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30 Most Recent RSS FeedJanuary 2024
iTunes 7.3.1 - The Bug
Correspondent David B. writes: On my machine when I click the "-->" links in the artist name field to display all the tracks of that artist, it does not work if the artist name begins with "The". Yep. Same here.
Update: Apparently the same holds true for Album.
iTunes 7.3.1 and QuickTime 7.2 Released
Yesterday Apple released iTunes 7.3.1 and QuickTime 7.2. "iTunes 7.3.1 addresses a minor problem with iTunes 7.3 accessing the iTunes Library." This is the -50 error some people were getting when trying to update the library. I have not noticed any AppleScript-related changes. QuickTime 7.2 finally allows non-Pro users to view movies in full-screen plus contains additional bug and security fixes. It also provides an updated H.264 codec for exporting movies to an iPhone-compatible format.
Also, several Intel Mac users are reporting that applications fail to start and that Rosetta seems crippled after installing the latest QuickTime and/or iTunes. Ouch.
...And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt
In the interest of supporting the site and evangelizing AppleScript (and for laffs), I've set up a T-Shirt & Mug store at Cafe Press. I make $5.00 Amerkin on every purchase which helps offset my own personal costs in keeping this site going. Hopefully, you'll find the wares enjoyable. Thanks in advance ;)
Proximity + iPhone
Proximity is an application (menu bar app, actually) that monitors the proximity of your mobile phone or other bluetooth device and executes custom AppleScripts when the device goes out of range or comes into range of your computer. Guess what? Couple of geniuses have written some example scripts for it that work in conjunction with iPhone.
iTunes Maintenance
Perhaps you change your car's oil on a regular schedule (you should). You pay bills on a regular schedule. Perhaps you have other household routines you schedule on a regular basis--cleaning bathroom, changing sheets, clipping the dog's nails, weeding the garden, Swiffering the computer desk, and so on.
How about tending to your iTunes music collection?
Many people who frequent this site are looking for AppleScript solutions that will instantaneously completely transform their un-tidy iTunes Library into a pristene-perfect Library of Congress-quality digital music collection. To the contrary, I've found that there's no need to try and get iTunes maintenance done in one fell swoop. If you take your time to manicure your iTunes music regularly you will not only avoid frustration but maybe get to know your collection better.
I spend only about a half-hour a week pruning, updating, re-tagging, deleting, Smart Playlisting.... Usually, the best time for me is on Saturday morning. Just after the second cup of tea and before my wife announces (decrees) the Weekend Activities. Here's my regimen:
- Find duplicates - Using either iTunes' own "Show Duplicates" or Dupin, I assemble a list of possible duplicates. This assemblage contains the (so-called) "original" track and the (so-called) duplicate(s). I actually listen to a portion of each track, and/or check the bit rate and sample rate, and/or do a "Get Info", and/or check the file (using "Show In Finder", Command/R) to make sure which is the "original" and which is/are the "duplicate/s". Delete accordingly. (See iTunes Help Menu "Keyboard Shortcuts" on how to delete tracks/files from a playlist.) Remember, I don't check every track since I only have a half-hour on Saturday before wife says clean garage.
- Check for empty tags - Do a sort by Album. Find tracks with blank albums. Do a sort by Artist. Find tracks with blank Artists. And so on with other tags. Correct, if necessary.
- Check Artwork - I use artwork tool in TrackSift. Then I use Find Album Artwork with Google to locate artwork. Of course, you can always use iTunes own "Get Album Artwork" in the Advanced Menu.
- Examine playlists - I'll often create temporary playlists (Smart and regular) and then forget about them. Now's the time to get rid of them.
- Archive TV Shows and Movies - I subscribe to several TV Shows. When the season ended for "Ugly Betty" and "My Name Is Earl" I dumped the shows to DVDs and deleted the files from iTunes. Likewise, I delete episodes of "The Daily Show" after a couple of weeks; since they are so topical, unless there is a real keeper, they get deleted.
- Always sort by Date Added - All my main libraries (Music, TV Shows, Audiobooks, and so on) are sorted by Date Added (newest on top) so I only have to scroll to the bottom to find out What The Deal Is. Archive 'em or delete 'em.
I certainly do other tasks which are me-specific, but the point is to do them regularly. Otherwise your library will almost certainly get out of control. Remember, you don't have to fix everything this Saturday. Take it one Saturday at a time.
iTunes 7.3 - Bundled Apps
Last August, this article at Mac OS X Hints pointed out the differences between AppleScript Application and Application Bundles running on PPC and Intel Macs. At the time, I asked if Bundles displayed and worked correctly in iTunes' Script Menu on an Intel Mac--they did not. However, the original poster, Harry Dymond, just emailed me to let me know that iTunes 7.3 (and/or perhaps OS 10.4.10) resolves this issue.
