I have been searching high and low for a TextEdit word count script and I found NanoCount which actually does I needed. However, I am used to using the right mouse button to find out the number of words in a text file. (You are right. I was a Windows user.)

Then I discovered Automator which comes with Mac OS X.

TextEdit Word Count: My First Automator Script

I have little programming background and I find the Automator extremely easy to learn. However, I am totally alien to AppleScript and so I decided to google around for similar scripts to use in Automator. Here’s the 2 web pages where I used part of the codes in my TextEdit WordCount script.

• AppleScript Word Count Service
• Simple word and character count for TextEdit Apps

Automator Example: TextEdit WordCount Service

First, open Automator in the Applications folder. Select Services.

Click at the option box “any application” to display the pull-down menu. Select Finder

Select Others.

In the Application folder, choose TextEdit.

On the second column of the Automator window, search for the action “Run AppleScript” by entering “run applescript” in the search box.

Double click at “Run AppleScript” or drag and drop this action into the workflow area.

Copy and paste the following codes into the AppleScript widows:

set word_count to count words of (input as string)
display alert "Words: " & word_count


Then, compile the codes by clicking at the hammer icon.

Save the Automator Service.

Next, test out TextEdit Word Count service.

Open a text file using TextEdit, highlight the text which you want to word count. Click the right button on the mouse.

I just can’t wait for September 2009 to come. COMEX 2009 is on 10-13 September 2009 and hopefully Snow Leopard will be released by then. I have been delaying buying the MacBook because of the announcement of Snow Leopard last month. The 13″ MacBook Pro starting at S$1,988 is within the budget for my next laptop.

I have been a Windows user all my life but since I have to change my OS when I buy a new laptop and Vista sux, I might as well get a Mac with the latest OS X Snow Leopard.

Hopefully, there will be some good deals at the COMEX 2009 in Singapore. It is unlikely that Apple’s going to lower the price, however, give me free upgrade to more RAM or a bigger HDD for my new MacBook Pro.

[Updated 26 August 2009]

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard will be available from Friday 28 August 2009.

Upgrade price from OS X 10.5 Leopard is S$48.