Questions tagged [automation]
Making a process run completely or in part without the need of any user input once the process is started.
1,390
questions
589
votes
12
answers
638k
views
Automatically answer 'Yes' when using apt-get install
Is there a way to make apt-get install automatically choose "yes" upon the Do you want to continue [y/N]? confirmation dialog?
- 6,887
119
votes
8
answers
377k
views
How to monitor a folder and trigger a command-line action when a file is created or edited?
I need to set up some sort of a script on my Vista machine, so that whenever a file is added to a particular folder, it automatically triggers a background process that operates on the file. (The ...
- 1,564
82
votes
15
answers
64k
views
Open registry directly to a given key?
I need to open a registry key such as the following in regedit.
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Foo\Bar
Is there a tool which will navigate to the key for me, without my having to navigate the folders ...
- 1,887
81
votes
4
answers
621k
views
How do I enable Automatic Logon in Windows 7 when I'm on a domain?
When Windows 7 is joined to a domain the option to automatically login is no longer available in the advanced User Management console. Since I am running a small home domain because of SharePoint and ...
- 20.8k
77
votes
7
answers
118k
views
How to Print to Save as PDF from a command line with Chrome or Chromium
Can I print to destination "Save as PDF" from a command line with Chrome or Chromium? I'd like to be able to automatically convert html files to PDF with Chrome's built-in functionality.
- 1,487
61
votes
5
answers
28k
views
How to automate regular Google Takeout backups to cloud storage
I would like to create regular Google Takeout backups (let's say every 3 months) and store them encrypted in some other cloud storage like DropBox or S3.
It does not have to be a cloud-to-cloud ...
- 2,915
44
votes
9
answers
49k
views
Automatically login and lock
I want to configure Windows 7 to login automatically after the computer is switched on. That's not because I'm lazy and don't like typing passwords. That's because I want programs that are configured ...
- 1,933
32
votes
3
answers
103k
views
Sending simulated keystrokes in Bash
I've recently been trying to write a script that can be used to automate my c++ program in bash. If you know AutoIt, I can simply show you an example of what I am trying to do:
send("1{enter}")
or
...
- 433
31
votes
5
answers
34k
views
Automate GUI tasks?
I have a Windows application which is deadware, and it lacks the option of exporting data into a file. The only way to extract data is to copy each line into the clipboard, and paste it in an editor.
...
- 5,771
30
votes
8
answers
9k
views
Is it possible to restart a computer in response to an email notification?
I'm looking for a way to reboot machines after getting an email notification.
The setup I want to use this on is a render farm. We have 5 boxes with 8 Nvidia GTX 980Ti in them. They're running ...
- 941
29
votes
1
answer
9k
views
How do I automatically convert academic papers (PDF) for reading on a Kindle?
I got a Kindle for Christmas and I'd like to read some academic papers on it. Almost all of those papers are in either PostScript or the PDF format and made for A4-sized paper. See the example here.
...
- 393
26
votes
3
answers
42k
views
Is it possible to autocrop black borders of a video with ffmpeg?
I think it has a "blackness" video filter, which can determine if a picture sequence is black. Maybe it also has a filter to determine crop values automatically to remove black borders form edges of a ...
- 693
24
votes
5
answers
22k
views
Grep tool for XML [closed]
I am looking for a good tool to perform grep-like operations on XML - for example, extract certain attributes only.
Grep itself can't handle it - any DFA-equivalent tool can handle only non recursive ...
- 8,490
24
votes
2
answers
15k
views
Windows 10 keeps randomly adding keyboard layouts [duplicate]
I have this issue where windows randomly adds keyboard layouts for me. This is beyond annoyance and I'm starting to feel suicidal. (Okay maybe it's not that bad but it's still pretty annoying.)
I ...
- 241
23
votes
3
answers
117k
views
How to connect to a VPN at startup?
I need to have a computer at a branch office automatically connect to the corporate VPN to simplify the login process (not forcing the user to press network login down the right).
The client machine ...
- 2,130
23
votes
7
answers
95k
views
What's a good macro recorder for Windows? [closed]
I'm looking for a tool that can record everything I do with my mouse/keyboard and playback recorded sessions. I've found some softwares that can replay macro using a script but none that can also ...
- 788
22
votes
5
answers
80k
views
Save attachments from many emails at once in Outlook?
