Typer™ is a utility that can change file types, creator codes, and file name extensions from anything to anything based on sets of predefined criteria. Set your criteria, and it does the "right thing" no matter what kinds of files you drag onto it saving you a lot of time and hassle.
Nothing else can do that.
Changing file types and extensions individually and in unsorted bulk should be a simple task, but it hasn't been up to now.
2: How much does Typer™ cost?
Typer™ is freeware. We choose not to charge for it so that more people can benefit from it, including us. It's good advertising to do nice things, and Typer™ is definitely a nice thing.
Instead of sending money, just tell your friends about it. If you really want to send money, there will be no objections made, though. ;)
3: What do I need to do before I use Typer™?
You need to define your personal list of conversion criteria before using Typer™. There are several example criteria defined, but chances are they will not be useful to you or complete.
To define your own criteria, select Edit -> Conversion Criteria... and the Automatic Conversion dialog will appear. This dialog contains a list of defined criteria on the left. On the right it has two groups of controls titled Change From and Change To.
Each group contains a control for file creator, file type, and file extension. Typer™ will look for matches to Change From criteria and when found, change those files to the criteria you've defined in the Change To fields.
It's pretty straightforward, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
First, Typer™ makes changes in sequence from the beginning of the criteria list down, so more restrictive criteria need to come before less restrictive ones.
Second, the period '.' is considered part of the file's extension by Typer™, and extension matching is not case sensitive because the Macintosh file system is not case sensitive. That means '.gif' and '.GIF' would be identical extensions for the purpose of matching criteria.
4: Is technical support provided for Typer™?
Because Typer™ is freeware we can not provide technical support for its use. Questions on the use of Typer™ will be answered with updates to the Typer™ FAQ.
You should refer to the manual and FAQ included with this distribution and then to the Web based version of the FAQ maintained at http://www.antimonysoftware.com/atfaq.html before asking a question directly by email.
5: It's not like there aren't things that change file types already, why another one?
It's true that file type changer utilities are a dime a dozen, as most are someone's first effort with Macintosh programming - learning exercises tossed out as shareware in afterthought.
They work, at least most of them, just not well. We made a better one because it was about time someone did it "right".
6: Are all developers that arrogant?
No, only the good ones.
7: What's with the name?
Typer™ was originally known as "AutoTyper", which wasn't taken as a name, but had been used before in a descriptive sense by FileTyper, one of the zillion other type / creator utilities and of the zillions, perhaps the only other one that doesn't suck. FileTyper could make "autotyper" applets as part of it's function.
To err on the side of caution (and avoid a lot of "Did you know?" emails) least it be confusing we gave up the alphabetically superior name for the shortened version. Shorter is probably better in this case. There are a lot of things that use "typer" in their name, but none named just plain "Typer" as far as we're aware.
Should be easier to tell who's who and what's what. If that doesn't work out we'll name it "Billy Bo Jim Bob Ray Bubba".
A couple of our neighbors are named that, but we think it's a safe bet no software is.
8: How do I know what file type or creator code I should use for (application)?
Typer™ can extract that information from applications and files. If you have the application or a file created by the application, just select Browse... from the pop-up type/creator menus in the Automatic Conversion dialog, and select the application or file with the same.
You can add commonly used file type and creator favorites to the menus with Edit -> Favorite Creators/Types... in the same manner.
9: What if I make a mistake and change files to the wrong type?
Change them back. Changing a file's type, creator, or extension doesn't do anything to alter the file itself, so even if you do make a mistake, you can't do any permanent harm to the file.
Typer™ actively attempts to keep you from making common mistakes when the preference is enabled. It will warn you if you're about to do something bone-headed like change an application to a text file, etc.
10: Can you add this feature to Typer™?
Maybe, but bear in mind we made Typer™ to do one thing exceedingly well, and unless it fits within that singular focused purpose, the answer may be "no".
Feature suggestions are welcomed and encouraged, though.
11: Is there a German/Italian/Japanese/etc. version of Typer™ available?
No, there isn't. If you would like to volunteer to localize Typer™ to your native language, we will gladly provide assistance and credit for your efforts. Localization to single byte character sets only requires translating text and changing a few resources with ResEdit or Resourcerer.
Localization to 2 byte character sets would be more difficult and require source level changes.
12: Will Typer™ work with Japanese localized system software as it is?
We don't know. No testing has been performed on system software versions localized for two byte character sets, and correct operation can not be guaranteed.
Try it. If it works, let us know so we can change this answer.
13: I created a new conversion criteria, but it doesn't work, why not?
You have another conversion criteria that comes before it in the list that is catching the file first. Only the first conversion criteria is executed. That's why in question #3 we said more restrictive conversion criteria need to come before less restrictive ones.
You need to change the order of the conversion criteria. This can be done by click dragging items in the list.
Typer™ 1.1 is copyright 1998-99 Antimony Software. All rights reserved. Typer™ is a Trademark of Antimony Software, which may be registered in certain jurisdictions.
