Apple Pipeline?

[MacRumors]

Despite on the ongoing controversy regarding the Tiger screenshots (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/06/20040626041303.shtml) posted yesterday, the screenshots do introduce some interesting concepts.

One, which was not posted initially is one of a new application called Pipeline (http://www.macrumors.com/downloads/tiger/pipeline.gif).

The application reportedly provides non-programmers the ability to link together actions in Applescript to create their own self-contained Applescript applications.

Image removed at request of Apple Legal

[coumerelli]

Let the REAL rumors roll now, baby! C'mon monday noon central time!

[windowsblowsass]

i want this

[swingerofbirch]

ugg....metal on a powerbook looks cool...metal on a software program looks tacky

it's interesting, i heard that this release of mac os x was going to be a "solid" release (jaguar) as opposed to the "new features" type release (panther), but if these rumors are to be believed, it looks like apple has quite a few new gimmicks--er--features up its sleeve

[Stella]

Seems very innovative, simple for the non-developer to hack up quick applescript apps.

I can believe apple doing this sort of thing.

No Doubt You'll see this sort of thing implemented in VB for the Window version after longhorn...

[Freg3000]

The "Alert" symbol looks like it was pulled out of the OS 9 closet....

[BWhaler]

This is a great idea.

I'm really hoping Apple dresses up Tiger to the nines with speed, security, and new functionality. ESPECIALLY iCal, Address book, and Mail.

[nsb3000]

Despite on the ongoing controversy regarding the Tiger screenshots (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/06/20040626041303.shtml) posted yesterday, the screenshots do introduce some interesting concepts.

One, which was not posted initially is one of a new application called Pipeline (http://www.macrumors.com/downloads/tiger/pipeline.gif).

The application reportedly provides non-programmers the ability to link together actions in Applescript to create their own self-contained Applescript applications.

This screen shot looks more real to me than the other set. It seems too sophisticated for someone to have come up with on their own. I wonder weather Arn has any other images up his sleeve?

[nsb3000]

ugg....metal on a powerbook looks cool...metal on a software program looks tacky

it's interesting, i heard that this release of mac os x was going to be a "solid" release (jaguar) as opposed to the "new features" type release (panther), but if these rumors are to be believed, it looks like apple has quite a few new gimmicks--er--features up its sleeve

While I agree with you, its Steve's way or the highway on this subject. Panther should of taught you that!

[Wonder Boy]

thank god for apps like whiteout

[thedogcow]

Oh, thats right. A bunch of horse****...

I just want the new displays on monday so that way I can buy my damn new power mac with a new display and not pay anymore attention to these insipid rumor sites.

[nsb3000]

Unlike all the other TIGER screenshots, this App looks real, interesting , and useful. Builds on Apple script and makes it even more accessible to the average user. I guess we will have to wait till Monday to get the full scoop on this... :cool:

[Dr. Dastardly]

This is something I can totaly see Apple coming up with. Innovative and easy to use and everyone would love to fiddle around with this little utility. If Apple doesn't make it someone please do. I'll give you money. :p

[Doctor Q]

Opposing viewpoint: This is a terrible idea. If everyone can program this easily, we programmers will be out of a job! :(

[el_aarono]

The "Alert" symbol looks like it was pulled out of the OS 9 closet....


That is the first thing I noticed as well. Kind of strange, but if this is a beta version or something then why not play around and use a "dorky" old-school icon. This could really be a fun app though. Hope it's the real deal. :)

later,

A

[el_aarono]

Opposing viewpoint: This is a terrible idea. If everyone can program this easily, we programmers will be out of a job! :(

I don't think this app will replace professional programmers. Did Garageband put professional musicians out of work? Instead Pipeline (assuming it's real) will allow the average user to do more novel things with their machine, which is what Apple is all about in my opinion. i.e., Now I can make my own music, movies, DVDs, basic applications, etc.

