A utility allowing you to make invisible those files or folders you do not wish others to see.
HOW IT WORKS:
BigSecret works by setting the invisible attribute for files and folders. Once you startup BigSecret and type your password, you can add files to the list of 'secret files' by doing one of the following:
- dragging and dropping files and folders into BigSecret
- adding files using the "add file" button
- adding folders using the "add folder button"
SYSTEM 7 ONWARD...
COOL TIPS
• Make your 'BigSecret Prefs' file invisible. That's the place where your password and aliases to all of your secret files are kept. It's an important file, keeping it a secret is a must.
• Holding down the command (apple) key while clicking in the list of secret files allows you to make disjoint selections of many files at once.
• Holding down the shift key while clicking in the secret files list allows you to select groups of files at the same time.
• Option-clicking on the Select All button selects and hides all of the files in the secret files list.
• Shift-clicking on the Select All button selects and shows all of the files in the secret files list.
• if Macintosh Drag and Drop is installed, then folder and file icons can be dragged from the Finder's windows and dropped into the secret files list,
• Install the Secret Thing, it keeps your secret files from appearing in other applications. If you install secret thing, you may want to rename it so it looks like something important and is not easily recognized by intruders.
THINGS NOT TO DO
• Do not forget your password. If you forget your password and you have paid for your copy, then I can help you--in fact, you can call me on the telephone and I will talk you through the whole thing. Otherwise, if you have not paid for your copy of BigSecret, and I don't have your name, then there's really no way I can tell if you're the person who's supposed to have access to the secret files or if you're a person trying to access a paying customer's files. I have a responsibility to my customers here, and if you have chosen to keep a copy of BigSecret without paying for it, then you have no business jeopardizing their security in this way.
• Do not put your BigSecret Prefs file in the trash or delete it by some other means. If you do, be sure to tell BigSecret to forget about all of your secret files before doing so. If you happen to accidentally delete your preferences file, you may want to use the ‘Add Invisible File…’ or ‘Add Invisible Folder…’ menu commands described below.
BUTTON COMMANDS
Select All selects all of the files and folders listed in the secret files list.
Forget tells BigSecret to forget about any selected files in the secret files list. This command removes file names from the list.
Show tells BigSecret to make any selected files in the secret files list visible. NOTE: sometimes you will have to open and close the finder windows containing these files to make them appear in the finder. This is because BigSecret works with the file system and does not communicate directly with the finder.
Hide tells BigSecret to make any selected files in the secret files list invisible. NOTE: sometimes you will have to open and close the finder windows containing these files to make them disappear in the finder. This is because BigSecret works with the file system and does not communicate directly with the finder. Icons beside invisible files are filled with a gray pattern.
Add File… allows you to add a file to the secret files list. If your caps-lock key is down, the Invisible Add feature is enabled.
Add Folder… allows you to add a folder to the secret files list. If your caps-lock key is down, the Invisible Add feature is enabled.
Quit Exits the BigSecret program.
MENU COMMANDS
Help… displays a help window with some helpful information about BigSecret.
Purchasing… displays a window explaining how you can purchase your copy of BigSecret.
Print Order Form… prints out the order form for BigSecret. Mail this with your payment. If you don't have a printer, be sure to indicate you are purchasing a copy of BigSecret with your payment.
Select All selects all of the files and folders you have in your secret files list.
Forget removes any selected files or folders from the secret files list.
Show makes selected files or folders VISIBLE.
Hide makes selected files or folders INVISIBLE.
Add File… add a file to the secret files list. If your caps-lock key is down, the Invisible Add feature is enabled.
Add Folder… add a folder to the secret files list. If your caps-lock key is down, the Invisible Add feature is enabled.
Add Invisible File… allows you to add an invisible file to the secret files list.
In the event that some of your secret files do not appear in the Secret Files list, you can put them back into the secret files list by using this command. You may find this useful if your BigSecret Prefs file is misplaced or accidentally deleted leaving some of your secret files invisible.
WARNING: This feature is intended for emergencies only. Some of the files you will see when this feature is active are used by the system, and should remain invisible. So... if you don't recognize a file or folder as being one of yours, don't touch it, leave it alone, and don't add it to your secret files list. There's no real danger here, however, some system files are invisible to prevent tampering that would interfere with normal system operation. So for your own piece of mind, it's best to leave them alone and out of sight.
Add Invisible Folder… allows you to add an invisible folder to the secret files list.
Set Password Allows you to change your password. To do this, you enter your old password and your new password.
Install/Update Secret Thing… Secret Thing is a system extension you can install using this command. Among other things, Secret Thing prevents your secret files from appearing in the open dialog boxes displayed by some other programs. If you are having a problem with this and you would like it to stop happening, then you should install the Secret Thing. Secret Thing also prevents users from making your secret files visible using the Find File command found in later versions of System 7.
Quit Exits the BigSecret program.
BigSecret 1996
I am pleased to announce that BigSecret has been awarded a Shareware Award in the American Online Macintosh Utilities forum and it now proudly displays their ‘The MUT 1996 Shareware Awards Button’ in it’s About box. Be sure to check out the ‘The MUT 1996 Shareware Awards’ web page at:
http://members.aol.com/macutility/mut_awards.html
COMMUNICATIONS
I have included my email address in the about box. If you're using this program I would certainly like to hear your comments or suggestions.
Users who have paid for a copy can use this address for technical support regarding the program. Paying customers have the option of emergency telephone support.
