Blog Feed: Minding the Gaps

Running AppleScript from the Command Line

Published on 2012-03-31 18:32:25

Running AppleScript, and thus AppleScrunix, from the command line is quite simple. The command is osascript, see the osascript(1) Mac OS X Manual Page for more information. Open the application “Terminal” and type “osascript” followed by a space at the prompt ($). Next type the full path to the script or simply drag the script [...] > read more

AppleScript | AppleScrunix – Syncing Two Folders [Directories]

Published on 2012-02-27 16:42:21

In this AppleScrunix sample we combine AppleScripts ability to easily add user interaction in selection of a folder/directory, with the power of the Unix command rsync. rsync is a highly versatile and powerful tool. Spend some time reviewing the man page for rsync and you will see what I mean. The following snippet is ready [...] > read more

A Dance with ThunderBolt – Update 2

Published on 2011-12-31 19:59:11

At the stroke of midnight tonight, I will have completed 3 full months of testing of a real-time web tracking solution that depends heavily on ThunderBolt technology. Though I continue to be plagued with drive issues, a single drive has been fast enough to deal with the current read/write requirements. > read more

A Dance with ThunderBolt – Update

Published on 2011-11-30 22:47:15

Initial testing of the LaCie ThunderBolt drives on a MacMini Server looked pretty good… That is after I returned the fist MacMini Server that had a dead Thunderbolt port. More in the next day or so…. > read more

A Dance with ThunderBolt

Published on 2011-10-31 20:59:05

I began testing Lacie’s Big Little Disk ThunderBolt drives this last week. Lacie makes some pretty big claims for these little guys and I am determined to find out if they measure up. I have several coding projects in the hopper that will definitely put them to the test. More soon. > read more

iPirate – The Bucs Go iPad

Published on 2011-08-31 16:58:14

A month before the launch of Apple’s original iPad, I predicted that sports teams would replace their playbooks with the tablet computer, see Countdown to iPad – Playbook (Use Case 18). Recently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers bought iPads for their players to do just that, see Tampa Bay Buccaneers buy each player an iPad to [...] > read more

AppleScript | AppleScrunix – Listing files in a folder

Published on 2011-07-26 18:09:08

One of the most common uses for AppleScript, and thus AppleScrunix, is to process files in a folder/directory. In order to process them you must first list the files. Though I find the listing of a folder of files, just as easy using straight AppleScript as I do with AppleScrunix, I much prefer the variations [...] > read more

Using Applescript & Python To Set Title Case (AppleScrunix)

Published on 2011-06-30 08:02:16

One way in which Apple has turned the Mac into the most powerful scripting/automation platform on the planet has been to provide a litany of scriptable languages as part of the standard install. Just some of the languages you will find in Mac OS X ar > read more

Applescript – Converting Uppercase & Lowercase (AppleScrunix Style)

Published on 2011-05-26 19:23:44

As there are no built-in routines for changing the case of characters in AppleScript, the coder is required to add their own handlers. The following script (See credits below) shows one way to use AppleScript to change the names of files in a folder > read more

Sorting with AppleScript (AppleScrunix Style)

Published on 2011-04-29 15:50:03

As there is no built-in sort function in AppleScript you have to create your own. A common way of sorting lists is to use the repeat function… cycling through the list comparing items as you progress.  One of the more efficient approaches is a > read more

The Birth of AppleScrunix

Published on 2011-03-31 16:20:30

On March 24, 2001 Apple introduced it’s ‘Unix’ based version of Mac OS, Mac OS X. Steve Jobs said, “Mac OS X is the most important software from Apple since the original Macintosh operating system in 1984 that revolutionized t > read more

The Stranger in the Zebra Suit

Published on 2011-02-27 20:32:35

When I got up this morning I had no idea who Daniel Rothamel, aka: The Real Estate Zebra, was. Less than 8 hours later… I started following him on Twitter, @RealEstateZebra, asked to connect on LinkedIn and found myself blogging about him. Why > read more

Added links for The Stranger in the Zebra Suit

Published on 2011-02-27 19:49:35

Real Estate Zebra’ hit with trademark suit Real estate agent and blogger Daniel Rothamel — known for years to his readers as the “Real Estate Zebra” — has been hit with a trademark infringement lawsuit by a company that > read more

ANSWER Communication(s) – Project Team Principles

Published on 2011-02-21 17:27:40

The acronym ANSWER serves as a guide to successful communication. ANSWER stands for Accurate, Necessary, Succinct, Written, Effective and Responsive. Accurate – Accurate information is critical to the success of any endeavor. When providing inf > read more

DREAM Teams – Project Team Principles

Published on 2011-01-30 18:35:10

When building project teams, remember that DREAM Teams are winning teams. DREAM stands for Decision Makers, Representation, Expertise, Ability and Manageability. Decision Makers – Involving decision makers (management) on project teams is essen > read more

Add FLAVOR – Project Team Principles

Published on 2010-12-31 16:56:46

It is the personal responsibility of every project team member to add FLAVOR. FLAVOR stands for Follow, Lead, Attitude, Value, Ownership and Respect. Follow – A critical skill for all team members to master is that of following someone else’s > read more

MobileMe & the iDisk Gap (Bridging the gap)

Published on 2010-11-30 07:58:35

I am a fan of most Apple products and usually do not hesitate recommending them. MobileMe has been a glaring exception. While I consider the overall value of MobileMe to be well worth the $99 per year, the iDisk service has been slow and buggy. Despi > read more

It Was the Least I Could Do (Funny things we say)

Published on 2010-10-31 09:20:18

Many of the funniest gaps surface in our conversations. There is often a gap between what we mean to communicate and what we actually say. Though some phrases may not seem funny on the surface, when interpreted literally they can be quite humorous. T > read more

My iPad and I take to the Skies

Published on 2010-09-30 21:30:54

I fly a lot and it seems as if the space between plane seats narrows a bit more every year. So much so, I gave up using a laptop to get any work done on most flights. When I got my iPad I gained back much of the work time I had lost, but it [...] > read more

iPad – It’s just a matter of time

Published on 2010-08-31 07:02:40

Last week I was near DC meeting with a customer. After we had finished presenting to our client my colleague commented, “Just 6 months ago you were writing about what the iPad would do for business… who would have believed we would alread > read more

GREAT Meetings – Project Team Principles

Published on 2010-07-31 22:20:45

GREAT Meetings happen when everyone understands what is expected of them and other team members. GREAT stands for Goals, Roles, Expectations, Accountability and Timing. Goals – Knowledge of a project’s overarching goals provides the context f > read more

Low Tech is Often the Best Tech

Published on 2010-06-26 15:27:05

I have heard it said you should never go grocery shopping when you are hungry. How about mower shopping after watching news clips about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill? Well, that is what I did and I ended up coming home with this little baby. While I > read more

iPad- Changing the World in 80 Days

Published on 2010-06-22 18:11:18

Apple’s iPad has been “in the wild” for a mere 80 days, and in that short time it has changed the world of computing forever. Don’t believe me? Just ask some of the other people that have voted with their checkbooks. Apple ann > read more

iPhone Tip – Check your iPhone 4 upgrade eligibility

Published on 2010-06-10 17:37:16

I was in my local Apple Store the other day and learned a neat trick… Want to see if you are eligible to upgrade to the new iPhone 4? All you have to do is type/key in *639# (*NEW#) and hit send/call on your iPhone. Cool… Turns out IR > read more