mpad-watcher

Super-quick-and-dirty hack which checks on MacOS if my local MPAD instance is still running. In case of failure, a message notification will be dispatched to the user's local account via osascript / MacOS Message Center.

Configuration

• clone repository
• rename mpad-watcher.yml.TEMPLATE to mpad-watcher.yml. Then use the Apprise documentation and create a YAML file for the messengers that you want to support. You can specify a different filename by using the program's --configfile parameter.
• copy watcher.sh.TEMPLATE to watcher.sh
• chmod u+x watcher.sh
• edit watcher.sh:
  • add your aprs.fi API key to variable MPAD_WATCHER_API_KEY
  • Check script assumes a program crash if (systime - last heard on aprs.fi) > 90 (minutes). You can change this value by specifying the --ttl_alert_after value in minutes
  • amend the path for the repo's location (cd /path/to/mpad-watcher)
  • save file
• open Apple's ScriptEditor
  • amend the path to the watcher.sh script
  • change the timerInterval value, if necessary. Default is 3600 secs = 60 min
  • save the script as is for further references
  • Then save the file as an application (File -> Export -> File Format: Application)
• In the Finder, locate the application that you have just created
• Right Mouse Button -> 'Show Package Contents'
• Edit Contents/Info.plist:

Your current Info.plist will look like this

	<key>CFBundleSignature</key>
	<string>aplt</string>
	<key>LSMinimumSystemVersionByArchitecture</key>
	<dict>
		<key>x86_64</key>
		<string>10.6</string>
	</dict>
	<key>LSRequiresCarbon</key>
	<true/>

Now add these two entries - this change will prevent the application from adding an icon to the MacOS dock:

	<key>LSUIElement</key>
	<true/>

Final result will look like this:

	<key>CFBundleSignature</key>
	<string>aplt</string>
	<key>LSMinimumSystemVersionByArchitecture</key>
	<dict>
		<key>x86_64</key>
		<string>10.6</string>
	</dict>
	<key>LSRequiresCarbon</key>
	<true/>
	<key>LSUIElement</key>
	<true/>

• save the file
• END of configuration steps

Running the application

• Double-click the application. If all works well (e.g. correct API key et al), you should not receive any message (but the application still keeps on running per MacOS's Activity monitor)\
• You can now add this application as a MacOS login item.