-A.


edit: grammar

[Punani]

Maybe this is somewhat of a HyperCard replacement? :)

[macnews]

From the sounds of it, there is no way Pipeline will put programmers out of a job. I would love to learn applescript and it seems like Pipeline will help out those who know some applescript. At the very least it seems like it will help users customize and automate some common/frequent tasks. Things people probably won't pay for anyway unless you do it as shareware for $10-$20.

[Dr. Dastardly]

From the sounds of it, there is no way Pipeline will put programmers out of a job. I would love to learn applescript and it seems like Pipeline will help out those who know some applescript. At the very least it seems like it will help users customize and automate some common/frequent tasks. Things people probably won't pay for anyway unless you do it as shareware for $10-$20.
Exactly! I think this will get people more interested in programming and making their computer do exactly what you want it to do when you want it and get more people into apple script.

Besides this program will be used by more intermediate users that might want to try their hand at programming than grandma and grandpa who just want to access mail.

I see this becoming a great learning tool. :D

[pyrotoaster]

This would be a fantastic new feature. I love fiddling with AppleScript in Interface Builder, and this would actually let me do some real stuff without real programming (yee haw!).

Certainly feels like something Apple would love do to, but we'll have to wait and see if it's real... ;)

[iLilana]

The "Alert" symbol looks like it was pulled out of the OS 9 closet....

it raised my eyebrow too.
i'm not sure i would use something like this.

[Punani]

The "Alert" symbol looks like it was pulled out of the OS 9 closet....
There is nothing really surprising about this if one has tinkered with AppleScript a bit...

Open up Script Editor and run this:

display dialog "Icon Test" with icon note

:D

[Doctor Q]

Besides this program will be used by more intermediate users that might want to try their hand at programming than grandma and grandpa who just want to access mail.That's the same role AppleScript has tried to play. This adds another level of convenience.

(I'm not really worried that programmers will be out of work. Somebody has to set the clocks on VCRs, and we're still qualified to do that. :) )

[the silver fox]

That's the same role AppleScript has tried to play. This adds another level of convenience.

(I'm not really worried that programmers will be out of work. Somebody has to set the clocks on VCRs, and we're still qualified to do that. :) )

Guys... Designers thought they were out of a job when the Desktop Programming revoluton happened. I think you are all quite safe. ;)

[nsb3000]

Maybe this is somewhat of a HyperCard replacement? :)

I thought this at first too, but there are a lot of things you could do with Hyper card that you can't do with Apple Script...

[Sabbath]

Looks interesting and something I wouldn't mind trying out, but what we really need more of in OS upgrades is universal features like exposé that benefit everyone. I can't see that many general mac users using this, I hope there is something big out there we have yet to hear of.

[Analog Kid]

There seems to be quite a few things missing from the screenshot-- there's no GUI components for one thing, so it's not very useful for standalone apps...

It almost looks like this is less for building quick AppleScript applications and more for helping to manipulate data on your system. The name Pipeline reinforces that feeling-- it reminds me of "piping" data through a chain of processors on a Unix command line.

Looks like it would let you say "Find items in iPhoto from my vacation | Resize images to 640x480 | Find addresses in Address Book for Family | Mail pictures as attachments To: address list"

Rather than pipe it, you'd graphically build the Workflow.

With the pieces I see here, I don't see anyway of actually programming an application. No GUI, no loops, no control statements, no generic processing blocks... I don't see a menu where they could be hiding, and there's no scrollbars in then Category pane indicating there is anything else hiding there...

[nubero]

While I agree with you, its Steve's way or the highway on this subject. Panther should of taught you that!

There is actually a concept behind Metal. Self-contained Apps are Metal. and Apps that have Palettes and other menues are Aqua. It's what Apple say themselves in their HI Guide.

--- --- --- --- ---
Free Desktop Pictures &
Digital Apple Collectibles!
http://homepage.mac.com/nuber

[Cochrane]

There is actually a concept behind Metal. Self-contained Apps are Metal. and Apps that have Palettes and other menues are Aqua. It's what Apple say themselves in their HI Guide.

