“There are no changes to the laws that we are discussing right here now,” Schiller said. “there seem to be many of things they can do to make the app work inside the regulations we have. We ‘d want them to do so.

That call comes after several days of media criticism about Apple’s treatment of the Hey device. Just after the official announcement, Basecamp developers, such as two of its founding members, David Heinemeier Hansson and Jason Fried, took Twitter to consider that the revision was already consistently denied, with both the main argument that they did not offer the in-app purchase for full service in addition to providing it on the Hey website.

The latest impression with the Hey app as a customer installing it from the App Store is that it doesn’t do much. It’s an app that necessitates you to sign up for the Hey provider on the internet before it becomes helpful.

“You ‘re installing the software since it doesn’t work, that isn’t what we want in the shop,” says Schiller. That, he notes, is why Apple wants in-app sales to provide the same shopping experience that they would find elsewhere.

This is against the App Store guidelines for certain devices, to be sure. Exceptions here include applications that are regarded as “readers” that only display digital material of some kinds, such as songs, books including movies — including applications that only provide bulk purchasing services that are charged for by organizations or businesses instead of the end customer.

During our call, Schiller is adamant that Hey doesn’t really agree with these laws.

“We won’t stretch such exclusions to all source code,” he says of the “reader” apps — examples of these include Netflix. “Email is not and never has been the exception to the rule.”

In reality, Hey ‘s Mac Software has been refused for the same actions that the iOS app is addressing. Schiller argues that the initial edition of the iOS device was mistakenly accepted and would never have been delivered to the market.

The concerns, though, are mostly based on why that would be the case, rather than any form of abstract interpretation of the new App Store regulations that might require the Hey device to stay in the market.

I questioned Schiller if this indicated that Apple was entitled to half of the sales from any company which had a device, irrespective of if it was an iOS-first.

“I get a query here about why,” he notes. “But this is not what we do.”

Schiller claims there are a variety of recommendations that Basecamp should have taken about whether to compensate users and make the product appropriate under existing regulations. He addresses a few, such as trying to charge various app and internet price increases and giving a better version with extra features.

And yet, he goes on to say; whether you’re planning to demand it and it’s a service, then Apple wants developers to use the in-app buying machine and Apple payment method to make sure customers possess great experience in the app and safe the payment method.

Another direction Hey should have gone, says Schiller, is to sell a downloadable or premium edition of the software with simple email reading options on the App Store, and sold a newly updated email provider that served on its own website for the Hey app on iOS. Schiller provides yet another example: an RSS app that reads the certain feed and also interprets an upgraded feed that might be prosecuted on a different channel. For both instances, when installed on the shop, the applications will have features.

Most consumers are much more comfortable with the other choices, including a fully new download with an, upsell and it is an in-app purchase.

Sadly, the new regulations will, of necessity, prohibit Hey from promoting and even referencing any improved program, so it will have to be promoted across networks beyond the device.

Yesterday Sarah Perez on TechCrunch summed up the current discussion about the topic well enough and I urge you to read that if you’re not updated. And only today a report about Facebook’s game software getting refused five times for laws arrived in the Times. All this is creating a triple whammy ahead of Apple’s WWDC conference targeted at programmers along with the start of an EU competition probe almost day and time.

I’ve started wondering deeply regarding this myself, as somebody that works widely with Apple and has also experienced the context of developers’ uncertainty over how Apple would refuse a device from one minute to the next regardless of a particular understanding of the laws of the Device Store.

I guess it’s tied up with those basic experiences about me. The reality is, Hey is breaching the rules of the app store. How does it say that the problem is not “how do we contort these laws or squint sufficiently to explain it” but “will these be the guidelines” instead?

About why Apple is looking at a scenario this and not having a potential minefield, I think it personally feels it is doing the best and fair thing. It developed the infrastructure, and it gets to take advantage of the infrastructure, which contributes tremendous financial consequences to both the physical and digital industries. And Apple ‘s management of the payment process has irrefutable protection and confidentiality advantages.

But for those who might say “yet he sure recognizes the aesthetics! “I believe the authority of scale often is underestimated by those people. Each week, Apple approves some 100,000 apps, as well as the large proportion of rejection letters, which are easily corrected for smaller things. Such size will also change the perspective on behalf of an entity and its executive powers, as they see a huge, smooth sea to a few breakers — where even the public is centred on the breakers themselves.

