InvisiFile is a utility which allows the user to make different files... INVISIBLE. Wow.
History:
=-=-=-=
Well, it doesn’t sound like much, but if you are a Macintosh owner (which you probably are, if you are reading this), then you should know what I mean when I say that System folders get REALLY messy with junk that you don’t want to have to look at. You just want them to be there, and that’s it. Sure, I have seen some people with nicely groomed System folders, but they are a minority group. I started off trying to keep things clean, but eventually I just tossed things into place, not caring how the arrangement appealed to the curious onlooker. Eventually, though, I had to find something in that mess for an update. I knew it was there, but I couldn’t even get the window large enough to see everything. Piles were atop other piles. I had to take put everything into a separate folder one by one until I found what I was looking for. Of course, it was at the very bottom of the mess.
Other people nearby also complained about this problem, so I decided to write a program to allow them to easily hide these files and keep things neat and tidy.
Okay, enough of my history. Here are the instructions. I am not going to insult you by explaining the basics. I hate that, and I know you do too. If, for some reason, you don’t know the basics of the Macintosh, read on anyway, for it will give you some insight.
The basics:
=-=-=-=-=-=
Firstly, I must tell you that this program is meant for those with a system supporting the HFS file manager (Macintosh 512KE+). If you find that the main dialog box does not look right (overlapping entities), then your version of the System software is either too old, or so new that I have not been able to test it.
Secondly, I will inform you that the pictures in the main dialog box and the About box require the Helvetica font. If they look really nasty, Helvetica is either not installed in all sizes that InvisiFile needs, or it is not installed at all.
And now, how to run InvisiFile...
Running InvisiFile:
=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=
First, double click on the pretty little icon—no, I promised I wouldn’t do that...
When you have opened InvisiFile, you will see a dialog box (above, it was referred to as the main dialog box, and will remain so named below). Several buttons line the side of the dialog. They are fairly self-explanatory, so I won’t explain them. You will notice that each button has a command key equivalent. Just hold down the command key hit the appropriate character, and bango! Also, you can select the default button (outlined in black, of course) which changes with the selection by pressing the return or enter key. Note that the “Open folder” button is only enabled when, of course, a folder is selected. If you type the command key equivalent of a disabled button, it will not be registered, and will be treated as a standard keydown event for the list.
The small check boxes at the bottom might need some clarification. When these are checked, the appropriate files are displayed in the list. For example, if you choose the “Show invisibles” button, then each file displayed will be invisible, and those files in the current directory which are visible will not be displayed. The converse applies to the “Show visibles” button. If both are checked, all files will be displayed, and if neither is checked, only the folders will be displayed (folders are always shown in InvisiFile).
Well, those are about all the instructions that you will need on InvisiFile. Now, all that is left is for you to try it out and clean up your System folder a bit, so if you have any visitors, you can be proud to show it to them. It is also a good way to hide your favourite programs which you don’t want to have to trade with anyone who looks at your file. You might want to use this to hide important documents or files from others who might want to use your Mac, Although it is not much protection against this, it is much easier than taking the disk with you (especially if it is a hard drive).
Future ideas:
=-=-=-=-=-=
Well, I have a few ideas for this program in the future:
• Fix the bugs listed below,
• Make entire folders of files visible or invisible,
• Let you move files without making them visible again,
• Many other things... Hopefully...
• Anything you suggest... All suggestions and comments are most welcome, and very much needed!
If enough people suggest it, I will include a button to toggle the default button on or off. Right now, though, things are cluttered up enough on the dialog box (better here than in your System folder), so I shall wait and see. If you want this, please say so. Maybe a preferences dialog box including your ideas as well... Just remember not to go slamming around that return key all the time.
Customizing:
=-=-=-=-=-=
The only things that you can really customize are contained within the resource fork of this program. Most are straightforward, but the command key equivalents require a bit of explanation. To use these, you must change the letter in the button in ‘DITL’ resource 2000 to the command key you want (for appearance’s sake). Then, open up STR# 1004 and change the first character of the appropriate string to the LOWER CASE...uh, lower case... of your custom command key. That is, if you want the “Make invisible” button to be command-K, the letter in the button should be “K” and in the string, it should be “k”. If it is a non-letter character, use the unshifted version of your command key in the string (ie. I used “?” as the command key equivalent for the “About...” button, and placed “/” in the string).
The resources are all documented to a sufficient extent so you can tell what you are changing.
One note, though... DO NOT change any aspect of the About box, the “name tag” in the main dialog, or any other entities crediting the program to myself or showing its name. Change everything else to your own liking, but remember: it is STILL my program.
Bugs and problems:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
There is only one known bug (along with some VERY small fix-ups that you won’t even notice) in this program:
• When running MultiFinder with another program in use (InvisiFile is the second), if I call an alert box with paramText(anyString,'','','');, I only get a pair of “r”s. Any ideas on that one?
• I am afraid that I cannot test everything. I have no access to machines below or above the 128K ROM. If you find any bugs in these, please let me know... Thanks.
I will NOT be held responsible for any damages incurred to software or hardware as a cause of using InvisiFile... Not that I am saying anything will.
Final statement:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I know you’ve heard it too many times, but this program is ShareWare. If you like this program, and/or use it (you don’t have to like it to use it), please send me $5.00 (or more, if you insist) at:
RR#1 Carrying Place,
Ontario, CANADA.
KØK 1LØ.
It is a small fee for what I think is a good cause. Thank you for your support.
This program MAY NOT be sold by itself or as part of a commercial package without the author’s permission (meaning mine). That doesn’t mean I won’t give it. I just want to be asked first. It may, however, be distributed on bulletin boards, through user groups, passed from person to person, and the like. I can accept that it could be distributed by Public Domain and ShareWare distributors such as Educorp as well.
You may distribute it freely. Free meaning no payment for the software portion (copying and disk costs excluded), and free meaning don’t feel held back from giving it away.
As I mentioned above, please send me feedback, as well! I would really appreciate hearing from you!
