Keeping multiple copies of files stored on separate media or separate machines up to date whenever a change is made to one of the copies is an old problem. Recently with the proliferation of PowerBooks and the rising popularity of home computing, it has gained a new urgency. In order to ensure that the most recently modified version is duplicated on all machines, there is a recurring need to update files. Since the files may be located in many different folders this chore can be both tedious and time consuming. ShuttlePilot™ a folder equalizer, was designed to make this process quick and simple.
ShuttlePilot addresses this need by allowing the user to set up a scrolling list of links connecting folders whose contents are to be equalized. These folders can be anywhere, on local hard disks, floppies or on shared volumes accessed by AppleTalk. If the folder contents of a linked folder-pair are not equivalent, the pair is marked with a Check button. Selecting that folder-pair link will display in the lower field a list of the files that need to be copied or replaced. A click on the Copy button initiates a process during which files are shuttled bidirectionally until all folder-pairs become equivalent.
Unlike other file synchronizers, ShuttlePilot has many built-in safety features that will prevent catastrophes if the user makes changes in the folder names or locations. ShuttlePilot’s interface design emphasizes “transparency” to allow the user to check what is going to be equalized. During equalization itself, continuous animation provides feedback about what is being moved so that the process can be interrupted at any time before mistakes become catastrophes.
System Requirements
• Any Macintosh running System 6.0.7 or 7.x
• 150 k of memory.
• File sharing, Network and AppleShare extensions or alternative local network file sharing software if files are to be moved across a network.
• Modem and AppleTalk Remote Access software or alternative remote file sharing software if files are to be moved via the telephone lines.
Program Features
• ShuttlePilot is compatible with both Systems 6.0.7 and 7. Under System 7 additional features include support for Balloon Help and AppleEvents.
• Although folders are linked pairwise, ShuttlePilot scans iteratively for implicit or consequential linkages allowing one to set up complex webs of equivalencies. This means you can link folders on more than two machines. At the same time you can also link folders on the same hard disk.
• Program warns if both files in a linked pair have been modified since the last update.
• A special option called AutoPilot enables automated updating of folders on ejectable disks. The user needs only to insert the floppy disks. AutoPilot takes over, scans for non-equivalence, does the necessary updating and ejects the disk when done.
• ShuttlePilot has a scheme to identify every folder uniquely so it will never be confused by folders and disks that happen to have identical full path names.
ShuttlePilot Demo
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This demo version is identical to the full version does except you will not be able to save your preferences or folder-pair links. Use the abreviated instructions below or turn on Balloon Help if you are using system 7 for help on how to use the program. You may make unlimited copies of ShuttlePilot Demo and distribute it freely as long as these instructions are also distributed with it.
The list price of ShuttlePilot 1.2 has been lowered to US $29.00. If you would like to place an order please print and fill in the form below.
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Send orders to:
Xanatech
61 Oriole Crescent
Singapore 1128
Republic of Singapore
Phone: (65)224-4073 Fax: (65)223-8324
Applelink: Xanatech
Xanatech, Inc.
PO Box 40157
Albuquerque NM 87196
USA
In the US or Canada, you can call 800-484-7227 x 0279
QuickStart Instructions for ShuttlePilot
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If you hate to read manuals, just read this section to get you started. We assume that you are familiar with basic Macintosh operations. If not, please refer to the Macintosh User’s Guide and read the rest of the manual for more detailed instructions. ShuttlePilot will work on any Macintosh that is running System 6.0.7 or System 7.
1. Lock the original ShuttlePilot diskette and make a backup copy.
2. Open the Control Panel and check that the System date and time is correct, and change them if necessary. Decide which files should have linked duplicates and segregate them into their own folders.
3. Drag the ShuttlePilot file onto your hard disk and double-click the icon. The default window that appears consists of an instrument panel at the top, followed by two empty scrolling fields. If you are using System 7, turn on balloon help for more information about the buttons, fields and menus.
4. Click on the New Folder button in the upper left corner, and choose folders until you have built up a list of folder-pairs in the upper scrolling field. This list links folders whose contents should be equal. After creating this folder-pair list, the ShuttlePilot window should resemble the figure below.
Folder-pairs whose contents are not equivalent will be marked by a button with a check mark . Selecting any one of these checked folder-pairs will cause a list of the files that need equalizing to be displayed in the lower scrolling field. Inspect them to make sure that they are the correct files and that the copy directions on the arrow buttons are what you expect them to be.
5. Ensure that all the files to be copied are closed. Click the Copy button to start the file shuttling. To halt the equalization process, hit any key on the keyboard or click on the red Stop button.
Updating with AutoPilot
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1. If some of the folders to be equalized are on floppy diskettes, you can switch on the Autopilot feature by clicking on the Auto Off toggle button at the top of the panel, and setting a delay time (in seconds) by clicking the arrows on the right.
2. Insert the backup floppy and ShuttlePilot will begin to flash and beep at one second intervals. After the preset delay there will be a long beep before file shuttling begins. When the folders are equalized, the floppy will be automatically ejected. If no equalizing is necessary, the floppy will be ejected immediately.
Manual Addendum
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Under AutoPilot the act of inserting an ejectable disk will trigger folder equalization. By default only disks less than 4 megabytes (which means only floppys) are recognised as “ejectable”. This is to prevent unnecessary autoejection of CD-ROMS, SysQuests or optical disks when AutoPilot is on. If you wish to treat larger disks as ejectable, this default can be changed by setting the maximum ejectable size in the dialog that appears when the Preferences… menuitem (under the Edit menu) is chosen. Every folder list file can have a different maximum default size.
Technical Support
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Please call, write, fax or send electronic mail to us if you have any problems. Before doing so, note the hardware configuration you have, the system version you are using and your registration number (found in the About ShuttlePilot dialog box).
Xanatech
61 Oriole Crescent
Singapore 1128
Republic of Singapore
Phone: (65)224-4073 Fax: (65)223-8324
In the US or Canada you can also call 800-484-7227 x 0279
Applelink: Xanatech
Residual Bugs in version 1.0
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1. Incompatible with SuperBoomerang on some machines such as the II ci and the PowerBook, but okay on others such as the Classic and II fx.
