The file “alis Editor for ResEdit 2.1” contains an RSSC resource that adds an editor for alias resources to ResEdit 2.1 (or later). Alias resources are resources of type 'alis' that contain information used to locate a file.
A typical alias editor window will look like the one below. You cannot edit anything in the window, it is only used to display some information about the alias.
When the animated cursor editor is active, it alters ResEdit’s standard menu bar by adding an “alis” menu. This menu is shown below.
The first item, Update Alias, calls the ResolveAlias function to update the alias. You will be informed if you need to insert a disk, or if there is an error (e.g. the file doesn’t exist).
If you wish to change the target of the alias, choose Change Alias. A modified standard file dialog will appear with the previous target already selected. The only substantial modification is the addition of the Select button. It acts similar to the Open button, but will allow you to choose a volume, directory, or a Finder alias file as the target. This dialog will also appear if you create a new alias resource.
The alis editor is only compatible with ResEdit versions 2.1 and later. The editor protocols for versions earlier that 2.1 are different and will not work with this editor. Also, because the editor uses the Alias Manager, it will not work without System 7 and it will tell you so if you try to open it on a Mac that does not have the Alias Manager.
The file “alis Editor for ResEdit 2.1” contains the alis editor and all its associated resources. Using ResEdit, copy ALL the resources in “alis Editor for ResEdit 2.1” into ResEdit or your “ResEdit Preferences” file. The Preferences file is in the Preferences folder in your System Folder. You can copy into the running version of ResEdit so long as you don’t replace resources in use; use common sense and make sure you have a backup copy of ResEdit. When pasting into a program with many large resources (like ResEdit), window updates may be relatively slow. Have patience!
