Simply put, FinderKeeper™ neatly stacks your folder-windows when opened. Each drive in your system (hard disk, CD-ROM, floppy, etc.) is assigned a "root" position from which all folders cascade down and the the right. The shareware version of FinderKeeper™ is pre-configured with four such "anchors" - upper left, upper middle, lower left and lower middle. The full registered version includes a Control Panel that allows customization of where windows are assigned and what their offsets should be (how far apart). We are working on the ability to "exclude" specific folders from automatic positioning. Future versions will include more advanced artificial intelligence algorithms with such features as auto-zooming, smart-sizing and preferred-views. We love good feedback from our users, so don't hesitate to send us e-mail, fax or give us a call with any suggestions.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
To use FinderKeeper™ shareware version 1.0, you must have a Macintosh compatible computer with a PowerPC processor running system software 7.5 or later (you can see this in the "About This Computer" display under your Apple Menu). If you are interested in seeing a FAT/68K version of this application please let us know.
HOW TO INSTALL
Drag "FinderKeeper™ Extension" from the folder titled "Items for System Folder" onto your unopened System Folder. A dialog box will appear that says 'This extension needs to be stored in the Extensions folder in order to be available to the computer. Put "FinderKeeper™ Extension" into the Extensions folder?' Click OK. Restart your computer to experience the power of FinderKeeper™ first hand.
ITEMS IN THIS DISTRIBUTION
There are six items in the standard distribution of FinderKeeper™
• "FinderKeeper™ Read Me" - this file
• "Items for System Folder" - contains the FinderKeeper™ Extension
• "Register Instructions" - how to get the full version & user's manual
• "Register" - a program that makes submitting payment info very easy
• "Power Users" - an AppleScript that quits FinderKeeper™ at any time
• "go to www.elsware.com" - an AppleScript that uses InternetConfig
PRICING
FinderKeeper has the following pricing for customers in the US except California.
Single User Licenses, $34 per user
A Site License costs $345 and includes 10 user manuals
If you live inside of California or outside of the Continental US, the following prices reflect sales tax or additional shipping & handling costs.
Single User License, $37 per user
A Site License costs $368 and includes 10 user manuals
A Site License covers all locations for your organization within a 160 kilometer radius of your site (100 miles). One big advantage of a Site License is that you do not need to keep track of how many people at your site are using the software.
FinderKeeper™ FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Will FinderKeeper™ keep the windows of my favorite application in order?
A: No, it is designed to work specifically with the Finder. However, if you are interested in this feature please let us know.
Q: What is the "Finder"?
A: This is the name of the program in the MacOS which is normally running at all times. In other words, if you are not "in" any application then you are using the Finder. It allows you to view the files & folders on the drives inside or attached to your computer in a nice icon-based display, without it there is no Mac. The fact that some people can use the Finder without realizing it is a testament to its excellent design.
Q: Is there or will there be versions of FinderKeeper™ for other platforms?
A: We've certainly considered the possibility, but every operating system has different strengths and weaknesses, and different methods of interaction. FinderKeeper™ is a utility that is designed specifically to work for the Mac.
Elsware is always looking for good development ideas, and pursue all those that
have a reasonable promise of being completed, and being useful.
Q: Does FinderKeeper™ support multiple monitors?
A: Yes! The registered version allows you to designate how many "root" anchors are placed onto each monitor individually. However, if you rearrange your monitors in the Monitors & Sound control panel you will have to restart your computer for the changes to take effect in the FinderKeeper™ Extension. We are working on the ability to react to monitor resolution switching on-the-fly, and hope to have it in the next version (estimate v1.1).
Q: Will FinderKeeper™ do my taxes for me?
A: Sorry, no. You need to buy tax software for that!
Q: What if I'm having a problem with program XXX after installing FinderKeeper™?
A: First, there are two ways you can disable FinderKeeper™ in the shareware version. Either turn off the FinderKeeper™ Extension using the Extensions Manager and restart your Mac, or simply launch the "Quit FinderKeeper Now" script inside the Power Users folder to turn off FinderKeeper™ immediately (it will activate again upon restart).
Q: Some of the applications I use give an "Error -1708" when they are first run, should I be worried?