--- --- --- --- ---
Free Desktop Pictures &
Digital Apple Collectibles!
http://homepage.mac.com/nuber

Apple is breaking the rules every other second. Metal used to be for programs, that had something to do with multimedia and external devices. Safari broke that, Calculator broke that, Adress Book broke that, iCal broke that. So they came up with the rule, that apps with one window may be metal. But Finder and Safari still break that. If you look at the current version of the Human Interface Guidelines, the rule has become more or less "Use metal if you think it looks good". And in Xgrid, Apple has even broken this rule :-)

Bottom Line, Apple will use Metal whenever they want to. That's nothing counting for or against a screenshot.

[Chip NoVaMac]

While it is interesting, I am not so sure about all this stuff being added to an OS.

Maybe it is time to bring to market the idea of modular OS and Apps. Give a core set of ability and buy the rest of it to fit your needs. Like Sherlock, it is something that I have yet found useful for me. Same for Rendezvous.

[ogun7]

I HOPE Apple BOUGHT this from the Konfabulator (http://konfabulator.com/) people. Otherwise we'll accelerate the problem that came up when Apple just copied Watson (http://www.karelia.com/watson/) to bring out Sherlock 2; developers that stop writing code for the Mac because they cannot compete with free software (ala Adobe).

[~Shard~]

Looks like an intriguing concept - I wonder if it's real or not - there must be some truth to this rumor...

I like the concept - making something that's relatively easy to do (AppleScripting) easier for the average user and more intuitive. If this is indeed the case, there will be many more Mac users out there taking advantage of this feature who normally associate the words "Applescript" with "complicated programming" (even though that's not the case).

[ccuilla]

Opposing viewpoint: This is a terrible idea. If everyone can program this easily, we programmers will be out of a job! :(

Not likely.

[pyrotoaster]

I HOPE Apple BOUGHT this from the Konfabulator (http://konfabulator.com/) people. Otherwise we'll accelerate the problem that came up when Apple just copied Watson (http://www.karelia.com/watson/) to bring out Sherlock 2; developers that stop writing code for the Mac because they cannot compete with free software (ala Adobe).
I agree that Apple probably should be a bit more diplomatic when they do things like this, but I also think that Apple usually does a better job integrating a "borrowed" feature into the Mac Experience than the shareware developers do (although Sherlock is a bit of an exception).
A perfect example is Pather's Command-Tab application switch, which was "borrowed" from LiteSwitch X. The LiteSwitch people got really upset, but their application still offers features that Apple's app switch doesn't, and they could (and probably should anyway) add more features to make their idea more unique (they also advertised their app as "Dear Apple: You forgot something", so they were kinda inviting Apple to "borrow" their idea).
Anyway, if Dashboard is real the Konfabulator folks are hardly out of business. They're actively developing a Windows version, and Konfabulator still offers many features Apple wouldn't (I'm assuming), like the easy-to-write java-based widgets. Konfabulator's achille's heel is still its $25 price tag, IMO.

As for Pipeline, it really sounds like it could be another one of those features that only Apple could pull off. Can you imagine M$ trying something like that? "I made a app that moved all my WMA files into a folder just for them, and Windows deleted the folder and gave me a blue screen of death!" :D

[kerryb]

This is reportedly the last rapid fire release of the cat series of OS upgrades. This fact of course gets one speculating what the next (10.5) upgrade will bring the Macintosh. Tiger may be the last refinement upgrade of the Mac OS X as we know it. Will 10.5 be the next big leap forward as in full 64? In 2-3 years Apple hardware should have gone G5 including the consumer line. Tiger may be with us on shipping Macs for two years unlike its predecessors Panther and Jaguar coming every 12-14 months apart. As for the "Screen shots" I believe they are real. Some of the new ideas like a search option in the Preferences panel is the kind of idea that could only come from Apple. As the OS becomes more complicated in function it is Apple's response to help users find "buried" controls and options. All those knit-pickers out there that dismissed these screenshots on text inconsistencies miss the inspiration behind the enhancements shown. I think it is quite smart how control panes that are candidates for a search are highlighted for the others, very Apple.

