Possible to have a "Windows" button in OS X?

[matt9b]

I'm looking for a one-click way to run windows from another space in OS X.

Rather than click on vmware fusion and then select windows xp, and then click run, then click full screen, isn't there a simple one-button option to have a windows icon in the dock?

Any ideas deeply appreciated

 

[Markov]

I'm looking for a one-click way to run windows from another space in OS X.

Rather than click on vmware fusion and then select windows xp, and then click run, then click full screen, isn't there a simple one-button option to have a windows icon in the dock?

Any ideas deeply appreciated

Write an apple script that opens the actual VM ware virtual HDD, which should open VM Ware and begin running the specific virtual machine. To test this theory, find the Virtual HD in finder and double click on it.

If you can't write the script yourself, I'll write one for you. Just save it as an application.

As far as putting it in a different space, I suppose Apple Script could do that for you as well.

 

[matt9b]

Write an apple script that opens the actual VM ware virtual HDD, which should open VM Ware and begin running the specific virtual machine. To test this theory, find the Virtual HD in finder and double click on it.

If you can't write the script yourself, I'll write one for you. Just save it as an application.

As far as putting it in a different space, I suppose Apple Script could do that for you as well.

Apple script? What is this? I'm looking for a user solution, not a programmer expert solution. Gosh! I thought Apple was meant to be easy / hassle-free. With windows, you just drag the item into the startup menu and it'll load up on start up. With OS X you have to program a script???

 

[xUKHCx]

Apple script? What is this? I'm looking for a user solution, not a programmer expert solution. Gosh! I thought Apple was meant to be easy / hassle-free. With windows, you just drag the item into the startup menu and it'll load up on start up. With OS X you have to program a script???

You didn't say you wanted it to open on startup and to accomplish all those tasks via one click would indeed require the use of a script. Just like it would in Windows

To launch it at start up System Preferences - Accounts - Login Items, then drag and drop the virtual hd in there.

If you want it in a different space you will need to designate a Space to it in System Preferences - Expose & Spaces - Spaces.

 

[Consultant]

You can record an Automator script.

 

[Markov]

Believe me, Mac OS X is easier than Windows for these types of jobs. You have a few options open to you. You can have it open upon boot up and have a button if you want (in case you close it at some point and want it open again).

 

[adom]

Apple script? What is this? I'm looking for a user solution, not a programmer expert solution. Gosh! I thought Apple was meant to be easy / hassle-free. With windows, you just drag the item into the startup menu and it'll load up on start up. With OS X you have to program a script???

Hang on a minute. So your telling me that in Windows you can drag an applications icon to the taskbar and it will open the program but complete commands for it there after?

If I want, for instance, iTunes to open in Windows Vista, maximise to full screen, then automatically chose to show the iTunes Store...it's not going to happen by dragging a short cut to the desktop. Its more complex than that.

Thankfully in OS X, as someone mentioned, we have the "easy / hassle-free" option of automating the scripts required to do such action(s) if possible - - Automator.

 

[matt9b]

You didn't say you wanted it to open on startup and to accomplish all those tasks via one click would indeed require the use of a script. Just like it would in Windows

What is this talk of a script? No script needed in windows:
Open the program. Maximise. Drag virtual machine icon into the startup menu. Done.

That's not to say I like windows, or microsoft, both irritate the heck out of me. But that's not to say a script is needed for this task.

To launch it at start up System Preferences - Accounts - Login Items, then drag and drop the virtual hd in there. If you want it in a different space you will need to designate a Space to it in System Preferences - Expose & Spaces - Spaces.

Great! So no script needed then. Thanks!

 

[matt9b]

Hang on a minute. So your telling me that in Windows you can drag an applications icon to the taskbar and it will open the program but complete commands for it there after?

No.

If I want, for instance, iTunes to open in Windows Vista, maximise to full screen...it's not going to happen by dragging a short cut to the desktop.

Yes it is: Maximise itunes. Close it. Drag its icon to the startup menu. Done.

Thankfully in OS X, as someone mentioned, we have the "easy / hassle-free" option of automating the scripts required to do such action(s) if possible - - Automator.

Thanks, I'll have a look into this automator, hoping it's not too tecchie as I really don't have the time!

 

[matt9b]

Believe me, Mac OS X is easier than Windows for these types of jobs. You have a few options open to you. You can have it open upon boot up and have a button if you want (in case you close it at some point and want it open again).

fantastico- I assume via the automator? I'll have a look into that.

 

[matt9b]

Hmm... I just tried recording it in automator (nice and simple by the way - just the way I like it! thanks!)

But as soon as I changed space, the program froze and I couldn't change space back to stop the automator.

Not impressed!

 

[matt9b]

Okay I just tried using automator again, managed to get it to record the flow of opening the virtual hd (it opens in space 2), and maximising the window, then moving back to space 1.

When I played it back, it thought for a few minutes, then crashed, then gave an error "automator has encountered an unknown error.", then quit by itself, then OSX gave an error "The application automaor quit unexpectedly."

lol!

any ideas?