Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

For years, every Mac Apple shipped came with AppleScript. Automator was added a few years later, and the combination of the two (and the ability to incorporate other scripts) made it possible to create sophisticated workflows that negated the need to go through multiple steps when processing photos or anything else, for that matter. For example, one could make an Automator workflow that gets triggered when an SD card is mounted (inserted). Some possible steps could be:

• Create a folder on an external hard drive and tag it with the current date
• Launch the Image Capture program and copy the files to the new folder
• Unmount the SD card upon completion
• Launch an image editing program (Adobe is very AppleScript friendly!)
• Apply a tag to each new file (possibly to aid in searching/collating them)

And so on.

I've used AppleScript and Automator in the past for similar tasks. These are "legacy" capabilities and as such, aren't ballyhooed much these days. Still, they come with every Mac.

But macOS 13 ("Ventura") has broken a lot of the features/syntax of AppleScript, and despite its record for user-friendly interfaces, error messages in AppleScript are like trying to decipher the Dead Sea scrolls.

So, if you're a fan/user of these technologies, and you're running Ventura (or even Monterey, its predecessor) I'd be interested in your recent experiences, and have you found a good source that lists the changes and/or workarounds

roger

I've only touched the very tip of the AppleScript iceburg, in copying others work. Maybe I need a book AppleScript for ExtraDummies! Would love to see what results from your request.

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

16.3 is one of the more buggy release from Apple. I will add your issues to the others I’m working through.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

16.3? To which product are you referring?

macOS = 13.2
AppleScript = 2.8
Script Editor = 2.11
Automator = 2.10

I don't think I referenced anything else.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

I'm still learning MacOS and found this note from an article in Apple Toolbox -
Automator is still going to be available on macOS Monterey, but Apple has stated that it is planning to phase it out in upcoming updates in favor of Shortcuts. You’ll be able to import your Automator routines to Shortcuts, though, so it’s not all bad news. And for users running older versions of macOS, Automator will remain a favorite option.

Someday I'll get a handle on all of the stuff available in my Mac

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Sigh. In a way, you have to hand it to Apple for releasing new technology or updating technology with a new name. Shortcuts first appeared in iOS 12, and in 2021 was announced for macOS. As is typical for the company that created the computer "for the rest of us," they don't highlight this kind of interactive and customization technology widely known. I've seen the Shortcuts icon appear on my iPhone and never figured a use for it. Not helping is that documentation is sparse unless you start some Internet sleuthing.

Thanks for the comment. I'll look into Shortcuts. Automator was a beast to comprehend, AppleScript became more of a developer's tool than a user enhancement. That Apple has added a conspicuous icon to the iPhone, iPad and Mac suggests it wants it to become mainstream. I like this, from Shortcuts' built-in Help:
I would find that very helpful!

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

Laughs. I shouldn’t post when I just woke up. 13.2 Ventura.

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

If you do make a shortcut to do that routine I’d love a copy.