What is Automator and why do I want it???

[dakota]

Maybe Automator was present in my Apps folder before, I am not sure.  I just updated to 10.4.8, and when I tried to expand a file, it brought up Automator. I don't even think you can use it for that purpose. Even if it worked with expanding, it becomes a long drawn out process, as opposed to just clicking on a file and having Stuffit open.  Is there any way to get rid of it???

[Xairbusdriver]

I'd suggest reading about it in the standard "Help" files. It is supposed to make setting up routines that make using anything on the Mac even easier, especially if they are done repeatedly. Unfortunately, every time I've tried to create something with it, I've ended up writing an AppleScript for use by AutoMator. There are still many things that it just can't handle without using an AppleScript, so why not just do it there?

However, the fact that it 'opened' when you tried to "expand a file" is much more alarming. You may not yet have all your OS problems corrected.

What is the extension of the compacted file? ".zip", ".sit", ".gz", other?

[dakota]

It's .sea.  I tried using Stuffit on other files and have no problem. Using the new Stuffit Deluxe 11.  This is the only file so far which is causing problems.  Not only does it say the file is not encoded, but Archive Manager keeps quitting.  Automator did not come up when I clicked on the other installers I keep in a separate file.  So far, this Epson printer driver is the only one which has been a problem.

[Jack W]

Isn't .sea a self-extracting-archive?

In the days of OS 9 and before, double-clicking on the file caused it to self extract into it's individual components.

You might try to do a get-info and somehow eliminate Automator??? Please don't ask me how.

Jack

[D76]

Do a Get Info on the file, and take a look at the bottom. It probably says Open with Automator. If it does, change it to Stuffit or Stuffit Expander, then click the button under that to change all the files that end with .sea to Stuffit or Stuffit Expander.

[dakota]

Donwloaded icon reads ".sea.hqx. It then does expand with Stuffit to a .sea icon.  As in past OS versions, it should simply open the app to install, when clicked on,  but it seems the computer seems to want to "open" it with another application.  Isn't there a way to simply make a .sea application open and install?

[D76]

QUOTE(dakota @ Oct 9 2006, 11:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Isn't there a way to simply make a .sea application open and install?

You can't make it install automatically. It wouldn't know where to go.

I read a couple of posts on some forum or other where people are complaining that Stuffit offers less and less with each update. The collective wisdom is that the Mac's built-in Zip compressor, Create Archive, under the File menu item, is the reason because fewer people need Stuffit and it's feeling the pinch. That's the reason I won't bother upgrading from version 9. I never use it anymore.

If you can't unstuff a file, just delete the dots and the suffixes. It will expand on its own. I compressed a TextEdit file by adding  .sea.hqx to it, then uncompressed it by deleting the suffixes.

[dakota]

It won't allow me to delete the dot and the suffix.  Keeps returning when I click on it.  Does this mean I can't install the latest printer driver?  This is absolutely insane.  I tried using an earlier verson of Stuffit, and the same thing happened.

[D76]

Did the Get Info change of suffixes, above, not work?

[dakota]

Nope, did not work.  Stuffit Archive Manager quit, after  a message that Stuffit Engine did not recognize the file format. The sea suffix put itself right back under the icon.

[D76]

Maybe all the file extensions aren't showing. Go to Finder in the menu bar to Preferences, and click on Advanced, then Show all file extensions. Hidden extensions might be fouling up Stuffit.

[dakota]

No hidden extensions.  What doesn't make sense is that the icon should simply be an installer, and the installation process should start when I click on it.  Why on earth would Stuffit Archive Manager try to open it?  Stuffit already unstuffed the sea.hqx icon, and what I am looking at is an INSTALLER which has the .sea suffix

[Xairbusdriver]

Is the file you are working on actually on the hard drive or is it still on the .dmg image? I'm assuming that the file came in a disk image file which is opening properly. If that is so, drag the file onto your hard drive and then use the "Get Info..." method to assign an appropriate app to expand it.

If the file is already on your hard drive, don't read the above.

As for your 'other' question, you might <check this link> for another reason to keep Automator, as it relates to archived files...

[Parker]

my two cents...
automator i believe is a waste of a program
for most tasks

by the time it takes me to launch automator
and create a workflow
i could have many tasks done already

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

i could have many tasks done already

I'm sure you could, but like AppleScript, it's not made for doing one-off tasks. It is made for doing the same task, which may have many sequential steps and even multiple editing/combining/listing/finding/collecting/changing steps, multiple times a day or even one that has all those steps but only once a month. It's supposed to be easier than AppleScript, requiring absolutely know 'programming' knowledge. Unfortunately, it is a work in progress and still has too many limitations that force one to write at least parts of the 'mator' in AS, sometimes.