This aplet was inspired by SignatureQuote, that really cool shareware package that allows you to 'generate' a signature with an f-key. Pretty cool, except that I have found bunches of quotes I'd like to use in my signature file, so I thought, wouldn't it be cool if the computer would pick one at random.
What does it do?
So here it is. Signature Generator is an AppleScript that picks a signature file at random and copies its contents to the clipboard (sorry, you still have to paste it yourself).
How does it do it?
There are basically two parts to Signature Generator. First is the runtime AppleScript file (or aplet in AppleScript-speak). Second is the folder with the signature files in it. The aplet generates a random number, reads the file with that number, and copies its contents into the clipboard.
OK, here comes THE REALLY IMPORTANT part. The Sigfile folder must not, under any circumstance be renamed and must be placed in the Preferences Folder in the System Folder. Each sigfile should be placed in a separate file in the Sigfile Folder, and should be named as an integer number (i.e. 1,2,3,4, etc.).
What's in this package?
There are some a couple of other things that come with this package. First is this read me file (duh). Second is the compiled and editable version of the aplet (it's called Signature Generator.sct). There's nothing really fancy there, but if you'd like to take a look at it, please feel free. A note about the SigFile folder. There is a file in there called •template. I found that the easiest thing to do was to have a file that already had all my basic info in it and just add the quote to it. So that's for what the template is (in fact is still has my info in it).
What's NOT in this package?
Signature Generator requires AppleScript 1.1, which is available from Apple Computer. It requires that the following Scripting Disctionaries be present in the Scripting Additions Folder in the Extentions folder: File Commands, Jon's Commands, Numerics, and Text Files. All of these are part of System 7.5 except Jon's Commands by Jon Pugh and Text Files by Peter Lewis. Jon's Commands is available on Info-Mac. I got Text Files as part of Peter Lewis' Anarchie (also available on Info-Mac). The Text Files Dictionary may be available separately as well. I honestly don't know.
Limitations
The Signature Generator aplet is configured for a maximum of 10 separate files. There's no theoretical limit to this, but after playing around, I found that with only a few sigfiles (i.e. less than 5) the aplet spent a good deal of time generating 'false numbers' before it found one that matched an existing file. By changing the set maxfile statement in the Applescript, you can have as many files as you'd like. I wrote all my Signatures in SimpleText. It seems like this aplet should read any text file, but I don't know for sure. I have serious doubts about word processing files (like Word or WordPerfect), but once again, i didn't test that.
Disclaimers
OK, here goes. I can't guarentee the functionality of or effects from this aplet, and I can not warrenty this aplet in any way. This aplet is emailware. Send me some email if you like this aplet. Signature Generator may be distributed as long as it is in its original form and is accompanied by this read me file. You can include this in compilations (disks, CDs, etc) without my permission (not that it will be hard to get that permission, I'd just like to know first). Email me if you need permission.
Future Plans
First and foremost, I'm going to figure out how to have this thing count the number of sigfiles you have and generate a random number based on that. I'm also going to tackle the challenge of letting you put the SigFile folder where you want.
How to Contact Me
The easiest way is to email me. All the info you need is in my Signature.
Thanks for your support.
Kyle
---
Kyle Johnson, System Engineer | internet: pkscout@acpub.duke.edu
