Launch App at certain time, Quit App at certain time

Question

Level 1

65 points

Launch App at certain time, Quit App at certain time

I am new to automator and having a hard time figuring out how to do teh following:

1. Open an Application at a desired time say 12 am
2. Close an Application at a desire time around 12 pm

Thank you for your help
stern

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Jul 28, 2006 4:10 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Jul 28, 2006 4:28 PM in response to Stern

The easiest way to do this is to use the operating system's built-in cron system. You can use a freeware utility like Cronnix (www.versiontracker.com) to make programming schedules easier. Use Cronnix to program the launch time. You can write a simple Applescript to quit the application and have Cronnix run the Applescript at the time you want the application to quit.

Reply

Answer 2

emilie.

Level 2

275 points

Jul 28, 2006 6:10 PM in response to Stern

Hi,

You can save workflows as iCal Alarm Plug-ins. Try making a workflow with a "Launch Application" action (in the Finder category) and select the application you want to launch. Save the workflow by going to "Save As Plug-in..." > iCal Alarm Plug-in. You should then be able to set the time you want the application to launch.

Similarly, create another workflow to quit the application. Put a "Run AppleScript" action in a new workflow, and say:

tell application "YourApplication" to quit

Then also save that workflow as an iCal Alarm plug-in, and you can set the time that you want the application to quit.

Hope it helps!

Reply