Public Folder is a network file transfer and file-sharing
application. It allows you to make files available to other users
on an AppleTalk network without a dedicated file server.
Public Folder is well suited to small networks (even two Macs)
where the cost of a high-priced file-sharing system can’t be
justified. Public Folder has the added advantage of being easily
set up and maintained by users.
Public Folder is available free to all licensed users of Claris™
products. However, Claris Corporation does not support Public
Folder as it does other products offered for sale. Should you
have a problem with Public Folder you should use a local
resource.
Installing Public
The Public Folder file must be placed in the System folder of
Folder each network user wishing to share files. Users also
need to set up a folder called “Public” on their startup disk if they
wish to make files available to other users.
To install the Public Folder application:
• Drag the Public Folder icon into the System folder on your
startup disk.
To set up your public folder:
1. Create a new folder.
2. Make sure the new folder is either inside the disk icon of
your startup disk or on the desktop (that is, not within
another folder).
3. Rename the new folder Public.
Other users on the network can identify your public folder by
your user name (the name displayed in the Chooser).
See “Customizing Public Folder” later in this guide for
information on using custom folder names, setting up multiple
folders, and changing the location of your public folder on your
startup disk.
Sharing Documents
To make files available to users on your network:
• Drag files into your Public folder on the desktop.
Network users can transfer any files you place in your
Public folder onto their hard disks.
Fetching Documents
To retrieve files from the public folders of other network users:
1. Select Chooser from the Apple menu.
The Public Folder icon appears in the Chooser dialog box
with any printer or AppleShare options you have installed
in your System folder. You may have to scroll the icon
into view.
2. Select the Public Folder icon and make sure AppleTalk is
active.
A list of public folders you can access, and the Connect and
Customize buttons appear. Naturally, only those users who
are currently connected to the AppleTalk network have
their public folders accessible.
3. Select the public folder you want to access and click
Connect.
A dialog box appears listing the files and folders within the
public folder you selected.
4. Select a single file or folder by clicking it, or select several
files and folders by holding down the Shift key as you click
them.
Information about the selected file or folder appears on the
right side of the dialog box. If you selected more than one
file or folder, the total file size of the files and folders is
displayed.
5. Click Fetch to transfer the selected file or folder.
A dialog box appears allowing you to name the incoming
file and save it on your disk.
6. Name the file, select the desired drive and folder, and then
click Save.
Public Folder starts the transfer and displays a dialog that
shows the progress of the transfer. To stop the transfer,
click Cancel.
7. When the transfer is complete, click Done.
In addition to fetching files, you can use the buttons in the
Public Folder dialog box as follows:
• Click Refresh to rebuild the list of files for the selected
remote public folder. Use Refresh when you know the
contents of the remote public folder have changed since
you connected to it.
• Click About ... to display information about Public Folder.
Customizing Public Folder
You can customize your public folder by assigning a special
network name to it. You can change the default location of
your public folder or its name on your hard disk by specifying
a path. You also can set up multiple public folders on your hard
disk to help organize your public access files.
Creating a Special Network Name
To set up a public folder with a special network name:
1. Create a new folder on your startup disk called Public.
Make sure this folder is either inside the disk icon or on the
desktop, not hidden within any other folder.
2. In the Chooser, select the Public Folder icon and click
Customize to display the Customize dialog box.
3. Click Custom Name.
To switch back to your user name, click Use Chooser
Name.
4. Type the name of your public folder, and then click OK.
Important This is the name that identifies your public
folder to other network users. If you want to rename the
folder on your hard disk, you must provide a directory path
to the folder (see below).
5. Restart your Macintosh to add your folder to the list of
available folders.
Changing Your Folder’s Name or Path
If you want to place your public folder within another folder on
your hard disk, or if you want to identify your public folder on
your hard disk with a name other than Public, you must enter a
directory path to the folder.
To enter a directory path:
1. In the Chooser, select the Public Folder icon and click
Customize.
The Customize dialog box appears with the default location
listed in Public Folder Location field.
2. Type the new path of your public folder and click OK.
Type the new path by starting with a colon, followed by
any additional folder names and a colon after each name.
For example, :Important Stuff:Special Forms: tells Public
Folder to make available the folder named “Special Forms”
in the folder “Important Stuff” on the startup disk.
3. Restart your Macintosh to activate the new path.
Creating Multiple Public Folders
You can set up multiple public folders on your hard disk. This
is valuable for keeping different types of files organized and
accessible to network users. You must have a separate copy of
the Public Folder file in your system disk for each public folder
you set up on your hard disk.
To set up additional public folders on your hard disk:
1. Copy the Public Folder file and rename it.
2. Drag the renamed Public Folder file into your System folder.
3. Set up a Public folder on your hard disk. Use the Custom
dialog box to give your folder a special name and provide a
directory path to it.
Disabling Public Folder
If you do not want Public Folder installed when you start up
your Macintosh, hold down the Shift key during startup. The
Public Folder icon will be displayed with a large X to let you
know that Public Folder did not install.
Compatibility
Public Folder is not compatible with the Apple CD-ROM
drive. Do not create a public folder on your hard disk if you are
using an Apple CD-ROM drive that is directly connected to
your Macintosh. Your system could crash when others are
fetching files from your public folder, but you can fetch files
from other network users without a problem.
Disclaimer
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND AND CLARIS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS IS ASSUMED BY YOU.
