Previously I did a write up on how to launch Windows apps from OS X using apple script. Well you can just forget I ever said anything about that because its built in now. I also noticed that there now looks to be multiple monitor support. I have tested the new doc feature and its awesome.
I’m suprized that these guys are able to get any code written with all the high fives they must do after each of these new features.
-s
How do they come up with all these great ideas? lets list a few of the more recent ones.
Microsoft Flash (Just released in beta)
Microsoft iPod (Its a christmas hit)
Microsoft Google Search (Who doesn’t search with this?)
Microsoft Google Maps
Microsoft iTunes Store (Plays for sure?)
Microsoft Playstation
For those of you who don’t know what WPF/e (Microsoft Flash) is, its Microsofts cross platform (OSx, XP/Vista) browser plugin that allows a portion of the WPF(Windows Presentation Foundation) to be used to make Flash like applications. (Vector graphics, 2d animations, audio, video, etc…)
So now everyone seems to be getting getting a bit worked up about WPF/e. When I first heard about this release, I started off with some grunting and snarling, followed by being kind of moody for a few hours. I have at this time managed to calm myself down enough to put together some initial pros and cons going into this thing.
Pros & Cons of WPF
Pros
1. Competition can be healthy. (Maybe we’ll get Apollo and I cant stop dreaming about it in my Xmas stocking)
2. You can use the standard MS Languages C#, VB.Net, etc…
3. Media playback works with DRM content.
Cons
1. Microsoft once again extends itself too far. Seriously, whats next? The Microsoft Toilet, the Microsoft Refrigerator? Just because its a successful product doesn’t mean you have to copy it throw an X on it and mass produce it. Imagine for a moment the xToilet, I imagine it to be an even better version of those sensor auto flushing toilets at the airport that flush every time you reach back to do a wipe. Its like a toilet and a water slide all in one! PEOPLE! It worked perfectly well when it was just a toilet with a handle. It just didn’t need the “X” treatment.
2. Next week I’m going to walk into work into a new Project and some one will inevitably say “Why don’t we use WPF/e instead of Flash”. Because of this I’m going to have to learn this technology even if its far off from prime time (can they even get it through a demo without a crash?). Also, did you see how slow apps start up?
3. What will happen now that the Microsoft iPod doesn’t use PlaysForSure? Just plain Scary.
Anyway, I’m done with my temper tantrim. Guess its time to get out the Microsoft Blender and see what I can make with this thing. Who knows maybe it’ll turn out to make Microsoft Margaritas. Mmmmm… Margaritas
-s
So if you’re like me and love your Intel Mac but still use Windows in Parallels for Flash Alpha 9, Microsoft .Net Studio, etc.. then your probably already running the new Parallels build with “Coherence”. Well the one downside (don’t get me wrong it puts steam in my stride on a daily basis) is that you still have to open apps from the Windows Taskbar. Well, here is a simple solution for Launching windows apps from your OSX Doc.
Steps (Yes its not that simple)
1. OSX -> Go to “System Preferences” and open “Universal Access”. Click on the Keyboard tab and check “Enable access for assitive devices.
2. Open Parallels in “Coherence” mode. Go to the “Properties” for the application you want run in Windows. (right click in properties on the shortcut in the menu). Setup a “Shortcut Key” for the application you want to run. So for Flash 9 you may setup Control-Shift-f
3. Open your AppleScript Editor (Applications/Applescript) and paste in the following code:
tell application “Parallels Desktop”
activate
tell application “System Events”
– Shortcut in windows setup for Control-Shift-f
– Change for each application and resave
keystroke “f” using {control down, shift down}
end tell
end tell
4. Save the script as an “Application Bundle” in a folder.
5. Create all the scripts for apps you need in the same folder. Copy the folder to your OSX Doc.
6. Thats it. Yeah its a hack, but it’ll work until they build it into
Other Things:
