OS X Mountain Lion: The Missing Manual

Let the Chat Begin

As with any conversation, somebody has to talk first. In chat circles, that’s called inviting someone to a chat.

POWER USERS’ CLINIC: iTunes by Remote Control

Thanks to some sneaky AppleScripting (Chapter 7), you can use Messages as a glorified music-system remote control for another Mac. Specifically, you can sit at Mac #1, controlling the iTunes playback of Mac #2 elsewhere in the house. That’s handy when Mac #2 is connected to your sound system and you really don’t feel like getting up off the couch.

To set it all up, start on Mac #1, the one you’ll be using in person. In Messages, choose Messages→Preferences→Accounts. Click Bonjour, and make sure Enable Bonjour Instant Messaging is turned on. Close the window.

On Mac #2, the one with iTunes, open Messages. Choose Messages→Preferences→Alerts. From the Event pop-up menu, choose Message Received. Turn on Run an AppleScript Script, and then select iTunes Remote Control.applescript from the pop-up menu.

Now, while seated at Mac #1, you can control Mac #2’s music playback by typing one-word commands into Messages. You can type any of these commands: play, pause, status, next, previous, mute, unmute, or help. After you type your command (like “mute” when the phone rings and you’re blasting Lady Gaga), hit the Return key to make iTunes on the other Mac obey your orders.

You’ll get responses in the Messages window, too. For example, if you enter “next,” Messages types back, “Playing next track. Now playing ‘In This Diary’ ...