Use Malph to switch between applications under System 7 instead of pulling down the application menu. To switch to another app, simply click on the application icon. Malph also has a small indicator showing what process is currently front-most, which updates if you click in application windows to switch between processes.
If you have the Drag Manager AND Finder v7.1.2 or later installed on your Macintosh, you can drop Finder icons on an application tile, and the files will open with that application. This is handy when you want to quickly open a file without using the ╥Open╔╙ command from within the application. Currently, the Drag & Drop extension is available with the new Finder on the Developer CD, or ftp.apple.com. Of course it may be available in other places, so look around. The Drag Manager is now a standard part of System 7.5.
Use the "Preferences╔" item in the Edit Menu to change the hot spot and viewing characteristics. It may be preferable to use the small icon display on smaller monitors. The hot spot is used to bring Malph to the front by dragging the mouse to one of the screen corners when Malph isn't frontmost. The default hot spot is the bottom right of the main screen, but this is configurable.
All the Action Keys (i.e., keys held down during a mouse click on a tile to perform an action) are user-defined. Check out the "Action Keys" pane in the Preferences dialog for details.
Malph also displays process information for each running process with Balloon Help. If you turn Balloon help on and hold the mouse over an application icon, the balloon will display information like the SIZE resource flags, memory-related information, and when the application was launched.
Many thanks for the incredible postcards I've received. Also, thanks to everyone who wrote me with bug reports, etc. I truly appreciate it, and hope I satisfied your requests.
What's new with version 2.5:
Ñ Added a text field to the Control window that constantly displays the name of the tile directly under the mouse. This is useful for displaying the names of tiles without having to resort to a larger window that always displays tile names. When Malph is in the background, the text field displays the name of the current foreground application.
Ñ Fixed an annoying bug where switching resolutions would sometimes cause the control window to appear underneath the menu bar with no way to move it back out.
Ñ Added very basic PowerTalk support. You can now open letters by dropping them on an application that appears in Malph. If you would like more PowerTalk support, please let me know and I'll put in more than just the stuff that I use everyday.
Ñ A small update to the tile hiliting UI. The names now hilite as well, sorta like the Finder.
Ñ If you have an extended keyboard, hitting the help key toggles Balloon Help.
Memory requirements:
Malph was written to use as little memory as possible, and I think it does a pretty good job. Even with all the new functionality Malph still runs in the same memory footprint, but users of:
Ñ large icons
Ñ lots of icons
Ñ folder/disk launchers
Ñ launchers with custom icons
Ñ the Color Picker in the Preferences dialog
may have to bump up the memory partition a bit. If Malph starts freaking out on you, as a first step try bumping up the memory partition by at least 30K. This should fix most problems.
Disclaimer:
I make no warranty whatsoever, either implied or expressed, as to the correct functioning of this software. When using this software, the user assumes all responsibility for any damages caused, directly or indirectly, by its use.
The price:
As with past versions, Malph is freely distributable, but do not alter it and please include this file. If you get a chance, I'd appreciate a postcard showing your hometown or some weird art. Please mail these to:
