Open Dashboard at login with AppleScript

I’m a big fan of Apple’s Dashboard. But, the one thing that bothers me, is how slow it is to launch the first time you activate it, especially if you have multiple widgets that connect to the internet. I started to think of a way to minimize this delay in my workflow.

I work from home, and I have a fairly predictable routine in the morning. I get up, start my computer, and go downstairs for a smoke and what-not. So, the solution I came up with is to have Dashboard activated for the first time automatically, at login, while I’m away from my computer. I used AppleScript to accomplish this.

I’m no AppleScript expert, but this was pretty easy to do because AppleScript is often just like simple English. First, I wrote this script in Apple’s Script Editor application (located in your Applications folder):

tell application "Dashboard"
     launch
end tell

Then, just save this script as an Application, or Applet as they are sometimes called. Now all you have to do is add the Applet to you login items. The next time you start your computer, Dashboard will be activated automatically.

Now, here’s where I could use a little help from a real AppleScripter. My original intention was to have the script activate Dashboard, wait 30 seconds and then deactivate it. As it is now, Dashboard is still active when I return from my smoke. Can anyone out there help with this?

UPDATE (8.11.05): odl reader, Luis, was kind enough to turn me on to DashboardStarter, written by Stefan Schüßler. This great little app does exactly what I was trying to do with AppleScript. Way to go Stefan. Thanks for the heads up Luis.