{ Scroll to the end of this file to learn what new features version 1.38 adds. }
USER.
O.K., so I have FlameFile. Why do I want it, what does it do, and what IS that icon supposed to be?
CREATOR.
Why do you want it? Some would say that our culture is based on one’s ability to acquire; if so, you’re one step ahead. Unfortunately for you, FlameFile is about subtraction, not addition.
FlameFile is a utility that completely erases a file or folder from the disk, making it impossible to recover. It also “wipes” a disk clean, to prevent people from reading fragments of your old deleted files.
USER.
Why on Earth would I want to do that? And by the way — how do I recover deleted files, anyway?
CREATOR.
If you simply drag a file to the Trash and Empty it, the Mac just marks the space that the file used to occupy as unused. Utilities (such as a fine one produced by Symantec) are able to “recover” such files. This can be inconvenient if you have a file that you’re deleting for the express purpose of never seeing it again.
This is where FlameFile gets its name. When you want to throw away an old piece of paper in real life, you drop it in the trash, but when you want to make sure no one else sees it, you burn it and spread the ashes.
USER.
No, I don’t. I’m not a private person. I don’t work for the NSA, and if I did I sure wouldn’t be using a freeware program for security. Why would anyone want to do this?
CREATOR.
Everyone has something they want to get rid of. Suppose you’ve created an encrypted Compactor archive and need to make sure that no one bypasses your encryption by just un-deleting the original files. Or suppose you’ve got embarrassing GIF files you don’t want your kids to stumble into. They’re many reasons why you’d want to do this.
USER.
Well, I’m convinced. So, how do I use it?
CREATOR.
FlameFile is a drag-and-drop (or is that drop-and-drag?) application. Drag it onto your desktop; I suggest plopping it right above the Trash icon. If nothing else, that icon looks nice with any background picture or pattern.
USER.
Yeah, what’s the deal with that icon? And how do I go about Flaming files or folders?
CREATOR.
To delete a file or folder, drag its icon onto the FlameFile icon. If you drag a folder to the FlameFile icon, all of the folder’s contents (including other folders inside it) will be deleted. FlameFile will even flame locked files.
USER.
I see. So, it would be a good idea to test this program by dragging my favorite applications onto your icon, right?
CREATOR.
No! Bad idea. Remember, there is no way to recover what FlameFile destroys!
USER.
Whoa! You mean that if I accidentally drag a file onto FlameFile, it’s gone forever? Your program is far too dangerous.
CREATOR.
But come on. If I had put in a “warning box,” the program would have been too annoying… it would be like an obtrusive parent, always asking if you’re sure you want to delete this or that, etc.
USER.
Speak for yourself. I want a warning box.
CREATOR.
Very well. If you double-click on the FlameFile icon, you get a nifty dialog box with my name in it. Click on the Options button, and you'll get a window that will allow you to either turn warning messages on completely, off completely, or off only when you hold down the mouse button after dragging files to the icon.
USER.
Well, you give in quite easily. Say, what about aliases? If I drag an alias to FlameFile, is the alias destroyed, or is the original file destroyed?
CREATOR.
If you drag an alias to FlameFile, the original file and not the alias will be flamed. Be careful with this.
USER.
Indeed, I shall. Now, what was this you mentioned about “wiping” disks?
CREATOR.
Your data can sometimes stick around a disk long after you’ve deleted it. Even by dragging a file onto FlameFile, you aren’t always guaranteed of totally destroying it. If you wipe the disk, however, all free space on the disk is flamed. The disk itself isn’t hurt, just more secure. You can wipe a disk by dragging its icon to FlameFile.
USER.
Whoa! Wait a second. What’s this about FlameFile not doing a complete job?
CREATOR.
Oh, FlameFile will always obliterate what you give it. But sometimes files become smaller; people cut paragraphs out of word processor files and then save the new, smaller files. The old part of the file that was cut out is still on your disk somewhere, and the only way to erase it is to wipe the whole disk. Paranoid people will want to do this about once a month.
USER.
Why not every day?
CREATOR.
Whatever you like, but as it is FlameFile is somewhat slow at wiping disks. I’m trying to make it faster; maybe in a future version.
