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Symbionts is an extension that monitors the startup process. Symbionts displays the name and number of bytes of memory each system extension allocates from the system heap. The name and number appear beneath the extension's icon, and since the name is usually truncated, Symbionts also displays it in the menu bar. Symbionts even shows the icons for those extensions that don't normally reveal themselves.
Symbionts Control (seen above) is a control panel that sets the preferences for the Symbionts extension. It also allows the review of the information collected by the Symbionts extension. Additionally, the control panel is used to manage the loading of system extensions without having to dig around in the System folder. Extension can be enabled and disabled simply by double-clicking on the extension icon and name.
To Install Symbionts select the Symbionts Control control panel and !Symbionts extension and drag them to the Control Panels folder and Extensions folder respectively or drop them on the System Folder and let the Finder automatically place them in the correct folders.
The "!Symbionts" extension ships with a file type of 'INIT', which is the file type of system extensions. However, if Symbionts detects that it is running under System 7.1 or later, it changes its file type to 'scri', a new kind of system extension introduced in System 7.1 that loads earlier than 'INIT's. Loading earlier allows Symbionts to determine where more of your system memory is allocated. This causes Symbionts to miss a few extensions the first time it is run under System 7.1. After restarting, it should catch everything.
If you are one of those few people who switch back and forth between systems or you receive a modified copy of the "!Symbionts" extension, opening the "Symbionts Control" control panel will cause the file type to be set correctly for the current system version.
•• Please take caution to distribute the original Symbionts, NOT a copy from a System 7.1 Extensions folder. Systems earlier than 7.1 ignore files of type 'scri'. ••
Using Symbionts at startup
*** IMPORTANT *** Engage the caps lock key to have Symbionts pause after all extensions are loaded. A caps lock icon, up arrow with bar beneath it, will be shown with a flashing internation "not" symbol, circle with slash through it, will flash until the caps lock key is released. If either "Show extension name" option is in effect the name displayed below the icon or in the menubar will be "Total". If the "Show extensions size below the icon" option is checked the number under the caps lock icon is the total amount of system memory allocated by all system extensions.
Press and hold the space bar during startup to have the "Symbionts Control" control panel displayed when the "!Symbionts" extension is loaded. System extensions may be reviewed and either enabled or disabled from loading. To dismiss the control panel click in the windows close box or press the command-W key sequence. If for any reason you would like to restart the machine after making changes press the command-R key sequence. One such reason might be that you've changed the current set.
Using the Symbionts Control control panel
Balloon help is provided for the "Symbionts Control" control panel.
The icon column to the left of the window shows the folders in the system folder that contain extensions or files that Symbionts can manage. To the right of this are is a panel which will display a registration notice, preferences options, or extensions in the the folder according the selection in the icon column to the left. Above the panel are two menus Sets and Views. Below the panel are three buttons Open, Info, and Trash/Delete.
The Registration panel.
The registration panel is displayed until you register and license Symbionts. Click the I've Registered button at the bottom of the panel and fill-in the information to customize Symbionts for your use. Please support shareware and only click the button if you've already paid through the Kagi Shareware service by using accompanying Register application.
The Preferences panel.
The top of the preferences panel displays the number of extensions loaded at last startup and the amount of memory used by these extensions. It will also display the additional memory requirements or savings if you enable or disable extensions. The changes will not take place until you restart.
Immediately below the usage report you will find the Symbionts extension options. These options control the information that is displayed during startup.
"Use the improved extension display format"
If the option is unchecked Symbionts does not take over icon display during startup and you will see the same old marching icons. If the option is checked the icons will be displayed on a white background. All extensions will have an icon displayed. Icons which always displayed icons will still continue to do so and will jump up from the location the extension displayed it to the location necessary to display information below it. Extensions which did not previously show icons will have icons displayed.
Most of you will notice many more icons displayed with Symbionts. These extensions were always being loaded you probably just didn't know it.
