KosmicTask Technical Overview

This is a brief overview of KosmicTask's abilities. For more detailed information see the help page.

If you have any questions then please contact us at support@mugginsoft.com

Design

• KosmicTask is a Mac OS X application in a client-agent configuration.
• KosmicTask functions as an AppleScript powered task server. The agent accepts task requests from the client, executes the task and returns the result.

Interface

• An iTunes like GUI client connects to a separate agent.
• Multiple clients may connect to each agent.
• Multiple task may be executed simultaneously.
• The agent may be run independently of the GUI client to provide an always on service.

Task Window Handling

• Each task executes in its own tab.
• Each task tab may repeatedly execute a single named task or may in sequence execute any number of different tasks.
• Each task tab retains a full history of executed task names and inputs.

Task Window Handling

• A task may execute in a separate detached window.
• Detached task windows can be displayed in a minimised form.

File Handling

• A task can accept any number of files as input and return any number of new or modified files as a result.
• File results can be viewed in an integrated Quick Look enabled browser.

Task Result Handling

• Task results may be textual, script or file based.
• Results may be displayed as text, file, outline or script.
• Results may be saved or exported to Excel, Mail, Pages, TextEdit or Word.
• Each task tab retains a full history of results for tasks executed in that tab.

Public Access

• Public tasks can be execute by any connected client.
• All tasks which have not been explicitly published cannot be accessed in this mode.

Trusted User Access

• If the user authenticates then they can access all tasks.
• In addition, an authenticated user can create, edit, delete and publish/unpublish tasks as required.

Remote Management

• Create, edit and compile tasks on remote connections.
• Remote compilation means that application dictionaries on the remote machine can be resolved.

Remote Execution

• KosmicTask can execute tasks on remote connections.
• KosmicTask does not depend upon the Remote Apple Events service.
• User interaction (via AppleScript dialogs) on the remote machine can be enabled or disabled.

Spotlight and Quick Look support

• Tasks may be searched from the finder using Spotlight.
• In application searching using Spotlight is supported for local, remote and Internet connected instances.
• Task files may be browsed using Quick Look.

Automatic Service Discovery

• KosmicTask utilises Bonjour so automatically connects to any other KosmicTask instance in the local domain.
• Non local instances can be connected to via the Internet.
• In addition non local instances can be configured to connect whenever they become available.

Internet Sharing

• KosmicTask can also accept incoming connections from the Internet.
• An integrated router portmapper is included.

Privacy and Security

• KosmicTask has SSL encryption enabled by default.
• Authentication details may be saved to the Keychain.