microphone, Maybe can do the job of recording new sounds.

use it.  If your Macintosh has a sound input device, such as a built-in

you have a new sound in the Clipboard, you can paste it in, name it, and

from the Maybe Preferences file, or from the converted alias itself.  If

the System file, which is where the Sound control panel puts them, or

don’t interrupt whatever else is going on.  The sound can be taken from

executes the chosen action.  It plays sounds asynchronously, so that they

Maybe offers an accessory option to play any sound you choose as it





generally difficult.

the action type described above.  However, making sound files is

the sound into a sound file, and tie the sound file to the target item using

One way to play a sound while opening or printing a target item is to put




xAction Sounds







could mean a default set of items.

mean all items, ‘e’ could mean just the essential items, and no keys down

converted folder alias to select subgroups within the folder.  ‘a’ could

keyboard state, then you can hold down different keys while opening the

the items in the folder is a converted alias with an action to check

Having set the option to open or print every item in the folder, if any of





group documents or applications you often use together.

print every item in the folder all at once.  This is a convenient way to

way, which would mean a new Finder window, or you can tell it to open or

go ahead and open or print it, you can tell it to open the folder in the usual

If the target item turns out to be a folder or volume, and Maybe decides to




xSpecial Treatment of Folders









following accessory options, which apply regardless of the action type.

The fifth action type is no action at all.  This just lets you use the




xAccessorizing an Alias File







Virtual Desktop.

See the section entitled “Suggestions for Use” for more information on

application’s work area just as the application or document is opened.

defining converted aliases which cause the desktop to scroll to the target

also part of AWOL Utilities, you will find this action type useful for

If you are using Virtual Desktop, the virtual desktop manager which is



keep track of it just as it does the target item.

The item you specify is recorded using alias information, so Maybe will





double-click.

others lets you make a whole string of actions happen with one

make Finder open two things.  Chaining this kind of converted alias with

time you open or print the converted alias.  By opening one thing, you can

application, document, alias, or whatever) which will be opened every

The fourth type of action lets you choose a second item (volume, folder,




xTying Two Items Together







Menu Events.

See the section entitled “Suggestions for Use” for more information on

which are not designed to be scriptable.

other applications through their menus using Apple events, even ones

a system extension called Menu Events, which lets programs control

by the Apple event support of the target program.  AWOL Utilities includes

quitting one application as you open another.  Your options are limited only

but it also lets you do personally meaningful things, like automatically

This action type is good for logging usage, or for informal access control,



has something to say to the user, Maybe can display it in a dialog box.

doesn’t respond within the time limit you specify.  If the target program

your network.  You decide what to do if the program isn’t there, or

target program, which can be running locally or on another Macintosh on

You compose a single Apple event using a simple notation, and pick a





open or print the target item; otherwise, it does.

Apple events (program linking).  If it returns an error, Maybe doesn’t

whether or not to proceed, you have Maybe ask some other program using

The third action choice is like the first, but instead of asking the user




xTalking to Another Program







use of this action type.

See the section entitled “Special Treatment of Folders” for another good

key and get a “fast” startup.

want to wait while that news reader crawls to life, you can press the ‘f’

default.  So, if you’re rebooting for the fourth time today, and you don’t

which must be up, and those which must be down, in order to override the

You select the default response, as above, and two sets of keys:  those





keys on the keyboard before opening or printing the target item.

aliases in the Startup Items folder, is to check the up/down state of all

The second action choice, and one which is also useful for converted




xChecking Keyboard State







alias is located in the user’s Startup Items folder.

the user may not be paying attention, for example, when the converted

will see a countdown timer in the dialog box.  Timing the dialog is useful if

response (“Yes” or “No”) will be assumed if the timer elapses; the user

it.  If you like, you can set a time limit on the response, and decide which

You can choose the text to appear in the dialog box, or let Maybe compose





dialog box, asking whether or not to open or print the target item.

the converted alias later on.  The first choice is to prompt the user with a

choice of five action types.  The action will occur when you open or print

When you convert a Finder alias file to a Maybe document, you have a




xPrompting the User









uses.  Here are some of the things it can do for you.

Maybe is a very versatile utility.  The name refers to one of its many








åWhat Does Maybe Do?


x



x