[~Shard~]

This is reportedly the last rapid fire release of the cat series of OS upgrades. This fact of course gets one speculating what the next (10.5) upgrade will bring the Macintosh. Tiger may be the last refinement upgrade of the Mac OS X as we know it. Will 10.5 be the next big leap forward as in full 64? In 2-3 years Apple hardware should have gone G5 including the consumer line. Tiger may be with us on shipping Macs for two years unlike its predecessors Panther and Jaguar coming every 12-14 months apart.

Or, perhaps this will be not only the last cat revision of the OS, but the last OS X revision too - perhaps there will not be a 10.5, just OS XI! Although I could see one more revision at least - 10.5 could be "Lion", and could be marketed as "the king of the jungle".

So what will Apple move to for OS XI? Trees (Sequoia, Redwood, Evergreen)? Mountains (Ranier, Fuji, Everest)? Planets? "Introducing OS 11.1 'Mars' - it's out of this world!" :cool:

[wdlove]

One, which was not posted initially is one of a new application called Pipeline (http://www.macrumors.com/downloads/tiger/pipeline.gif).

The application reportedly provides non-programmers the ability to link together actions in Applescript to create their own self-contained Applescript applications.

The "Pipeline" link is not working, getting an error message.

~Shard~ do you think Steve will reveal this tomorrow? That we will know if 10.4 or 10.5 will be the last X release?

[~Shard~]

~Shard~ do you think Steve will reveal this tomorrow? That we will know if 10.4 or 10.5 will be the last X release?

Tough to say - guess we'll just have to wait and see! Maybe Jobs will keep releasing cat OSes (hmm, just realized that could refer to Cisco as well as Apple ;) ) until 10.10, and then release just "11". There would still be plenty of cat names to go through - Ocelot, Cheetah, Cougar, Bobcat, Puma, Siamese Cat - hmm, maybe that last one could be like "Siamese twins" and be the name of 10.10 - "twin 10s"... Oh, and don't forget the always-popular Asiatic Desert Cat and Norwegian Forest Cat... :cool:

[nuckinfutz]

Why do people assume Apple will skip to version 11? I think it's fairly obvious looking at the history of OSX , that we'll see a 10.5, .6, .7,.8,.9 and then perhaps OSX XI. There seems to be no rush towards hitting some arbitrary number for OS versioning.

I'm wondering if this Pipeline is true. Guess I'll know tomorrow.

[windowsblowsass]

Tough to say - guess we'll just have to wait and see! Maybe Jobs will keep releasing cat OSes (hmm, just realized that could refer to Cisco as well as Apple ;) ) until 10.10, and then release just "11". There would still be plenty of cat names to go through - Ocelot, Cheetah, Cougar, Bobcat, Puma, Siamese Cat - hmm, maybe that last one could be like "Siamese twins" and be the name of 10.10 - "twin 10s"... Oh, and don't forget the always-popular Asiatic Desert Cat and Norwegian Forest Cat... :cool:
no os 11 will be "LIGER" because it will be a hybrid 64 and 32 bit os funcioning natively and optimized for both types :D

[coolfactor]

Apple is breaking the rules every other second. Metal used to be for programs, that had something to do with multimedia and external devices. Safari broke that, Calculator broke that, Adress Book broke that, iCal broke that. So they came up with the rule, that apps with one window may be metal. But Finder and Safari still break that. If you look at the current version of the Human Interface Guidelines, the rule has become more or less "Use metal if you think it looks good". And in Xgrid, Apple has even broken this rule :-)

Bottom Line, Apple will use Metal whenever they want to. That's nothing counting for or against a screenshot.

I was opposed to metal for a long time, but time has shown that it is a great texture when working with dozens of windows on the screen. If they were all aqua, I would have a constant migraine.

1. A browser *can* be considered a device for browsing the 'net.
2. A calculator is a real, physical device, so metal works well for it.

