title: running arbitrary system commands from Ruby, on OSX and Windows
body: <p>I would like to open OSX windows (and Windows windows) from a ruby script. If I do</p>
  
  <pre><code>system "touch /Users/apple/Documents/thekbase-temp-files/test5.txt"
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>it works (creates an empty file), but this</p>
  
  <pre><code>system "mate /Users/apple/Documents/thekbase-temp-files/test5.txt"
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>does not open TextMate, even though it does if I type it. I feel this might be a <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1012303/run-command-in-parent-shell-from-ruby">version of this question</a> but I just want to be sure. </p>
  
  <p>Thanks!</p>