"Show the extension size below the icon"
If the option is checked the amount of system memory used by the extension is displayed below the icon. The number is the amount of memory in bytes. See the Frequently Asked Questions section below for more information on this number.
"Show the extension name below the icon"
If the option is checked the name of the extension is displayed below the icon. The name will be truncated to the available space subject to the following option.
"Truncate End" vs "Truncate Middle"
Most extension file names will not display in the available space. Rather than spacing the display out to ridiculous spacing Symbionts truncates the name. You can choose to have the name truncated at the end or in the middle. You might choose to truncate in the middle if you language has significient endings or if you have several extensions that start with the same letters; for example, 'Apple...'.
"Show the extension name in the menu bar"
If the option is checked the name of the extension is displayed in the menu bar. The appearence will be identical to the display of an application name just after you launch it by double-clicking or the Finder's Open menu.
Below the Symbionts extension options are the Symbionts Control control panel options. These options control the information that is displayed in the control panel.
"Only show the extensions that load at startup"
Symbionts was written to manage system extensions that consume system memory and by default that is what shows up in the control panel. Several people; however, want to manage almost everything in the system folder from Symbionts. As a compromise Symbionts allows you at least view all the files in the special folders.
Symbionts Control defaults to showing only the Extension, Control Panels, and System Folder folders and then only those extensions that load at startup. The Fonts folder will also be shown if running System 7.1 or higher and the Control Strip Modules folder will be shown if the Control Strip is installed and supported by your machine. Unchecking the 'Only show the extensions that load at startup' check box will show all extensions and include the Apple Menu Items, Startup Items, and Shutdown Items folders.
"Confirm all changes"
If the option is checked confirmation dialogs are displayed when the current set is changed or extensions are to be moved. If you don't like confirmation dialogs just turn off the option. You'll still be prompted for changes that will cause files to be deleted, replaced, or otherwise lost.
"Keep empty '(Disabled)' folders"
Some people don't want the nasty disabled folders lying around in their system folders if their aren't any files in them. Personally, I like a tidy system folder so I don't want folders coming and going. Whatever your preference check or uncheck the option.
The Extensions Panel.
The extension panel displays a list of extensions or files in the folder selected in the icon column to the left. The panel shows the extensions icon, name, and size. It may optionally display status and version information for extensions or font information for font files or font suite cases. Disabled extensions will be displayed with a red (X) if you have a color monitor, a grey (X) if you're using a grey-scale monitor, or a black (X) if you're using a monocrome monitor across the icon. You can enable or disable a system extension by double clicking on the icon. Disabled extensions are placed in the appropriate "(Disabled)" folder the control panel is closed.
Views
The views menu customizes and orders the information displayed in the Extensions panel.
"by Large Icon" vs "by Small Icon"
Symbionts will display the extension icon in large 32x32 or small 16x16 form. Large icons tend to look better, but using the small icon option displays more extensions in the panel. When small icons are display there will not be space to display additional information about the extension. See Status, Version, and Font Info below.
"by Name" vs "by Size"
Symbionts will sort the list of extensions by name or decreasing size. Sorting by name makes it easier to find a specific extension, but sorting by size makes it easier to find those costly extensions.
"Show Status"
Status information is disabled only when viewing by large icon. The status information indicates if the extension is loaded or not and when it was last used. If you haven't used and extension for a long time you might consider deleting it and saving the disk space. Symbionts will also display the type of extension (shared library, component, etc.) which is mostly a geek thing, but if you want to know more see Inside Macintosh. If the extension is also a running background-only application or running application the size of the application heap is also shown. Again in tight memory conditions you might want to kill the application to conserve memory. Check out "About" by Mike Hecht if you're having problems killing background-only applications.
"Show Version"
If the option is checked the version of the extension is displayed below the extension name. Showing the version requires that each extension be opened which can slow the display of information.
"Show Font Info"
If the option is checked Symbionts will display the types of resources fonts have--Maps, Family's, and Sizes--which consume memory. The Map indicates that a resource map is currently in memory. The Family indication says a FOND resource is in memory. For each font size and style currently loaded in memory the font size in the style is displayed. For the most part you have no control over what is loaded short of disabling font files or suitecases. If you don't use a font it will typically only require a Map to be in memory which is typically small, a few hundred bytes. However, if you have lots of font files our don't use suitecases even small numbers can add up.
Sets
Symbionts allows you to create sets of systems extensions to quickly enable or disable extensions. Typically, you'll want to create a "Standard" set of extensions which you normally use, and special sets for those occasions when memory is tight.
"Remove Set"
Removes the selected set, the one with the bullet beside it. You'll be asked to confirm the remove just in case the your mouse slips.
"Rename Set"
Renames the selected set, the one with the bullet beside it. You'll be prompted to enter a new name for the set. Set names must be unique so you'll be warned if you've reusing a name.
"New Set"
Creates a new set. You'll be prompted to enter a unique name. You can choose to created the set from the current set, the one with the bullet beside it, or from a set of all extensions or a set of no extensions. Please use caution when creating sets with all extensions disabled. While Symbionts will not intentionally allow you to move required files like "System" and "Finder" you can on occasion remove an essential extension.
"Revert Set"
If you've made changes to a set this menu item will be enabled and if choosen revert the set to the state when last saved. By changes I mean enabling and disabling extensiosn. If you've trashed or deleted extensions reverting the set will in no way restore extension that may have once been in the set.
"Save Set"
Once your happy with the extensions you've enabled or disabled you can choose to save the set by selecting this menu item. The item is only enabled, ungrayed, if you've actually made changes. If you close the control panel without saving the set you'll see the standard "Save Changes" dialog for each modified set.
"Untitled Set"
If you have not created any sets or if the enabled extensions do not correspond to a user set this item will be the active set, the one with the bullet next to it.
User Sets
You can make any number of user sets using the New Set menu item. These sets are displayed just below the "Untitled Set". To switch the enabled/disabled extensions to a previously created set select one of these sets. Symbionts remembers the last set you choose and displays it when you open the control panel. If new extensions have been installed, remove, or moved you may be prompted to update the current set when you open the control panel. If you choose not to update the set this will be one of those times when the Untitled Set will become the active selected set.
Open
If an extension is selected in the Extension Panel the Open button will be enabled. Pressing the button will send the Open AppleEvent to the Finder to open the specified file. Control panels, fonts, desk accessories, and a few other files can be opened. For others the Finder will tell you the files purpose.
Info
If an extension is selected in the Extension Panel the Info button will be enabled. Pressing the button will send the Get Info AppleEvent to the Finder to Get Info about the specified file. This is exactly like selecting the file in a folder window and using the Get Info, command-I, menu item.
Yes, I wanted to do command-I for "Get Info" and command-O for "Open" but the Finder processes all key downs when the command key is pressed--even when a control panel is in the front window.
Trash/Delete
By default selected system extensions are moved to the Trash when the Trash button is pressed. If the option key is pressed the Trash button becomes the Delete button, and system extensions are immediately deleted when the Delete button is pressed.
The "!Symbionts" extension and its companion control panel "Symbionts Control" are shareware, and as such you are required to license it if you use it. For your convenience Nivek Research allows registrations to be paid via Kagi Shareware, Inc. See the accompanying Register application included with the Symbionts distribution.
The "!Symbionts" extension is currently distributed with other software packages. When so distributed it may be used freely with the software product with which it was distributed. If you receive the Symbionts extension as part of another software distribution you may purchase Symbionts Control by sending in the shareware registration fee. The "Symbionts Control" control panel is not and may not be distributed with other software packages.
Version 2.8.2
• Fixed problem displaying generic icons in the control panel if Appearence Manager is active and generally cleaned up Appearence Manager support.
