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Since November, 1995, I have maintained the "Mac Pruning Pages" (formerly known as the "PowerMac Pruning Page") on the Web. This site has been the best guide around for information on extensions and control panels -- it was mentioned in the June, '96 issue of MacWorld under the title "When Software Dreams Come True." In June of 1996 I took the theme of the Pruning Pages, expanded it, and wrote The InformInit, a shareware application. Version 1.3 of The InformInit is as close to a true "reference" on system files and information as has ever existed for the Mac community.
The InformInit provides information on hundreds and hundred of System Folder files: control panels, extensions, system folder contents, and more, from both Apple and third-party developers. Information includes file descriptions, who needs what, version numbers, RAM consumption, and helpful tips (even a few "secrets"). Where appropriate, files are organized into "groups" that are mainly used together. Files that require extensive discussion provide live URLs to information sources.
But The InformInit is not just "inits" -- it contains chapters on installing the latest system software, files which don't take up system RAM, items found loose in the System Folder, PRAM, and the Modern Memory
Manager. It also provides links to some of the best Mac info sites on the Web.
The InformInit is more like a book than a database. You can read it from start to finish, or use the search command as an index to find what you need. When printed out, it's well over 100 pages! Yet it's still easy to find any file...
Information on the benefits of registration can be found in the "Register" chapter of The InformInit.
You can download the latest version of The InformInit from its web site:
<http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/DEF/InformInit.html>
THE INFORMINIT IS SHAREWARE
This document is shareware. That means that if you use, you are expected to pay for it.
"What? Why should I pay anything for it?"
Well, the fact that you downloaded The InformInit, or that you visited the Mac Pruning Pages, proves that having all this information in one place, and not having to spend a large number of hours (or even days or weeks or months... hey, I've been doing it for over a year!) searching through every Apple Tech Note, Web page, book, manual, etc. (Apple or otherwise) is valuable to you. Also, there IS some info here which is not available anywhere else.
I find it appropriate to think of The InformInit as a book you might find in the Mac help section of your local bookstore (that is, assuming your local bookstore has a Mac help section ;-)). Or an encyclopedia. Sure, everything in an encyclopedia is "public" information, but the effort to compile the information and turn it into something comprehensible is truly monumental.
The truth is that this document, which in my opinion should have been written by Apple long ago and should be part of the documentation on every Macintosh, has taken me over a year of work to produce. Many, many hours have been spent putting it together. Like many wonderful shareware products out there, this project started out as a personal interest/hobby, and soon snowballed into proportions that I never imagined. Because of the Mac Pruning Pages on the Web and this document, everyday I get many emails from people asking me for help on an extension, or a crash, or some other problem. I do my best to help out everybody who asks.
I considered limiting the features of this document (no printing, no "find," less content, etc.) until I received a registration. However, I decided to follow the Ambrosia Software lead, and provide a full-featured version and trust that the user would live up to his/her end of the bargain.
THE SHAREWARE AUTHORS' DILEMMA:
A GENERAL REMINDER (not just for my shareware)
Shareware authoring seems rather unrewarding at times, especially when the authors have to make a decision between spending time with their families, doing their real jobs, studying, etc., and working on their 'wares. The small fee most shareware authors ask usually can't compensate fully for the time spent on their wares; however, it provides encouragement, shows appreciation, gives a bit of hard cash, and provides a bit of inspiration for updating the product ("Hey, people actually use this... I should put some work into updating it!"). I say this not only for my own sake, but for the sake of shareware products everywhere. If you use a shareware product, pay for it. How many of you have actually registered that certain piece of software you use everyday? (I bet you've even forgotten that it's shareware!)
For Registration instructions please read the "Registration" chapter within The InformInit. Please do not use "Register" without first reading that chapter. Also, do not send cash or check payments using the "Register" program.
