IdleLaunch 1.2 is a simple application that runs (mostly) in the background. IdleLaunch is VERY small, and requires only 35K to run. Also, since it is an application and not an INIT or extension, there is no chance for INIT conflicts.
***Please Note: This version of IdleLaunch 1.2 REQUIRES System 7!!! It installs a "Quit" Apple Event handler, and System 7 is needed to use Apple Events. IdleLaunch 1.2 will probably crash if used with a System prior to System 7.
What IdleLaunch 1.2 Does
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Similar to the idea of a screen saver, IdleLaunch 1.2 launches an application when "nothing is happening" on your Mac (contrast that to a screen saver which just draws pretty pictures on your monitor when "nothing is happening"). You can specify the application to launch, and how long to wait while "nothing is happening" before the application is launched.
Security
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Since this version of IdleLaunch 1.2 is being distributed with Lockout 2.2, a security program, the Setup... and Quit... Menu Items are password protected. This means before the Setup Dialog is shown, or before IdleLaunch 1.2 will Quit, the access password must be given. The access password is initially set to MASTER (NOT case-sensitive). Note that when you type the password, NOTHING will appear in the TextEdit field of the Password Request Dialog, which is shown below:
IdleLaunch 1.2 WILL shut down properly if a user chooses Restart or Shutdown from the Special Menu in the Finder.
Configuration (Setup)
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The Setup Dialog, accesible via the Setup... Menu Item, is shown below:
"Idle Time Until Launch" is the time in minutes to wait while "nothing is happening" before the specified application is launched.
"Launch Program" is the name of the program to launch when "nothing is happening". Note that the program to be launched MUST reside in the same folder as IdleLaunch 1.2.
"Password" is the Quit... and Setup... Menu Item access password, initially set to MASTER. It is highly recommended that this password be changed at your earliest convenience.
"Launch on Startup" should be checked if you want the application to be launched when IdleLaunch 1.2 is first run (double-clicked upon). This means starting up IdleLaunch 1.2 will result in starting up IdleLaunch 1.2 AND the specified application.
"Delay Time" is only available if the "Launch on Startup" checkbox is checked. This is the time in seconds from when IdleLaunch 1.2 is first run (double-clicked upon) until the application is launched (This delay is only applicable when the application is "Launched on Startup". There is no delay when the specified number of minutes of idle time ("nothing is happening") has elapsed, and the program is to be "idle launched").
Additional security is provided to gaurd against Command-Option Escape ("Force Quit"). IdleLaunch 1.2 checks the keyboard continuously for Command-Option, and if it senses this key combination, it tries to do a System Restart. If the Escape key is hit before the Restart can complete, the "Force Quit" dialog WILL appear, but clicking on the "Force Quit" button does nothing, and the System locks up. Note that this truly is a security FEATURE, and NOT a bug. It insures that IdleLaunch 1.2 can NOT be bypassed (Quit) without the access password.
Recommended Installation
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Recommended installation for use with Lockout 2.2 is: Create a new folder (maybe you could call it "Security ƒ"). Put Lockout 2.2 and IdleLaunch 1.2 in the folder (BOTH IdleLaunch 1.2 and the program to be launched (in this case Lockout 2.2) MUST be in the same folder. IdleLaunch 1.2 will NOT be able to find the application to launch unless it is in the same folder as the IdleLaunch 1.2 program). Make an alias of IdleLaunch 1.2 and put the alias in the Startup Items Folder of your System Folder. Configure IdleLaunch 1.2 (as described above) to launch "Lockout 2.2", and to "Launch on Startup" with a "Delay Time" of 5 seconds or so. The delay gives time for FileSharing to start up, as well as other "nice" system startup events to get started. This will insure that both programs start up when your Macintosh is powered up, and your Macintosh will be fully protected.
Final Note
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For additional security, purchase a floppy disk drive lock (Kensington makes one) so no one can re-boot your Mac with a different System Disk other than your Hard Drive (which is where the security programs are stored and launched from at system startup).