Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008:
Starpacker
Starpacker is a utility that helps join Starkits and Tclkits to create stand-alone Starpacks. This can already be done with SDX, which is a superior tool in many ways, but Starpacker provides a simpler interface to this particular aspect of SDX.
More extensive help is included with the program.
Demonstration
Drag an application Starkit onto Starpacker, select a Tclkit, and click Pack to create a stand-alone executable for the indicated platform. The Tclkit is downloaded automatically if needed. (May not work with all Starkits.)
I recommend watching the video full screen for maximum clarity.
Download
- Starpacker for Mac OS X 4.68 MB Universal (based on tclkit-darwin-univ-aqua 8.4.18)
- Starpacker for Windows 1.3 MB (based on tclkit-win32 8.4.16)
- Generic Starpacker Starkit 274 KB (for experimental use with any Tclkit)
1:57 PM Comment (1)
Posted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008:
ArtRage System Color Picker
Here is a script that helps you use a conventional color picker with ArtRage. Install it in ~/Library/Scripts/Applications/ArtRage 2. When you run the script, the system color picker will appear. Once you choose a color, it is automatically entered in ArtRage’s color picker.
Download System Color Picker for ArtRage 2 3.6 KB
This script requires access as an assistive device.
1:21 PM Comment (0)
Posted on Tuesday, March 4, 2008:
Bookmark in Yojimbo for Camino
I've posted a Camino-compatible version of my venerable Bookmark in Yojimbo script.
Update: Revised for Camino 1.6. New in Camino 1.6 is the ability to add any script in ~/Library/Scripts/Applications/Camino to the toolbar, so you don't even need to use a separate script runner.
9:52 AM Comment (0)
Posted on Monday, March 3, 2008:
MacFUSE, FTP, and You
Windows has supported desktop FTP for a while. It’s a useful way to save or retrieve files from other computers. Unfortunately, via the Finder’s Go→Connect to Server menu item, Mac OS X can only mount FTP servers as read-only volumes. One of many excellent third-party FTP clients is required to upload files.
A streamlined solution is available.
- Download and install MacFUSE-Core (for Tiger or Leopard)
- Download and run MacFusion (a basic front end)
Choose Quick Mount→FTP from the MacFusion menubar item and enter a server address and username. The server is mounted as a regular volume. Not only can you write to it from any application, but all the jazzy Leopard Finder tricks like Quick Look and Cover Flow view work, too (if you’ve got the bandwidth).
Again, it’s worth emphasizing that this system allows you to save images, web pages, and other files directly to your web site without an intermediate FTP program. (It’s prudent to keep a local copy, of course.) You’ll find MacFUSE volumes listed under the main “Computer” device in file dialogs and the Finder sidebar.
Lest you think FUSE is just about FTP, take a look at Amit Singh’s introductory video and GrabFS for clever examples of what else can be represented as plain old filesystems.
10:52 PM Comment (1)
Remote Applications
BCC provides remote access to “licensed campus software”. This allows students to log in from off campus to use desktop software hosted on campus. I’m not too familiar with the protocol, but it seems like a Windows-oriented combination of VNC and X. Happily, clients are available for many platforms.
All I had to do to get started was download the Mac OS X Citrix ICA Client. Choosing a program from the access page downloads a “bookmark” that the client uses to launch the remote application.
Here’s Microsoft Word 2007 running in the background with a local application in the foreground. Sharp eyes may notice minor compression artifacts in the Word window. Connecting from across town, performance is sufficient to get work done.
Of course, the real benefit of this system is access to specialized professional applications, not word processors. Not all software available on campus is remotely accessible, but some of it is.
You can also access a virtual Windows desktop. Handy for confirming the cross-platform compatibility of mathematical curios without the need to maintain a separate PC.
Remote applications of this sort are surely unsuited for many purposes. However, I think it is a viable approach for occasional use, particularly in cases where an institution provides software that isn’t otherwise practical for its members to obtain. Good for wrapping up projects without hasty trips to the computer lab, I imagine.
4:41 PM Comment (0)