News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

July 30, 2008

software

Statusphere randomizes and rotates your iChat Status

Posted Jul. 30, ’08, 4:08 PM PT by Dan Pourhadi
Category | Software

A while back I showed you how to write a quick AppleScript that automatically rotates your iChat Away message using a list of messages from a text file, which is hunky-dory if all you want is something that simple and you’re into the whole D-I-Y stuff.

But I want more; I want customizable options and handy features and, most of all, I want a user interface that manages everything so I don’t have to tweak the code itself every time I want to make a change.

Well, I heard my calls, and I’ve taken action: Today I released a brand-new (free!) status-management app called Statusphere. Built with AppleScript Studio (Xcode + Interface Builder), Statusphere lets you randomize and rotate your iChat Status message from a simple, feature-full-ish user interface. Take a look-see:

statusphere1.jpg

What are its so-called “features,” you ask? Here:

  • Choose a list of Status messages from a text file (one message per line), or create a new list within Statusphere and save it as a text file.
  • Specify how often you want Statusphere to change your Status message to a random selection from your list.
  • Specify if you want Statusphere to display your Status messages as Available or Away messages.
  • “Set Random Status” button sets your iChat Status message to a random message from your list without enabling the rotation process.
  • A built-in list editor lets you modify your messages text file without having to leave Statusphere.
  • Includes three example quotes lists: Humor, Politics, and Writing.

It’s still an early build, so there may be bugs I’m unaware of. Give it a try (direct download link), let me know how it works, and pass along any feature requests or changes you’d like to see. (And yes, I’m working on Adium support.)


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