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FastScripts posts

Filed under: Software, Cool tools, Productivity, Tips and tricks, Internet Tools, Mods

Twitter undo AppleScript

If you use Twitter via the web, you can simply click the trash can next to that last tweet that had a typo or - *gasp* - you realized all too late shouldn't be public. If you use something like the TUAW favorite Twitterrific from the Iconfactory, however, you're at a loss, as it features no such trash can. Fortunately, Daniel Jalkut (of such fine Red Sweater Software products as MarsEdit, FlexTime and FastScripts) has posted enough embarrassing tweets to warrant the creation of a Twitter undo AppleScript that automates the deletion if your previous tweet, and he is provided it free of charge from the Red Sweater Blog.

By default, all you need is Jalkut's excellent FastScripts product (either the commercial version or its free little brother), and you can simply follow his brief instructions to get set up with a Twitter safety net. Note that if you use external apps like Twitterrific you won't actually see the tweet disappear from your account. However, if you see the delete confirmation that Jalkut's script is designed to display upon successful operation, the tweet should actually have been deleted and you can check your actual Twitter.com account page to be sure.

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

An AppleScript for selecting the iChat menubar item

I understand if this might sound kinda weird, but hear me out: As an iChat user, I love the flexibility of its UI and the clever menubar item that displays all available contacts. Since I've found myself flying without displaying the buddy list more and more often lately, I've been wishing for a way to select iChat's menubar item with a simple keyboard shortcut, giving me quick access for viewing who's online no matter what app I may be using at the moment. Thinking out loud this morning, I even posted this wish on Twitter - only to find Daniel Jalkut of Red Sweater Software (makers of MarsEdit, FastScripts and more) coming to my rescue moments later! Demonstrating the wonders of AppleScript, Daniel quickly whipped up a script that does exactly what I want. To make the script painlessly easy to use, it can be tied to a shortcut with his excellent FastScripts or a Quicksilver trigger, providing instant access that selects and displays the iChat menubar item and all available buddies. Easy breezy iChatting, without needing to keep my buddy list always visible.

If you want the script, head over to Daniel's Twitter post that contains the tinyURL download link. Toss the script you download into your ~/Library/Scripts folder (or anywhere else you like to store them), and then point your favorite keyboard shortcut utility at it to make your iChat life a bit easier. Thanks Daniel!

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Tips and tricks, Internet Tools

AppleScript to view next unread message in Mail

If you've ever wished for the ability to go to the next unread message in Mail, instead of having to shuffle through all the unread ones, some enterprising AppleScript.net forum members have put together a script that might go well with your favorite app/script launcher, such as FastScripts.

I tried this out with my preferred everything-launcher, Quicksilver, and it worked like a charm. I saved the script in Script Editor, then simply added it as a Trigger in Quicksilver with a keyboard shortcut. This has the fortunate side effect of being accessible from anywhere in the OS, so when I press my hotkey, Mail comes to the front and moves to the next unread message in the selected mailbox. Here's hoping Apple's Mail engineering team is listening and has something a little more integrated cooked up for Leopard's Mail.

[via Hawk Wings]

Tip of the Day

Reply in the Mail.app with a specific quote.
Select the text you want quoted and then hit the reply button.
Only your selected text will copied to the reply email.


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