This software module allows you to select and run an AppleScript as your screensaver. Choose from a range of scripts that will be executed when your computer is idle, enhancing your screen-saving experience.
ScriptSaver is a screen saver module that enables users to execute an AppleScript of their choice when it activates. This feature has several applications, including refreshing a folder, logging out a user, emptying the trash, or relaunching an application. It is a versatile tool that has various use cases, such as performing periodic maintenance tasks, running cleanup scripts on kiosk machines, or updating iChat status when the computer is idle.
Installing ScriptSaver is easy. Users can drag the ScriptSaver.saver file to the Screen Savers folder inside the Library folder in their home folder. If there is no Screen Savers folder inside the Library folder, they can make a new one titled "Screen Savers" and drag ScriptSaver.saver into it.
Configuring ScriptSaver is simple too. Select ScriptSaver in the "Desktop & Screen Saver" preference pane in System Preferences to access the ScriptSaver configuration sheet. Users can follow the directions on this sheet to customize ScriptSaver to their liking.
To execute an AppleScript when the screen saver activates, users can click the "Choose" button in the "Activation Script" section of the configuration sheet. Then, they can select an AppleScript from the Open dialog that appears. Note that the AppleScript must have the file extension .scpt or .applescript to be chosen in the open panel. The selected script will execute when the screen saver is invoked.
Similarly, users can execute an AppleScript when the screen saver deactivates. They can follow the same instructions as given above but use the "Choose" button in the "Deactivation Script" section of the configuration sheet. The chosen AppleScript will execute when the user moves the mouse or presses a key to cancel the screen saver.
The "Screen Saver" section allows users to choose a screen saver to run after the activation AppleScript is launched. Screensavers installed in /System/Library/Screen Savers appear at the top of the pop-up menu, followed by screensavers that exist in the ~/Library/Screen Savers folder.
ScriptSaver provides a "Sample Scripts" folder with one sample AppleScript that logs out the current user when ScriptSaver activates. However, note that it forces a log out by killing the loginwindow process, which causes all unsaved data to be lost and immediately brings the system back to the Login Window. Although this is particularly abrupt, it is guaranteed to work. Users can also execute shell scripts from within AppleScript.
Installing ScriptSaver is easy. Users can drag the ScriptSaver.saver file to the Screen Savers folder inside the Library folder in their home folder. If there is no Screen Savers folder inside the Library folder, they can make a new one titled "Screen Savers" and drag ScriptSaver.saver into it.
Configuring ScriptSaver is simple too. Select ScriptSaver in the "Desktop & Screen Saver" preference pane in System Preferences to access the ScriptSaver configuration sheet. Users can follow the directions on this sheet to customize ScriptSaver to their liking.
To execute an AppleScript when the screen saver activates, users can click the "Choose" button in the "Activation Script" section of the configuration sheet. Then, they can select an AppleScript from the Open dialog that appears. Note that the AppleScript must have the file extension .scpt or .applescript to be chosen in the open panel. The selected script will execute when the screen saver is invoked.
Similarly, users can execute an AppleScript when the screen saver deactivates. They can follow the same instructions as given above but use the "Choose" button in the "Deactivation Script" section of the configuration sheet. The chosen AppleScript will execute when the user moves the mouse or presses a key to cancel the screen saver.
The "Screen Saver" section allows users to choose a screen saver to run after the activation AppleScript is launched. Screensavers installed in /System/Library/Screen Savers appear at the top of the pop-up menu, followed by screensavers that exist in the ~/Library/Screen Savers folder.
ScriptSaver provides a "Sample Scripts" folder with one sample AppleScript that logs out the current user when ScriptSaver activates. However, note that it forces a log out by killing the loginwindow process, which causes all unsaved data to be lost and immediately brings the system back to the Login Window. Although this is particularly abrupt, it is guaranteed to work. Users can also execute shell scripts from within AppleScript.
What's New
Version 2.12: N/A