However, this is how I feel about this one, and where the weak points here may lie:

1. There might be (and my feedback channels, as well as other people’s back channels, suggest there’s) a broad land ripple of frustration and annoyance with the App Store which goes self-expressed as individuals are terrified and need that to live.
2. Often the root of the critique matters — Hansson can be irritating and vitriolic, and adopt a worst-motivated approach in his public comms, but reform and self-examination may not necessarily start from those we find to be our buddies or allies. And the transformation that did come from people who are upset and apparently insensitive – but perhaps right – is twice as difficult to apply.

Call me ignorant, and I do believe there was a subset of real, core values that Apple brings to its company in a way that’s totally special to large corporations. I’m sure that some people would dispute (read: many), but I’ve seen that personally in representing the corporation and in meetings (commercial and private) with several, many, many of its managers and rank and file staff over the years. I consider it is challenging to complete the circle like John Gruber in seeking a path ahead here which puts aside “we ‘re doing what’s good” for “what would be good of doing?”

Apple sent a letter to TechCrunch soon until posting this interview, but it was also submitted to Fried and Hey.

The document reaffirms the justifications Apple says Hey is not complying with existing legislation on the App Store. It reads, partly:

“Thank you for becoming the creator of an iOS device. We recognize that Basecamp has been for many time produced a variety of applications and several new releases for the App Store, and also that many of such devices have been sold to iOS customers via the App Store. These apps may not give in-app purchases — and thus have not made a significant contribution to any revenue over the last eight years to the App Store. We are happy to continue to help you with your device industry and provide you with the tools and provide your apps free of charge — as long as you adopt and comply with the same App Store Approval Standards and conditions, other developers will obey.

And no defrosting right now.

Here’s a complete letter:

Hey Jason,

We are writing this letter to advise the outcome of your app’s request, HEY Contact.

The Software oversight committee reviewed the submission and concluded the dismissal was true. Your app doesn’t really follow the guidelines set out below for the App Store Review. If you remember, this is the explanation you declined your Hey Email request when it was sent to the Mac App Store on June 11, 2020.

The HEY Email app is advertised on the App Store as an email app, but it doesn’t work when people click your app. People can’t use the software to view email or execute any useful task right once they go to Hey Email’s Basecamp website and purchase a certificate to use the HEY Email device. This breaches the Criteria for Checking the App Store:

Guideline 3.1.1 – Business – Transactions – Buying In-App

When you want to activate apps or enhancements in your device, you need to buy the in-store. Your software allows users to buy materials, packages, or services beyond the device, but such products are not accessible inside the product as specified by the App Store Approval Guidelines with in-app purchases.

Guideline 3.1.3(a) – Consumer – Fees – “Editor” Software

Reader applications can allow users to access information and service subscriptions purchased earlier. Your mail app is not one of the content types for “Reader” apps (explicitly: magazine articles, newspapers, books, audio, music, video, availability to skilled datasets, VOIP, cloud storage, or authorized services such as classroom management apps) permitted under such guidance. Clients must be offered the option to buy access to the content or usability in your app using the purchase in-app.

Guideline 3.1.3(b) – Multiplatform Services – Business – Payments

Applications that function services to multiple systems may allow the user to access the content, subscription services, or features that they have obtained on other systems or on your website in your app, provided that those items are also available as in-app purchases inside the app. The HEY Email account does not have links to content, services, or apps inside the device as in-app transactions. In reality, when the consumer heads to the Basecamp Hey Email website to launch a free trial or buy a different authorization to use the software for its intended intent, the software does not work as an email client or for any reason.

Steps Now

To resolve this issue, please review your app to ensure it does not infringe on any of the guidelines and terms of the App Store Review.

There seem to be a variety of ways you can revise your app or service to conform to a Guidelines for the App Store review. Customers that have originally bought access to content, services, or services elsewhere may want to access such products in your app as soon as proper iOS customers are provided with the opportunity to buy access to use in-app purchasing as allowed by the App Store Review Guidelines.

If you’d like to not give users the option of in-app transactions, you could recommend selling the device feature — a mail client that fits with normal IMAP and POP email accounts, whereby consumers may automatically customize the Hey Email service as their preferred email provider. It could enable the app to use its functionalities as an email client without needing an extra premium. In this strategy, what you’re offering on your site is simply an email service different from the app’s feature because it’s sold on the mobile app.

We ‘re now as a tool while you discuss these and other suggestions for getting the Hey Email device into accordance with the requirements and conditions of the App Store Evaluation.

Thank you for being the creator of an iOS device. We recognize that Basecamp has for many years produced a variety of applications and several new releases for the App Store and that millions of such devices have been sold to iOS customers via the App Store. These apps may not give in-app purchases — and thus have not made a significant contribution to any income in the last eight years to the App Store.

We are delighted to continue to support you with your device industry and give you the tools to deliver your software services for free — as long as you adopt and adhere to the exact App Store Review Policies and conditions, other developers will obey.

We want to help you bring the Hey Email device on the App Store to sell.

Honestly,

App Board of Review

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Accurate around the time the group at Basecamp was propelling their Hey email services to the general population on Monday, Basecamp’s lead iOS engineer, Zach Waugh, got a troubling email. The second form of their iOS application, 1.0.1 — with a couple of bug fixes from the first — had been dismissed by the App Store commentators. It referred to run 3.1.1 of Apple’s rules for application designers, which says that if you need individuals to have the option to purchase stuff in your application, you have to do it utilizing Apple’s payments system.

Waugh and Basecamp didn’t believe that standard applied. Hey costs $99 every year, excepts users can’t join or pay inside the iOS application. It’s an application for utilizing an existing outside service, much the same as Basecamp’s eponymous platform — and Slack and Netflix and incalculable different applications. So we resembled, OK, perhaps we just got the Monday morning commentator, Basecamp co-founder and CTO David Heinemeier Hansson said. Bunches of designers throughout the years have discovered that their application-review luck now and then relied upon who happened to be looking, and whether they’d had coffee yet. So Basecamp fixed more bugs, presented another version — 1.0.2 — and hoped after the best.

The application sat in the line for review, then in the  “under review” status for far longer than expected. At that point Waugh got a call. The Apple commentator said he was calling since new application hadn’t settled the issue with rule 3.1.1. The issue had been heightened inside, and Apple had decided it was a sensible rejection— the best way to push ahead is execute Apple’s payment system. Also, not just that: Waugh was informed that Apple might want an allegiance and a course of events for executing the payment system, or Apple may be compelled removal Hey from the App Store.

When Basecamp and  Waugh brought up that there were numerous different applications — even email applications like Edison or Spark  — that permitted users  to sign in to their current records without joining through Apple, the commentator revealed to them they wouldn’t discuss different applications. And that was that.

On Tuesday evening, Apple sent Basecamp a somewhat milder composed notification. We saw that your application permits users to access subscriptions, features or content , memberships, they have bought somewhere else, yet those things were not accessible as in-application purchases inside the application, it said. Since Hey didn’t qualify as a “Reader” application, Apple said that current subscribers could sign in as normal however Hey expected to make all subscriptions accessible to new users as in-application purchases.

Apple revealed to me that its real error was supporting the application in first place, when it didn’t fit in with its rules. Apple permits these sorts of client applications — where you can’t join, just sign in — for business benefits yet not consumer items. That is the reason Basecamp, which company normally pay for, is permitted on the App Store when Hey, which clients pay for, isn’t. Any individual who bought Hey from somewhere else could get to it on iOS as usual, the company stated, yet the application must have a route for users to join and pay through Apple’s framework. That is the means by which Apple supports and pays for its work on the platform.

As Heinemeier Hansson brought up to me, it’s brave timings for Apple to take such a solid position. On Tuesday, the EU reported it is opening two antitrust tests into Apple’s App Store dealings, investigating the manner in which Apple utilizes its platform to crush competitors. Spotify has been whining for a considerable period of time about Apple’s App Store tax, its feature limitations and then some. On Tuesday, Kobo joined the grievance, calling it anticompetitive for Apple to both work its own book shop and to charge a 30% commission on all books Kobo sold on Apple gadgets. Apple’s anticompetitive conduct has deliberately disadvantaged competitors,  Spotify said in an announcement to The Wall Street Journal, made an unlevel playing field, and denied consumers of significant decision for a really long time.

It likewise comes a day after Apple touted that the App Store environment encouraged a whopping $519 billion of every 2019. That number incorporates things like food delivery, Uber rides,  boarding passes booked in Expedia applications, and such. Apple said it just took a cut of under 15% of those dollars spent. As Apple keeps on moving its concentration to services, and to developing that piece of its business, it might search for approaches to get a cut of the other 85% of the cash flowing through its platform.

Heinemeier Hansson said he’s been hearing stories like this from developers for quite a long time — he even proved to Congress not long ago about the anticompetitive acts of Big Tech. That testimony earned Basecamp a few companions in high places, and Heinemeier Hansson said he’s been conversing with the Department of Justice as of late and plans to connect both to Congress and the EU about this issue.

