Proxi and ControllerMate
Proxi is a useful free tool for automating AppleScripts and other events via remote or other device on OS X 10.4 (Tiger). Here’s hoping Proxi will be updated for Leopard compatibility soon. (Any time now, Griffin.)
For something Leopard-compatible (update: Snow Leopard-compatible as well), and free for up to 10 triggers (perfect for most external multi-button mice), I recommend ControllerMate.
I paid for a license1 since I needed more than 10 triggers, and have found much use for it. Controllermate has a very responsive developer, Ken, who answers questions that are posted in the forum and are a good reference if you’re wondering what devices work with it.
I’ve used it for a number of USB devices, some for emulation or gaming, and configured each at least once to send Logic and Reason shortcuts; a Gravis GamePad Pro, a translucent blue Macally iStick joystick, a no-name finger-mounted mouse, and a whole horde of mice and keyboards whose manufactures don’t provide full-featured (if any) drivers for OS X. Using a gamepad or joystick to control an audio effect is always enjoyable.
ControllerMate delivers missing functionality to many USB devices, and adds more if wanted. Fully recommended.
- I loathe saying that instead of “I bought a registered version”, it encourages the idea of licensing software as opposed to buying it, where fair ability of use and right of resale are restricted and controlled by anyone other than the user who paid money. [↩]
I use both Proxi and ControllerMate. CM is in charge of dealing with all my mouse macros/keybindings/etc, while Proxi is supposed to be in charge of scheduled tasks.
I liked Proxi’s interface for managing scheduled tasks (like launching applescripts at ’3am every Thursday’, etc) better than some of the other options (or using the built-in cron feature), but since upgrading to Snow Leopard I find that it constantly locks itself up and stops working. Griffin seems to have abandoned it as far as I can tell :(