Hileotech

@ juliosecco: the

I tried to run the PlistBuddy command you pointed me out (of course I modified it accordingly to my username and "LONGSTRING" thing), but the only thing I got from terminal was a 

Print: Entry, "dndStart", Does Not Exist 

both with Notification center on and off.

I "quick-viewed" the "LONGSTRING" plist file, and I discovered that it does change according to Notification Center status. See this:

Do Not Disturb OFF: after all the "xml version" etc code, 

<dict>
<key>doNotDisturb</key>
<false/>
</dict>

Do Not Disturb ON: again, after the "xml version" etc,

<dict>
<key>doNotDisturb</key>
<true/>
<key>doNotDisturb</key>
<date>2016-06-07T07:46:16Z<date/>
</dict>

That's why running your command in terminal I just had a "Doesn't exist" answer...

Anyway: I just have to ask Alfred to check if DND is "true" or "false"...

Thanks deanishe and thanks juliosecco for your answers.

I agree with deanishe: I used a separate script file just because I found different solutions for toggling Notification Center and it was easier for me to work on a separate file than to edit workflows. But this led me to use terminal and so to make my workflow heavier... Thanks for your suggestion!

I'll investigate deeper with the "LONG_STRING" file. As far as I can imagine I just should ask Alfred to check IF dndStart and dndEnd exist THEN DoNotDisturb is "on", ELSE it's off... So my next step is to use this result as a variable in my workflow and ask Alfred to act consequently. Am I wrong, juliosecco? (Thanks for your hints!)

Thanks, deanishe!

I ended up doing like this:

1. I created an Apple Script file (named dnd.scpt) and saved in Documents

ignoring application responses
	tell application "System Events" to keystroke "D" using {command down, shift down, option down, control down}
end ignoring

2. I setup a keyboard shortcut in System Preferences according to the code above, shortcut that enables/disables (i.e. toggles) Notification Center

3. In Alfred workflow I created a new "Terminal Command" event, in which

osascript /Users/**USERNAME**/Documents/dnd.scpt
osascript -e "tell application \"System Events\" to keystroke \"q\" using command down"

the last line simply asking Terminal to quit after doing its script call

I'm quite satisfied with it, even because it's my very first workflow and I never coded before...

Your suggestion really helped me!

PS: next step: I don't want to simply change notification center status, but I would like to setup a status (on or off) for each mode I decide to activate... Hope to find a solution...

Updates...

Googling here and there I found this page from stackexchange: http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/145487/how-to-enable-disable-do-not-disturb-from-shell-on-mavericks

There are a couple of scripts/codes ready-to-use, but I have no idea on how to use them i Alfred.

Anyone could help in this?

Thanks!

Hi, everybody!

I was just wondering to find a way to create some "desktop modes" I can easily switch using shortcuts/hotkey/whatever.

For instance, I created a "Presentation Mode" that

1) quits all opened app(s)

2) opens DevonThink Pro Office (my research database)

3) sends a notification (i.e.: "Presentation mode: ON")

Basic, super-simple workflow, I know, but it just works!

I would like to add a little more to this, by enabling "Do Not Disturb" (DND) when in "Presentation Mode" and disabling it when exiting this mode (I create a "Pure Desktop" mode that recreates desktop environment as after a reboot).

I googled here and there, but I can't find a (working/reliable) solution.

I found some (probably) working scripts, some terminal commands, etc.

Is there anyone who successfully solved this? Any help?

PS: I know I can bypass this, somehow, by selecting the appropriate option in System Preferences, but anyway I would like to be able to toggle "DND" on and off whenever I want through 

Well: thanks for your help.

I have all contacts formatted as follows:

Name Surname

+39 [italian international prefix] 123 4567890

I changed the rule in order to accept 12 or 13 digits.

The problem, as I told you, is that Message doesn't even open... I'll try again in a few hours and report back.

Hallo!

Thanks for this workflow. Just a problem here: I can't figure how to send SMS...

I tried the following:

**A**

call Alfred and write "sms [contact name]" ENTER

--> nothing happens (iMessage doesn't even open)

**B**

call Alfred and write "sms [contact number] test message" ENTER

--> again nothing happens

No error message, nothing at all.

Strange enough: it seems that telephone calls correctly begin...

Running MacBook Pro OSX 10.11.5 + iPhone 6 iOS 9.3.3, both in italian (maybe this is the point?)

This is the metaphor that best describes what I am using AR for. As a freelancer, I find myself having to "switch modes" a few times throughout the day. AR has given me a way to do that easily. Some examples:

Good Morning, sir - Launches a handful of evernote notes that I use to plan my day, etc., as well as my email client and a browser window with a few of my "morning reading" tabs open. I can use Moom to then arrange those windows how I like them. I will use the "quit all apps" included with AR to shut this down when it is time to work.

Client Workspaces - I am working on a few long term projects and have a button that opens the related folder in finder and then launches the appropriate software I am using on the project. (Ex 1 - Text Editor & FTP software for web project, plus an evernote note for that project(task list, etc.)  Ex 2  - HTML email conversion, opens folder of old emails, website of the new service, and the evernote note I use to track things that are done )

 

Mute the World - This is just to serve my own insanity. I have a Sonos in my office, but will also occasionally listen to a podcast on my desktop while working. Or have a TED talk in a browser window, etc.  I have a script that basically cycles through all my outputs and mutes them all. Handy when my phone is ringing and I am snapped "out of the zone" ... I don't have to figure out what I need to mute.

Call/Meeting - I can trigger this to open a new evernote note to take notes, open my calendar, and my current workload note. Very handy when I get a call in the middle of something. I can "shift gears" and be engaged in the call with the data I most likely need right in front of me. 

 

Coffee Break - Opens tweetbot, my RSS reader, and a few social media accounts. "Quit all" after this one, too.

 

I also have a button for my email client, slack, and my messages window, if only to pull those windows to the front quickly

THE KEY FOR ME is that I have my phone and ipad in a dock charging on my desk during the work day. I've selected the feature that keeps the device on and unlocked while AR is open, so I have a little touchscreen controller that is always on a quick reach from my keyboard. I know I could trigger all/most of this right from the keyboard, but I use a paper planner to track my biggest tasks for the day and keep a work log (I want this to be digital, but paper is frictionless, so that is what I use). So my mental process is this:

Complete a task -> Physical action: check off/log in planner to right of keyboard -> Decide what's next -> Physical action: select the workspace/mode on AR -> Start task

Those gross motor actions (reaching away from the keyboard) are a HUGE boost for me in switching contexts/modes. It's a small thing, but it keeps me sane and my time sheets accurate. 

Dear Kracke,

I don't even know if you're still here around, but I need to thank you for your post! I think that's the way an (automated) operating system should go.

Hope you can help me understanding better how you set up all those scenarios, maybe in another thread.

But, anyway: great post, thanks a lot!