004, the Internet, and more

Wish you could write a script to save time? You can, and this book shows you how! With AppleScript – a language remarkably like English – you can make your Mac do lots of boring, repetitive chores (sorry, laundry’s not one of them). Then you can spend your computer time being creative, having fun, and getting more done!

The Dummies Way

  • Explanations in plain English
  • "Get in, get out" information
  • Icons and other navigational aids
  • Tear-out cheat sheet
  • Top ten lists
  • A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:

  • Automate tasks in Word, Excel, and FileMaker Pro
  • Script the Finder
  • Unite applications to handle complex jobs
  • Squash script bugs
  • Control applications that aren’t scriptable
  • Create autonomous scripts

About the Author

Born in Chicago, Tom Trinko has lived a deprived life, never once having butchered a hog. In an attempt to improve the quality of life in Chicago, he pursued his higher education in Pasadena, California, at Cal Tech. He moved to Wisconsin for the better climate and picked up his PhD in physics, graduating with the official title of mad scientist. His first smart move was marrying a woman who worked at Apple and who had an Apple IIe. With that, he was able to extend his professional programming career, which began in 1972, to home computers. His long-suffering wife brought a Mac home in 1984, which marked the start of Tom’s enthusiasm for the only OS for people who want to get work done. He’s ordered the Mac around in Basic, Forth, C, Pascal, and about a billion or so scripting languages. Back when Apple didn’t know any better, he did contract work for Apple’s Developer University. In real life, he works on other platforms, ranging from supercomputers to UNIX workstations, which continually remind him of how spiffy the Mac really is. His current main objective in life is staying more computer literate than his kids.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 402 pages
  • Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (September 3, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0764574949
  • ISBN-13: 978-0764574948
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,506,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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Average Customer Review
2.7 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars poorly written, November 16, 1999
By 
Jerad Walters (Wheat Ridge, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This book gives the basics but little more. What rates it a one star, however, is the inane writing. The descriptions of the AppleScript functions are flat and uninteresting, and the book itself is poorly organized and bears no trace of even the most minor editing. Even worse, the author has this infuriating habit of inserting feeble little jokes at the start of almost every paragraph. It makes for some of the worst writing I have ever encountered. If you're looking for a serious discussion of AppleScript, do yourself a favor and invest in Danny Goodman's far superior AppleScript handbook.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written, June 3, 2000
By 
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
If this book is for dummies then I must be an idiot. There are major gaps in the logic and it assumes that you have done lots of programming before getting this book.

Don't waste your money

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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars poorly organized, not good as a reference, August 30, 1999
By A Customer
I found the author spent too much time trying to be cute. The topics in the book seem to jump around rather than flow from one to another. After reading the book, and working with AppleScript I do not feel I am any further ahead. If you want to do something productive with AppleScript I would look into another book.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
In this chapter, you find out how easy scripting is. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
text item delimiters, display dialog command, first text item, last text item, lines end repeat, idle handler, very scriptable, scriptable applications, end repeat end tell, dialog column, run handler, open handler, scripting additions, tell statement, end repeat repeat, following script shows, script object, script lines, script menu, set temp, legal variable name, dictionary window, scripting support, try statement, add handler
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
All You Ever Needed, Event Log, Microsoft Word, Control the World, Least Some Common Programs, Mariner Write, Getting Started, Apple Events, Object Model, System Events, Image Events, Finder Dictionary, Folder Actions, Script Debugger, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Excel, Script Assistant, All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, Being Picky, Cannonball Dive, Different Types of Information, Parameters None, Scripting Pool, None Coercible, Open Dictionary
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