tapping into finder events

[Terry Judd]

While it certainly won't do everything you want, you can still get quite a
lot of info about application (and Finder) related 'events' using
AppleScript and System Events.

I have a Rev-based software agent that captures application and document/url
usage data on a large number of shared computers in some of our computer
labs (with ethics approval of course). Using a polling approach I'm able to
grab the name and url (where appropriate) of the frontmost document window
in any open application (most applications can be 'communicated' with using
a series of generic routines; a few require specialised routines).

I typically use these routines to create a stream of events of the sort...

StartApp [appName], FocusApp, UnFocusApp, EndApp
OpenWindow [windowName, windowURL], FocusWindow, UnfocusWindow, CloseWindow

It might at least get you started and doesn't require any externals or
unnecessary poking around under the hood.

Terry...

> From: Randall Lee Reetz <randall at randallreetz.com>
> Reply-To: How to use Revolution <use-revolution at lists.runrev.com>
> Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 20:10:14 -0800
> To: How to use Revolution <use-revolution at lists.runrev.com>
> Subject: RE: tapping into finder events
> 
> What i am asking is no closer to the os than most anything xtalk does... Its
> just that it apparently hasnt be asked of xtalk before.
> 
> I can't think of anything more useful than being able to use automate file
> system objects as they are created by the user (in any program).  Am i really
> the only one who is wishing in this direction?  Imagine something as simple as
> having every image file tht ends up on the desktop being emeditely moved to
> the user's 
> image folder.  Imagine the spotlight comments fork of that file being auto
> annotated with relavent ontological trees.  Imagine alias files being auto
> generated and stored in appropriate project folder trees.  And that is just
> the beginning.  One could script super complex semantic pattern engines that
> could extract user interest vectors, auto track resources, and potentially "do
> some of our work for us".  If apple and microsoft are to scared to build
> inteligence into their os's... The maybe we could.
> 
> randall   

-- 
Dr Terry Judd
Lecturer in Educational Technology (Design)
Biomedical Multimedia Unit
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Parkville VIC 3052
AUSTRALIA

61-3 8344 0187