[Camelot]

One of the major AppleScript features in 10.1 is the ability to "place links to files, folders and applications in the Finder Toolbar". The idea being that you can write a script and add its icon to the toolbar. Clicking the icon runs the script (presumably like a file/folder droplet)

However, from what I can tell (and I haven't installed 10.1 yet), the feature is next to useless because it doesn't let you customize the toolbar for each folder

What good is a toolbar icon that automatically generates an HTML gallery page of all the images in a folder if that icon is there for every folder - regardless of whether there's an image in there or not.

Why would I add a 'Digital Camera Script' to every Finder window instead of just the ones related to my digital photos?

There's a 'Show Parent Folder' script that even displays on the top level folder view of your computer - What's the parent of your computer?

At least Folder Actions under Mac OS 9.x (which allowed scripts to run automatically when files were dropped in it) were per-folder based. We still don't have that functionality... instead we have something less (scripts don't run automatically) that's applied globally whether it's wanted or not.

IMHO, without either a) intelligence to automatically work out which icons would be relevant or b) the ability to manually set which scripts to install per folder, this 'feature' is more fluff than substance.

Oh well, here's hoping for 10.2

[Kickaha]

I take it that since the Finder window is no longer tied to a folder, like it was in 9, that you'd want the Toolbar to change with each folder opened in the same window?

I use column view almost exclusively, and the only way I can see this is working is that every time I change to a folder, it modifies the Toolbar. Is this really what you mean?

I agree that a per folder matching of scripts would be nice, or a Toolbar that was a more fully featured NeXT Shelf (man, that was a bad thing to ditch, IMHO), but compare this to WinXP... yup, it gives you a set of actions you can perform based on the folder's contents (Kinda. Sort of. Usually.), but it's pre-defined by MS (unless they've added developer hooks that I'm unaware of), and certainly not in the hands of the user, like this is in 10.1.

Bringing back Folder Actions would be a great start, now we just need Folder Toolbar Items as well.

[Rickster]

There's a 'Show Parent Folder' script that even displays on the top level folder view of your computer - What's the parent of your computer?

When you're at the "computer" view, running this script shows you a picture of Steve. That's the parent.

More seriously, I wish "show parent folder" was a built-in Finder toolbar button. I need to go up the hierarchy far more often than I need to go back in my history, and the click-careful-scroll-release of using the path popup for that purpose is awfully slow.

AppleScript in 10.1 is looking pretty cool, though. I'm anxious to see what this AppleScript Studio thing is all about.

[vmpaul]

Originally posted by Camelot:
<STRONG>
At least Folder Actions under Mac OS 9.x (which allowed scripts to run automatically when files were dropped in it) were per-folder based. We still don't have that functionality... instead we have something less (scripts don't run automatically) that's applied globally whether it's wanted or not.

</STRONG>

I talked to an Apple guy yesterday at Seybold about Folder Actions. He said that it is scheduled to developed but that it's much more complex under OS X than OS 9. So it's going to take a bit longer. of course, he couldn't give a date.

[Camelot]

Originally posted by Rickster:
<STRONG>
I wish "show parent folder" was a built-in Finder toolbar button. I need to go up the hierarchy far more often than I need to go back in my history, and the click-careful-scroll-release of using the path popup for that purpose is awfully slow.
</STRONG>

Correct me if I'm wrong but Command-Up arrow already takes you to the parent folder, just as Command-Down arrow takes you into a folder if you have one selected in the current Finder window.

Why would I waste precious real estate on a toolbar button when there's a command-key equivalent for doing the exact same thing.

[hmpff]

What good is a toolbar icon that automatically generates an HTML gallery page of all the images in a folder if that icon is there for every folder - regardless of whether there's an image in there or not.

Why would I add a 'Digital Camera Script' to every Finder window instead of just the ones related to my digital photos?

Well in that case, you would put the script in your Pictures folder, not in the Toolbar, I guess.

And what if it were the opposite? You have a "Open iTunes Script" in your toolbar, and it won't show up if there are no .mp3s in the window? What if I want to open iTunes anyway?

There's a 'Show Parent Folder' script that even displays on the top level folder view of your computer - What's the parent of your computer?

Okay, so you have 10,000 folders on your hard drive, and for one of those (top level), the toolbar should behave differently!


Sorry man, but I'm glad you didn't implement that feature.