Version 2.8.1
• Support for Mac OS 8.1
• Improved support for OpenTransport. Shows the current Configuration name during startup below the OpenTransport icon.
• Fixed imcompatibility with ColorSync 2.5 which closed it's own resource fork during startup.
• Fixed problem showing control panels folder icon if the icon isn't available in the system or if the appearence manager isn't open (say at startup).
• Redo code to draw icons so that 'FFIL', 'ffil', and 'tfil' arn't handled quite the same. We now show custom icons and support 'FFIL' files created by anyone.
Version 2.8
• Support for Mac OS 8.
• Prevent icon march from overlaying the Mac OS Logo during startup.
• Support opening the control panel in the absense of the Desktop Database Manager during startup which prevented the spacebar opening of the control panel. This also means that showing the icons is a little slower in the control panel.
• Support for system 7.6.1.
• DSAlert is not used during startup after system 7.6 so don't attempt to redraw it after an extension clears the screen.
Version 2.7
• Support for system 7.6.
• All registration now done through Kagi Shareware.
• Aliases in Startup/Shutdown folder get updated by Finder during startup/shutdown. This would confuse Symbionts into believing that the current set needed updating.
• If one changed the current set, but didn't save changes the alterations were made anyways.
• Better error message if moving files to and from disabled folders fails.
• Old DigiSign Extension patched Get1IndResource with a routine in the resource cplc=-16700 which was left purgeable. Symbionts sometimes caused the heap to be compacted purging the resource and causing a illegal instruction during startup.
• Pressing enter/return while a extension was highlighted failed to change the highlighting of the Sets menus to allow changes to be saved.
• Fixed text overwrite in control strip preference panel if changes pending restart message displayed and debugger not installed.
Version 2.6.3
• Symbionts extension failed to detect that the Display Manager extension cleared the screen during startup.
• PowerTalk Extension patched Get1IndResource with a routine in the resource cplc=-16700 which was left purgeable. Symbionts sometimes caused the heap to be compacted purging the resource and causing a illegal instruction during startup.
• Macsbug doesn't show up if disabled
• Macsbug doesn't show up if RamDoubler installed
Version 2.6.2
• New and improved User Guide section to the Readme.
• Added check for consistancy between current set and the contents of the special folders. If the two do not agree ask the user if the current set should be updated.
• Added "Keep empty '(Disabled)' folders" option. Folders will be created when Symbionts Control is first used. If the option is disabled empty folders will be deleted whenever the control panel is closed.
• Don't create "Control Strip Module (Disabled)" folder if Control Strip never installed. If the Control Strip Modules folder is known to the system (FindFolder knows about the folder) the "(Disabled)" folder will also be registered, but not created until first needed (subject to "Keep empty '(Disabled)' folders" option).
• Fixed bug which sometimes showed 'System' below the AppleTalk LAP icon instead of the appropriate port or phase 2 icon.
• Fixed bug in extension display refresh that caused the icons to be redrawn after each extension loaded on systems prior to 7.5 after an extension cleared the display.
• Fixed bug in extension display on PowerBook 100s.
• Fixed incompatibility with Classic Macintoshs (unimplemented trap).
Version 2.6.1
• Added support for label colors.
• Components ('thng's) now show up in extension list even if the 'only show extensions that load at startup' option is in effect; for example, the 'Apple Multimedia Tuner'. The size will be displayed as 'n/a' for not available yet!
• Multimedia tuner not showing up in list when "show extensions only"
• Fixed problem with 'Control Strip Modules (Disabled)' folder name exceeding the Hierarchical File System's maximum name length of 31 characters.
Version 2.6
• Include PowerPC patch, overlay, and "GoNative" extensions sizes in an extensions system heap foot-print size. On Power Macintosh only of course.
• Include system heap usage for Shared Libraries. Both PPC and CFM-68K.
• Include heap usage for Personal Messaging and Combined Service Access Modules when PowerTalk is installed.
