I've already mentioned that you can enhance the capabilities of iTunes through AppleScripts that automate iTunes in various ways. You can also enhance the iTunes visualizerthe feature that displays those psychedelic patterns as your music plays backby adding plug-ins. Visualizer plug-ins may not be as practical as AppleScripts, but on-screen psychedelics can often be more fun than practicalities. Here's how to download and install iTunes AppleScripts and visualizer plug-ins, as well as information on some other programs that can round out the audio spoke of your digital hub. Visualize Cool Graphics If you're a fan of the iTunes visualizer, try out some of the free visualizer plug-ins available on the Web. My favorite is Andy O'Meara's free G-Force, which goes well beyond the built-in iTunes visualizer. For example, you can "play" G-Forcecontrolling its patterns and colorsby pressing keys on your keyboard as a song plays back. You can find G-Force and other visualizer plug-ins by going to www.macilife.com/itunes. Most visualizers include installation programs that tuck the plug-ins into the appropriate spot. But, just for the record, iTunes visualizer plug-ins are generally located within the iTunes folder of your Library folder. Automating with AppleScript AppleScript is a powerful automation technology that is part of the Mac OS and many Mac programs, including iTunes. AppleScript puts your Mac on autopilot: when you run a script, its commands can control one or more programs and make them perform a series of steps. Dozens of useful scripts are available for iTunes. You might start by downloading the set of scripts created by Apple (www.apple.com/applescript/itunes). After you've experimented with them, sprint to Doug's AppleScripts for iTunes (www.dougscripts.com), where you'll find the best collection of iTunes AppleScripts.
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