• Allowed operation in the background, so that users could alias large disks while working on other projects.
• Return key will select the Yes MAAM button according to Apple's HIN guidelines.
• Fixed some minor error handling bugs.
1/1/92
First release into public domain.
12/25/91
First release as developmental copy. Sent to all registered users of SeeFont 1.X.
WARNING!!!!!!!!!!
MyAliAsMaker should only be used with System 7.0.0 or greater. In fact there is a check to see what system version you are using, but just in case it doesn't work, please beware.
MyAliAsMaker (MAAM) is a short application written to take better advantage of the Alias Manager capability in System 7.0.
I got tired of making a trip to the File-Make Alias menu every time I wanted to make an alias of a file. MAAM was written to address this issue. In addition, I thought it would be neat to have an alias for every file in my floppy disk public domain collection located on my hard disk. Then I could use System 7.0 search feature to find all of those illogically stored files (not to mention out of date) I downloaded from 1986 to 1992. After using the finder to search for a key word in the title, double clicking would bring up the insert "PD Disk #1" dialog, insert the right disk and presto I had the right file. It was about here that I realized that I could make an alias of each file by hand or utilize my programming skills to take a repetitive task that a computer could easily handle in a couple of minutes. So I took a couple of months to write a program to complete a task that would take me a couple of weeks to do by hand (and probably with lots of mistakes). So MAAM was born, and is now at the stage where it works, but I want to see if someone else out there has any interest. Thus the only time savings benefit being passed along is to you the user, since you won't have to spend time writing the program, my benefit being your praise and financial support.
You can use MAAM in two different ways. The easiest is to leave the application icon on your desktop, then whenever you want to make an alias just drag the document or application on top of the MAAM icon. MAAM will then do the rest leaving a copy of the file/app next to it on the desktop.
Want to make several aliases at once, just select them and drag one of the icons over the MAAM icon. Presto, a folder will show up randomly placed on the desktop or the folder in which MAAM resides with an alias of each in the folder.
Copying hard disks or floppy disks is a different matter. Double click on the MAAM icon and a window should appear listing all mounted volumes. Select a volume and click on the "Yes MAAM" button. After the task is complete a folder with the volume name should appear in the same folder as the MAAM application icon.
The task can be automated for floppy disks by selecting the "Yes MAAM upon disk insertion" check box. Then when MAAM is finished with the disk it will spit out the disk and be ready for another. Using this technique I can easily keep 50 or more floppies aliased on my hard disk. Whenever I make a change to one of those 50 floppies I keep it aside to run MAAM on it at a later date, then I throw away the old folder. Since MAAM increments the new folder by appending a 1, 2, or 3 etc. to the end of the folder name it is easy to spy the old and new folders when you view by name. The old folder is above the new folder, just drag the old folder into the trash and change the name of the new folder to the name of the old folder.
In the lower right hand corner of the Yes MAAM window you will find a popup menu labeled "Filter:". When Off is selected, MAAM aliases all visible files on the selected volume, keeping the folder heirarchy. When a file Type (such as APPL for applications, or TEXT for text files) is selected then MAAM only aliases those files with that particular file type, in this case the folder heirarchy is not retained.
I have only included a few filter types with this version. If you are a ResEdit Jedi then you can customize the popup menu to add or exclude filter Types according to your preference. On a copy of MAAM edit the MENU resource #1129. The most unobtrusive way to change the menu is to append your filter Types to the end of the menu, this way when balloon help is called it explains the correct filter Type. If you don't care about balloon help then you can mix, reorder to your hearts content. Just remember, if you remove the "Off " choice then you remove the possibility of aliasing all files (that's "Off" with a space after Off). If you are always aliasing a certain filter Type then you can make that filter Type the default by making it the first menu item choice.
If this release generates enough interest (usually about two or three people sending in their shareware fee) and bugs then there will be a future release.
Some of the directions I am thinking about going are: (1) a preferences dialog box allowing the user to select where the aliases end up (instead of the same folder as MAAM), (2) a choice allowing certain file types to automatically end up in the Apple Menu Items folder, (3) aliasing a nested folder and its contents, (4) to Bermuda if I get enough money.
MyAliAsMaker is a product of my own imagination. So please reward me accordingly. I ask no great fee, just $1 to $5.
MAAM was tested on a Mac IIci with 5mg RAM, using System 7.0.0. Unlike past versions I have been unable to test MAAM on a Mac Plus class computer since then my friend has moved away. If you have a Mac Plus class computer and it works (or doesn't, the program that is) let me know. Since I am a recreational programmer I do not forsee the purchase or access to a Mac Plus class computer in the future. However, if you happen to have a Mac that is sitting in the closet gathering dust and would like to donate it to a worthy cause, give me a call or send me a line and maybe we can work out a deal.
Disclaimer: I will not be held responsible for damage (both mental and physical) caused by the use of this program. I am more than willing to listen to your bug reports and respond as quickly as I can.
Send your "incentive ware" fees and bug reports to:
