This seems like an old question, but anyway. This database has some
supplemental info in text form that I would like to be able to view at
random times, so I added a button that executes a script to open a
separate text file. However, the step, Open URL["Macintosh HD: Users:
myplace: List.txt"] goes looking for a web site. How can it be told
to open the local file instead? (And would the answer to that
question be the same if I moved the db to a Windows machine).

r_poetic wrote:

there are variations depending on where the file is (local or server),
where it is relative to te dtabase file... but this works on mac and
win, for a directory on the desktop
Depending on where the file is, you can use Get(desktop), etc. or hard
code.
It can be shortened of course, but I usually use the initial variables
to progressively check the path assembly and transportability




SHOW: show_help_pdf
#1/7/09
#open help files in pdf format
#
#parse the file name from the script parameter: no spaces or special
characters. filename format help_abc.pdf
Set Variable [ $_filename; Value:getSP_n ( 1 ) ]
#
#help directory filepath: hard coded
Set Variable [ $_helppath; Value:Get ( DesktopPath ) & "ed_help/" ]
#filepath
Set Variable [ $_PATH; Value:$_helppath & $_filename ]
#
#1 if the current platform is Intel-based Macs -2 if the platform
is Windows XP or Windows Vista
Set Variable [ $_platform; Value:Get ( SystemPlatform ) ]
#
#
#
#OPEN ORIGINAL
If [ $_PLATFORM = 1 ]
#mac intel
#specify: Preview
Send Event [ open document; File Name: “filemac:$_PATH”; Application
Name: “Preview.app” ]
[ Wait for completion; Bring application to foreground ]
#
#
Else If [ $_PLATFORM = "-2" ]
#win xp/vista
#path format - /E:/server docs/abs/help_abc.pdf
#specify: Acrobat Reader
Send Event [ open document; File Name: “filewin:$_PATH”; Application
Name: “<unknown>” ]
[ Wait for completion; Bring application to foreground ]
End If

"r_poetic" <radford.schantz (AT) mms (DOT) gov> wrote

I've never had a reason to use the Open URL command with anything other than
a real web address, but a URL address does need to have the correct prefix
so that the web browser to know what to do with it.
e.g.
website http://
email mailto:
ftp site ftp://
local file file://
etc.

When you open a URL address (or type one manually) without a prefix, the web
browser automatically assumes that it is a website and adds "http://" to the
front.

I would need to check on my Mac to see what that does, but opening a local
file in Firefox on this ancient Windows PC gives an address like
file:///D:/MyFile.txt

At the very least you will have to add the prefix, and you may need to do
some manipulation of the address / file path depending on whether the
database is running on a Mac OS or Windows computer.

Helpful Harry )

On Jul 3, 2:22*am, "Your Name" <your.n... (AT) isp (DOT) com> wrote:
Thanks, the file:// and / instead of : works!