Controlling iSight / Photo Booth with an external button

Been googling and thinking about this because I like your idea, the DIY thought behind it, and of course, that you want to do it with a Mac. We had a photo booth thingy (provided by pros) at some friends' wedding earlier this year, and it's been a hit! So, go for it -- but...:

Probably like yourself, I found a button like the one in your link with USB, but it was only for Windows, explicitly "not for Mac". I'm sure it could still be made working on a Mac with some script, but it'll require some programming.

Possible alternative? It might sound silly and requires some fiddling, soldering, etc, but maybe this is something for you, if you haven't thought of it yourself:

- Get the large "emergency" push button you like. Watch out, most are "opening" when pushed, but you'll need one that's "closing" a circuit.

- Take an old, unused keyboard or mouse, USB or Bluetooth, Mac or Windows, see if it still works (return key, or left mouse button), take it apart to get to the contacts of return key or mouse button. You will need to solder (probably thin) wires to them, eventually also drill a hole into the housing to get them outside, and then connect them with the push button.

Whatever, good luck!

All i could find http://www.instructables.com/id/A-Makers-Wedding-Photo-booth/step2/Software-and- Trigger-Button/

Edit: Is this any good for you http://www.stealthswitch2.com/what-is-the-stealthswitch-ii/

Also found http://www.instructables.com/id/Live-Slide-Show-Photo-Booth/step3/Set-up-the-sta rt-button/

One could also use an Apple Remote--in conjunction with iRed Lite or another app that allows you to assign custom remote commands--to trigger Photo Booth. You would want to tether the remote to something heavy to prevent it from disappearing.

Another method would be a Speakable Items vocal trigger, though there might be too much ambient party noise for it to work properly.

Hello, elbovsko.

I see that you have still not marked any suggestion as Helpful or a Solution. Perhaps you need more ideas?

Could a mouse do what you want? These days, most people probably know how to use one.

Wired: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB112LL/B/

Wireless: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB829LL/A/

To minimize user confusion, configure System Preferences... > Mouse so every control is the primary button.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.8.2

Well, then the link provided by Defcom(UK) here above should do.

elbovsko wrote:

If I could map the primary button to trigger the enter key, and nothing else, then a moust might work.

I don't know any to do that with the System Preferences... > Mouse menu command dialog.

It might be possible to map the mouse to the "return" key ONLY (and nothing else) if you know (or will do the required research to find out) how to use Automator, AppleScript, or Terminal.

Defcom's USB Overdrive suggestion is likely simpler.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.8.2

Another option you could try is get a magic mouse/tracapad (preferably a trackpad) and use BTT (free) to program a gesture(eg 2 finger click) to take the picture. It'll look great too.