Bellhop 1.0.3 review
DownloadBellhop allows you to build Mac OS X system services using high-level scripting languages.
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Bellhop allows you to build Mac OS X system services using high-level scripting languages. Free, unregistered copies of Bellhop support Ruby and AppleScript. Registered copies will load additional plug-ins (currently, a Python plug-in is available, however more are planned).
With Bellhop, you simply write your services in one of the scripting languages, configure the service settings and then let Bellhop take care of the rest. Behind the scenes, Bellhop updates the necessary system property lists, updates the system-wide Services menu, and automatically invokes your service script when necessary.
To get started, you can head to the Bellhop Service Library, which is a repository of Bellhop services grouped into individual "service packs", and import any of the sample service packs directly into your Bellhop documents. The sample services can do things such as get stock quotes, temperature readings, reformat text, etc.
An SDK is also available for developers wishing to create their own Bellhop plug-ins. The SDK is comprised of a set of header files, documentation and sample projects. During the beta period, no licenses are required to load optional plug-ins.
Here are some key features of "Bellhop":
Bellhop is document based, where each document holds a collection of services. Each collection can have its own name, which will show up as a submenu of the Services menu.
Services are implemented in high-level scripting languages. The fully functional Bellhop demo ships with support for Ruby and AppleScript.
Each scripting language that Bellhop supports is implemented as an "execution context" or a plugin. Additional plugins are planned for future release (only applies to licensed version).
Services are configured with a graphical interface, eliminating the need to edit property list files by hand. Bellhop takes care of automatically updating the appropriate system property lists so you don't have to.
Bellhop also provides rudimentary interface support so that you can interact with users from within your service scripts. This is useful for those scripting environments that don't have their own interface support, such as Ruby. AppleScript services rely on the built-in interface support.
The Bellhop Service Library provides a repository for pre-written services that you can import directly into your own documents.
Documents can be stored in shared folders, allowing for system-wide services.
Drag and drop of individual services between documents is supported. You can either move or copy services.
A single document can mix services from different scripting languages (also known as scripting families).
The script editor supports syntax highlighting.
The Services menu is automatically updated when changes are made.
Bellhop does not have to be running to execute services; the system will automatically start it if necessary.
Built-in help is provided in the standard Apple Help Viewer format.
A developer SDK is provided, allowing you to create your own execution contexts.
Limitations:
30 days trial.
What's New:
Added preliminary support for Perl plug-in. You can now implement services using the built-in Perl interpreter. [BLHP6]
Bellhop now ships as a 30 trial version. During the trial period, all plug-ins are loaded into Bellhop. After 30 days, unregistered copies of Bellhop will only load the AppleScript and Ruby plug-ins. [BLHP7]
Streamlined the user interface: removed the toolbar, and instead added a sidebar containing the services. Buttons to add/remove/inspect services are now placed at the bottom of the sidebar. [BLHP8]
All available plug-ins are now bundled with the application wrapper, so you do not have to manually install them. If you have already installed any plug-ins manually on your harddrive, for example, they will override any that are available in the application's wrapper; you must remove them if you wish to use the bundled plug-ins. [BLHP9]
FEATURE: Updated the Ruby plug-in to use method names that are more in line with current ruby style (i.e. lowercase method names with words separated by underscores). The old method names are still supported, so you don't have to change any of your services.
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