Track
Timer Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use Track Timer independent of
Script Timer?
To take full advantage of the capabilities of Track Timer,
such as the use of dynamic scheduling to stop an audio
stream, it needs to be scheduled with Script Timer. Track
Timer could be run with another program capable of running
AppleScript scripts (a script runner) that supports passing
parameters to the script. However, unless the alternate
script runner has a scheduling function, there is no
advantage to using it compared to using iTunes directly.
2. Can I run Track Timer from Script
Editor?
No. In the first place, Script Editor can't handle scripts
with parameters, and secondly, Track Timer is distributed
in run-only form as it contains some proprietary algorithms
so it will not even open in Script Editor.
3. Can I schedule more than one play list
to start consecutively from a given time?
Yes, by taking advantage of Track Timer's ability to use
the dynamic scheduling feature of Script Timer. You simply
pass Track Timer to itself as the action to run upon
completion of the first play list, supplying the name of
the second play list as a parameter.
3a. Can I schedule a continous flow of
randomly selected tracks interspersed with specific tracks,
such as I might want for an Internet "radio station"?
Yes. You can use a combination of the 'r' parameter
(introduced in Track Timer Revision 4, bundled with Script
Timer 2.3 and later) and Script Timer's dynamic scheduling
feature. See the "About Track Timer" file that accompanies
Track Timer.
4. Could I use Track Timer to make an
alternative to an electronic carillon?
Yes. The combination of Track Timer, Script Timer, iTunes,
and a sound system can be used to make a low cost
alternative carillon. The first such system has been
running successfully since 2003. See this page for further details.
5. I’m trying to use the
“a=repeat” parameter to continuously repeat my
playlist, but it doesn’t work. Why?
This problem occurs when using Revision 6 of Track Timer
(version 2.6 of Script Timer) in OS X 10.5 and later.
Upgrade to Revision 7 (version 2.6.1 and later of Script
Timer).
6. I’m using the ‘f’
parameter and storing my play list name and other input
parameters in a plain text file. I get an error message
saying the play list could not be found. The name of the
play list is in Oriental characters. What is going on?
You are using Revision 6 of Track Timer (version 2.6 of
Script Timer) and you did not save the text file as UTF-16
(2 byte Unicode). Resave the file as UTF-16 (e.g. use
“Save As...” in TextEdit and choose from the
popup menu), or upgrade to version 2.6.2 of Script Timer,
which allows for eight and sixteen bit plain text files..
