I'd like to have my mac do something when idle for a certain period of time, just like the way the ScreenSaver is activated, but instead of runnning the ScreenSaver, I'd like it to pause iTunes and launch a specific app.
Is this possible?
TIA,
- Wryen
cwtnospam
10-05-2005, 04:56 PM
If you can get Automator to run a workflow when the computer has been idle for a period of time, it would be easy. The trick is getting anything (Automator, Applescript, shell script) to execute after there is no user activity for a period of time. Anyone know how to do that?
hayne
10-05-2005, 05:08 PM
Look on macupdate.com for screensavers that will do what you want - launch an application. One that I found is "AppStartSaver": http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/16811
Wryen Sunnicks
10-05-2005, 08:07 PM
So: if I create an AppleScript or Automator action that pauses iTunes, then save it as an Application and launch it using AppStartSaver... then I got what I wanted right?
Theory sounds good, now let's find out if it really works.
I'll be back with the results. Thanks a lot guys,
- W
Wryen Sunnicks
10-05-2005, 08:30 PM
Well, I tried it but it doesn't work quite right.
It does work the first time the ScreenSaver is activated, but then it does nothing, I don't know what might be wrong, the script works fine when launched in a regular manner. Besides, AppStartSaver leaves me with no screen saver, just a translucent black screen with time & date.
Any other ideas?
MBHockey
10-05-2005, 09:23 PM
You want Scenario (http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/12971)
This program launches AppleScripts after certain events, and idle is one of them. You can even set the time after being idle for a script to launch.
So all you have to do is write a script to pause iTunes, fast user switch, etc...
Wryen Sunnicks
10-06-2005, 02:27 AM
I tried following your link to Scenario's homepage, but Macupdate was temporarily down, so I went and search Softpedia in the meantime and found iTunesandScreensavers (http://www.monkeybreadsoftware.de/Freeware/iTunesandScreensavers.shtml), which makes iTunes do exactly what I want to do; pause and resume playing.
I'm going to try Scenario now, let the one who uses less system resources win.
Wryen Sunnicks
10-06-2005, 06:06 PM
Hey MBHockey, thanks for linking me to Scenario.
iTunesandScreensavers does a perfect job, but that's all it does, pausing & resuming iTunes. I'm fine with iTunesandScreensavers for the moment being but I know I'm gonna have to switch to Scenario soon.
Thanks a lot guys, it's people like you that make this the best Mac OS X forum on the net.
- Wryenn
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