Someone sent me 200 emails overnight, with one file attachment apiece. sigh
I'm expecting another 200 each night for the next three nights (the emails come from a server, so asking them to batch them ...
- 1,302
21
votes
3
answers
15k
views
How do I record and run multiple find/replace with Sublime Text 2?
How do I record and run multiple find/replace with Sublime Text 2? I tried recording a macro but, as it seems, Sublime won't record find/replace, only text input etc.
- 2,630
20
votes
12
answers
3k
views
Is it possible to open several web pages when browser is started?
I am searching for browser option or plugin (it will be best if it is available in Web Kit browsers,Opera or Firefox - not IE) that allows me to open several web pages when it is initially started.
...
- 490
19
votes
6
answers
17k
views
Run script in OS X 10.6 on network connection. (like /etc/network/if-up.d/)
Is there any way to run a script when a network interface comes up in Mac OS X?
I've tried putting a script named ip-up in /etc/ppp but it doesn't seem to fire when I disconnect and reconnect to a ...
- 321
19
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Good PowerShell guide, getting started through more advanced usage [closed]
Does anyone have a really good tutorial or getting started guide for Microsoft's PowerShell? I'm a long time Linux/Unix user, and very familiar with scripting languages, command-line usage with bash, ...
- 21.7k
18
votes
5
answers
84k
views
Deleting emails from a sender after x days?
I have a web application that sends me many emails that are only for notification purposes - and so, are not important. There can be a great deal of these per day, and I sometimes forget to delete ...
- 664
18
votes
6
answers
55k
views
Automatically change time based on current location
I often move between 2 time zones, and expect my Windows 7 laptop to somehow automatically change the system time, being spoiled by the same feature on my cell phone. I always assumed that desktop O/...
- 487
17
votes
4
answers
34k
views
How to get Thunderbird to archive messages automatically
I want Thunderbird 3.1.1 to automatically move old messages to archive. The definition of "old" should vary by folder. E.g., messages in the "Meeting minutes" folder should get archived after 7 days, ...
- 4,024
17
votes
7
answers
22k
views
Completely automated DVD insert-rip-compress-eject workflow
(Partially inspired by this question.)
Background: I have a PC hidden away behind an HD LCD in custom-built entertainment center. The only visible part of the PC is an external DVD drive, mounted ...
- 1,584
16
votes
6
answers
73k
views
Automate sequence of key strokes in Mac
I want to automate a long sequence of keystrokes that I have to type every time I use a specific web site. How can I do it in Mac OS X. I've tried the Automator. I record the sequence, but when I run ...
- 3,940
16
votes
9
answers
8k
views
Are there any tools to periodically check if a web site is available?
Either online or local applications (Windows XP preferably). I'm specifically looking to be notified by email if the web site in question goes down.
I've tried the Firefox add on, Mr Uptime, but it ...
- 3,509
15
votes
3
answers
28k
views
Windows registry entries for default explorer view
I'm making an automated installer for Windows XP, and I want the default view to be the "details" view on all folders - that is, the effect gotten by setting one folder to the details view, then going ...
- 1,776
15
votes
2
answers
8k
views
How to launch sshuttle without superuser pwd prompt
I love the sshuttle "poor man's VPN", however, having it require me to enter superuser pwd when launching each time makes my life sad.
Is there a way I can either elevate the script or modify it in a ...
- 295
14
votes
5
answers
39k
views
What tool can generate MD5 from the command-line? [closed]
Is there any tool that can automate by script to generate file MD5?
I used to use Cygwin but I am looking for another solution without having Cygwin installed.
- 7,225
14
votes
3
answers
26k
views
Multithreaded Windows FOR batch command
do you know if there is a simple way to run FOR command in batch file on multiple threads? What's the point of having 4 cores if I can't run my tasks in 4 parallel threads?
For example, if I am ...
- 1,237
13
votes
3
answers
29k
views
Cisco AnyConnect v3.1 AutoLogin
I'm having a bit of difficulty with Cisco AnyConnect v3.1 in regards to automatic login. I have to stay connected to a single server all day every day, and it would be super if I didn't have to dig ...
- 263
13
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Cannot get Windows snipping tool to auto run with AutoHotKey
I am trying to get Windows 7 sniping tool to run when I hit my PRINTSCREEN keyboard button with AUTOHOTKEY.
I have been unsuccessful so far though. Here is what I have for the AutoHotKey script.
...
