Since trying out MacSpeak Dictate, I found a useful feature called “text macros” which allows you to link a block of text to a voice command. Say the command, and the text is magically inserted. One problem: MacSpeak applies it’s own rules to the formatting of the text, so words may not be capitalized the way you originally entered them. Solution: use an AppleScript instead, which can also be linked to a voice command.

I’ve been searching high and low for how to get AppleScript to type a block of text on command. There’s the “keystroke” command but this is extremely slow for entering a lot of text. The solution I came up with involves saving the current contents of the clip board, inserting the text you want to insert on the clipboard, and getting AppleScript to paste it. Finally AppleScript restores the original contents of the clipboard. I had to use a delay before restoring the clipboard because sometimes the restore goes through before the text is pasted.

tell application "System Events"
	set currentClipboard to the clipboard
	set the clipboard to "Ishir Bhan, M.D., M.P.H."
	keystroke "v" using {command down}
	delay 1
	set the clipboard to currentClipboard
end tell

To include line breaks in your text, just use \n.

I recently posted about seeing my iPhone battery nearly full after a day of heavy use. I really wanted to believe it. I did. There are times in life, however, when you realize that what you are experiencing is too good to be true. You wake up and find it was all a dream. This, my friends, was one of those times. Except there was no waking up. I wasn’t asleep, you see, it was just that the 3G’s battery indicator was lying to me. Not in a malicious way, mind you, but in the way a friend might lie to help you feel better. Like “hey, your blog posts are really funny” or “I always look forward to new additions to your blog.” You get the idea. The 3G wanted me to believe it had endless battery life because it knew I would feel better about the world.

I was tipped off when I looked closely at the little green icon and saw that it wasn’t just close to full. It was full. Completely full. Nothing could phase it. Not frequently turning off and on, loading large web pages, or even GPS. I knew what I had to do. Gently, but firmly, I held down the home and sleep buttons on the phone and watched the screen fade into blackness as the phone reset. Most of you have seen those events on medical TV shows or movies where they yell “clear” and shock the patient and then there’s an intense silence while they watch to see what happens. It was like that. Only with a phone. And there was no need to yell “clear” (though maybe I should try that next time for dramatic effect).

When the phone recovered, I saw that the battery was about half empty. Turns out this battery meter mischief has been reported elsewhere on the internet as well.

The good news? I’m still getting considerably better battery life than I experienced the first day or two. At least, I think I am.

There’s something very satisfying about software updates on the Mac. Maybe it’s because you know that something is being improved for free. It’s not, however, always clear what is being improved. Apple’s recent updates have descriptions like “improves stability” or “adds features.” The might as well say “makes stuff more better.” I got a kick out of the latest update for “iLife Support”. I’m half expecting to find an Apple-labelled ventilator in the ICU. I can see it now - glossy white plastic and only one button.

My snarky battery life comment may have been made too soon. Despite moderate usage today, my battery indictor is almost full. Either battery life improves with time or my indicator is wrong. Oh, and I am posting this from my phone. How cool is that?

“Steve loves Apple. He serves as CEO at the pleasure of Apple’s board and has no plans to leave Apple. Steve’s health is a private matter.” - CFO Peter Oppenheimer, June 21, 2008

Not very reassuring to those of us alarmed by Steve’s progressive wasting. Let’s hope for the best.

Macworld | Create good queries in Spotlight: “… if your search involves multiple terms, or if you need to narrow down your results to dig up a particularly elusive file, knowing how to put together a good search query will pay off.”

In addition to rumors that Apple has already ordered the manufacture of 3G iPhones, consider that all 3 of Apple’s New York stores are sold out of iPhones, and even Apple’s online store quotes a ship date of 5-7 days instead of the usual “within 24 hours.” Maybe much ado about nothing, but you never know…

Terminal Tip: Safari 3.1 brings true one-window mode - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW): “Apple has added a hidden preference to Safari 3.1 that allows you to tell Safari to stick to one window. “

Finally!