In any case, even as he fumed irately about Apple’s activities, Heinemeier Hansson said he was stressed over the repercussions. In the event that we can’t have Hey on iOS, he stated, we’re nowhere. We must be on the greatest platform in this section, and Apple realizes that. When he tweeted about the application’s initial dismissal a week ago, he got various reactions from developers who might secretly rail against Apple’s policies yet publicly make excuses for the company. You hear some out of these application developer, and they sound like prisoners,  Heinemeier Hansson said. They sound like they’re perusing a readied proclamation, in light of the fact that in any case Apple could hurt their business. Which is valid!

In the developer industry Apple’s somewhat confusing application review policies are an open secret: No issue how often you’ve presented an application, you despite hold your breath without fail, since who realizes what could have changed? Heinemeier Hansson said it’s conceivable that somebody at Apple may adjust their perspective and singularly choose to support Hey. Yet, that won’t take care of his concern. The person who cherishes starting quarrel for the benefit of the more prominent internet discovered another one. Regardless of whether it leaves for us, this is still a systemic story of misuse, he said. I think this is the place we need this sort of systemic change that ideally the EU is pushing.

In the case of nothing changes? Basecamp’s not giving that tax. There will never be in a million years a way that I am paying Apple 33% of our incomes, Heinemeier Hansson said. That is indecent, and it’s crook, and I will spend each dollar that we have or ever cause to burn this until we show signs of improvement.

The post Apple’s shaking it down for a cut of its subscriptions, said a new email startup appeared first on TheFabWeb.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for transitioning from the Windows to a Mac is keyboard shortcuts. The first time we try to use Control+C to copy a block to the Mac clipboard, we realize that Control+C doesn’t copy anything to the clipboard, for your surprise. On the Mac, Command+C does it very well. As simple as difference sounds, it can take some time getting used to before it feels natural to us.

The more differences include are :

• Windows has much software written for it, including proprietary software people need for work.
• Windows supports both keyboard mouse setup and touch screens, making it available on desktops, laptops, and tablets. Mac OS never supports touch screens, so it is only available on a desktop or notebook.
• The Mac has a relationship with the iPhone and the iPad. The Mac can share files with the iPhone or iPad wirelessly using AirDrop, or iCloud. It can open documents that are open to receive phone calls routed through the iPhone or iPad.
• More viruses and malware target Windows-based PCs. However, malware is explicitly written for the Mac.
• Windows-based PCs are built by various manufacturers, including HP, Dell, and Lenovo. It keeps prices down on PCs, which are usually cheaper than Macs.
• Macs are built and sold by Apple. Its tighter control of the hardware leads to lesser problems, which could result in better stability. It means more secondary options.
• Microsoft Windows supports gaming in a much better way. It supports Virtual Reality hardware such as the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.
• It is easy to upgrade a Windows-based PC part by part. Although most people find it more convenient to buy a new PC, techies can boost the longevity of their computers by upgrading the RAM used by applications, the graphics used by games, or the storage used by music, movies, and other media.

PC vs. Mac: Which is better for a student?

With the rise in the number of students bringing Macs to campus(over 50% of the Fall 2016 freshman class), there are likely more students(and parents) debating whether or not to buy a PC or a Mac. The concise answer is that Lehigh fully supports both Windows and Mac platforms; and, as stated previously, it is always recommended that you purchase the computer that fits your wants/needs for personal use as long as the hardware specifications provide Lehigh’s minimum requirements(which new machines do). It would be best if you made a final purchase decision, LTS has compared the following significant points between both platforms. Be aware that we may have other considerations specific to our needs; however, the next major comparison points should give us a solid starting point.

Viruses / Malware / Spyware

It continues to be a significant concern for users of Windows. While the latest versions of Windows are more secure than previous versions and Microsoft continues to make great strides in security and protection, the Windows platform is still the target of the majority of viruses, malware, and spyware on the Internet.
Macs typically experience fewer viruses or malware or spyware-related problems. Regardless of platform, no system is immune from threats, and Lehigh still recommends that users take appropriate steps to protect their computer from virus/malware/spyware threats.

Coursework-related Software

Most coursework across many majors can be completed using Windows and Mac platforms (i.e., Microsoft Office Suite for Windows and Mac). However, there are individual courses that make use of Windows-only software as part of the coursework. In these cases, students with Macs might run Windows as a second OS either by a 3rd party program like VMware or VirtualBox or using Apple Bootcamp. Students requiring to run a Windows-only application on Mac could obtain a copy of Windows from the Lehigh Imagine program. It can install alongside Mac OS. If a student does not wish to install Windows on Mac, Windows-only course-specific software can be run on public site computers across campus. STAR Services assists with installing Windows on Macs.