• Startup display enhanced to slide under the Welcome to Macintosh alert or Mac™OS
logo under system 7.5.1.
• Font suitcase/file usage estimates are more accurate.
• Filter Monitor control panel extensions if 'only show extensions that load at startup' is checked.
• Add support for Control Strip Modules folder.
• Startup display enhanced to refreshed after an extension calls InitWindows.
• Fixed startup display problem with System 7.5.1.
• Fixed startup display problem with "Apple Multimedia Tuner".
• Fixed problem printing with QuickDraw GX installed.
Version 2.5
• Font suitcase/file usage now includes file and resource map overhead in the size.
• Application heap sizes shown for background application in the Extensions folder and Applications and Desk Accessories in the Startup Items folder.
• To eliminate confusion extensions that do not loaded at startup are not moved into or out of (Disabled) folders unless 'Only show extensions that load at startup' is unchecked.
• Startup Items and Fonts folders are now displayed even when 'Only show extensions that load at startup' is checked.
• Changed set checking to tighten the test for inclusion within a set. This may cause some items to be excluded; however, it will generally improve the use of sets. This change may also cause the save changes to a set dialog to be displayed, because information in the set is automatically updated when a set is selected.
• Symbionts Control sets the set menu to the last selected set when the control panel is opened and file information collected if and only if the set is still in effect (i.e. no manual changes, installations, etc. have taken place).
• The New Set dialog now displays the name of the set to be copied.
• Correctly handle extensions that choose to display more than one icon during startup.
• Support for the Modern Memory Manager.
• Support for System 7.5 Shutdown Items folder.
Version 2.4.3
• Fixed incompatibility with AccessPC and other extensions that create their own heaps at startup.
Version 2.4.2
• Support for users who have multiple keyboard scripts and Finder file/folder names in non-system scripts.
• Improved accuracy of memory usage numbers for some extensions, special conditions, and some Macintoshes.
• Some extensions want to remain open after startup; however, some do so
in a way that confuses Symbionts. Symbionts now compensates for the situation.
• Fixed problem with type ahead when typing to select an item in a list.
• Fixed problem which garbled the display just after registering under some conditions.
Version 2.4.1
• Startup Items panel now shows memory usage for Applications, Desk Accessories, etc. that are still running when the control panel is opened.
• Oops, I left a debugger trap in. Pressing the Trash button would produce unimplemented trap error or drop into the debugger.
• Fixed problem which caused name to overlay icon during startup if 'Show extension name below icon' is checked, but 'Show extension size below icon' is not.
Version 2.4
• Added view by large and small icons for those people who want more, but less.
• Added shareware notice and shareware registration and registration printing.
• Fonts panel now shows memory usage and other information for font files.
• Several speed improvements to List Manager processing. Especially sorting.
• Fixed incompatibility with System 7.1.1 (Pro). The PowerTalk Extension plays strange games with traps during startup which occasionally would cause problems during startup.
• Added a new check item to enable and disable the display of an extension's memory usage below each icon during startup.
• Added support for option clicking an extension icon. When an extension icon is option clicked it will ask the Finder to open and select the item in a standard Finder window.
• "Why is it called 'Symbionts'?"
When I went looking for a name one thought was persistent in my mind--the system and system extensions live together and mutually benefit one another. In biology this is known as symbiosis "the intimate living together of two dissimilar organisms in a mutually beneficial relationship." I was talking with a friend whose background was in biology about the similarities and he suggested the word "symbionts" and after looking up the definition in the dictionary I knew I had found the name.
sym.bi.ont \'sim-.bi--.a:nt, -be--\ \.sim-.bi--'a:nt-ik, -be--\ n [prob.
fr. G, modif. of Gk symbiount-, symbio-n, prp. of symb]ioun : an organism
living in symbiosis; esp : the smaller member of a symbiotic pair -
sym.bi.on.tic aj
• "Is Symboints PowerPC Native?"
