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Soundtrack Pro Automator Actions
Apple has released [Soundtrack Pro](http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/soundtrackpro/), available for $299 or as part of [Final Cut Studio](http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/) ($1,299). Soundtrack Pro contains 14 Automator actions to assist in creating complex audio workflows. [Macworld](http://www.macworld.com) has a [full review](http://www.macworld.com/2005/07/reviews/finalcutsountrack/index.php).
Apple Releases Automator 1.0.1
[Apple](http://www.apple.com/) has released Automator 1.0.1 today, as part of the OS X Tiger [10.4.2 update](http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301722). These actions have been updated: *Add Files to Playlist, Add Songs to Playlist, Import Photos into iPhoto, New Mail Message* and *Run Shell Script.*
More »
News Briefs
[pagesender 3.5](http://www.smileonmymac.com/pagesender/features.html), the fax software from [SmileOnMyMac](http://www.smileonmymac.com/index.html), now includes a faxing Automator action ... [Red Rock Software](http://www.redrocksw.com) has released a technology preview of [*DGPlot*](http://www.redrocksw.com/deltagraph/mac/DG_automator_TP.htm), an Automator action to assist in producing "all the chart images you need for your reports, experiments and analysis." ... Ben Waldie, of [Automated Workflows, LCC](http://www.automatedworkflows.com), will be available to talk with users about AppleScript and Automator at Macworld Conference & Expo's ["Meet the Speakers"](http://www.macworldexpo.com/live/20/events/20BOS05A/SN287250/CC999970) event being held today, Tuesday, July 12th, 2005, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Apple Updates Automator Support Page
Apple has centralized their [Tiger Support Area](http://www.apple.com/support/tiger/), and features [*Mac 101*](http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/), brief overviews of OS X technologies. The [Automator](http://www.apple.com/support/tiger/automator/) page contains centralized help topics for those new to the application, as well as a [*Mac 101: Automator*](http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/work/3/) page.
“Automator in Tiger” Birds-of-a-Feather Meeting
An "Automator in Tiger" Birds-of-a-Feather Meeting will be held at the [Macworld Conference and Expo](http://www.macworldexpo.com) on Wednesday, July 13th, 2005 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM, moderated by Ben Waldie, president of Automated Workflows, LLC. Birds-of-a-Feather Meetings are informal discussion groups open to all conference and expo attendees. This forum will focus on discussions about the use, features, development and benefits of Automator. Mac users and developers of all skill levels are encouraged to attend.
For additional information about this session, please visit [MacWorld](http://www.macworldexpo.com/live/20/events/20BOS05A/conference/tracksessions//QMONYA04NUX8) or [Automated Workflows](http://www.automatedworkflows.com).
“AppleScript for Digital Photographers” at Macworld
[*AppleScript for Digital Photographers*](http://www.macworldexpo.com/live/20/events/20BOS05A/conference/tracksessions/Digital+Photography/QMONYA04NPY0) User Conference will be held at [Macworld Conference & Expo](http://www.macworldexpo.com) in Boston on Wednesday, July 13th, 2005 from 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM. This session will feature Ben Waldie, President of [Automated Workflows, LLC](http://www.automatedworkflows.com), and will also take a look at how Automator workflows can help to reduce repetitive tasks, and help to make your photography workflow more efficient.
QuicKeys X 3.1 Triggers Automator
[Startly Technologies](http://www.quickeys.com/) has released [QuicKeys X 3.1](http://www.quickeys.com/download/update-qkx.html). Along with Tiger compatibility, "Automator workflows can now be triggered and played within QuicKeys shortcuts."
Transmit Wins Best Technology Adoption
[Transmit 3.2](http://www.panic.com/transmit/) has won *Best Mac OS X Tiger Technology Adoption* at the [2005 Apple Design Awards](http://developer.apple.com/ada/). Transmit's Automator actions are great, and have become integral to the management of this site. Hopefully notices like this will encourage developers to leverage Automator and other Tiger technologies in their products.
DittyBot Pushes(?) Automator Envelope
[DittyBot](http://plasticbugs.com/index.php?p=267) is a funny name for a rather nifty (if somewhat useless) workflow that shows how far Automator can be pushed, if properly coerced. DittyBot allows you to *"send a text message [containing a song title] from your mobile phone to your POP email account. DittyBot copies the song name into iTunes, loads [Skype](http://www.skype.com/) and calls your mobile phone. When you pick up, you should hear your song start playing in all its compressed glory."*
Automator Developer Updates
Along with the release of [Xcode 2.1](http://developer.apple.com/tools/xcode/index.html), which is geared towards the [Great Intel Migration of 2006](http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/wwdc05/), Apple has updated the Automator [Developer Documentation](http://developer.apple.com/documentation/AppleApplications/Automator-date.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30000418-TP40001673), the [tutorial](http://developer.apple.com/documentation/AppleApplications/Conceptual/AutomatorTutorialAppleScript/index.html), and is providing new [release notes](http://developer.apple.com/releasenotes/AppleApplications/Automator.html). Automator 1.0.1 is due to be released with the forthcoming 10.4.2 system update.
More on Filemaker Pro 7 Actions
[Filemaker](http://www.filemaker.com) has released a bit more [information](http://www.filemaker.com/support/downloads/tech_preview/) regarding the Automator actions they plan for Filemaker Pro 7, as [originally](http://www.automatorworld.com/2005/05/01/filemaker-pro-7-adds-automator-support/) reported. The actions are not yet available for download.
Intelintosh?
Unless you're the kind of person who prefers to get work done rather than, say, hinge on every misspelled word of an overloaded web feed, you know that at today's World Wide Developer Conference Steve Jobs announced that beginning in June 2006, Apple will begin to ship Macs running [Intel Microprocessors](http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/jun/06intel.html). It's too soon to form any rational analysis of this move and how it may affect the focus of this website, but feel free to hash about it in the [forum](http://forums.automatorworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=108).
OVOLAB Phlink – Mac Telephony Returns
Remember the [Apple GeoPort](http://macintosh.otago.ac.nz/OMUG/XoN1996/News63.html#GEOPORT)? It was a modem-like adapter for early PowerMacs that enabled you to use your Mac as a telephone receiver, dialer, fax and answering machine. I had one, and it worked pretty well. Enter OVOLAB Phlink, a slick new telephone answering "system" (for lack of a better term). I haven't had the chance to use it yet, but it features two Automator actions, *Dial Contact using Phlink* and *Dial Number and Play Message*, opening up a host of very cool possibilities that my old [Powermac 6100](http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac/stats/powermac_6100_60.html) could only dream of. More »
GraphicConverter X 5.6.2
[Lemke Software](http://www.lemkesoft.de) has released [GraphicConverter X 5.6.2](http://www.lemkesoft.de/en/graphcon.htm), which, among a host of improvements, includes four Automator actions: *Convert into JPEG, Create Preview and Icon, Remove Resource Fork* and *Rotate JPEG Lossless*. GraphicConverter X is available for $30 ($35 for CD).
Automated Workflows Releases Quark Actions
[Automated Workflows, LLC](http://www.automatedworkflows.com) has released [*Quark Automator actions*](http://www.automatedworkflows.com/automator/actions.html), a collection of six Automator actions for use with QuarkXPress. Available immediately, the actions include: *Apply Quark Box Names, Open Documents in Quark, Place Images in Quark Document, Place Text in Quark Document, Retrieve Quark Box Names* and *Save Quark Document.* The *Quark Action Pack 1* is $4.99, or as part of the *Desktop Publishing Quark Action Pack 1* for $34.99. Download the [demo](http://store.eSellerate.net/s.aspx?s=STR4139857208).