Changing provided services based on user preferences in OSX?

Question

Hi,

I would like to be able to change the OSX services that my application provides based on the current user's preferences (like adding more, changing the name,...). This basically means modifying the Info.plist (NSService key), but I don't think it is a good practice when an application modifies its own Info.plist while running, right? (At least based on few searches here). Is there any other option how to get this functionality?

I guess it should always be an external entity who does modify the Info.plist? So far I can only think about providing a system preference bundle which will do the modification in the actual app? Do you have any ideas?

Thank you

Answer 1

why not just handle this in your application's preference pane?

Answer 2

One way would be to install a service in ~/Library/Services that provides the services, and edit that application's Info.plist from your main application.

Of course, that should be an explicit action, so the user (hopefully) knows to delete the service if they delete your application. And you should document that procedure on your product's support web page, just in case they don't.