AWSBrowser


Intro

AWSBrowser is the ACP Web Services browser. It lets you browse catalogues with web resources, test them, and export them to your Services menu where they can be further edited by AWSManager.

All you need to do to make it work is drag it to the location of your choosing and launch it. See below for details.

AWSBrowser is one of three modules in the ACP Web Services system: the other two, AWS.service and AWSManager, are available at the AWS Resource Page. See the link below.

In addition you will want 'services' catalogues containing the web resources you can put on your menu. Currently there are several hundred available. These catalogues are also available at the links below. New services are being made available all the time.

Compatibility, Requirements

OS X version 10.2, 10.3, or 10.4; AWSBrowser takes approximately 350 KB disk space; there are no special memory requirements.

Installing AWSBrowser

The AWSBrowser.app bundle (found in the same folder as the file you're currently reading) needs only to be dragged into the folder of your choosing. It's ready to run.

You need at least one 'services' catalogue to make the application work. If you don't already have one, download the current catalogue collection from the following URL.

ftp://rixstep.com/pub/aws/catalogues.bz2

You might have to use an 'open' dialog or drop a file on the application's dock icon the first time, but after a restart your system should recognise the new file extension so you can double-click the catalogue files to open them.

AWS Resource Page

The AWS Resource Page has all details on the ACP Web Services. It is located at http://rixstep.com/aws.

ACP Web Services

AWSBrowser assumes the presence of the ACP Web Services but it is not necessary to have this installed to run AWSBrowser, browse through the resource catalogue, or use the built in search engine, but 'exporting' services to your Services menu will not be possible without the presence of the ACP Web Services.

The ACP Web Services is a simple module available for download at the URL below. The download is approximately 6 KB [sic].

ftp://rixstep.com/pub/aws/service.bz2

About the ACP Web Services

The basic run-through:

  1. Select text anywhere.

  2. Go to your Services menu and choose a service.

  3. The AWS.service module will launch your default browser and take you to the service you requested.

OS X services are based on interprocess data exchange. A 'clipboard' is used for this exchange. Almost all text OS X has the ability to work with OS X services.

As with all services involving text, the ACP Web Services assume some text is selected somewhere (and in focus). OS X determines what services are available and enables service menu items accordingly.

Try this as an experiment.

  1. Select some text in this window (yes your browser window) and then go to your browser's Services menu and see which items are enabled. With text selected you should find almost everything enabled.

  2. Now click in your browser's location bar (but don't select anything) and try again. Most items should now be disabled.

  3. Now triple-click in your location bar and try again.

See? Almost anywhere you can select text you can get a service.

Online

http://www.dotatdot.co.uk/clix/


ACP Web Services
Copyright © Rixstep. All rights reserved.