Shortcuts is an app that Apple produced and introduced on iOS (iPhone\/iPad) and recently added to the Mac.\u00a0 When it debuted, I took little notice of it, but I quickly realized that AppleScript and Automator (two other, older Apple technologies) were not available outside the Mac, so my attention turned to Shortcuts.<\/p>\n
Another back story:\u00a0 As a programmer most of my adult life and throughout my career, I’ve constantly looked for ways to simplify my computing experience, and have developed a number of scripts and processes using the command line, HyperCard, AppleScript and Automator.\u00a0 Each has required a learning curve, and Apple has followed the trend of making programming languages and their syntax complicated and intimidating.\u00a0 Which I find ironic, as the Mac was originally promoted as the computer for “the rest of us.”\u00a0 Hmm.<\/p>\n
To add insult to injury, Apple keeps breaking AppleScript with updates to macOS, and now I hear that Automator is likely going to be replaced by Shortcuts.<\/p>\n
So, maybe it’s time for me to learn Shortcuts.<\/p>\n
Shortcuts began life as a product called “Workflow,” which garnered an Apple Design Award in 2015, and was fully acquired by Apple in 2017.\u00a0 It has since grown added features and in 2021 its availability for macOS was announced.\u00a0 It now supports the entire Apple “ecosphere,” Mac, iPad, iPhone, Watch.<\/p>\n
Even though Shortcuts attempts to be helpful and usable “out of the box,” most of the pre-built “workflows” (or “macros”) available in the product’s “gallery” do not fit my day to day needs.\u00a0 Time to roll up my sleeves and create my own.<\/p>\n
Which is where the dark side of technology is introduced.\u00a0 In its inimitable way, Apple has tried to make Shortcuts usable without writing any code.\u00a0 But by so doing, one must learn the “Shortcuts way” of doing things.\u00a0 Sadly, there aren’t tutorials, and the built-in help is pretty much the only source for information.\u00a0 That is, until I came across the book, Take Control of Shortcuts, 2nd Edition<\/a> by Rosemary Orchard (the delightful irony of both Apple and Orchard being associated is not overlooked!).\u00a0 \u00a0I purchased it (Kindle version, the only format available) in large part because it even addresses changes and additions to the current version of macOS, “Ventura” (version 13), which I am running on my modern Macs.<\/p>\n Reading the reviews on Amazon, I was prepared for a less-than-ideal reading and learning experience, so I wasn’t surprised that the author, while knowledgeable about the subject, chose to attempt to address the differences between platforms every time one occurred.\u00a0 And there are many!\u00a0 I found this distracting and hard to follow.\u00a0 There’s a lot of good information presented in the book, but I find myself losing track as Orchard follows breadcrumbs here and there.<\/p>\n Which brings me back to the topic of this post:\u00a0 Should I Write A Book?\u00a0 I have given this some (but not a lot) of thought.\u00a0 If I were going to write a book about Shortcuts, how would I structure it?\u00a0 Since I am exposed to a lot of technical documentation through the course of my work, my thinking is that I would probably write it according to this rough outline:<\/p>\n It always helps to have examples and even do-it-yourself templates.\u00a0 Screenshots and clear step-by-step instructions in abundance would go a long way to adding value to the book.<\/p>\n Almost in spite of Orchard’s book, I have been able to create two Shortcuts “macros.”\u00a0 The first addresses the original desire to automate my workout routine.\u00a0 Because it is started on my Watch and transfers control to my iPhone, it doesn’t always work.\u00a0 I’m still looking into that.\u00a0 The second, which I even added comments inside, I have running as a “service” on my Mac that just uses the Mac’s “Quick Look” capability to display a random photo from a folder I use for desktop pictures.\u00a0 It doesn’t serve any real useful purpose, but it’s kind of fun during a quick break to pop up and display a photo I may not have seen in a while.\u00a0 Here’s a screenshot of the Shortcut “code.”<\/p>\n Remember that “learning curve” I mentioned earlier?\u00a0 Well, I had to find out what a “Quick Action” is (in essence, it’s like a service one can call from the Services menu on.a Mac) and then I had to learn that I needed to “continue” if there was no input.\u00a0 And, since I’m using folders on my Mac that don’t exist on my phone or iPad, I had to terminate the shortcut if I was trying to run it on one of them, otherwise I’d get an error.<\/p>\n I may never write this book.\u00a0 But when I finally retire, I should have the time to learn and explore the Shortcuts app on multiple platforms, and maybe put my knowledge into words.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As evidenced by this ongoing blog, I enjoy writing.\u00a0 I have never approached this effort with an audience in mind, and most of my articles are mostly journaling personal opinions and experiences.\u00a0 That said, my current motivation to write more … Continue reading \n
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