Shutter is a small program that doesn't do anything much except ask you whether to shut down or restart your Mac, or not.
My inspiration for Shutter was threefold:
(1) I was sooooooo annoyed at every time I accidentally hit "• Shut Down" in my Apple Menu and had to wait a few minutes to restart! (Yes, I am aware of the existence of Shutdown Delay.)
(2) I was setting up my family's new PC (boo, hiss, I know!) when I saw the dialog that Windoze 95 puts up when you go to Shut Down, and I thought, Hmm…
(3) I needed to write a teaching exercise, don't ask because it's a VERY long story. The source code is included.
So Shutter was born. I did it in one (long) evening, a colossal SEVEN HOUR programming binge.
Instructions are DEAD EASY. Just click on Shut Down or Restart then Yes to shut down or restart, or No if you don't want to do either. Keyboard shortcuts are underlined. Shutter (named "• Shutter") resides in my Apple Menu in place of Shut Down. And I like it like that. The Help button just toggles Balloon Help on and off. Click on the Shutter logo for credits and preferences. (You can set the default option.)
I know that Shutter is an example of an inflatable dartboard when you consider the existence of Shutdown Delay and other things. But I wanted it, primarily for reason 1 above.
Version info:
1.00 27/5/96 Initial release.
1.10 25/6/96 Tidied up the code a bit & added the ability to change the default.
Technical info? You'll need an 020 processor, and System 7. It's written in Codewarrior C. Hence there are some Portions Copyright Metrowerks, Inc. and Its Licensors.
If you have problems (like Shutter beeping and quitting) then it's probably not got enough memory. Shutter has been tested on my LC475 running System 7.5.3 in 256 colours and more may cause it to run out. In that case just give it a bit more memory, but Hey! It only needs 32K on my Mac!
The Legal Bit:
I couldn't possibly charge for Shutter. So, it's almost freeware.
You are permitted and indeed encouraged to distribute Shutter by any means whatsoever, as long as you don't charge for the specific privilege of getting a copy of it, and you must distribute the complete package. The same applies to the source code. You may incorporate any or all of the source in your own programs as long as you credit me. Shutter is distributed “as is,” with no warranty either expressed or implied. Hey, this programming lark can seriously damage your Mac's health if you get it wrong. (as I know from experience!) I simply don't have the time to start running full diagnostic debugging of code that is not mine. (Unless you hire me. Reasonable rates available.)
Getting in touch?
Bug reports, suggestions for improvements and offers of jobs are most welcome. Send me an e-mail. My address is <ry@kagi.com> from which mail will be forwarded to me.
If you really like Shutter [or use it, if it saves you time like it does me! :-) ] then I would ask you to make a donation to Children First, 41 Polwarth Terrace, Edinburgh, EH11 1NU, Scotland. They were formerly known as the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (What a mouthful!!), and that address is their National Campaign Headquarters. Many thanks on their behalf!