- 5,042
13
votes
2
answers
27k
views
Set (Many) Programs' Window Size/Position
I'm looking for a solution similar to this, but for Windows 7 (64-bit), and not just for the terminal. This is also definitely not a duplicate of this question.
The Problem
Some programs remember ...
- 307
13
votes
4
answers
13k
views
How can I control Pandora via my Mac Keyboard?
How can I use the Play / Pause, and Skip Buttons on my MacBook Pro to control Pandora? I've just got Pandora set up as a dashboard web clip and also have the Pandora Adobe AIR desktop app. I have ...
- 18.2k
12
votes
5
answers
76k
views
Record a macro of windows commands
Using Windows 7, is there an in-built or third-party method of recording windows commands and being able to play them back?
As a very basic example of what I would like to be able to do, imagine ...
- 736
11
votes
3
answers
13k
views
How can I take hundreds of smaller images and create one big tiled image?
I have 251 images that are 128x128 in size; I need to create one big image that includes them all tiled together.
The image will be 32128x32128 in size if all goes well (Paint.NET says it will be 3....
- 560
11
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Mac OS X "hosts" file, can I include other files with it?
I am working on some automation scripts to configure my network settings, hosts file contents, and /etc/resolver files, when accessing different networks I frequent between.
There are some ...
- 3,706
10
votes
6
answers
17k
views
Making sound spectrum images from command line
Most of the audio editors are able to show us different kinds of audio analysis like this:
Wave form (whole file);
spectral frequency (whole file);
spectrum analysis (for a slice).
The generated ...
- 1,741
10
votes
3
answers
32k
views
Open web page at a specific time of day; or after 8 hours of activity
I'd like my browser (or OS) to automatically open up a traffic report web page just before I go home from work--ideally after 8 hours of being logged in at work, but a specific time of day would work ...
- 1,051
10
votes
6
answers
38k
views
Automatically restart application when closes
I have a server application that I want to be running whenever the computer is running and usually this is the case, except sometimes I'll find it to have closed by itself.
Is there a bat or script I ...
- 101
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can I configure KeePass to prompt for master key/password on Windows restore?
I have configured KeePass to Lock workspace when computer is about to be suspended (under Options→Security), which ensures my passwords are protected when my Windows 7 system sleeps or hibernates....
- 445
10
votes
2
answers
37k
views
How to make Ubuntu trust a new root certificate non-interactively?
After creating a new certificate authority, manually importing the CA chain to a browser, and verifying that browsers can trust new certs signed with the intermediary, we copied the CA cert chain (pem ...
- 1,017
10
votes
1
answer
17k
views
How can I keep a Windows registry key constant?
Is there a way to lock a system registry key from being changed? Or to somehow keep it constant?
In Windows 7, I'm trying to prevent a system registry key from being automatically changed any time a ...
- 5,974
10
votes
3
answers
663
views
Do something when a file is changed
When I write a LaTeX document, I find myself to press F6 in my editor to compile often. Or when I use SASS, I often type make to convert my .scss into .css.
Now I would like to let the machine do the ...
- 2,425
10
votes
2
answers
7k
views
Automate printing of more than 10,000 emails and their attachments, including the contents of ZIP files
For some unholy reason I am required by work to print out 10,500 e-mails AND their attachments (which accompany about 70% of the e-mails) through Outlook 2010. I, like you, am appalled at such ...
- 111
9
votes
2
answers
19k
views
Open new konsole from script, executing command and becoming interactive on conclusion
I want to be able to get a script (ran at startup) to open up a konsole terminal.
When it opens it is to do some persistent things (like change directory and source bashrc) and run a long running ...
- 3,079
9
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Is there any way to script Windows 10's "color filter" feature programmatically?
I'm trying to get Windows 10 to emulate the new "Digital Wellbeing" feature that Google released alongside Android 9. Basically it changes the screen to grey-scale at night-time to try and incentivize ...
- 113
9
votes
3
answers
18k
views
How to trigger a check for updates in Firefox programatically or from a command line?
Is there a command line switch for firefox.exe or an "about:" URL that will either force an update check or at least display the Help/About dialog, which checks for updates and tells if you're running ...
- 3,294
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to test thousands of MP3 files whether they're playable?
I just managed to recover lots of mp3 from a bad HDD.
Is there a way to test all these files if they are playable? I don't want to hit next a few thousand times.
- 1,711