Warranty Considerations

Most PC manufacturers – especially Lehigh recommendations purchasing from – offer standard and extended warranty coverage that cover parts and labor for manufacturer defects. Lehigh strongly recommends purchasing accidental-damage protection, which includes accidents like liquid spills, drops, etc.

Apple provides a one year warranty on all newly purchased computers. Lehigh strongly recommends buying the AppleCare+ with an extended warranty. AppleCare+ extends the warranty for three years and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage. Deductible fees apply for unintentional damage, and details are on the Apple support website.

Initial Cost vs. Longevity

“You get what you pay for,” The concept is genuine due to the PC market. We might find a fabulous deal on a computer at a discount retail store, but find us looking for a new computer only after a year. If we purchase one of the Lehigh-recommended models (PC or Mac), our machine should last throughout our academic career.

Custom Configuration

As there are many different PC manufacturers, consumers have a wide variety of options across manufacturers, models, and configurations.

Simplified Selection

Apple very clearly lists the models they sell and offers ways to customize your selected model, such as upgrading the hard drive, memory, video card, processor, etc.

The post Mac vs. PC: Which is better for a student? appeared first on TheFabWeb.

Automatically Start Up And Shut Down

Probably one of the simplest ways to automate your life when using your Mac is to automatically startup and shut down. If you start up your Mac every morning and shut it down every evening, this can be done with a simple change.

Open System Preference and navigate to the Energy Saver preference pane. In the bottom right-hand corner, there will be an option called ‘Schedule.’ Click on this button to open the scheduling options.

You can pick the day of the week in which you wake will startup and the time. You can also limit this change to a weekend, weekday, or a specific day of the week. You can also set what time your Mac will shut down or go to sleep.

There are a variety of options within System Preferences to set how your computer starts up and shuts down.

These are handy options, for example, if you want your Mac to start up Monday morning and shut down Friday evening. You can’t get more complicated than that, unfortunately, but it is useful for most people’s needs. These options will allow you to wake your Mac if it is asleep. There is also an option to restart your Mac. If you want to reset your Mac every Sunday, you can do that with these options. Just make sure your Mac is powered to the wall, or in case of a laptop, has charge.

Log In Automatically

If you have set your Mac to start up automatically, you may also want it to log in automatically. Although I don’t recommend this for security reasons, it can quickly be done. Within System Preferences, open the Users & Groups tab.

At the bottom of the users’ column, select Login Options. Within the options, you can choose which user will be automatically logged in. If you can’t access the settings, click on the lock at the bottom. You will be asked to enter your password. Once complete, every time you boot up your Mac, it will log in to the selected user.

Don’t bother logging in each morning. Let your Mac do it.

Set Apps To Launch At Login

Once you have set your Mac to automatically start up each morning, log your in, the last option is to let it open your apps for yours. I always have Mail, Safari, Calendar, and other apps option each morning. Instead of wasting your time clicking on each one, you Mac can be set to open this upon logging in.

Within System Preferences, Users & Groups, select the login items tab for the required user. Use the plus symbol at the bottom of the list to add the applications you want.

You may notice in this list a couple of apps that you may not recognize, most of these are daemons or background processes that need to be started for certain functionality to run. If you find an app on the list, you don’t want, and it can be removed with the minus symbol.

Now every time you log on, these apps will launch.

Set Automator Actions To Run On A Specific Date

The previous tips and tricks are essential, built-in features of you, Mac. This next section is going to explain various methods, which you can customize at will, to perform multiple tasks automatically. The list shows some basic commands which the majority of people will find useful. However, these can be as complex or as simple as you want. All you need is a little bit of imagination.

Each of these tasks uses an Automator script, which is executed at a particular time due to a calendar entry. By altering the calendar entry, we can adjust the time in which the script runs. Automator allows it to be used as a programming language to perform the task we want.

Every command follows the same essential step. First, open Automator and select the Calendar Alarm option. This will automatically put the workflow into Calendar when complete. You can set this up manually if you have other workflows within Calendar, however, these options take out most of the hassle.

Use the Calendar option within Automator to automatically add a calendar workflow entry.

