Solve the multiple camera application launch dilemma

OS X has long allowed you to specify what application gets launched when you attach certain devices, such as a digital camera, to your Mac, but sometimes this can be more annoyance than feature. For example, say you’ve got both a digital camera and your iPhone: you probably don’t mind launching iPhoto when you connect your digital camera, since you’ll likely want to download some photos. But when you hook up your iPhone, you may just want to sync some contacts and calendars, not transfer the pictures you’ve taken. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could tell your Mac what app to launch based on what device you’re connecting?

Sam Stephenson at 37signals, the fellows behind web project software like Backpack and Basecamp, has come up with a workaround for just such an occasion. Create an Apple Script application that gets launched when you connect a device and then decides, based on the name of the device, what application to open.

You’ll need to do some command-line work in order to get the app set up correctly, but Sam lays out all the steps you need in good detail, and explains what each of them do. All in all, a good solution if you suffer from multiplecameraapplicationlaunchitis (don’t worry; it’s treatable!).

Category: Tips & Troubleshooting

Posted by Dan Moren on Feb 22 2008, 11:20 AM ET

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