USER.
I should hope. Come to think of it, although I don’t work for the NSA, I do work for the Department of Defense, and we have these picky standards for flaming files…
CREATOR.
Say no more. By clicking “Use DOD specs” in the Options dialog box, FlameFile will use the DOD’s three-pass method of overwriting files. This process is much slower than FlameFile’s normal method, which should be adequate for commercial or private use.
USER.
No doubt, I will use such a wonderful, feature-laden program several times a day. Doesn’t that place FlameFile at risk of catching a virus or something?
CREATOR.
FlameFile has built-in virus protection; it scans itself for every known application-infecting virus each time it’s run, and will inform you if it thinks it has been infected.
USER.
That’s nice. Anything else I should know about?
CREATOR.
Well, in that Options box I mentioned, there are four other options that all deal with ways to “disguise” a file before deleting it. You can turn them on or off.
USER.
“Disguise” a file?
CREATOR.
Yeah. Those un-delete programs aren’t able to recover Flamed files, but they can tell what the file’s name is, when it was created (and destroyed), how big it was, and what sort of a file it was. FlameFile has the ability to disguise any of these things.
USER.
That sounds shady. Wouldn’t my virus protection software get upset with a program that does things like that?
CREATOR.
It’s happened before; some virus protection programs become upset when FlameFile disguises files. It’s perfectly safe to tell your software to give FlameFile permission to change file information, since FlameFile does support built-in virus checking.
USER.
This is all very nice, but FlameFile is too dry. I’m a personable person; when I sentence a file to total death, I like to hear Darth Vader™ say, “I have you now.”
CREATOR.
I think I’ll send that sound to Sumex. The Options box allows you to tell FlameFile to play a sound when it’s done flaming files. The sound must be installed in your System file, or in the FlameFile application.
USER.
You mean I have to put yet another sound into my System file? I think that would take up too much memory.
CREATOR.
Never fear. If you feel competent in such matters, you can put the SND resource directly into the FlameFile application.
USER.
What a useful program! If only it supported AppleEvents and AppleScript!
CREATOR.
Your wishes are answered. FlameFile takes full advantage of System 7 features that allow programs to talk to each other. It supports the required suite of AppleEvents, and it is scriptable — just include a line like ‘tell application "FlameFile v1.32" to open hatedFileAlias’ in your script, and FlameFile will do its stuff.
USER.
FlameFile has changed my life for the better. How may I satisfy my moral obligation to you and repay you in some way?
CREATOR.
FlameFile is a freeware program. I don’t require that you pay me money (although I won’t exactly refuse it, either). I’d appreciate an E-mail note, to Internet address jgfoot@minerva.cis.yale.edu, or a postcard sent to:
Josh Goldfoot
PO Box 3802 Yale Station
New Haven, CT 06520.
USER.
Isn’t there anything else people can do?
CREATOR.
If you prefer, instead of paying me money, pay some other shareware developer whom you’ve been cheating. Have you registered Compact Pro?
Version 1.38 - Released September 11, 1993. Adds DOD specification wipe. Fixes the "file flamed, but not disappeared" bug, and various disguising bugs. Icon now appears as it should. Special thanks to Gabriel Schuyler and Stephen Cristol for their beta testing.
Version 1.31 - Released May 26, 1993. Adds:
* Ability to wipe disks
* Sound-playing after the flaming of a file
* Complete scriptability
Version 1.3Beta - Not released. Poor implementation of sound-playing option. Thanks to the Beta testers for all their help!
Version 1.2b - Released October 29, 1992. Fixed a bug that caused compatibility problems with early Mac II computers.
Version 1.2 - Released October 21, 1992. Presents user with an optional “warning box” before it destroys files. Optional abilities to change file name, creator and file type, creation date, and file size before deleting.
Version 1.1 - Released September 24, 1992. Can handle entire folders. Runs faster. Supports Apple Events. Author's E-mail and postage address changed.
Version 1.0 - Released August 7, 1992. Virus-checking, balloon help. Didn’t allow folders. A tad bit slow when flaming groups of files.
