◊ This program is distributed as Shareware: if you like it or use it please honor the shareware system by sending $3 to the author at the address above. Since collecting international cheques is very expensive, please send cash only. If you MUST send a cheque, keep in mind that the banks will gobble up more than half of it.
◊ NOTE: Getting some (usually very few) bucks is what you write shareware for, but getting a note, a postcard or anything else is a lot better than getting nothing. I would like to know how far this program has gone, so remember that you can do something nice even if you do not have a couple of $$$ to spare.
• GENERAL INFO
◊ FKEY Shell is a small utility that lets you conveniently open function keys (called by programmers FKEYs). FKEYs are little programs you can invoke by pressing a Command-shift-number combination.
◊ FKEY Shell is supplied in two flavors: System 7 or later only, or “old Systems”. The first supports Apple Events, has a little balloon for its Finder icon, has color Finder icons, uses the new System calls, and so on. The second is designed to run with any System on the Mac Plus or newer machines (it will not start up with the original Macs). The System 7 version works with drag & drop (you can drop onto it ResEdit files or files of type FKEY); the “old Systems” one can be used with the following technique: place FKEY Shell and the function key you want to open in the same folder; select both icons, then double-click at them or select Open from the File menu. I think FKEY Shell is most useful when running with System 7 or MultiFinder.
◊ You can build a stand-alone, double-clickable FKEY that works like an application by simply pasting the FKEY resource into the FKEY Shell application.
◊ If you drop (or paste) more than one FKEY, they will be opened in sequence. If you use drag & drop, the FKEYs possibly contained into the Shell will be temporarily ignored.
◊ This tiny application can be used in the debugging phase of an FKEY. I have included a recovery procedure, should the FKEY bomb at you (the Resume button is active…).
◊ You can test your FKEY behavior in low memory conditions by simply resizing the Shell’s memory partition.
◊ FKEY Shell can be launched multiple times in a networking environment. This means that FKEY Shell does not attempt to write into itself. I am obviously not sure of it, because I might accommodate a weird write-into-myself FKEY. Given that the natural place for an FKEY is the System file and that writing to the System file is a no-no… So I try to enforce the correct behavior, also by opening the FKEY files with a read-only permission.
• DISCLAIMER
◊ “No warranties at all, either express or implied…” “All trademarks are held by their respective owners…” and all that stuff.
This application should do no damage, but if it does then you will be on your own. Let me know of any bugs you run into, anyway.
• VERSION HISTORY:
◊ 1.1 - First (entirely rewritten) released version.
◊ 1.0 thru 1.0.2 - First versions (by Alessandro Levi Montalcini). They only worked by pasting the resource into the Shell.
• THANKS TO…
◊ Alessandro Levi Montalcini, who had the cool idea of an FKEY shell, and wrote the no-frills, very first version.
• HAVE FUN! And don't forget to $$$ SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTION $$$ so that more cool utilities will see the light in the near future, at the lower costs of shareware.
For errors, suggestions, and others send mail to Fabrizio.Oddone%bbs@osra.sublink.org
