09Aug2007

Running a .command then closing the Terminal window

I currently have a .command file saved to automatically start the PHP file that submits my music listening habits to last.fm. Until now I’ve been unable to find a way of closing the Terminal window once the command is run.

I found the following way to achieve this here. Basically it goes like this:

  1. Open a Terminal window and set the preferences to close the window on execution of the script.
  2. Save the current window as a term file.
  3. Open the term file in a text editor and change the
    ExecutionString
    to
    ExecutionString
    /Users/username/script.command;exit
    The exit will close the window

That looks a lot tidier.

Filed under: Tech — Tags: , , — admin @ 8:24 pm
16Dec2006

Frogpad keyboard

I’ve been looking for a small bluetooth keyboard to use with my Mac Mini HTPC. The Frogpad seems to be almost a perfect match. Basically it’s a one handed keyboard that measures roughly 12×8 cm. It’s very similar the old Spectrum ZX keyboards where there were four options per key that were accessed via modifier keys. The keys are layed out so that the commonest letters are the main key options and the lesser used letters, numbers and symbols are all under modifiers.

I connected it to my laptop first to learn how to use it. After a couple of hours I was easily past the hunt and peck stage. I think it has uses far beyond the Mac Mini, I can use it with my Palm, in fact it’s what I’m typing this blog post on now.

For HTPCs I can’t really see I’ll need much more than this.

Filed under: Tech — Tags: , — Di @ 12:00 am
27Nov2006

Tags in iTunes

I like tags. I use them a lot. I find the idea of going back to categories unappealing. Tagging reduces that “where does this belong?” conundrum as that usually arrises from having too many filing possibilities. I’ve been wanting to set up more detailed smart playlists in iTunes. Not just limit them to whole genres of music. For example I’d like to set up a playlist for songs that have a piano playing. As the piano can be found in many types of music I can’t use the genre ID3 tag. There is another way…

Use the comments to tag up the music, so songs with piano in them get the keyword ‘piano’ added, songs with female vocalists get a tag to that effect and so on. Then just create a smart playlist to check for these tags.

Filed under: Tech — Tags: , , , — Di @ 10:34 pm
21Sep2006

And so it begins…

After two attempts at using a Shuttle PC as an HTPC I finally admitted defeat and got myself a Mac Mini. The plan for the mini is as follows:

  • Time shift digital TV
  • Music Jukebox
  • Play Myst 3 from the comfort from my sofa *

The mini should be controllable purely via remote control, that includes being able to switch the thing off, I don’t wish to leave it on standby as I’ve become fairly energy conscious.

* Bought many years ago and still I’ve not played it yet.

Filed under: Tech — Tags: , , — Di @ 6:24 pm