Sweeper is designed as a behind-the-scenes utility, it’s only function to free valuable space on your disks and to speed up floppy disk access time (by as much as 50%). It does this by deleting one or two files used only by the Finder called the Desktop Database. This database resides on any Macintosh disk and is used to store the icons and document-to-application program links of all items on a disk. Before a disk shows on your desktop, Sweeper checks the databases’ age and if it is older than the number of days set in the control panel Sweeper deletes the database (one file for a floppy disk, two files for a hard disk). Otherwise, Sweeper does nothing. The Finder then looks for this database and if it doesn’t exist (because Sweeper has deleted it), the Finder will rebuild the database from scratch.
What’s the point in doing this? When you delete or rename files on a disk, the Finder does not remove the file’s old information from the Desktop Database and thus the database gets larger and larger. After a few days or weeks the database can be 2-3 times larger than it should be. On a floppy disk this can be around 100K of disk space wasted. And the larger the Desktop Database the longer the Finder takes to open it.
Using Sweeper you can improve the performance of your disks and use all of the space to the maximum.
• Please note: you can still use the Command-Option key shortcut to rebuild the desktop database at any time (see the Finder Shortcuts on the Help Menu).
System Requirements
Sweeper requires a Macintosh Plus or better running System 6.03 or greater.
Installation
System 7 or greater: drop the Sweeper Control Panel into your Control Panels folder inside your System Folder and restart.
System 6.x: drop the Sweeper Control Panel into your System Folder and restart.
The Control Panel
• The 'On' and 'Off' buttons can be used to turn Sweeper on or off at any time. Sweeper is always loaded at startup regardless if it is currently on or off.
• The number of days between sweeps on a disk is displayed in the 'days' edit box.
• When 'Startup Disk Only' is on Sweeper will only work on the startup disk (usually your hard disk).
• When 'Any Disk' is on Sweeper will work on any disk.
• When 'Always sweep when option key is down' is checked Sweeper will immediately sweep any disk when you insert it while holding down the option key.
• When 'Beep On Sweep' is checked Sweeper will sound the current Alert Sound after successfully sweeping a disk.
If running on System 7 or greater you can also use Balloon Help to learn about each item.
And Finally…
SWEEPER IS SHAREWARE. If you find Sweeper useful PLEASE register by sending £7 (or equivalent in your country's currency) and, if you like, a postcard from your home town/city. Also please write where and when you got Sweeper 2.0. Within 2 weeks from receiving your letter I will send you an acknowledgement letter and a disk with the latest version of Sweeper.
You may freely copy Sweeper and give copies away as long as this doc is included with it. You are not allowed to modify the program in ANY WAY for distribution purposes.
My name and address is:
Christian Riley,
80 Darlington Road,
Ferryhill,
Co. Durham,
DL17 8EX,
England.
I hope to be on the internet soon!
CMR makes no warranty, either express or implied, with respect to this software, its performance, merchantability, or quality. As a result this software is distributed "as is", and the person using it is assuming the entire risk as to its quality and performance. In no event will CMR be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from any defect in this software, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
I enjoy writing Macintosh programs a lot and only your registration fees will keep the lights on late at night and me writing Macintosh programs in the future. At present (30th August '95) I am working on 4 programs/ideas and have another 2 on the back burner. I hope to have my next program (a full-featured, full-colour, real-life fruit machine simulator and trainer) out in December '95.
If you want to make any comments on Sweeper (good or bad), make any suggestions for future versions, ask any questions about the Macintosh, or even make me an offer I can't refuse then contact me.
Keep the faith, support the Macintosh, and keep other, so-called better!, GUI's from eating away at the Mac and destroying what is THE best computer experience in it's class today.
