Re: Most Scriptable Apps (was: Re: Can a script receive AppleEvents?)
Re: Most Scriptable Apps (was: Re: Can a script receive AppleEvents?)
- Subject: Re: Most Scriptable Apps (was: Re: Can a script receive AppleEvents?)
- From: Xandra Lee <email@hidden>
- Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2000 19:12:30 -0500
missed the start of this thread, but I can't resist the opportunity to
add my two-cents here.
Personally I believe in naming names. After all, companies should get
credit for their scripting support - any encouragement we provide will
benefit us all in the long run.
Naturally, I can only speak about Apps I use. That said, Here's my list:
**----------------------------------------------**
VERY SCRIPTABLE: (very vey good -- to excellent)
(my definition: can do most things the App can do, plus more
*Filemaker: overall excellent, with a few REALLY ANNOYING quirks
Pluses: can be used as a base station for running applescripts
and/or provide an interface for AppleScript. A must have for any Scripter.
*Tex-Edit Plus: In a nutshell, OUTSTANDING. Pluses: Attachable,
Recordable, Constantly being improved. A must have for any scripter who
wishes to manipulate and format text. The wealth of available free
scripts make this the best bet for anyone wishing to learn applescript.
It should be included with the AppleScript package.
*QuarkXpress: New to me, but the dictionary seems considerably MORE
capable than the program itself. (It's scriptabiltiy was frankly the
reason I opted to switch from PageMaker.) I haven't enough experience
with this App to note it's foibles.
*Script Debugger - Excellent. Pluses: Attachable, Recordable. It's
scriptability means, you can write scripts, that write other scripts.
(too cool!) I'm sure Smile can do this too, I was too happy with SD and
Scripter, to learn another program.
*Finder - OK, malign it if you must. But it's really remarkably
scriptable. Recall life before the scriptable Finder, then bitch.
**----------------------------------------------**
GOOD SCRIPTABILITY:
(my definition: Quite scriptable,really worth scripting, but lacking some
important elements:
*Portfolio: generally very good scripting support with some very silly
gaps. On the other hand, AppleScripting Portfolio turns some features
that would otherwise be nearly useless, into real gems (fields for
example)
*Now Contact: Quite capable but peculiar dictionary. It's biggest
weakness, is that it almost totally ignores a couple fields.
*Claris eMailer: (yes I STILL use eMailer) very capable, far more stable
than any of the alternatives. the only reason it's not on my excellent
list is it's impending death.
**----------------------------------------------**
BETTER THAN NOTHING
(accomplishes some tasks nicely but only a few features available via
AppleScript)
*Freehand: it's lack of objects seriously impairs it's scriptablity. But
the few things it does do, it does well.
*Sherlock: This one's a real dissapointment. An incredibly cryptic,
limited dictionary. Though it SEEMS possible to accomplish some very
complex tasks, The most basic, obvious uses somehow got ignored. I gave
up and use FindFile OSAX.
**----------------------------------------------**
WORSE THAN NOTHING
*Microsoft Word 98: crashes. Since AppleScript is little more than a
shell to run VBScripts in this app, I wish they'd just provide some
VBScript documentation, get the macros to run without corrupting, and
quit calling it AppleScriptable. Crashes.
Lastly, interested in comments by others who've scripted: Illustrator,
Acrobat, inDesign - can one accomplish most of these Apps features via
AppleScript?
Ah...that fulfills todays Rant quotient. I'll sleep well tonight.
xandra
Alixandra Leigh
AceDesign
email@hidden
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