Automation

Wehn setting up installations for exhibitions Automating the startup and shutdown is essential in order to make sure your piece is actually running. Never rely on staff to switch on things.

Programmable time switches

are quite cheap and very useful

Startup and shutdown

OS X has startup and shutdown automation included, it's hidden in the Energy Saving preference pane.

Do something on startup

OS X can launch a script or application on startup. you can set this in the Users preference pane under startup items.

shell scripts

shell scripting is a convenient way how to script stuff. Make sure you make the script executable and use the extension .command

cliclick

cliclick with this utility you can even click on things over the command line

ScreenUtil

ScreenUtil lets you set the screen resolution over the command line.