AppleScript: the Script Editor

I am not an Applescript expert but I was able to create an Address Book plug-in that will let you Right-Click/Option-Click on a contact's email address and lookup the person on Spock.com, the people search engine. It is crude but seems to work quite well.

The script is available to anyone that wants it at http://www.ekive.com/spock/getscript.html

Someone ask about suggest books on AppleScripting. I've just started with a 500+ page book by Stephen Kochan seems to cover the basics pretty well. I may never learn it totally, but it's fun just seeing how its done.

@warren

This is just a very simple script. In its current state it is not very useful. However this snippet might be very useful if you are trying to do something more extensive. Say that later down the line, you want to do this:
1: Activate iTunes.
2: Examine which tracks in your library lack rating.
3: Collect them to a new Playlist with the title "Unrated Tracks".
4: Start playing the first track in this playlist so you can start the rating of the tracks.
None of this is useful if you don't activate iTunes first. In addition, the script I just outlined might seem like a few mouse clicks away, but if you do this a couple of times a week it gets tedious. Double click an AS applet and all of it will be done in under a second. Maybe this particular script wouldn't of use for you, but try to think of a task you do a couple of times a week, or even maybe a couple of times a day. Do you see the beauty of automating it with an AppleScript?

@cory
I, too, thought that you would write more extensively and frequently on this topic. I hope you will in the future, for this is an interesting topic!

Cheers.

Erica, you're just the techie to do an entire book on AS. Btw, i just saw your iPhone book in the bookstore today. Made me wish i had an iPhone. Can't wait til you get your iPod touch book published.

AppleScript! Looking forward to more! Any how-to book recommendations?

I personally love these articles, and prefer them to be at the length they are now, so it doesn't overwhelm me! Its great and looking forward to more articles!

Question, why should I open itunes anyother way than just clicking on it? I really don't understand what this apple script is for.
Please don't laugh at me, I'm rather new to mac - but I'm loving it, and I want to know more.

Add me to the chorus of "more"s

I am a newbie to Mac and sort of "too busy" and I find the "little snippets" articles great! Thanks!

One note, AS is changed somewhat now that Leopard is here, with Automator's ability to record actions again. Some things can NOT be done easily with AS, like manipulating system preference pane options or assigning custom keyboard shortcuts, but Automator can record actions quite nicely.