AWS.service


AWS.service is a Cocoa service module. It runs only in the background. You do not need to launch it or start it or exit it: the system takes care of all of that for you. AWS.service will make selected text anywhere on your desktop capable of invoking a service from a resource on the web.

All you need to do to make it work is drag it to the right location and log back in. See below for details.

AWS.service is one of three modules in the ACP Web Services; the other two, AWSManager and AWSBrowser, are included in this package.

You will want 'services' catalogues containing the web resources you can put on your menu. Currently there are over one thousand available. They're also available in this package.

Compatibility, Requirements

OS X version 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6; the AWS.service module takes very little disk space; there are no special memory requirements. Once you've installed the module, everything is automatic: when you log back in you'll see the new items on your Services menu.

Installing AWS.service

The AWS.service folder (found in the same folder as the file you're currently reading) needs only to be dragged into the ~/Library/Services folder. Here's how you do it.

  1. See first if you have the Services folder in your own Library folder (~/Library/Services). Enter your home folder. Find your Library folder within and go into it. Look for the folder Services. If it does not exist, create it now. The system will automatically look for this folder on startup.

  2. Drag the AWS.service folder in your current folder to ~/Library/Services.

  3. Restart your computer.

About the ACP Web Services

The basic run-through:

  1. Select text somewhere.

  2. Go to your Services menu and choose a service.

  3. The AWS.service module will launch your default browser and take you to the service you requested.

OS X services are based on interprocess data exchange. A 'clipboard' is used for this exchange. Almost all OS X text has the ability to work with OS X services.

As with all services involving text, the ACP Web Services assume some text is selected somewhere (and in focus). OS X determines what services are available and enables service menu items accordingly.

Try this as an experiment.

  1. Select some text in this window (yes your browser window) and then go to your browser's Services menu and see which items are enabled. With text selected you should find almost everything enabled.

  2. Now click in your browser's location bar (but don't select anything) and try again. Most items should now be disabled.

  3. Now triple-click in your location bar and try again.

See? Almost anywhere you can select text you can get a service.


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