FileTyper is a small application that allows you to edit file types, creators, and finder flags without having to open a large program such as DiskTop or ResEdit. Just put FileTyper in a handy place (I ususally keep it on the Desktop just above the Trash). Drag files and folders onto it, edit them, and click “Change.” Version 2.0 includes many new features not available in other programs.
---System Requirements and Compatibility---
System 6.0.x or later and Macintosh Plus or later required. System 7 recommended. Some features are available only under System 7. FileTyper is 32-bit clean and should work with the 68040 cache, although I’ve not had the opportunity to test it on an ‘040 machine.
There is one known problem with FileTyper, which is probably a bug in System 7. Often, trying to open “alias instead of original” on an alias that is on the desktop, when more than one disk is mounted, will result in a file not found error (ID = -43). I believe this is a problem with the Standard File package in System 7, because I’ve noticed the same problem with ResEdit 2.1.1’s open alias instead of original feature. If you have problems with this bug, move the alias off the desktop and try again. As of System 7.0.1, this problem hasn’t been fixed.
---Shareware Policy and Registration---
Because a number of significant enhancements have been made since version 1.0.1, FileTyper is now shareware. Now, I don’t believe in posting shareware reminders all over my programs or hiding features from people who don’t pay. I feel this defeats the whole spirit of the shareware system, the honor system. My policy is simple. You are allowed to try out FileTyper for 15 days. If you keep FileTyper, you are expected to send $10 to me at the address listed at the end of this document. If you don’t think FileTyper is useful to you, trash it or pass it on to someone else and you owe nothing.
With your shareware payment, please include your name and address, where you got FileTyper, and any comments you may have.
The other two ReadMe files are in MacWrite II and Microsoft Word 4.0 format. If you own MacWrite II or Microsoft Word or any other word processor that can read one of these two formats, you can print out the registration form at the end of that file.
FileTyper 1.0.1 is probably still around and is still free, though I don’t know why anyone would want to use it now that 2.0 is available.
---Installation---
Installation is very easy. Simply drag FileTyper to a convenient location. I usually keep it on the desktop just above the Trash. If you are using System 7 and want balloon help, drag the file “FileTyper 2.0 Help” into your Extensions folder. That’s all there is to it. You don’t need to restart or anything.
If you use FileTyper, don’t forget to send your shareware payment.
---Using FileTyper---
System 7 users:
Simply drag files and folders onto the FileTyper icon. FileTyper will launch and present a dialog box letting you edit file types, creators, and finder flags. Click “Change” to make the changes or click “Cancel” to discard them. “Revert” returns to the original settings. To see your changes, you may need to close the folder the file was in, and open it again.
If you drag more than one object onto FileTyper, FileTyper will let you edit them one at a time. If you click “Change” or “Cancel”, another dialog box will appear for the next file. If more than one file or folder was opened, two more buttons will be active. “Change All” changes the current file or folder, plus all subsequent files or folders automatically. “Cancel All” is equivalent to clicking “Cancel” for the rest of the files, and returns you directly to the Finder.
If you want to change only certain attributes and leave the rest alone, you can disable some of the attributes by option-clicking. Option-clicking one of the check boxes will gray it out. That attribute will then be ignored; it will not be affected when you click “Change” or “Change All”. Option-clicking it again will re-enable it. This will also work if you option-click the “Type” or “Creator” edit fields. If you want to disable or re-enable all items at once, click the “Disable All” or “Enable All” buttons.
For example, suppose you want to lock a number of files at once, while leaving the rest of the finder information alone. Just drag all the files onto FileTyper and set the locked attribute. Then option-click the two edit fields and all check boxes except “locked”, graying them out. Alternatively, you can click “Disable All”, which will gray out everything, and re-enable the “locked” attribute by option-clicking it. Finally, click “Change All”.
Folders have only a subset of the finder information that files do, so the dialog box for folders is different. So, if you click “Change All” in a file dialog when there are still folders waiting to be edited, only the files will be changed, not the folders. Another dialog will then open, letting you edit the folders.
