.com.unity Forums - Applescript PBEM support

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Applescript PBEM support

For us Mac users who host PBEM games - I kludged an applescript to create a drag-and-drop utility that the host (on an OSX Mac) can use to automatically send a PBEM file out to all of her/his players. Since I didn't add much, I leave the original author's credits intact:

Quote:

(* Send Attachment Droplet 1.2 by Joel Swenson, Copyright � 2006
Free for personal use
Modified and expanded version of Apple sample code "Create New Message", Copyright � 2002 Apple Computer
Version History:
1.2 More efficient script, identical functionality.
1.1 Available as a script, instead of application, so that it is more easily editable by other users. Must be saved as an application for droplet function to work.
Added "on run" functionality, prompting user to choose a file to attach.

1.0 Original release
*)
global theSender, theBody, theSubject, theAttachment

on open theFiles
repeat with oneFile in theFiles
tell application "Finder"
set filePath to POSIX path of oneFile
set theAttachment to filePath
end tell
makeMessage()
end repeat
end open

on run
set oneFile to choose file
tell application "Finder"
set filePath to POSIX path of oneFile
set theAttachment to filePath
set theSubject to name of oneFile
end tell
makeMessage()
end run

on makeMessage()
set theBody to "File Attached:"

set theSender to "hostemail@someplace.com" -- edit this line to match the email address of the host.
-- this must be a valid account in your mail.app program!
set theSubject to "Dominions 3 PBEM Game File" -- change this as desired

tell application "Mail"
set newMessage to make new outgoing message with properties {subject:theSubject, content:theBody & return & return}
tell newMessage
set visible to true
set sender to theSender
make new to recipient with properties ("player1@otherplace.com") -- change this to one of your players' valid email address
-- make new cc recipient with properties ("player2@otherplace.com") -- add as many of these as you have players!
tell content
make new attachment with properties {file name:theAttachment} at after the last paragraph
end tell
end tell
send newMessage
end tell
end makeMessage

save the script as a run-only app, and put it where it's convenient to access for drag-and-dropping your game file after you have finished hosting a turn. It will automatically open Mail.app, create an email with all appropriate addressees, and send it...saving you a few steps at least.

My test file works, but let me know if you run into errors. I'll probably be working on an applescript to reside inside Mail.app for saving and filing the return gamefiles from the players.

good luck!

Re: Applescript PBEM support

Thanks for the script! I know Ygorl also has some apple scripts that he created.

I have a simple OSX "Tiger" workflow using Automator that backs up the current turn, creates emails to all players and attaches the appropriate .trn file to each player. I'd be happy to share it. It's nothing fancy but it makes hosting a lot quicker.

Keeping track of player turns is easy by using smart folders in Mail.

Re: Applescript PBEM support

Hey, that sounds like an even slicker way to manage it than my idea. I'd appreciate it if you posted your automator script!

Re: Applescript PBEM support

Ok! I will do it over the weekend. I will need to create a "blank" version because I tailor it for each PBEM game in question (e.g., by creating the template for each player's email, specifying where to save back ups for the particular game, etc.)

Mac OSX Automator Workflow for PBEM

Here is a template using Mac OSX Automator to streamline PBEM hosting a bit. After the turn is hosted, I run this workflow. It will back up the current turn and create the emails with proper attachments for the various players.

Obviously, a specific workflow must be first tailored to the needs of each game but that is easily done.