ScriptWeb
General Scripting Info
Scripting Utilities
This page covers products useful with both AppleScript & Frontier. We maintain a separate page for AppleScript Utilities. Tools specific to Frontier can be found on the Aretha site.
Script writers: send us information on your favorite utility. Developers: send us the details on your cool products (and maybe an evaluation copy).
Standard caveats: inclusion in this list is not an endorsement; we take no responsibility for errors or omissions.
Hot!
PreFab Player
I'm leading off with our product in case people wander directly here from the outside, or (gasp!) archive the information on their hard drive. Lots of details on this web site!
PreFab Player(tm) is a faceless background application (similar to a system extension) that lets your scripts query and control otherwise non-scriptable applications, desk accessories and control panels. Player adds verbs to Frontier and AppleScript that directly manipulate the Macintosh user interface, choosing from menus & pop-ups, selecting radio buttons, typing text, etc. Scripts can call Player's query verbs to determine the name of the frontmost window, the state of a checkbox, or even the text of an error message. Player includes special balloon help to identify user interface objects, complete documentation for the script writer, free technical support by e-mail and FAX, and a 60-day MBG. Player retails for $95, and includes a single license for Player Runtime.
Player Runtime(tm) is an inexpensive utility for running scripts created with Player: $25 for one, $20 each for 10 or more.
FaceSpan
FaceSpan ($199) is a visual Rapid Application Designer (RAD) whose interactive, object-oriented tools let you deliver applications with the full power of the Macintosh interface coupled with the object-oriented power of AppleScript or any OSA language.
FaceSpan permits MIS professionals, integrators, consultants, programmers, and power users to construct, save, and run stand-alone applications, component-based mini-applications, and application prototypes with compelling and user-friendly graphic interfaces. Applications created with FaceSpan may be distributed royalty-free.
FaceSpan 2.0 is a substantial upgrade to version 1.0 which is currently bundled with Apple's AppleScript Kits. Version additions and enhancements include a table object, OSA support, extensive drag and drop support, scripting addition embedding, third party script editor support, increased performance, and a storage facility for non-window specific information.
OSA Menu
This cool utility adds an iconic menu just to the left of the help menu. To add scripts to the menu, just place them in either a Universal folder or application-specific folders. Best of all, it's free!
Version 1.02 adds preferences and support for scripts that call PreFab Player's "do menu" verb.
General Purpose
HyperCard
HyperCard supports any OSA language (including AppleScript and Frontier's UserTalk). It's a user interface builder (of sorts), with persistent storage of data.
Message Window
Message Window is a small, scriptable application which provides a convenient place to post text messages while scripts are running, without having to deal with modal dialogs.
Telecomm, Networks
Marionet
A hot new product for scripting the internet. Marionet is the first complete, script-level interface to the Internet. It gives developers and power users the ability to build custom Internet solutions using popular authoring tools or productivity applications.
TCP/IP Scripting Addition
Gives direct access to TCP/IP, e.g. to "put" or "get" via ftp, send mail, etc. without any other app. $49 ???
Internet Config Access
scriptable access to the Internet Config database (Modula-2 source included)
Small Personal Catalog Suite (AOCE)
Lets you add records and attributes to an AOCE personal catalog.
Notify!
Notify! ($149 personal edition) supports tone, numeric and alphanumeric pagers.
PageNOW!
PageNOW! ($79.95 SRP) is a new software product that sends personal messages from any Macintosh to alphanumeric pagers or Newton PDAs with MessageCard. Scriptable and Recordable.
ARA Commander
Script Apple Remote Access ($30 shareware?)
Text
Spellswell 7
Spellswell 7 ($74.95) adds spell checking to any application that supports the Word Services Suite (e.g. Eudora).
Database
FileFLEX
FileFlex ($119) provides you with the ability to embed a complete relational database engine within your projects. FileFlex requires only 100K of RAM - allowing you to add
relational database capabilities to your projects at virtually no cost in system resources. Handles up
to 20 open files at once! Uses dBase file format so it's compatible with FoxPro, Access and dBase.
FileFlex lets you index files by key fields and relate the indexes, gaining instant access to related
information. (Originally designed for HyperCard, Director, etc. May take some work to use from Frontier. With AppleScript, the XCMD OSAX will have to be obtained and configured.)
DataScript
DataScript ($249) lets you exchange information with Oracle, Cybase, DAL, dtF or SequeLink database servers. (I assume this package works with Frontier, but have not asked.)
Enhance specific apps
System 7 Pack
System 7 Pack ($129 single developer license) adds AppleEvent support to 4th Dimension. Using the external commands, you can send AppleEvents, execute scripts in Frontier or AppleScript, launch other applications, and have your 4D application respond to AppleEvents.
System 7 Pack for Excel (S7PX) allows Excel macros to send AppleEvents, execute scripts in Frontier or AppleScript, and launch other applications.
ScriptMaster XT
Makes QuarkXPress recordable!!!
Developer Tools
ScriptServer
Compiles and decompiles OSA scripts. Jon says "I use it to build applications which include AppleScripts as part of the shipping product. It includes scripts to build from MPW or AppleScript scripts. "
Utilities
AutoLaunch
Launches a script (or any application) after your Macintosh has been idle for a specified amount of time.
Scripting the Net
Scriptable Apps
Updated on 5/19/96 by Scott S. Lawton (ssl@prefab.com)
This site built and maintained using Stage Three, a set of custom Frontier scripts.