nifty little Ruby application: gRApple, added to itch+scratch ware page
Recently, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the refurbished apple store page for Macs. They have a number of machines, laptop and desktop alike, that go for great prices from time to time. Many of the prices are ~15% less than retail, but occasionally, they approach 30% off! There are two issues though: 1) They go fast and 2) If you’re only looking for a specific machine or config, there’s a lot to wade through.
I’ve purchased a number of machines (again laptop and desktop) for myself, and others over the years from the refurb store and have yet to have any problems with any of them. Cosmetically they’re as good as new, and they carry a good warranty as well. You really can’t go wrong with the refurb store in my experience.
Also recently, I’ve been puttering around with some other programming languages. Python and Ruby in particular, and thought it’d be neat to create something to help my predicament as listed above. The result of my scratch is gRApple. It’s a Ruby application that makes use of hpricot to parse HTML, net/smtp to fire off email, and open-uri to make a connection.
gRApple parses the refurb apple store, and based on arguments given sends an email to the address/server within with anything that matched. Combine that with a cron entry, and a cell phone capable of receiving email or SMS via email and what you have is a way to be notified at whatever interval you like when something interesting (by your metrics) shows up at the store.
It’s released under GPLv2, and can be gotten on the SoftwareTidbits page. Go. Go now. Pick up a refurbished mac!