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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:
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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!
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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.)
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Mac OSX Automator Workflow for PBEM
1 Attachment(s)
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. |
Re: Mac OSX Automator Workflow for PBEM
I've been playing around with that, and your script like a great start. I wanted to add an automated turncounter, so I came up with this kludge that built upon your ideas.
Start with a file selection Automator action which specifies a text file which records the turn number, and feed that into the following applescript, you can read the turn number into a variable in Automator and increment it: Quote:
As far as I know, Automator will not allow multiple inputs into an action (I'm an Automator noob, I could be wrong), so unfortunately the filename for the turn incrementer file and other variables have to be set inside the applescript as opposed to feeding nicely into a Send Mail action. |
Re: Mac OSX Automator Workflow for PBEM
Nice. I don't know much about Applescript. But, you can build apple scripts into Automator.
I have not spent a lot of time working on this, but the one thing that is still laborious is putting the turn number at the end of each email's subject line. That turn number is important for keeping track of various turn emails (which go into a smart mailbox in Mail for each particular game). Do you know of a way to insert a text "variable" into a line of text, etc.? In any case, it still reduces that hosting time significantly. I don't have to create or address the emails, and the attachments are made automatically. Maybe Ygorl has some ideas, too. I know he created some Applescript stuff. Pasha |
Re: Mac OSX Automator Workflow for PBEM
Lucky you asked! The most recent version I posted has that capability built in (keeping track of turn numbers, posting them to the subject line!).
What I'm trying to research is a way to applescript Mail rules so that when a player sends a turn, the script automatically moves the attachment turnfile to a specified folder, and notifies a webpage that keeps track of who has sent, and received which turns in a game. I have found in past PBEM games (civilization, warlords) that player confusion over this is the source of most delays. I know how to script the website part, but my initial forays into the mail rule applescript is going unexpectedly haltingly. |
Re: Mac OSX Automator Workflow for PBEM
On linux there are programs which "sort" incoming mail to "folders" for spam handling and such. You might look for applescript examples to do that. You should be able to modify one to handle a specific type of subject line and sort it out.
For the notify web-page part I went the lazy route by having the webpage display the actual files. Or in this case, possibly something that lists the emails that are in that incoming game folder that the first routine sent them off to. |
Re: Mac OSX Automator Workflow for PBEM
Yes. I am stuck sending "status" emails to the players in between turns as a reminder and as a safeguard in case any players think they sent their turn (or if I never received the turn). A website might be nice, or a script that would automatically figure out which players have played and send an email. I think a reminder email is helpful to players. It would be to me. Dreams, dreams, dreams. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
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