AliasBOSS (a derivative of a shareware application of the same name that I released some time ago) is a special enhancement that provides greater flexibility in dealing with aliases than does the Finder's âMake Aliasâ menu option. Using AliasBOSS, you can create aliases, repair âbrokenâ aliases, and reveal the owners of aliases.
Creating an alias using AliasBOSS
There are two ways to create an alias using AliasBOSS:
1) Select the file of which you wish to create an alias, then click the âAliasBOSSâ button. This method is basically the same as using the Finderâs âMake Aliasâ menu option.
2) Drag the file of which you wish to create an alias to the AliasBOSS button and release the mouse button. A dialog will appear with which you can dispatch the alias to be created to whatever location you desire. At the top of this dialog you should notice a popup menu. This menu is a menu of locations which are common destinations for aliases. The first two items are always present-the Apple Menu Items Folder and the Startup Items Folder. The other items are items you attach to the menu yourself. You do this by using the file list to navigate to the area, then clicking the button to the left of the menu to add that location as an item. Thereafter, simply selecting that item from this menu will automatically take you there. This menu can also be maintained via the control panel. Up to 31 items can appear on this menu (not including the 2 preset locations).
Revealing Information About an Alias' Owner
You can tell the Finder to open the window and display the file that is the owner of an alias by selecting the alias and dragging it to the AliasBOSS button while simultaneously pressing the OPTION key.
If you just want to show the âGet Infoâ window of the owner, drop the alias without holding any keys onto the AliasBOSS button.
When An Alias Goes Bad
If an alias is unattached when you drop it onto the AliasBOSS button, a dialog will appear telling you so. You then have the option to either trash the alias, re-attach it to a file, or let it stay as it is (which is likely if the alias is of an unmounted Appleshare volume). If you choose to reassociate the alias, a dialog will appear with a file list and a text field via which you can rename the alias file and (of course) select a new file to which to the alias should newly point.
