AutoLock¬ is a small application intended to alleviate some problems associated with running children╒s applications (games, etc.) under the System 7 Finder¬.
Many existing children╒s applications were designed to run under Finder, rather than under MultiFinder¿. As most parents already know, running these programs under MultiFinder allows a child to accidentally send the application into the background, usually by inadvertently clicking the mouse outside of the application window. In the old days, this problem could be avoided by moving the system back to Finder mode. For users of System 7, however, this alternative is no longer available, since the system runs in a permanent MultiFinder-type mode.
AutoLock solves this problem, by terminating the Finder and locking a single application into the foreground.
AutoLock is intended for use only with System 7, and should work on any Macintosh¿ computer operating under System 7. AutoLock is 32-bit compatible, requires less than 15K of disk space, and uses a whopping 40K of RAM in order to run under System 7!
AutoLock comes with a small extension, LockSmith¬ which can be used to create AutoLock documents that launch and automatically lock applications. Using an AutoLock document, launching and automatically locking an application is as easy as conventional launching.
Using AutoLock:
There are three basic ways to use AutoLock: launching an application from within AutoLock, dragging an application onto the AutoLock icon, or opening an AutoLock document created by LockSmith.
AutoLock will only launch when there are no applications or desk accessories running. When AutoLock is executed, it launches the selected application, terminates the Finder, and locks the launched application into the foreground. When the locked application is quit, AutoLock automatically terminates itself, and restores the Finder.
To launch an application from within AutoLock:
1. Launch AutoLock.
2. Use the dialog box to select an application to be launched and locked. (You may find it convenient to place AutoLock in a folder along with your children's games. This will make launching from the dialog box easier.)
3. The selected application will be launched, and locked into the foreground.
To launch an application by dragging it onto the AutoLock icon:
1. Drag the application's icon onto the AutoLock icon.
2. The application will be launched, and locked into the foreground.
To launch an application using an AutoLock document created by LockSmith:
1. Double-click the AutoLock document (or drag its icon onto the AutoLock application icon).
2. The application will be launched, and locked into the foreground.
Creating an AutoLock document using LockSmith:
If you wish to automatically lock an application when it is launched, then you can use LockSmith to create an AutoLock document for the application.
To create an AutoLock document:
1. Launch LockSmith.
2. Select a target application (the one to be locked when launched) using the dialog box.
3. Specify a name for the AutoLock document (it can be any name you choose, and may be placed into any folder or disk) using the dialog box.
4. LockSmith will automatically repeat the process so that you may create AutoLock documents for several applications. Simply click Cancel to terminate LockSmith.
LockSmith creates an AutoLock document that contains an alias to the target application specified. The alias is created using the same Alias Manager used by the Finder. The aliases are, therefore, reasonably robust. (That is, they can withstand many changes to the target application, including name changes and movement within a disk.) Some changes (like moving the target application to another disk) may not be properly followed by the alias, however, and may render the AutoLock document useless (just like any Finder alias).
When an AutoLock document is opened (double-clicked), AutoLock is automatically launched, and the target application is launched and locked, using the alias contained inside the AutoLock document. The target application may always be launched, without being locked, at any time, simply by opening the target application in a conventional manner (double-clicking its icon, for example).
If you like, you can use the Finder's "Get Info" command to paste the target application's original icon onto the AutoLock document. (See the Macintosh Reference that came with System 7--it's a pretty simple procedure.)
LockSmith is 32-bit compatible and requires less than 10K of disk space and 40K of RAM.
Important Notes:
AutoLock does not lock out the operating system (or extensions), and does not prevent applications from being launched, after an application is locked (if you have installed an extension that allows such launching). No launching will be possible via the Finder (which is not running) or via the Apple Menu.
Should the locked application be sent into the background (for example, by selecting the "Hide" command from the application menu), AutoLock will automatically return the locked application to the foreground.
AutoLock Demo:
AutoLock Demo is a shareware demonstration version of AutoLock. AutoLock Demo functions in exactly the same manner as AutoLock, except that:
1. AutoLock Demo displays a registration reminder every time it is launched, and
2. AutoLock Demo may only be executed once per computer session. That is, you may launch and lock an application using AutoLock Demo only once after booting up your machine. After that, you will not be able to use AutoLock Demo again until after you restart your machine.
AutoLock Usage Rules:
AutoLock¬, AutoLock¬ Demo and LockSmith¬ are all copyrighted software to which J. S. Greenfield and Singular Systems, inc. retain all rights. (AutoLock¬, AutoLock¬ Demo, and LockSmith¬ were written using THINK Pascal 4.0. Therefore, some portions may be copyrighted by Symantec Corporation.) You may not modify AutoLock¬, AutoLock¬ Demo, or LockSmith¬ in any manner, without the prior written consent of J. S. Greenfield.
AutoLock¬ Demo is shareware. You may freely copy and distribute AutoLock¬ Demo, provided that this documentation is included in any distribution package. You may not charge any fee for the use, copying, or distribution of this product, without the prior written consent of J. S. Greenfield. This product may not be bundled with any commercial or shareware packages, without the prior written consent of J. S. Greenfield.
Non-profit user groups are, hereby, given permission to charge nominal fees in distributing this product, only in order to cover actual media costs.
You may use AutoLock¬ Demo without charge for a fifteen (15) day trial period. After that period you must either register your copy, or discontinue use of the product and delete all copies from your system. You may not continue to use this demonstration program after that period, without registering your copy.
The registration fee for AutoLock¬ is eight dollars ($8). Upon registration, you will be provided a disk containing the complete AutoLock¬ package, including the complete version of AutoLock¬. Registration licenses AutoLock¬ for use on a single computer at any one time.
Registered users of AutoLock will be entitled to use future updates of this product free of any additional licensing fee.
LockSmith¬ is a freeware extension for AutoLock¬.
Important Usage Notes:
Upon registration and receipt of your copy of AutoLock¬, you should delete the AutoLock¬ Demo from your system, in order to prevent the Finder from launching the demonstration version when you open AutoLock¬ documents.
The commercial (complete) version of AutoLock¬ may not be distributed in any manner. Copies of AutoLock¬ may be made only for the convenience of a legally registered user. Please contact J. S. Greenfield at the address given below if you find an illegally distributed copy of the commercial version of AutoLock¬.
Registration and contact information:
You may register AutoLock¬ Demo and receive a disk containing AutoLock¬ by sending a check or money order, along with a return address, to:
J. S. Greenfield
Singular Systems, inc.
362 Taft Ave. #27
Syracuse, New York 13206.
Make checks and money orders payable to J. S. Greenfield.
Please write "AutoLock¬" in the memo portion of your check.
J. S. Greenfield may also be reached via internet, at
greeny@top.cis.syr.edu
Send all comments, bug reports, and suggestions to one of the above addresses.
Disclaimer:
AutoLock¬, AutoLock¬ Demo, and LockSmith¬ are provided as is. Singular Systems, inc. and J. S. Greenfield hereby disclaim all warranties relating to these software products, whether express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Neither Singular Systems, inc. nor J. S. Greenfield will be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or similar damages due to the use of this product. The individual using the software bears all risk as to the quality and performance of the software.
