applescriptcrashmacosscript
I rely on Dropbox for syncing work files between two computes that are powered on 24/7. For some reason, Dropbox terminates (crashes or quits) after long periods of time, with no explanation. I just find later that the application is no longer running.
Is there a way I can get notified (e.g. via a popup) when a certain application terminates?
I'm thinking there might be a way for AppleScript to do this, but I'm unsure where to begin.
An alternative method is to use Safari's built-in "Reopen All Windows from Last Session" feature:
tell application "Safari"
quit
end tell
delay 2 -- Wait for Safari to close
tell application "Safari" to activate
tell application "System Events"
tell process "Safari"
click menu item "Reopen All Windows From Last Session" of menu "History" of menu bar 1
end tell
end tell
If you are happy to use a third party application, Power Manager can do exactly what you want.
There are lots of recipes to help create your schedule. For your situation:
By default, Power Manager will power on a sleeping Mac to perform scheduled events. The recipe above for launching an application will automatically wake a sleeping Mac. You can adjust the event to power on a shut down Mac, if desired.
Power Manager will launch your application behind the lock screen. This is possible because Power Manager has a helper agent running within each user session. The main scheduler works with the agent to make sure the application is launched in the right user session.
Disclosure: I work for DssW, who make Power Manager; so feel free to ask technical questions.
If you are concerned about security, consider having the user be switched back to the login window with Fast User Switching.
While Fast User Switched, your Mac can wake to schedule, run the AppleScript, and complete its task while not risking unguarded access to the Mac.
Best Answer
Quite easily with an Applescript:
You could replace "display alert" with
tell application 'Dropbox' to launch..to have it automatically restart if you desire.Paste this into
Script Editor. save it, and then you could add the script to your user's startup items for future use. The timing there may be a bit tricky though if the script starts before Dropbox - adding adelay 10or something before the firstrepeatwould solve this.For future use, anything involving
System Eventsis a great place to look for solutions to these kinds of meta-system-wide tasks.