If you like, you can also double-click FileTyper to open it as an application. You can then edit files using the “Open…” menu command. This is useful for editing invisible files, and is required for opening aliases.
If you drag an alias onto FileTyper, FileTyper will open the original file and not the alias itself. If you want to open an alias, open FileTyper as an application and choose “Open…” from the File menu. Then check “Open alias instead of original”. There is a known problem with the “Open alias instead of original” feature (see System Requirements and Compatibility).
If you open a stationery pad, FileTyper will edit the original stationery pad, not a copy.
If you have a slow Macintosh or a slow hard disk, or you simply use FileTyper extensively, and you don’t want to wait for FileTyper to launch and quit each time you edit a file, just double-click on FileTyper to open it as an application. Then, you can drag files and folders onto it without waiting for it to open, and FileTyper won’t quit until you choose “Quit” from its menu. If you use FileTyper very often, you might consider putting an alias of it in your Startup Items folder.
System 6 users:
FileTyper is an application. Open it and choose “Open…” from the File menu to choose a file to edit. FileTyper will present a dialog box letting you edit file types, creators, and finder flags. Click “Change” to make the changes or click “Cancel” to discard them. “Revert” returns to the original settings. To see your changes when you get back to the Finder, you may need to close the folder the file was in, then open it again.
Under System 6, FileTyper will not be able to edit several files at once, edit folders, or support System 7’s “drag” feature. If you want these nice little features, it’s the perfect excuse to upgrade to System 7.
---Memory Considerations (System 7 users only)---
FileTyper 2.0 comes pre-configured to use 60 kilobytes of RAM. This is enough to run FileTyper and reliably open as many as 60 files and folders simultaneously. However, if you want to drag more than 60 files onto FileTyper, you should allocate more memory to FileTyper by using the Finder’s “Get Info…” command. I’ve found that increasing the memory size to 100 kilobytes will allow FileTyper to open up to 190 files simultaneously.
---The Help File (System 7 users only)---
Also included with FileTyper is a file named “FileTyper 2.0 Help”. This file contains Balloon Help resources for FileTyper. If you want Balloon Help with FileTyper, drag “FileTyper 2.0 Help” to the System Folder and let the Finder place it in the Extensions folder. You do not need to restart to activate Balloon Help.
Do not rename the help file. FileTyper will not be able to find it if it has been renamed.
---Disclaimer---
FileTyper is a “power user’s” program. It is a very powerful tool if used correctly, but can damage your files if misused. Make changes to Finder information only if you’re absolutely sure you know what you’re doing. I take no responsibility for damages caused by misuse of this utility.
---Version 2.0 Release Notes---
Version 2.0 of FileTyper corrects a few minor bugs and includes a number of new features. These features are:
• The ability to edit the “Locked” attribute.
• The ability to drag several files onto FileTyper and edit them either sequentially or all at once.
• The ability to edit folder attributes.
• The ability to edit aliases instead of the originals.
• Better handling of disk errors.
• Balloon help (for those who want it)
FileTyper 2.0 now uses Apple Events. Because the rename function seems to conflict with the Finder’s Apple Event sending mechanism, you can no longer rename a file using FileTyper. This shouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience, since you can rename a file just as easily from the Finder.
---Version History---
1.0 -- 9/16/91: This was the first version of FileTyper released.
1.0.1 -- 10/14/91: Fixed a bug that could cause types and creators to get corrupted if they contained invisible characters.
2.0 -- 12/9/91: Made some major enhancements. See the release notes.
---Future Enhancements---
I’m considering several new enhancements for future versions of FileTyper. One is a control panel which adds a FileTyper item and a command key equivalent to the File menu. Then, you can invoke FileTyper’s functions directly from the Finder, just like the Get Info command. FileTyper would act like part of the Finder.
If enough people send in shareware fees, it would encourage me to add such new features.
---Any Questions?---
If you have any questions, comments, or (aaargh!) bug reports, feel free to contact me at
Daniel Azuma
1449 Belleville Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
---And finally…---
Many thanks to Steve Kalkwarf, without whose help, suggestions, support, magic sixth-sense bug detectors, and America Online membership, FileTyper would not have been possible.
