This chapter assumes that MacLife—FileSaver has been installed into your Control Panels Folder. (Installation instructions can be found under the Chapters menu.)
Configuring MacLife—FileSaver:
To configure MacLife—FileSaver, select Control Panels from the Apple Menu. Then, double-click on MacLife—FileSaver. (You might want to view the Finder window by name to make it easier to find the FileSaver Control Panel.)
To turn MacLife—FileSaver on or off, click on the appropriate on or off radio button.
Next, you should decide when and how MacLife—FileSaver should automatically save your files. You can choose to save by time, by keystrokes, or both. To turn a setting on, simply check its checkbox and type in the appropriate number of minutes or number of keystrokes. MacLife—FileSaver will enact its auto-saves according to your specifications.
Then, choose the applications that you want MacLife—FileSaver to work in. Simply click on the Add app… button to add an application. After adding the application, you might want to change two settings that are saved for each application. The first setting is the command key that the program uses for saving. In the vast majority of cases, the setting is S which is the default for MacLife—FileSaver. You can change this for any non-standard application you have by selecting the application in your applications list and typing a new key inside the command key edit box. (Just type in the key without the command key. The command key is assumed.)
The second setting that can be changed is the Confirm Auto-Saves box. When checked, MacLife—FileSaver will ask you to confirm all save commands that it issues. When unchecked, MacLife—FileSaver will automatically issue save commands without user intervention. The advantage of the confirmation box is that it gives you a chance to prevent a save from occurring after you’ve mistakenly deleted or changed an item. The disadvantage is of course the additional dialog box. We believe that in most cases the confirmation is well worth the additional dialog box and have thus set it as the default setting.
When you are finished configuring MacLife—FileSaver, close the Control Panel. Changes to the applications and your other settings will take effect immediately, so there’s no need to reboot for them take effect. If MacLife—FileSaver was not loaded at startup however (perhaps you held down the shift key at startup to turn off all extensions and control panels), you will have to reboot to activate it.
Using MacLife—FileSaver:
After setting it up, it will automatically work in the background, issuing save commands according to your specifications. By automatically saving your files, you’ll be protected from system crashes and power outs. You’ll only lose your work since the last save, and even this “deductible” can be eliminated by using MacLife—KeySaver which saves every single keystroke that takes place!
The first save in each application may be a little quicker than your settings, but from then on it will occur regularly according to your specifications. Also, in most applications, the first Save brings up the Save as… dialog box. If you have not saved your document, and MacLifeInsurance-FileSaver sends a save command, the Save as… dialog box will probably come up. You can dismiss the dialog box or type in a new file name as you prefer.
