Ben Waldie is president of Automated Workflows, LLC (www.automatedworkflows.com), a company offering AppleScript and workflow automation consulting services to Mac-based businesses. For years, Ben has developed professional automated solutions for companies such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Adobe Systems, Apple Computer, CNN, NASA, PC World, andTime Magazine.  Ben is the author of Automator for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: Visual QuickStart Guide (Peachpit Press) and AppleScripting the Finder (SpiderWorks, LLC). He has also written numerous Automator and AppleScript columns for Apple.com, Macworld Magazine, MacScripter.net, MacTech magazine, and X-ray Magazine, and is the author of an AppleScript training CD (Virtual Training Company). Ben is a frequent presenter at Macworld Conference & Expo and other events, and is president of The Philadelphia Area AppleScript Users Group.


Automator for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: Visual QuickStart Guide uses a combination of task-based instruction and strong visuals to teach Macintosh users how to automate repetitive, time-consuming tasks with the Automator application that is included with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Automator comes with many useful actions for lots of popular Apple applications. Each action performs a single specific task, such as removing an empty playlist from iTunes, or adding attachments to a Mail message. The real power of Automator lies in mixing and matching these actions to perform exactly the job you need them to, in a string of actions known as a workflow.

Author Ben Waldie introduces readers to how Automator works, and then helps them assemble and use Automator workflows. This book covers the major updates to Automator that are part of Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), including a variety of highly anticipated features, such as recording, looping, and the use of variables within workflows. These features make Automator more flexible and powerful than before, greatly increasing its appeal and interest to any Mac user looking to become more efficient.

Both beginning users who want a thorough introduction to Automator and more advanced users looking for a convenient reference will find what they need here in straightforward language, clear steps, and practical tips.


Introduction
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Chapter 2: Building Simple Workflows
Chapter 3: Workflow Creation Basics
Chapter 4: Working with Actions
Chapter 5: Recording Manual Events
Chapter 6: Running, Saving, and Opening Workflows
Chapter 7: Troubleshooting
Chapter 8: Customizing Automator
Chapter 9: Saving Workflow Plug-Ins
Chapter 10: Workflow Looping
Chaper 11: Using Variables
Chapter 12: Sharing Actions and Workflows
Chapter 13: Building Advanced Workflows
Chapter 14: Automator Resources
Glossary
Appendix A: Workflow Creation Step-by-Step Guide
Appendix B: Example Workflows
Appendix C: Developer Resources
Index

Publisher: Pearson Education
Distributor: Pearson Education
Publication Date: 12-27-2007
Pages: 288
Measurements: 9in X 7in X 0.571in X 458gr