[Camelot]

Originally posted by hmpff:
<STRONG>
Well in that case, you would put the script in your Pictures folder, not in the Toolbar, I guess.

And what if it were the opposite? You have a "Open iTunes Script" in your toolbar, and it won't show up if there are no .mp3s in the window? What if I want to open iTunes anyway?
</STRONG>

On your first point, you could put the script in the folder as well, but then it becomes a 'pictures and script' folder, not just a 'pictures' folder, plus you're likely to end up with multiple copies of the script, one in each pictures folder - a nightmare to maintain if you need to change some aspect of its execution unless you're going to get into symlinking. If the script was smart enough to only show when there's a purpose, it'd be a lot more useful and user-friendly.

On the iTunes script, there's nothing saying the script HAS to hide at all. A script SHOULD be ABLE to be shown at all times, but adding a little optional config 'Show this script when files of type .xxx are found' would go a long way to solving the entire problem.

<STRONG>

Okay, so you have 10,000 folders on your hard drive, and for one of those (top level), the toolbar should behave differently!
</STRONG>

You're missing my points, hmpff.

My points are:

1) the the scripts SHOULD only apply to where they are relevant - automatically

2) Apple are touting and showing off as an advantage of the new system something that is a) pointless at best, b) has been available in a simpler form in every version of the Mac OS since at least System 7 (can't remember much further back than that), and c) is something that an uninitiated user would expect to be able to do and are now wondering why the great Mac OS has only just gained the ability to open a parent folder.

Now, you and I may know the facts behind b) and c) above, but that doesn't help someone who's new to the system. I've already heard PC users laughing at this because of the implication that this is a new feature, not a new implementation of an existing feature - remember Windows Explorer has a 'parent folder' button, so this is seen as the MacOS copying Windows.

If Apple are going to show off the strengths of AppleScript in the Finder, show it automating something that's unique or can't be done simply - That's the power of AppleScript.

<STRONG>
Sorry man, but I'm glad you didn't implement that feature.</STRONG>

Actually, I'm prepared to bet that if the script could and DID hide itself on the top level Finder window, you'd have either a) not noticed at all, or b) thought 'Wow! That's cool! The script is smart enough to know when it shouldn't be there', and I'd be PROUD to have been the author.

(fixed formatting error)

[ 09-30-2001: Message edited by: Camelot ]

[TC]

You can also download this menu item from apple to give you access to your scripts from the menu bar:
http://www.apple.com/applescript/macosx/script_menu/

Not what was being asked for, but another item to help with using Applescript.

Now bring on Applescript Studio!

[ppp]

Originally posted by TC:
<STRONG>Now bring on Applescript Studio!</STRONG>

Yeah, that one is intriguing.

Apple says,

AppleScript Studio gives you all the tools you need to create elegant and powerful Mac OS X applications written entirely in AppleScript.

And you want widgets? We got wigets! All the beautiful Aqua elements: buttons, windows, sliders, checkboxes, tabs, radio buttons and more are included.

And even though it’s fun to use, AppleScript Studio is a set of professional application development tools featuring complete interface design and script writing with step-by-step debugging and source management.

It’s time to script with style. Get into Mac OS X.

Wow, it says "applications"! Not just "add a GUI to your scripts".
That has to mean a lot of additions to the language itself... I mean, AS hasn't really been used to write stand-alone applications, but it rather invoked other apps, right?

Or is this just hype? Anyone?

[King Chung Huang]

Originally posted by ppp:
<STRONG>

Wow, it says "applications"! Not just "add a GUI to your scripts".
That has to mean a lot of additions to the language itself... I mean, AS hasn't really been used to write stand-alone applications, but it rather invoked other apps, right?

Or is this just hype? Anyone?</STRONG>

Well, if you consider FaceSpan under Mac OS 9, it also allows you to write "applications" only using AppleScript. However, Apple's description does sound more impressive, and I'm looking forward to see what they come up with!

[Angus_D]

Originally posted by ppp:
<STRONG>Wow, it says "applications"! Not just "add a GUI to your scripts".
That has to mean a lot of additions to the language itself... I mean, AS hasn't really been used to write stand-alone applications, but it rather invoked other apps, right?</STRONG>

Well, in later releases of HyperCard I seem to remember that you could write in either HyperTalk or AppleScript...