I think there's a point of having too much metal. If you have noticed as I have, there's starting to be a merge between Aqua and Metal. Take a look at Adium and you'll see a pseudo-metal being used.. its chat window tabs have the shape of Safari tabs, but not quite a translucent Aqua appearance either. It's a beautiful sight for sure, and very easy on the eyes.

Apple is about inspiration. It's up to the developers to run with the ideas.

[TMay]

I await the integration of pipeline with Inkwell and gestures and support for metadata which is rumored to appear in Tiger. This could create a booming market for "piping" apps BTW.

[FightTheFuture]

The "Pipeline" link is not working, getting an error message.
yeah, i didn't get a chance to see it either. is it supposed to be the workflow app image that is still on thinksecret? (http://www.thinksecret.com/cgi-bin/pic.cgi?i=/archives/images/tigerleak/workflow.gif&p=tigerleak)

i feel that this is a fantastic idea for those who are too intimidated to give applescript a try.

[~Shard~]

i feel that this is a fantastic idea for those who are too intimidated to give applescript a try.

My thoughts exactly - even though Applescript is relatively easy to use, I think many people have some incorrect/informed preconceived notions about it, and just avoid using it, assuming it's too difficult or what have you. This "Pipeline" tool might entice more people to give it a try, thus allowing them to become more productive, carry out tasks easier, etc.

Can't wait for the keynote and the Tiger presentation!

[QonoS]

1. A browser *can* be considered a device for browsing the 'net.


A word processor can be considered a device for creating documents.
The Preview app can be considered a device for viewing pictures (and PDFs).
A spreadsheet can be considered a device for performing simple or complex mathematical calculations and displaying the results in various formats.

If you stretch a point, *any* program can be considered a "device" for performing some function.

Therefore, the point becomes meaningless.

[sambo.]

tick....tock....tick....tock.....
we'll know for sure soon enough. but if it is essentially konfabulator integrated with the OS, then i can't wait to use it. i havn't used konfabulator, but from what i can gather it sounds pretty cool. if it is a rip-off, then i hope the konfabulator guys have been tossed more than a few bones.
anyhoo, not long now..... :cool:

[qubex]

I don't see how either "Pipeline" or the new Expose' feature ("Dashboard") can be in any way related to Konfabulator.

Pipeline appears to be a graphical AppleScript editor, nothing more and nothing less. It relies upon existing applications that expose functionality via AppleScript to function. This is in no way related to Konfabulator: it is based on PHP and is mostly intended to display data rather than to facilitate complex concatenations of actions.

Dashboard appears to be a generalisation on the very early concept of a "tabbed Dock", except this one leverages on the Expose' technology to make it disappear at will. Just because the Dashboard is shown displaying "Konfabulator-esque" applets doesn't mean it is a Konfabulator clone.

For those who are wondering about what a "Tabbed Dock" is, I suggest you look at these very early OSX interface mockups from back in the heady days when Apple had just acquired NeXT:

http://next.z80.org/graphics/screenshots/apple_osx_mockup/mockup_finalgamma.jpg
http://next.z80.org/graphics/screenshots/apple_osx_mockup/Mockup_Detail.jpg

The Expose' "hide and seek" technology has merely allowed Apple to resurrcet the very sensible "Tabbed Shelf" idea that they had originally abandoned in the interests of limiting screen clutter.

Konfabulator has absolutely nothing to do with either of these technologies.

[peharri]

Let the REAL rumors roll now, baby! C'mon monday noon central time!
FWIW, the version of Stickies in Panther 10.3.4 is 4.2, I just checked.

Would be an interesting concept to build an operating system GUI around stickies though. I bet 3M would be interested... I guess you can't get more spacial than stickies either, so I bet the good people at arstechnica would be delighted.

[harperska]

It almost looks like this is less for building quick AppleScript applications and more for helping to manipulate data on your system. The name Pipeline reinforces that feeling-- it reminds me of "piping" data through a chain of processors on a Unix command line.

Looks like it would let you say "Find items in iPhoto from my vacation | Resize images to 640x480 | Find addresses in Address Book for Family | Mail pictures as attachments To: address list"

Rather than pipe it, you'd graphically build the Workflow.



