Alias Arranger is a small application that makes it easier for you to create aliases to your files in common locations. You can also search for aliases that have gone rotten and delete them or point them at new files. The best way to use Alias Arranger is probably to try it out, although you might want to examine this file for full instructions.
Creating Aliases
Usage is pretty easy. You can either create aliases by dragging applications or documents onto Alias Arranger (AA), or by using the standard open dialog from within the program. You might like to put AA on your desktop for easy access. To use the open dialog instead of simple drag & drop, run AA, then choose “Make Alias…” from the Aliases menu. Select a file to which you want to create an alias, and click “Open”.
After telling AA the file of which to make an alias (by either method), you use a dialog box to choose where to put it. There is a list of locations on the left side of it; choose one and click “Make Alias”. (Or “Cancel” to abort your request.)
When it’s first run AA creates some common locations for you— the desktop, Apple Menu Items and Startup Items folders— that you can use right away. If you want to select a custom folder for an alias (quicker than using the Finder to create an alias, opening that folder, and then finally moving the alias), just select “Let me choose…”, which uses the normal save dialog box to let you select a place to save the alias.
However, you’re likely to have your own favourite folders other than these, and it’s easy to create locations for them. Choose “Locations…” from the Aliases menu to do this.
Use the “New” button to make a new location, for which you’ll then be prompted to select a folder, or “Delete” to remove the location selected in the list. To change an alias’ folder, select it in the list and click “Select.”
Type names for the different locations in the field underneath the list.
Click “Done” when you’ve finished.
Scanning for Aliases
Another useful feature provided by Alias Arranger is the facility to scan a disk or folder for aliases. You can then delete aliases or set them to point to new files. For example, you could look for all the aliases which have gone invalid on your hard disk, and then reattach them or delete them as needed— much easier than doing all that manually in the Finder. (Try it if you don’t believe me ;).
You can scan either disks or folders. Choose the appropriate item from the Alias menu to do so. If you want to scan a folder, you are asked to select which folder to scan, after which you can specify various scan options. If you want to scan a volume, select the volume from the popup menu in the dialog box that appears. The scan options here are the same as for the second stage in folder scanning— here’s an explanation of them…
The “Attempt mount” checkbox lets you choose whether to try and mount offline disks when checking an alias. For example, I have an alias to a file on a remote computer which I can only open if I initiate a remote access connection. Since I don’t want to do this every time I check for aliases, I leave the checkbox turned off. You might like to leave it on if you have lots of aliases to files on local disks that you want to check.
The “Scan subfolders” checkbox lets you specify whether to scan files inside folders if you selected a folder. For example, if all you want to do is a quick scan of aliases on your desktop, you would “Scan Folder” on the Desktop Folder, leaving this turned off. To check all files inside a folder, turn it on and all files will be scanned.
Choosing “Scan Volume”, this option isn’t available since scanning a volume scans all files anyway.
Three radio buttons specify the type of alias to search for— ones which point to a valid target (“Good”), those whose target files have moved and can’t be found (“Bad”), or all aliases (“Both”).
Click “Scan” to start your search.
After scanning has finished, a window with a list of aliases found appears. The small icon to the left of each entry indicates whether the alias is safe or not. Use the “Reattach…” and “Delete” buttons to do something with an alias in the list.
Preferences
It is possible to tell AA to give your aliases a custom suffix, instead of the usual “… alias”. To do this, choose “Preferences…” from the File menu, and type in your new suffix. There is a checkbox where you tell AA whether to insert a space for you before the suffix. Typically this will be on, but DOS maniacs using “.alias” would turn it off…
The “Multiple Drops to one location” checkbox allows you choose what you want to happen when you drop more than one file onto Alias Arrange. If turned on, you get to specify one location, in which each of the aliases created will be saved. If off, you choose a separate location for each dropped file’s alias.
This dialog also contains four other checkboxes. These specify the modifier keys that you hold down when creating an alias to give it a custom name. (see note below)
Caveats and Tips
• Using the custom name modifiers: these should be help down when clicking “Make Alias” in the locations
dialog box, not when using the open dialog or dragging/dropping. When dragging multiple files with the Multiple Drops to one Location option on, you’ll be prompted to give each a separate name.
• The “Let me choose…” location can’t be deleted because of its special function.
• It’s possible to create a new location “on the fly” when you make an alias. All the buttons available in the
Locations dialog are available here.
• Aliases not appearing? If this happens, try closing and reopening the folders that should contain them.
• It is currently not possible to create aliases of folders or disks, although I am trying to add the code for this.
Yes, I am still doing so! I’m very sorry for this restriction in version 1.1.
Shareware Plea and Distribution
I don’t believe in locking up my software and disabling features to force you to pay. If you like this program and use it often, please register. Even if you don’t feel willing to pay, or haven’t the cash, please drop me a note just to say what you think of the program… your feedback is what I need most.
Again, I hope that if, you do like Alias Arranger, you will consider paying; your suggestions will be listened to and implemented if possible, and I will try to fix to any problems or bugs (aargh!) you find.
The details: The fee holds for all future versions of this program; you will never be required to pay again.
To register, double click the “Register Click! Software” application included with Alias Arranger. I use the well-known Kagi system; although direct payments to me of cash only are welcome, you’ll probably find it easier to register through Kagi, since you can use credit card, money order, etc.
The pricing is as follows:
1—20 copies: IR£5 each ($US8)
20+ copies: IR£4 each ($US6)
A site licence is IR£110 ($US160), and covers all locations for your organisation within a 100 mile/160km radius.
A worldwide licence is IR£435 (US$640) and covers all locations or your organsiation on earth.
Please remember that although you can send comments to me at either of my email addresses, registration info generated using the Register application must be send to Kagi!
If you are paying by Credit Card or First Virtual, you can email (sales@kagi.com) or fax (+1 510 652-6589) the data to Kagi. Just copy the data in Register and paste it into an email message, or save it and attach it to one. To fax, print the data to the Kagi fax number above.
Email payments are processed in three to four days, and you’ll received an acknowledgement when your payment has been processed. Fax payments take up to ten days, and again, if you provide an email address you will receive an acknowledgement.
If you are paying by cash or US$ cheque, please print the the data in Register and send it to the address on the form, which should be:-
Kagi
1442-A Walnut Street #392-R3
Berkeley, California 94709-1405
USA
Please notice that only cheques drawn in US Dollars may be sent to Kagi.
If you have a purchasing department, you can enter all the data as needed and choose the “Invoice” payment method. Print three copies of the form and send it to your accounts payable people.
Finally… please do not send cash, cheque or invoice payments via email!
Alias Arranger must be distributed together with this file— feel free to give them to your
friends!
If anyone out there (shareware cd compilers, magazines, etc) who would like to distribute Alias Arranger (I flatter myself ;), email me and I'll most likely agree.
Version History
1.1, 10/6/97
• Scan for aliases
• Eliminated some rare but nasty bugs regarding replacement of open files, etc
• Fixed a small bug that made it possible to select a folder for the “Let me choose” location
• Updated documentation
• User may choose what to do when dropping multiple files
Although I have done my best to ensure that Alias Arranger will not damage your computer or any data stored on it, I take no responsibility for any such damage that may occur.
