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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).
Ambrosia Releases WireTap Pro 1.1.0
[Ambrosia Software](http://www.ambrosiasw.com) has released version 1.1.0 of [WireTap Pro](http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/wiretap/), their audio recording utility. This new version features OS X Tiger compatibility and contains an Automator action, *Single Timed Recording*. WireTap Pro is $19.00 or free for registered users of 1.0. More »
Automator Technology Guide Ships
[Automated Workflows](http://www.automatedworkflows.com) new book [*Mac OS X Technology Guide to Automator*](http://www.spiderworks.com/books/automator.php), by Ben Waldie, is now shipping, and is [available](http://www.spiderworks.com/books/automator.php) as a PDF for $14.95 or in print for $29.95 (please consider purchasing the print version via [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN/0974434469&link_code=as2&camp=1789&tag=automatorworl-20&creative=9325), it helps support this site).
Call Automator Workflows from AppleScript
From [Mac OS X Hints](http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20050512170841120): *"If you need to execute an Automator workflow from an AppleScript, have the application "Automator Launcher" open the saved workflow document.* More »
Sanitize Filenames for Shell Scripts
[Joe Block](mailto:jpb@ApesSeekingKnowledge.net) writes: *"I ran into an issue with Automator workflows that call unix shell scripts. I've detailed it [here](http://digitalhominid.blogspot.com/2005/05/automator-and-shell-scripts.html), but it boils down to if you have a workflow that sends filenames to the unix script, you need to add an extra Applescript step to sanitize the file names.* More »
Disable Actions for Testing Workflows
If you're working on a complex workflow and want to see how it behaves without a certain action, click on the action's number on the left-hand side of the title bar. A pop-up menu will allow you to select *Disable*; the action will now be dimmed out, and the workflow will ignore it. This menu also appears as a ctrl (right) click on the title bar, and allows you to add a custom name, reorder or delete the action from the workflow.
More Actions from Complete Digital Photography
[Ben Long](http://www.creativepro.com/author/home/109.html) has updated his [collection](http://www.completedigitalphotography.com/index.php?p=339#more-339) of Photoshop Automator actions yet again. New actions include *Filter From Orientation, Assign Color Profile, Assign Epson 2200 Profile* and *Filter by Aspect Ratio*. Also checkout his Automator [article](http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/22897.html) at [creativepro.com](http://www.creativepro.com).