Drop•Attribute is a file/folder attribute changer. It allows you to change the type, creator, and various other attributes by simply dropping the item(s) onto it's icon. It can also map filename extensions (ie. ".txt") to type's and/or creator's. You can also create Attributelets, customized self-running applications for common operations you perform.
What does Drop•Attribute require to run?
Drop•Attribute should run on any Macintosh running System 7.x.x with the Thread Manager or System 7.5.x (which has the Thread Manager built-in). It has been tested on a PowerMac 9500, PowerMac 6100/60, and a Macintosh IIfx with the following System's: System 7.1.1, System 7.1.2, System 7.5.1, and System 7.5.3.
How do I use Drop•Attribute?
Using Drop•Attribute is simple. Drop any file, folder, or mixture of the two onto it's icon. You will be presented with a dialog allowing you to choose what type of operation you want to perform. These are the currently available options:
Modify Individually:
Allows you to modify each item individually as you step through them. The current settings for the item will be displayed so you can see them before you change them. You can also at any time choose to change all the remaining items at once.
Modify All:
Allows you to modify all the items at once with the option of conditionally modifying items. You can set up specific criteria that must be met before an item is modified.
Map Extensions:
Allows you to map filename extensions (such as ".txt" or ".hqx") to a Macintosh File Type and/or Creator. You can setup a list of multiple mappings to be performed in one simple step.
Other Options:
The "various other attributes" are all checkboxes but, a little different than normal checkboxes. They are very similar to the ones used in Apple's Installer 4.0. They offer 3 'states', ON (X in the box), OFF (empty box), and the new Tri-State (line in the box). The first two are pretty standard and easy to figure out (either on or off) but, the third (line in the box) means the attribute associated with the checkbox will be ignored. This allows you to specify that certain attributes are not to be touched.
•••IMPORTANT: If you can't drop anything onto the Drop•Attribute icon, try rebuilding your desktop.
Balloon help is also extensively supported so check that out if you need more help while you're using the application.
What is an Attributelet?
An Attributelet is a customized self-running application that you can create with Drop•Attribute. Attributelets can save you a lot of time and effort by encapsulating common operations you may perform into a single application that requires no setup. Just drop the files you want to process on the icon and that's it. For example, if you frequently change files to open with BBEdit, you could create an Attributelet for it so don't have to type that information into Drop•Attribute each time. You can also add a condition that for example would only modify files with a type of 'TEXT'. Another example, if you frequently map files with ".gif" on the end to open with Photoshop, would be to could create an Attributelet to automate that process. You are not limited to one mapping per Attributelet, you can map up to 64 different filename extensions to specific type's and/or creator's. The possibilities are endless!
How much does Drop•Attribute cost?
Drop•Attribute is shareware, which means if you like it and continue to use it, you should pay for it.
The cost is $10 for a single-user license, $200 for a site license (unlimited use at a single site), and $1000 for a world-wide site license (unlimited use at as many sites as you need). All prices and options are shown in the Register application.
How do I pay for Drop•Attribute?
To register, run the Register application, included in this package (or contact me and I'll send it to you), to fill out the registration form. Once you've filled it out, you have 3 options for paying:
1) Print it and send it, together with your payment, to Kagi Shareware at:
Kagi Shareware
1442-A Walnut Street #392-BB
Berkeley, California 94709-1405
USA
This address is also on the registration form that the Register application prints.
2) E-Mail it by clicking "Copy" in the Register application and pasting it into the body of your e-mail message to:
shareware@kagi.com
3) Fax it by printing it then faxing the printed registration form to this number:
1-510-652-6589
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me at SouthSide@kagi.com.
The payment options are shown in the Register application. You can pay with cash (in many currencies), check, credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or AmEx), or various other forms of payment (check out the Register application for other forms of payment).
Once you have registered, click “I Have Paid” in the preferences dialog to register the application and stop the About dialog from coming up each time you use the application.
Can I distribute Drop•Attribute?
Yes, please do! You may distribute this application anyway you want as long as you include the documentation and Register application and do not charge for it. Reasonable media and distribution costs excluded. I want as many people to get this as possible.
Aren't you afraid people will use it and not pay for it?
No. Obviously, there’s no way I can tell if you’re using this application without paying for it nor would I want to know. I do not believe in copy protection in any form for a number of reasons but, most importantly cause copy protection shows an unjustified distrust for the user. This is why there is no protection in this application, any other software I’ve written or will write in future. I do have a simple reminder that this application is shareware and should be purchased, if use is continued but, as stated above, clicking the “I Have Paid” checkbox in the preferences dialog removes this reminder. I feel this is the best method as I want the user to understand this application is shareware and requires a fee but, also do not want to annoy the user with copy protection which implies the user is not trustworthy and must show proof of payment. Your word is good enough for me.
What did you use to create Drop•Attribute?
Drop•Attribute was written in C and C++ using Metrowerks CodeWarrior. Resources were created and edited with Resorcerer 1.2.5. Original icons for Drop•Rename were created by AP, and modified by The Web for Drop•Attribute.
Do you have anyone to thank?
Too many to name them all but, here's a few:
Chris Larson (larson@cs.ucla.edu) for his Finder Progress Bar 2.0 CDEF.
Pete Gontier (gurgle@dnai.com) for his Tri-State CheckBox CDEF.
John Norstad for releasing the source code to NewsWatcher. It has helped me enormously.
Peter N. Lewis for helping with the thread communication code along with other general help.
AP for creating the icons, suggestions, and testing.
Dr. Fred Condo and Dennis Hescox at Lightside for helping with programming and providing Internet access.
Kagi Shareware for providing an excellent service for shareware authors.
All the people on CSMP and everyone who sent me thanks, problems, suggestions, and help.
Thanks to all the people who have registered.
What other stuff have you written?
Drop•Rename • The most powerful renaming tool available for the Macintosh. $10 Shareware.
And many more to come...If you'd like to see other applications, contact me with the specifications and I'll give it a shot.
Where can I contact you?
If you like this program or even think it sucks, let me know. I always answer my mail so, if you don't get a response, I may not have received it and you should send it again.
For help or information about this application and/or SouthSide Software, send mail to SouthSide@kagi.com.
For information about Kagi Shareware and/or the Register application, send mail to shareware@kagi.com.
