Use iCal to launch scripts on any schedule

Nov 21, '03 10:47:00AM

Contributed by: Anonymous

I was reading hints on this site regarding scheduling of various OS X maintenance jobs (repair permissions, etc). Quite a few of these were based on Terminal scripts or AppleScripts, both of which work fine. The debate usually focused on the best way to launch these scripts, using cron or placing scripts in the daily routines folder, or using Cronnix, you get the idea. Well, it turns out all you need is the latest version of iCal!

When you create a new event if you click "Alarm," you get several choices, one of which is "Open File." Yup, this can open anything you want including, of course, AppleScripts. Simply select the script you want to run, choose the time of day and interval, and you're off! Plus these will run even if iCal is closed, just like any other alarm message.

Combined with the new (born again!) scheduling feature in Panther's Energy Saver panel, this makes for a quick and easy method for running maintenance jobs (or anything else you want) before your first coffee in the morning.

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