A: This error indicates that the program in question cannot deal properly with AppleEvent recording and needs to be updated by its manufacturer. However, the error should not affect the normal operation of your Macintosh and can be safely ignored. If you wish to test AppleEvent recording, first turn off FinderKeeper™ using one of the methods outlined above (restart your Mac if necessary). Then launch the ScriptEditor which is usually found in your "Apple Extras" folder, and click on the 'Record' button to initiate AppleScript recording. Now run your application as before and see if it gives the -1708 error.
Q: Are there any known incompatibilities with FinderKeeper™?
A: Yes, the application Microsoft Word 98 has been reported to be incompatible with FinderKeeper™. The problem seems to prevent the editing of documents on some systems but has caused no damage. We want to fix this as soon as possible, and are working to do so with the help of our users.
Q: What if I find what I think may be a problem related to FinderKeeper™?
A: Please write us at <support@elsware.com> with the details. We want to hear about it, really!
Q: How is FinderKeeper™ distributed?
A: When you register (only $34!) we will send you the latest version on diskette along with a high-quality real printed user's manual. If you don't have a floppy drive just email us at <sales@elsware.com> and we will take care of you.
Q: Why do I keep getting an error that says "Could not read the file because the file could not be found." when I try to open "Quit FinderKeeper.script"?
A: You need to install the FinderKeeper™ Extension before the ScriptEditor will recognize its name as an application in the AppleScript. Try it!
Q: Why don't see the flashing cassette icon when I turn on AppleEvent recording?
A: If you need to be reminded that you are recording with the ScriptEditor, you must turn off the FinderKeeper™ Extension and restart your computer. However, this is only a cosmetic problem - AppleEvent recording does work with FinderKeeper™ you just don't get the flashing icon in your Apple Menu. Also, this problem will be fixed in a future version (estimate v1.2).
HOW TO REGISTER
Paying for FinderKeeper™ is fairly simple. Open the Register program that accompanies it. Enter your name, postal & email address, and the number of single user licenses you desire. Save or Copy or Print the data from the Register program and send the data and payment to Kagi. More specifics on the Register program to follow. Kagi handles Elsware Ltd.'s payment processing.
If paying with Credit Card or First Virtual, you can email or fax the data to Kagi. Their email address is sales@kagi.com and their fax number is +1 510 652-6589. You can either Copy the data from Register and Paste into the body of an email message or you can Save the data to a file and you can attach that file to an email message. There is no need to compress the data file, it's already pretty small. If you have a fax modem, just Print the data to the Kagi fax number.
Payments sent via email are processed within 3 to 4 days. You will receive an email acknowledgement when it is processed. Payments sent via fax take up to 10 days and if you provide a correct internet email address you will receive an email acknowledgement.
If you are paying with Cash or USD Check you should print the data using the register application and send it to the address shown on the form, which is:
Kagi
1442-A Walnut St. #392-QRAK
Berkeley, California 94709-1405
USA
You can pay with a wide variety of cash from different countries but at present if you pay via check, it must be a check drawn in US Dollars. Kagi cannot accept checks in other currencies, the conversion rate for non-USD checks is around USD 15 per check and that is just not practical.
If you have a purchasing department, you can enter all the data into the Register program and then select Invoice as your payment method. Print three copies of the form and send it to your accounts payable people. You might want to highlight the line that mentions that they must include a copy of the form with their payment. Kagi can not invoice your company, you need to act on my behalf and generate the invoice and handle all the paperwork on your end.
Please do not fax or email payment forms that indicate Cash, Check or Invoice as the payment method. As far as we know, there is still no technology to transfer physical objects via fax or email and without the payment, the form cannot be processed.
Payments sent via postal mail take time to reach Kagi and then up to 10 days for processing. Again, if you include a correct email address, you will hear from Kagi when the form is processed.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE
Elsware Ltd. will be mailing you a copy of the registered version of FinderKeeper™ along with your user's manual. This takes a little longer, but hopefully you will appreciate getting a beautiful printed manual to help you get the most possible utility and enjoyment from FinderKeeper™. Please enter your complete postal address and please remember, we do not know what country you live in so please enter that into the postal address also. The registered version is not available on the Internet, and we do not use registration codes or serial numbers in order to keep things simple for our customers.