This next step is to build your workflow as usual. The following section will detail a variety of workflows that you can use. When you have finished and tested the workflows. Hit save. You will be asked for a name. When you have done so, its entry will appear within Calendar under the Automator calendar heading. Here you can set the time, re-occurrence, and other parameters associated with a calendar entry. The unique thing about this entry is that it will automatically execute the workflow you have just created, acting.

Your automation workflow will automatically be added to your Calendar.

These workflows are stored in ~/Library/Workflows/Applications/Calendar/ if you ever want to delete them.

Play A Wake Up Song

Following on from the previous section, we have started our Mac, logged on, and opened all of the required applications. Lets now play our favorite tunes to get us going in the morning. Within Automator, select the workflow, select the “Start iTunes Playing” Automator action. This will automatically start playing your tunes. If you want to play a specific iTunes playlist, add the “Get Specified iTunes items” workflow (where you pick you playlist using the add button) and then select the ‘Play iTunes Playlist’ workflow. This will load your playlist and begin playing.

Set up the playlist you want to play.

Open A Webpage

Do you always open Mac Tricks And Tips each morning, you can easily do this with a workflow. Add the ‘Get Specified URL’ workflow and add your URL you want to open. Then add the ‘Display Webpages’ workflow action. When activated, this will get the URL’s you have added and then open them. You can add more than one.

Archive Files

You have finished a hard day’s work, and you want to archive your data. Even though you should be using something like Time Machine, it can be worth creating a zip of your files. Within Automator, first, add the ‘Ask For Finder Items’ workflow. This will bring up a dialog box which asks for the Finder items you want to archive. Then add the ‘Get Folder Contents’ workflow, followed by the ‘Create Archive’ option.

Archive the days work with a workflow.

This will select the Finder items, and add them to an archive. If you want to extend this further, you can email it to someone, and this can be done with the ‘New Mail Message’ with the field filled out, followed by the ‘Add Attachment To Front Message’ option. Credit goes to Stu.

Quit Applications

If you have had enough for the day, you can automatically quit every application. Within Automator, select the ‘Quit All Applications’ workflow. This will, when run, stopped every application open, although it will ask you to save files. You can add entries into the list for apps it won’t close, such as Mail or Safari.

Empty Trash

Another handy Automator trick which you can run it the ability to empty your trash. This may be useful to run at the end of the week or month. This command takes a little bit more effort in the form of an AppleScript. Add the ‘Run Applescript’ workflow option and add the following text:

tell application “Finder”.

empty the trash
end tell

If you want to empty the trash securely you can use the following piece of Applescript.

tell application “Finder”
empty trash with security
end tell

When you run the workflow, the AppleScript will run allowing you to empty the trash.

Set Desktop Image

If you want the latest image from NASA’s picture of the day, you can. This workflow can be a little trick to setup, but only takes a moment. Test this workflow to ensure it works. The idea behind this is we pull the image we want from cyberspace, then set it as our image. If the image you are pulling is part of an RSS use this workflow. If the image you want is from a URL use the second option.

To pull an image from an RSS feed or similar add the following workflows.

“Get specified URL’s” adding the URL of the RSS feed. Add ‘Get Image URL’s from Articles” set the drop down option to either ‘in the articles’ or ‘linked from the articles’. This alters the way the script interacts with the RSS feed, test to see which one is applicable. The add the ‘Download URL’s’ option selecting a place to download the image, your image folder is suitable. The add the ‘Set Desktop Picture’. If you are downloading the image from a webpage, and not an RSS feed, add the URL of the image to the first workflow. Instead of ‘Get Image URL’s from Articles’ add the ‘Get Image URL’s from Webpage’, this means it pulls the image from a webpage instead of an RSS feed. You just need to find an image which updated every day. Setting an image automatically can be a little tricky. But worth it.

Launch Applications

Previously we showed how to quit applications. What happens if you want to launch applications, but at a specific time, for example at lunch. This can easily be done within Automator. Simply add the ‘Launch Application’ workflow. Select the application you want to launch. If you want to launch more than one app, keep adding the workflow.

System Clean Up

As a final note, an application which allows you to run more complex clean up operations is Main Menu. Although you can’t set it to automatically run at a specific time, it gives you plenty of shortcuts to run more complex tasks such as cleaning caches or running disk checks.

Conclusion

There are many ways to automate your life on your Mac. These are just a couple of simple ones to help you understand what can be done. Like a teacher I have showed you the basic tools, all you need to do is build your own for you specific needs. These tools are simple to build and can automate the most basic needs. Automate your life and allow yourself to do something more interesting.

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