AppleScript: The Missing Manual
Reviewed by Frank Petrie
Do you work for your computer or does your computer work for you? I should hope its the later. If not, you might want to pick up a copy of AppleScript: The Missing Manual by Adam Goldstein and show your Mac who?s the boss.
The US $24.95 book is another entry in the ever popular Missing Manual? series from Pogue Press/O?Reilly. Goldstein, the teenage founder of GoldfishSoft, manages to take you from an overview of AS?s underpinnings in Panther (Mac OS X.3) to as far as you care to get involved with the Script Editor.
There are examples of some of the most common repetitive functions accompanied with scripts, thorough explanations, graphics and sidebars. You are also instructed how to download the ?Missing CD,? which contain all of the examples and exercises from the book.
The book is broken down into four major sections:
-AppleScript Overview, where the glaze is wiped from your eyes and all your fears dissipated;
- Everyday Scripting Tasks, actual hands-on scripting with applications that you probably use on a daily basis;
-Power-user Features, where you can learn how to get the most out of your scripts so your computer does the work while you sit out side on the porch experiencing daylight;
-Appendixes?Part One lists OS X friendly scriptable programs; Part Two, how to move your old HyperCard scripts into AppleScript; and Part Three references more books and Web sites.
The author writes in such a calming voice that actually makes this manual a page turner! You?ll be amazed at how easily you learn AS as he builds upon each successive lesson. And if you?ve never delved into scripting functions for your Mac, you?ll be amazed at just how powerful this unheralded application can be. And how much you?ll want to roll up your sleeves and get immediately to work.
This may be the push that you need to start getting under the hood and fine-tuning your machine to be the Mac of your dreams.
Pros: Easy to read and follow; be the envy of your friends by knowing the meaning of Boolean.
Cons: This could be the start of a major addiction; I?m old enough to be the author?s father.
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