Alias Arranger is a small application that aims to make it easier for you to create aliases to your files in common locations.
Usage is pretty easy. You can either create aliases by dragging applications or documents onto Alias Arranger (AA), or by using the standard open dialog from within the program. You might like to put AA on your desktop for easy access. To use the open dialog, run AA, then choose “Make Alias…” from the Aliases menu. Select a file to create and alias of, and click “Open”.
After telling AA the file to make an alias of (by either method), you use a dialog box to choose where to put it. There is a list of locations on the left side of it; choose one and click “Make Alias”. (Or “Cancel” to abort your request.)
When it’s first run AA creates some common locations for you— the desktop, Apple Menu Items and Startup Items folders— that you can use right away. If you want to select a custom folder for an alias (quicker than using the Finder to create an alias, then opening that folder, and then finally moving the alias), just select “Let me choose…”, which uses the normal save dialog box to let you select a place to save the alias.
However, you’re likely to have your own favourite folders other than these, and it’s easy to create locations for them. Choose “Locations…” from the Aliases menu to do this.
Use the “New” button to make a new location, for which you’ll then be prompted to select a folder, or “Delete” to remove the location selected in the list. To change an alias’ folder, select it in the list and click “Select.”
Type names for the different locations in the field underneath the list.
Click “Done” when you’ve finished.
It is possible to tell AA to give your aliases a custom suffix, instead of the usual “… alias”. To do this, choose “Preferences…” from the File menu, and type in your new suffix. There is a checkbox where you tell AA whether to insert a space for you before the suffix. Typically this will be on, but DOS maniacs using “.alias” would turn it off…
This dialog also contains four other checkboxes. These specify the modifier keys that you hold down when creating an alias to give it a custom name. (see note below)
Caveats and Tips
• Using the custom name modifiers: these should be help down when clicking “Make Alias” in the locations
dialog box, not when using the open dialog or dragging/dropping.
• It is currently not possible to create aliases of folders or disks, although I am trying to do add the code for this.
• The “Let me choose…” location can’t be deleted because of its special function.
• It’s possible to create a new location “on the fly” when you make an alias. All the buttons available in the
Locations dialog are available here.
• Aliases not appearing? If this happens, try closing and reopening the folder containing them.
Shareware Plea and Distribution
I don’t believe in locking up my software and disabling features to force you to pay. If you like this program and use it often, please register. Even if you don’t feel willing to pay, or haven’t the cash, please drop me a note just to say what you think of the program… your feedback is what I need most.
Again, I hope that if, you do like Alias Arranger, you will consider paying; your suggestions will be listened to and implemented if possible, and I will try to fix to any problems or bugs you find. Use the “Register…” button in the about box to fill out a registration form and save it to disk. Send it to me however you like (email, snailmail, whatever).
The details: Cheque or cash of IR£5 (Irish pounds), or the equivalent in your own currency. This payment holds for all future versions of this program; you will never be required to pay again.
Alias Arranger must be distributed together with this file— feel free to give them to your friends!
If anyone out there (shareware cd compilers, magazines, etc) who would like to distribute Alias Arranger (I flatter myself ;), email me and I'll most likely agree.
Although I have done my bes to ensure that Alias Arranger will not damage your computer or any data stored on it, I take no responsibility for any such damage that may occur.
