This document explains quick installation and a simple overview for Extension Kit. Detailed help is available from the Extension Kit application by the following methods:
- Balloon Help (System 7)
- Choosing Extension Kit Online Manual from the system help menu (System 7)
or
- Choosing Help from the Options menu (System 6)
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Overview
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Extension Kit is an extension/INIT manager for System 7, although it fully support System 6 as well. Extension Kit, henceforth EK, allows you to define up to 10 collections of extensions called "kits." During bootup, you can choose which kit you want loaded by holding down the numeric key of the kit. You may choose any of the ten kits to be the default choice if no selection is made.
EK offers many features, described in detail from detailed help within the application. However, a quick highlight includes:
- Definition of 10 custom kits
- Support for aliases (System 7)
- Location identification of extensions/control panel files
- Temporary disable of individual kit items
- Pick Now feature for "one time" bootup preference
- Application allows multiple activities at one time, unlike most cdev limitations
- Prints a kit chart as a quick desk reference
- Full online help
- Supports System 7 required AppleEvents, 32-bit clean, Balloon Help
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Quick Installation
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System 7 Owners:
- Place the Extension Kit Bootup file in the Extensions folder within the System Folder
- Place the Extension Reset file directly in the System Folder
- Place the Extension Kit application anywhere on your hard disk
System 6 Owners:
- Place the Extension Kit Bootup and Extension Reset directly in the System Folder
- Place the Extension Kit application anywhere on your hard disk
NOTE: Check the following checklist to make sure no potential conflicts exist:
- Are you running another extension manager? If so, remove it.
- Did you place Extension Reset directly in the System Folder? Failure to do so may activate some extensions you want disabled.
- Extension Kit Bootup and Extension Reset are specially named to execute at particular times during the bootup process. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RENAME THESE FILES.
Directly after installation, you MUST run Extension Kit and define at least one kit. If you fail to do so, the next time you boot all your extensions will be turned off! This is because Extension Kit will have all kits defined as empty.
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Quick Setup
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Once installed, double-click Extension Kit to create your first kit. From the main kit window, double-click the kit named KIT #0. You will be given a kit editing window listing all available extensions/control panels on the left, and the kit contents on the right. Double-click each item you wish to include in the kit. All items listed under Kit Contents will be allowed to load during your next bootup. While editing, you may also give a name to the kit, such as "My Standard Kit", or whatever.
Once you are satisfied with your first kit, choose Quit from the File menu, and save your changes. Reboot, and the kit will be loaded!!!
During bootup you may change the desired kit by holding down the numeric key which corresponds to the kit. You may use the numeric keypad if available. Press and hold the key down BEFORE the EK icon is shown (it will be the first icon which appears during bootup.) When the EK icon appears, it will have the number of the kit you chose shown below it. You may release the key at this time.
Optionally, you may hold the space bar down before EK loads and you will be given a startup dialog to view the contents of each kit, choose a kit, pick a custom "once only" kit, or turn all extensions on or off.
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Feature Set
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There are many, many features to the Extension Kit application and the Extension Kit Bootup extension. Please, please, please read the detailed help within the EK applicaton to get a full rundown on how to use these nifty features.
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To All Mac Users....
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Extension Kit is being released to you as version 1.1. EK has existed since the alpha release of System 7 was available to developers. I had a need for a good extension manager, so I wrote EK. After giving it to all my closest friends, I thought about giving it away. While I thought about it, I added features, changed the interface, etc., to get to the version 1.1 that exists today. This version has been unchanged for about the last 9 months, and has been used by a close knit group of about 40 people. Because of this, most of the ugly bugs should be crushed by now, but you never know what strange things people have running on their machines.
Against my better judgement, I have decided that I will release this as what-it's-worth-ware, meaning that YOU decide the usefulness of EK, how much it means to your day-to-day work, and how much you want to see future releases. If I receive no support, there will be no version 1.2. I have been burnt by shareware in the past, so don't let me down! If there is good response to EK, I will try my best (time permitting) to enhance it as users see fit.
Also, since I'm only asking for donations, not a "purchase" fee or "support" fee, EK is offered strictly AS IS, with no warranty to its suitability for any particular use. If it happens to crash and take your machine with it, I cannot be held responsible. You assume FULL RISK by using this package.
Finally, I feel very picky about certain groups who "distribute" shareware programs, and the profits they make on other people's work. For this reason, distribution of EK is strictly forbidden for CD-ROM collection and disk-of-the-month organizations, such as EduComp. EK may be distributed by online services such as CompuServe, America Online, Genie, AppleLink, CONNECT, etc., as long as no fee outside of normal connect charges is incurred by the user. Public BBS systems may also distribute EK with this same restriction -- no fee outside of normal connect charges, if any. I also waive distribution restrictions for public, non-profit Macintosh user groups, as long as no fee greater than $10 is charged for any disk containing EK.
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Feedback
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Now that you've got the scoop, I'd like to hear from you! Send any comments, feedback, bug reports, complaints, wish lists, inquiries, $$$, etc., to:
Richard Harvey
P.O. Box 118332
Carrollton, Texas 75011
or, electronically at:
AOL: Banana6000
Internet: banana6000@aol.com
You can send mail to Internet addresses with services such as CompuServe and AppleLink. Consult your particular service for instructions on how to do this.
