AppleMenuAdd makes it easy for you to add aliases of files, folders, and disks to your Apple menu. You drag and drop an item on AppleMenuAdd or launch AppleMenuAdd and select an item to add interactively. Items can be any object in the Finder such as files, applications, folders, or disks. AppleMenuAdd creates an alias file which points to the original item and places it in the Apple Menu Items folder within your System Folder.
I created AppleMenuAdd to automate the process of placing an alias of a file, folder, or disk in the Apple Menu Items folder. I wanted an application on my desktop to which I could drag and drop files and folders that would place an alias with the same name in the System Folder. Since I was also looking for an interesting programming challenge at the time, I decided to build my own application. This is the first release of that application. I hope you find it useful as well.
Operation
You can drag and drop files, folders, and disks on AppleMenuAdd. To do so, select one or more items in the Finder and drag them to the AppleMenuAdd icon until it is highlighted. AppleMenuAdd is launched, an alias of each item is created in the Apple Menu Items folder, and then AppleMenuAdd quits.
You can also launch AppleMenuAdd and add items interactively. To do so, double-click the application and select the Add choice from the File menu. You will be prompted through a dialog to select a file, folder, or disk. Once you have made your selection, an alias of the selected item is created in the Apple Menu Items folder. You can add multiple items by repeatedly selecting the Add choice. Exit the application by selecting the Quit choice.
Notes
- The alias file created in the Apple Menu Items folder has the same
name as the original. It does not add the " alias" suffix to the name,
as the Finder does.
- If a file or folder with the same name already exists in the Apple
Menu Items folder, an error alert is displayed and the alias file is
not created.
- The alias file retains the icon and label of the original item.
- Selecting or dropping an alias on the application will create an alias
of the original item, not an alias of the alias.
Tips For Managing Your Apple Menu
- Place AppleMenuAdd on your desktop for easy access. Add items to
the Apple Menu by drag and dropping them onto AppleMenuAdd.
- Alternatively if you have a small screen and a frequently covered
desktop, launch AppleMenuAdd and add items to the Apple Menu
interactively. One suggestion (if you can spare the memory) is to
place AppleMenuAdd in your Startup Items folder (in the System
Folder) so that it is launched automatically when your machine
starts up. Leave AppleMenuAdd running in the background and
switch to it when needed.
- Add an alias of the Apple Menu Items folder to the Apple Menu Items
folder. Whenever you need to modify or delete items from the Apple
Menu, just select Apple Menu Items from the Apple Menu (it should be
near the top) and the folder will be opened on your desktop.
Requirements
AppleMenuAdd should work on any Macintosh using System 7.0 or greater.
Features
- 32 bit clean.
- Balloon help for the application, menus, and dialogs.
- Supports the required Apple Events, except for Print Document
(meaningless in the context of this application).
Credits
- This application was developed using Think C 5.0.2 on an SE/30.
Thanks to Symantec and Apple for their outstanding products.
- This application is an extension of some work done for ITX Corp.
Thanks to Steve Hills, John Baker, and the rest of the crew at ITX for
their encouragement and advice in developing and testing this utility.
Distribution Info
AppleMenuAdd is freeware, and is intended for non-commercial use. It may be copied and distributed freely provided that it has not been modified and this Read Me file is included. It is not intended for commercial sale or distribution. Permission from the author should be obtained before incorporating this software into any other program, or bundling it with any other collection of programs for distribution.
The author makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or performance of this software.
Contact Info
Comments, suggestions, and bug reports are welcome. Contact the author at the address below (also in the About... box):