It looks like you got it. Apparently right now, the app is going by two names, "Pipeline", and "Automator". You can read all about Automator on apple's website.

[Wardofsky]

Kudos to harperska, it looks like it's gonna be that way.
I was cruising over the screenshots supplied by Cuk.ch here (http://g4.wasd.dk/files/cuk.ch/images/pipeline4.gif) (http://g4.wasd.dk/files/cuk.ch/tiger_cuk_preview.html) and it also had Pipeline but when I looked over the screenshots it was exactly like Automator here (http://images.apple.com/macosx/tiger/images/automatorretouch_20040628.jpg).

Since when does Apple do two names for one app?
I think it's possibly regional. Presuming the Cuk.ch is based in France it could be European differences.

Suggestions are that it was originally called pipeline but it's name was changed recently, apparently it can be seen when Steve's doing the demo of Spotlight wehn he types the "Pi" of "Pixar", Pipeline shows up.

[harperska]

Suggestions are that it was originally called pipeline but it's name was changed recently, apparently it can be seen when Steve's doing the demo of Spotlight wehn he types the "Pi" of "Pixar", Pipeline shows up.

I think that that is right. I have a developer friend who was at the WWDC, and he actually got Pipeline on his developer seed of 10.4 rather than Automator. He is currently looking into what the difference is between Pipeline and Automator. I doubt that it will be a regional difference, as the only regions that 10.4 currently exists in are Cupertino and San Francisco.

[nologo]

http://www.apple.com/macosx/tiger/theater/spotlight.html

You can see Pipeline in the Spotlight list in this video as well (again, when typing "Pi")

[Dr. Dastardly]

I thought Automater was a more user friendly version of pipeline. A sort of gui where people just add functions of a program from a list and set them up to run one after another automatically. pipeline is about the same thing but more versatile and less gui, used primarily by developers.

[mikelr]

Apple Pipeline and automator are the same thing one must be a older name untill it was updated and the name was scraped. pipeline came with the Pre-Release but was changed by apple. Thats why steve did not do the demo for automator at the WWDC because it had been added with a new name at the last minite. See screen shots Pipeline right, Automator left
Automator Screen shot Courtesy of Apple Computer http://www.apple.com/macosx/tiger/automator.html

[qubex]

One thing is for certain, and that is that I can't wait to get my hands on it!

I'm a pretty determined AppleScripter myself, but this looks so damned cute and useful! All the power of AppleScript and none of the pain!

[Doctor Q]

I'm a pretty determined AppleScripter myself, but this looks so damned cute and useful! All the power of AppleScript and none of the pain!I'm another side of the coin - a lousy wannabe Applescripter who could use some quick-and-easy tools to help get some quick tasks done.

[Bilvox]

so... when should we expect tiger to get a full release?
bueller? bueller?

-b


----------
http://www.bilvox.com/

[ug.mac]

Steve already mentioned this @ WWDC 04', official Tiger release time will be first half of next year. ;)

[~Shard~]

Steve already mentioned this @ WWDC 04', official Tiger release time will be first half of next year. ;)

So, in other words, according to my Apple dictionary, "first half of next year" = end of May '05, "release time" = finished product announced, so actual shipping dates when consumers will physically have a copy is August/September. So, Tiger will be out a year from now, just in time for Jobs to preview 10.5 Lion... :p ;) :cool:

[kettle]

Opposing viewpoint: This is a terrible idea. If everyone can program this easily, we programmers will be out of a job! :(

Maybe things like this would add new blood to the "programmers" gene pool. I mean just because I think a piece of software is a bago'****e <cough>windoze</cough> doesn't mean the people programming it are stupid people. There is however a lot of crap software written by professional programmers and a lot of the quality blindness is down to ideas and insecurities that come from the same stable as - If everyone can program this easily, we programmers will be out of a job!

I say if you're worried about cut and paste programmers taking your business, you're in the wrong trade. :)