Our Verdict
One of OS X ’s forcefulness has always been that it combines a great in writing user port with the underlie power of UNIX — a world power that extends to making gobs of scripting languages like PHP , Python , and Ruby available to all users .
App Factory 1.2allows you to harness the power of these scripting languages and utilize them to make apps that can be launch directly from the Finder , without having to spell a individual line of O X - specific computer code .
The app ’s functionality is extremely dim-witted : All you postulate to do is take an existing hand that has been flagged as workable and contains a properly - initialise shebang , and drop it on the appropriate butt in App Factory ’s window alongside an optional icon filing cabinet . Once you ’re happy with the conclusion result , the click of a clitoris allows you to save the resulting app to a location of your option .
App Factory ’s only major defect is that it does n’t automatically signalize the apps it creates with a digital individuality . On Macs running recent versions of OS X , this may cause a surety warning to appear , prevent the app from running at all . Luckily , this is an easy problem to work out , and only involve acquiring a bit of free software package from Apple , signing up for a gratuitous Developer ID , and then running a single command - blood program . Still , it would be handy for the developer to have include a bit of help on how this can be attain .
Despite this , App Factory is still a very handy tool , particularly if you want to make your scripts easily executable by non - technical ally and fellow worker without having to trouble with build a full - fledged o X app .
This review is part of Macworld’sGemFest 2014 . Every weekday from July until September , the Macworld staff will practice the Mac Gems web log to in brief cover a standout free , low - cost , or expectant - note value program . you may catch a leaning of this year ’s apps , update daily , on our handy GemFest chart , and you may chatter the Mac Gems homepage for past Mac Gems reviews .
