Mac: Start Up

This will be the first of a two part section. I say two because I am not that familiar with Linux's start up. I can however learn if someone would like me to write an article on it. The Windows version of this post will be out tomorrow. Anyway, back to this. Those of you with Macs are like anyone else with a computer. You hate waiting for the computer to start up, yet you would like to have all your programs ready by the time your computer is ready. First, we want to remove any programs starting up unless you MUST have them on start up. To do this open System Preferences --->Accounts--->Your Account--->Login Items. Once here you can remove anything you like that is unneeded for start up. Next, open spotlight and search for Apple Script Editor. We are going to make a very simple script, nothing complicated. Let's say, for example, that you want Safari, iChat, and Mail to open when you run the script. To do this, type in  Apple Script Editor the following:

tell application "Safari"
launch
end tell
tell application "iChat"
launch
end tell
tell application "Mail"
launch
end tell

Once you have done this, hit "Compile" (that is the one with the hammer). It will look for any errors in your script. If there are none, you can hit "Run" to test the script. If all went well, Safari, iChat, and Mail will open up. Now you are going to want this as a script that you can execute by clicking on it, not opening it up. Next, click "File"---> "Save As". Title it something like "Login Script", and then save it to an easily accessible place, such as your desktop. Now the next time you log in, all you have to do is run the script and everything you want to open will open!

~Dave