I Am Away

Simple, nonintrusive away messages for macOS

Introduction

Leaving your computer during the work day is a tricky task. This script uses macOS's the built-in Message screensaver to quickly set an away message. It's much simpler and easier than using System Preferences every time you need a break.

I wrote this script in Summer '16 so I wouldn't get GOAT'ed¹ by @waynecrasta, @mikeecb, @schopra8, @JoshuaChing, @karanh, @allen-gao, @mitchellgordon95, @geneyoo, @sup, and all my other @Yelp friends on 14F. This project was inspired by the AIM Away Message and I'm opening it up upon the death of AIM.

These days, I use it when I need to step away from my computer during office hours to let my students know where I am:

Usage

• Place the script anywhere that's convenient. You can even wrap it in an app and add it to your dock as I do:

  

• When you run the script, it will prompt you for an away message:

  

• Once you click OK, the screensaver will automatically start with your message.

• The Automator script exits, and the screensaver should still work as it normally does, prompting you for a password, if you have one, or unlocking with your Apple Watch:

  

Notes & FAQ

• When you first use this script, you may need to set the Messages screensaver text to some value in System Preferences to ensure macOS has some value saved for it.
• Q: Why is this an Automator script?
  • Different versions of macOS have different ways of starting the screensaver. Rather than trying to deal with the nuances of each version, Automator can do this for you.
• Q: Did this really stop you from getting GOAT'ed?
  • No. And to this day, I'm still mad salty for getting GOAT'ed and not figuring out who did it.
• If you have any other questions or wanna chat ☕️ let me know!

License

MIT

¹ GOATing is a prank people play on each other for walking away from their computers unlocked