FileEdit is a very useful utility you can use to change the default application the finder chooses when you ask to open any type of document whose creator can't be found. The Finder initially maps files of type 'TEXT' and type 'PICT' to TeachText. This means when the Finder can't find the application that created either a TEXT or PICT file, it will ask you if you wish to open it with TeachText. Well, with FileEdit 3.0, not only can you change the application the Finder chooses to open "orphaned" PICT or TEXT files, but you can add any other type, too. So, suppose you collect GIF files. Normally if the creator application isn't available (which is often the case for GIF files), the Finder will say it can't open it. But, if you add the file type 'GIFf' (for GIF files) to your Finder, you can open any orphaned GIF file with your favorite GIF viewing application!
***FILEEDIT ONLY WORKS WITH SYSTEM (FINDER) 7.0 AND HIGHER!***
HOW TO USE:
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1) Double-click on FileEdit.
2) You'll see a dialog box with lots of buttons. A list of currently
mapped file types will be at the left. Most Finders start out with only PICT and TEXT mapped, but you may add other types or remove these.
TO ADD TYPES:
Type in a four letter type name (i.e. TEXT, PICT, WORD, etcﾉ). Any name longer than 4 characters will be shortened to exactly four. Any name less than 4 characters will be padded with trailing spaces. Then either double-click on the type in the list, or click the Choose Application button. This will allow you to specify which program will be the default when the Finder can't find the creator of that file type.
TO REMOVE TYPES:
Just click the type name in the list at the left, and click the remove button. If you make a mistake, quit without saving changes and try again.
TO MODIFY EXISTING TYPES:
Click the type name in the list at the left and click the Choose Application button (or double-click the name). Now choose another application for this type.
3) If you are satisfied with the changes you've made, click the Quit & Save Changes button. If you're not sure, click the Quit But Don't Save button. There's no damage in making mistakes; this type of modification can't hurt your Finder :-). One more thing. If you leave any file types unmapped (i.e. you added one but forgot to choose a creator application for it), FileEdit will warn you before quitting. This is just a precaution in case you wish to add a type and then choose the application some time in the future.
That's it! Because FileEdit automatically sends a 'quit' AppleEvent to the Finder, you can modify the Finder you're currently using WITHOUT HAVING TO COPY OR MOVE IT. Because of this, though, you will need to quit all currently running applications if you wish to have your Finder around after changing it. If not, there's no harm done, but you will not have the Finder around if you need it until you quit all applications. To avoid this condition entirely, just be sure the Finder is the only active application (the only one listed in the Application Menu). After you quit FileEdit, your Finder will start up again, but only if there are no other programs running.
INCOMPATIBILITIES:
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FileEdit will run fine with all extensions I've tested, and with any computer capable of running System 7. FileEdit requires a hard drive, but then so does System 7!
FileEdit is now ShareWare. Please contribute to a starving college student's well-being with your $10 ShareWare fee. If you're insulted by the $10 fee :-( just send whatever you think it's worth.
If you don't want to send anything, don't feel guilty. I'd rather you used it and told people about it than trashed it. This $10 will also go towards making FileEdit the best all-around Finder enhancer around. Many new features will be added to further enhance your Finder, all with the same ease of use and user interface.
