One of the reasons I really enjoy using Microsoft Entourage is that it’s scriptable. I can report all my spam in one fell swoop to SpamCop, access my company’s GAL from home, organize messages in my Inbox and send quick canned messages. Scripting isn’t for everyone but it is an essential tool in a company administrator’s toolbelt or great timesaver for a Mac poweruser. I received my May issue of MacTech Magazine today and was glad to read an article by Ben Waldie intended to provide an introduction to AppleScripting Microsoft Entourage.
Like most “basics” articles, this one is cleanly written and doesn’t delve into complex technical detail. It covers the essentials of composing and addressing new mail messages using AppleScript as well as dabbles in other areas such as manipulating folders and contacts. Ben’s intention for the article is to introduce readers to scripting Entourage and it does this well, but lots of writers do this. I read them thinking, “I can do this but how can I use it for my needs?” Maybe Ben will write a follow up article that provides practical examples of use in the real world.
MacTech Magazine’s target audience isn’t the average home user but it’s certainly not above the comprehension of Mac enthusiasts. Mac administrators will find it useful and MacTech and Microsoft are offering a FREE* 6-month subscription for “qualified IT Pros”. That asterisk next to FREE means they still pay $9.95 for shipping & handling (I hate marketing sometimes.) but this is cheap compared to the $47.00 annual subscription rate.
While AppleScripting may not be for the timid, AppleScripts are definitely for everyone. Several scripts for Entourage are available on The Entourage Help Page as well as the MacScripter website.
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Even though the article is not available online currently, it eventually will make to the web. Currently you can view the chapter on Entourage scripting in the VBA transition guide.