Ask HN: A way to switch from job to leisure apps on Mac instantly

3 points by fosron 11 years ago | 7 comments

Hey Ask HN,

so i have an interesting question - i need an app to switch off/on some predefined app list (something in lines of this). I have a Macbook Air which i use for work and for leisure at home, and i have an annoying repetitive task to do - kill all apps that i mostly don't need at home (IDE, Browser with work related tabs, GIT client, etc.) and then reopen them in the morning at work. I could leave them on, but my Mac starts to act a little crazy when i try to game a little (Yeah, on an Air) or do something else (4GB of RAM was not the best choice). It could probably be done with AppleScript (or something like that), but maybe there's an app for that?

TL;DR:

Need an app to close/open apps from predefined list.

Thanks!

EdwardMSmith 11 years ago |

Set up two different accounts and log out/in between them.

Set the various programs you need to start automatically (from dock, options -> open on login)

Fast user switching: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:6BNJS4W...

fosron 11 years ago | |

Still, won't the apps stay in memory? And i don't really like the idea of different users...

EdwardMSmith 11 years ago | | |

With fast user switching, yes, but if you log out, then it shouldn't.

0942v8653 11 years ago |

    $ fun=( 'Preview' 'QuickTime Player' )
    $ work=( 'Terminal' )
    $ for i in "${fun[@]}"; do osascript -e "tell app \"$i\" to quit"; done
    $ for i in "${work[@]}"; do open -a "$i"; done

adam419 11 years ago |

If it's a Mac create a separate desktop instance, one work related the other personal.

fosron 11 years ago | |

As i said, i need a way to close apps, leaving them on is not an option.