The AltClipboard FKEY adds the functionallity of a second clipboard to any application. Simply copy something (anything — text, picture, sound, whatever) into the Clipboard, activate the FKEY, and then you can copy something else without the first item being lost. You can then paste the second item, and to paste the first item, activate the FKEY again to retrieve it. Each time you activate the FKEY, the contents of the active Clipboard and the alternative Clipboard are swapped. You can swap them as much as you like, without losing either item (until you replace the contents of one or both by cutting or copying, of course). While swapping, the cursor (or pointer) changes to a mini clipboard shape. If successful, a custom sound can be played. Both of these features can be deactivated if you wish.
INSTALLATION:
There are several ways to install the FKEY, depending on how you organise your disk. Personally, I use Suitcase™ to open the FKEY file, but if you prefer you can use a FKEY moving utility (such as the FKEY Manager) to copy it into a large FKEY file, or indeed the System file. You could also use ResEdit™ to copy the FKEY resource into your System file, or one of several other utilities that are available. If you copy it using ResEdit or FKEY Manager, note that the FKEY file contains a few other resources, including preferences and a cursor. While you don’t need anything but the FKEY resource, you will need to copy the cursor if you want it to be used.
Also provided with the FKEY is a very short sound. The sound is played if installed in your System file or an open sound suitcase, when the Clipboard contents have been successfully swapped.
To install the sound, simply drop the file on your System file (if under System 7) or use a sound copying utility, such as Riccardo Ettore’s highly recommended Sound Mover™ (if under System 6). Make sure it remains named “AltClipboard”, otherwise it won’t be played. You can use any sound you like, or none. If you use your own sound, make sure you rename it as “AltClipboard”. I thought that this sound was quite appropriate: it’s the sound of a clipboard! (I have a huge collection of sounds, if anyone wants more sounds: see below for details of how you can get some, or a catalogue.)
USAGE:
To use the FKEY (once it’s installed, of course), simply copy something into the Clipboard, and press Command-Shift-6 (or whichever number you have renumbered the FKEY to) to activate it. If for some reason there is a problem, e.g. there isn’t enough memory, the FKEY will beep once, but normally the contents of the active and alternative Clipboards will be swapped, the sound you installed (if any) will be played, and you can then simply paste the item into the application. That’s it.
CUSTOMISATION:
My AltClipboard FKEY will work very well without any modifications, but in certain circumstances it may be necessary or desirable to customise it. It is possible to alter some aspects, using ResEdit™. This section is aimed at power users, and can be skipped. Within the provided file you will find a ‘APrf’ resource with a corresponding ‘TMPL’ (template) resource. When you install the FKEY, also copy these resources across if you want to modify the settings (if the ‘APrf’ resource is missing or has the wrong ID number the default settings will be used, which are the same as those in the ‘APrf’ resource as shipped). The following is a description of each of the options in the ‘APrf’ resource:
• Prefs Version: Do not alter the value of this field.
• Don’t Play Sound: If this is set to 1 the sound will not be played even if it is installed; if 0 it will always be played when installed.
• Don’t Use Cursor: If this is set to 1 the cursor (pointer) shape will not change; if 0 the cursor will change to a mini clipboard while swapping.
• Don’t Revert to Arrow: If this is set to 1 the FKEY trusts the host application to change the cursor shape back to what it should be after the FKEY has finished; if 0 the cursor is always changed to the standard arrow pointer shape when the FKEY is finished. This is ignored if the previous pref is set to 1.
The default values for the 0 / 1 options are always 0. You should leave all items marked Reserved set to 0. If you like, you can install multiple copies of the FKEY in various applications and have different settings for each! If you would like any other features included in these “preferences”, please let me know.
RELEASE & CHANGE HISTORY:
• 1.0: 29 October 1992; First public release.
• 22 October 1992; Concept, design and initial version written.
ABOUT:
This FKEY is being released as Freeware. You may give it away to anyone, provided it is unmodified and you include all the files described above. Since it’s not Shareware, you may continue to use it without paying me any money, however if you wanted to donate something I wouldn’t turn you down!
If you come across any bugs, please let me know. Rest assured I have checked it quite extensively, and found it works fine on my machine and those of my Beta Testers, but I accept no responsibility if it trashes your hard disk or blows up your Mac.
You may be interested in other programs I’ve written, including some high quality Shareware applications. Write to the address below, or contact me via e-mail, for more information. If you want to receive the Dejal Userware™ disk, which includes every program I have written and released as Shareware or Freeware, plus my sound catalogue, send US$5 or provide your credit card details (I can accept VISA, MasterCard, Bankcard, Diners Club and American Express, as well as cash & checks in any major currency or international money orders) — I can even accept credit card orders via e-mail!
NOTE: If the copyright date of this version is more than a few months old, there is a good chance that I’ve released a new version since this one. If you contact me, I will tell you what is the latest version. Ordering the Dejal Userware disk will ensure that you get the latest versions of all my Shareware and Freeware. (I still get registrations based on the first released version of SndConverter™, even though it has been upgraded many times since then!)
Please let me know if you use this program, by writing or e-mailing:
David Lambert
Dejal Userware
12 Scorpio Place
Mairangi Bay
Auckland 10
NEW ZEALAND
Internet and AOL: dejal@deepthnk.kiwi.gen.nz
CompuServe: 100033,2435 or as for Internet
I read the Internet mail every day, and will reply immediately (allow a couple of days for net.delay), but only call CI$ once a fortnight.
