Introduction

Finder's Finder was written to provide a little more protection than the current Finder affords.  Users in our labs have a tendency to walk off with copies of our software.  While this is illegal, it stops no one from doing that unless we post the applications to the server and lock down copy bits.  Since we can't post everything to the server, setting the file to invisible is a deterrent for most casual users.  However, the Finder can not find an invisible file.  Well, that's where Finder's Finder comes in.  By setting up the configuration stack, FF Configure, you can launch the application through the HyperCard front end.  Currently, Finder's Finder stays running in the background.  That can be changed if users write to me and request that it quit. 

About Finder's Finder & FF Configure

Finder's Finder is bundled with FF Configure which is its configuration stack.  All the file icons, information, color pictures, etc. are stored in this stack.  It must reside in the same folder as Finder's Finder when running, but it can be set to invisible.

To launch any application on the card, just click on it.  Unique menu items are  the "About Finder's Finder", "Open ReadMe file...", and "Quit Finder's Finder".

Note that while FF Configure and Finder's Finder were made in HyperCard 2.2, I use the old qtPICT XCMD.  The reason is that this stack was completed right when I got HC 2.2, and I haven't had the time or strength or learn the new color commands,  and fight the slothfulness on my old LC.  But now that I have a new PowerMac, I might change this soon... but not too soon.  :) 

To open the configuration, hold down the command key and click on any icon on the Finder's Finder menu card.  It will prompt you for the configuration password.  This password is initially set to 'new' and can be changed by click the stack with the lock & key button on the configuration card.  Most all other buttons are fairly intuitive I think.  New creates a new entry, remove deletes an entry, Verify checks the file flags, the Finder button goes back to Finder's Finder main menu card, and the arrows scroll through the current apps.

From the configuration card, you can launch the current application by double-clicking its black and white icon, or clicking its color icon.  If an application doesn't have a color icon, clicking on the little dot will invoke the script that gets the color icon.  I couldn't find an XCMD that did that for me automatically, so I used Jon Pugh's GetInfo Finder event to pull up the Finder's "Get Info" window and let the user copy the icon to the clipboard.  When Finder's Finder configuration is clicked (made active), it reads the clipboard and saves the contents as a PICT resource in the stack with the current filename.  (By the way, when you add a file, it reads its main B&W icon and saves it in with the name XXXXYYYY where XXXX is the Creator and YYYY is the Type.  If you want it to display an icon besides the one shown, use ResEdit to change the icon but be sure to retain the CREATYPE name format.)

When you set an application or its folder to invisible or visible, the changes may not show right away if the file/folder is currently in an open window.  Close the window and re-open and it should disappear.

Error handling is not the greatest.  But, if you are using this, you already have an idea of Mac file structures, flags, OS, etc. and you should know what's going to make it die.  It's worked on my LC, the IIci's in the lab, and my PowerMac.  Feel free to send questions, comments, cussings, or discussings to me add my home address or e-mail (preferred) to thellman@ucs.indiana.edu and I'll respond within the day.

I can provide you with the HC 2.2 stack version of Finder's Finder.  I've provided it here as an application because that's how I'm going to use it.  I didn't change the default creator for this application because to me that would be a waste.  I pray HyperCard 2.2 developers don't abuse the stand-alone creation so generously provided by Apple.   Remember, real application creator types are to be registered with Apple!   

Uh... well... I think that's all I have to say.  I'm not much on writing extensive documentation for shareware stuff.  Oh... shareware fees.   It's just something to keep me going (eating chocolate) and buy me little toys.  Both of these stacks are the copyrighted possessions of Todd A. Hellman.  You may distribute them freely, but if you find them useful, send about $15/copy or $30/cluster or $50/site (yeah, I know it says $50/cluster in the graphic, but I'm being generous now in the official statement.  Think of it as a bargain!).  I don't make money off this... believe me.  If you are an author of shareware stuff, send me a copy (or a message describing it and where I can ftp it), and we might be able to arrange a reciprocal trade agreement.  I learned that you'll starve as a professional shareware developer.  (I realize most of my stuff doesn't have WIDE appeal, but I know there are people out there using my stuff.)

Future versions (if enough interest persists) may contain the real 2.2 colorizing, launching of the appropriate application by double-clicking a document created by it, and any wonderful suggestion people may have.  I have received other great suggestions about other shareware posts that I've done and try to accomodate those requests wherever possible.  (I still don't have a bar code reader guys or I promise I would do it!)