[Nfb-seniors] The Workflow app - interesting

Sun Dec 31 22:06:37 UTC 2017

Got this from a newsletter - The blind Perspective, January 2018 

APPetizers: Byte Size Tidbits to Help Master Your iDevice

By Darrin Cheney
Darrin at TheBlindPerspective.com <mailto:darrin at theblindperspective.com>  

Exploring Workflow in iOS
I am at my doctor's appointment and I need to let my wife know I am done and
ready to be picked up. I could swipe and tap and use the on-screen keyboard
to create my message, Or, I could use SIRI. Nope. I want a third option. I
want to automatically create this message and then I can send it to my wife.
I found a great app that will help me do this project and a whole lot more.
Best of all, the app is free from the Apple app store. 

The Workflow app (www.workflow.is <http://www.workflow.is> ) can help you
save time and frustration by automating a process on your iDevice. The
process is called a workflow, like the app. Consider the swiping and typing
you spend to send one message. You can create a workflow to do this for you.
You can also use a workflow that will email a monthly meeting reminder to a
group, speed dial that important someone or a group call, message your
family when you arrive home, convert a document to .PDF, remind you of a
task when you get to work, or send a tweet or a Facebook post. 

A workflow is like cooking from a recipe where you follow the steps or
actions in your recipe to create something yummy. Workflow actions are the
tasks you can perform in the apps on your iDevice. The Gallery includes a
lot of recipes or sample workflow examples that you can use or customize.
You can also build a workflow from scratch and choose your actions from a
list. For example, you can add a new event in your calendar, select a
contact, record audio, dictate text, select a photo, or specify a GPS
location and address. You can run a workflow from the app, from an icon on
your Home screen, or from the Today Widget in the Notification Center. 

The key to a good recipe or workflow is defining your task and identifying
the actions needed. I want to send a simple message to my wife when I
double-tap an icon on my Home Screen. I would like to create it once and
reuse it any time. Basically, I want to set it and forget about it. This
recipe translates into two actions: specify message text and create message
to a recipient. 

Now it is time to do some cooking. I need to create a workflow and add my
ingredients. I create a new workflow by double-tapping Add Workflow button.
I will choose Normal Workflow. Next, I switch between Actions and Workflow
view. In the Action list, I find and drag a "Specify Message Text" action to
the right of the screen and drop it to add it to the Workflow list. I write
the text, "I am ready" in the text field. Next, I will add a "Create
Message" action and add my wife's mobile number from the contact list.
Finally, I will try my workflow by double-tapping on the "Run Workflow"
button. I can easily edit or change each action. Finally, Under Workflow
Settings, I name my workflow as "Ready." Now, I can run it from the Workflow
app anytime. 

I want to add my workflow as an icon on my Home screen. I will choose Add to
Home Screen in the Settings Menu and follow the on-screen instructions. Now,
I can run this workflow by double-tapping on a screen icon. You can also
share your workflow with someone else, by choosing Share Workflow. 

I am Ready Workflow Recipe:
1. Create workflow and choose Normal.
2. Add the Text action from the action menu.
3. Enter your message text.
4. Add the Send Message action.
5. Choose the recipient from your contact list.
6. Play workflow to test it.
7. Add to Home Screen.
8. Enjoy and share with friends! 

The Workflow app is a powerful tool that will save you a lot of swipes and
taps. Take some time and try a few of the workflow examples in the Gallery.
Start with something simple and useful like the workflow above. Once you
understand how it works, customize a workflow or create a new one. If you
create something that helps you, consider sharing it with another iUser.
Have fun and you will get the hang of Workflow in no time. 

Resource List:
You can learn more about Workflow from the getting started tutorial in the
app. The Workflow app website has helpful documentation and examples. I also
included some links to videos that provide a good overview of the Workflow
app and how students with disabilities are using it. 

Workflow Website:
www.workflow.is <http://www.workflow.is/>  

Workflow Documentation:
www.workflow.is/docs <http://www.workflow.is/docs>  

AppChasers.com:
How to use Workflow <http://bangbuzz.info/videos/watch/iKg4NUXvqzQ>  

Closing the Gap - Luis Perez presentation:
Getting started with Workflow
<https://www.closingthegap.com/automating-accessibility-with-workflow-for-io
s/>  

Luis Perez Workflow app video tutorial:
Creating a Workflow
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGbGumpoysk#action=share>  

Logan Project - How Workflow can assist learners with disabilities:
Workflow and those with disabilities
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SGiOiMwkO0#action=share>  