asked on

How Launch Mac Apps from a local html link ...

Is there a way to Launch a local App on the Mac (OpenOffice, Calendar, etc) by clicking on a link in a local HTML document?

I want to be able to keep a "Clickable" 1-page list of what we need to run ... in correct sequence ... which involves a combination of Web Apps (so I just click a link) and local Mac OSX Apps.

I suppose a 3rd party "App Launcher" app may do the trick as well.

Eoin OSullivan

As this is a potential security hole by default there are only a few Apple apps that have in-built URL to App links (iTunes, App Store etc.)

It is possible to do but you would have to either create your own application or edit some settings on each individual client computer or create a custom AppleScript app with the associated application link
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3622537/how-to-create-a-weblink-to-open-a-osx-desktop-application

The AppleScript route is probably the most achievable
http://www.macosxautomation.com/applescript/linktrigger/
More info on the Apple Developer site
https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/cocoa/conceptual/ScriptableCocoaApplications/SApps_handle_AEs/SAppsHandleAEs.html

For example here is a script someone wrote to open the Application "Coda" on OSX
https://code.google.com/p/coda-protocol/

And a little more detail from someone who creates a custom protocol of their own
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/471581/how-to-map-a-custom-protocol-to-an-application-on-the-mac

SOLUTION

Justin Pilditch

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bleggee

ASKER

Thanks All! Murfur - yes, I am very curious as well. Would be very convenient to keep a local doc of instructions, step-by-step, for our business (or anyone!) ... Has little to do with the internet, other than the fact that some of the "Apps" we run would be Web Apps thru a Browser.
I envision waking up in the morning, grab tea/coffee, open a Word Doc or HTML Doc, and follow the directions, like:

Open Calendar, look for urgent apts to prepare for <link to run calendar of choice>
Look at open PO's here <another link to App or website> and cancel over ones, then ...

:-)

bleggee

ASKER

Is there an easier answer if we just wantd to Launch an App on a local Mac from a Document open on that Local Mac? Like an OpenOffice ODT document or a Word DOC Macro?

(It may be time for a new Post, but thought I'd toss this one in here in case anyone wants to have a go at it)

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Eoin OSullivan

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bleggee

ASKER

Thanks Murf & Eo !

bleggee

ASKER

Update: I had originally asked the question "How to launch a MAC App from inside a Text Document"
I found a nice solution that's well worth sharing ... See Taskpaper from Hog Bay Software at taskpaper.com (no I am not connected to them)
You must purchase it from this developer site ... the Apple Store version of Taskpaper has that functionality removed.
----------------------
Sidebar: If anyone is interested, I use this app constantly daily for checklists & procedures ... and launch everything from within 1 simple Taskpaper doc. I rarely hunt around my Desktop to click/launch anything any more. For Example:
___ Check my email taskpaper link to open Outlook for Mac app
___ Return phone calls
___ Check bank balance http link to examplebank . com

P.S. I've cross-posted this to my one other similar question as well
Cheers!
- Brian