Presently the Symbionts extension is not native. Why? Well, two reasons 1) The Macintosh boot code is still 680x0 code and most if not all 'INIT' extensions are really 680x0 code 2) Symbionts--unlike some extension managers--patchs no traps thereby avoiding performance problems introduced by patching PowerPC Toolbox calls with 680x0 code.
• "What does the number below each extension icon really represent?"
The number represents the amount of memory the extension allocated in the system heap or in high memory while loading which is not released back to the system. It does not take into account any change in the initial amount of memory allocated. Some extensions--almost none--may release memory later, and others--almost all--may allocate additional memory. For example, QuickTime 1.6 which uses about 20K at startup will use additional memory when playing a movie.
• "Could Symbionts prevent extensions like AppleShare from clearing the screen?"
It could. However, this means patching traps and using additional system memory both of which conflicted with two of the original goals of Symbionts--keep the system memory usage down and not leave remnants that would interfere with system operation. Symbionts will redraw the icons for all extensions loaded before the screen was cleared after the extension finishs loading.
• "Why are there new folders in my system folder with names liked 'Extensions (disabled)' after using Symbionts Control?"
Symbionts Control moves disabled system extensions into folders with the same name as their original folder but with the word '(disabled)' append to the end of the folder name. This naming convention was first introduced by Ricardo Batista in his software "Extensions Manager." By popular demand "Symbionts Control" uses the same folders and folder names as "Extensions Manager."
• "Why is the extension named '!Symbionts' and not 'Symbionts'?"
Currently system extensions in the 'Extensions' folder are loaded in alphabetical order. The exclamation point (!) is the first visible character in that ordering. Many extensions use a blank ( ), but I dislike the character since it is easily overlooked. In order for Symbionts to collect information for all extensions it must be loaded first; Hence, the name.
• "Is Symbionts incompatible with any other extensions?"
To my knowledge these are the only extensions which are incompatible:
IconWrap 1.2 - The conflict is not harmful; however, it does cause the icons displayed at startup to appear jumbled.
• When 'Confirm all changes (novice mode)' is checked and the Symbionts Control control panel is closed I may get a dialog asking to 'Save changes to some set' when no changes have been made. Why?
Symbionts Control will update information in a set whenever it is selected. This will cause you to receive the cautionary warning. It is best to save the set by pressing OK.
Problem #1
Recently, after installing Apple's AOCE beta-package I went to the 'About this Macintosh' menu to check out the memory usage on my Macintosh. I was completely blown away to discover that my System Software was now using 5.8MMMEGABYTES.
Problem #2
Lots of Extensions don't display icons during startup using Paul Mercer's and other's ShowINIT mechanism. This makes it difficult to even know that something is being loaded. It would have been nice if Apple had officially adopted (and not just acknowledged) Andy Capps' idea, but such is life.
Problem #3
Only a few Extensions which use Paul Mercer's ShowINIT mechanism understand the concept of wrapping up to the next row when the bottom row of icons runs off the right-hand edge of the screen. Thus, even those Extensions which display icons during startup may be unknown since they aren't visible.
Problem #4
I checked around the Internet, and various other places and pulled down several Application/Extensions which would produce nice detailed reports about every extension, the traps they patched, the traps they called, the vectors they patched, the memory they used, and more. While these reports were handy the information I was after--who was loaded and how much memory did they used--was hard to locate.
Solution
Symbionts extends Paul Mercer's ShowINIT mechanism to display icons for ALL extensions even if the extension does not display one itself. It also scrolls the list nicely so all extensions are visible on the screen, it displays the memory usage for each extension below its icon, and it allows the startup process to be paused to give the user a chance to read through the list.
The original author, B. Kevin Hardman, and current owner Nivek Research make no warranties, either express or implied, regarding the fitness of the "Symbionts" extension or the "Symbionts Control" control panel for any particular purpose. Use the "Symbionts" extension and the "Symbionts Control" control panel at your own risk. The author claims no liability for data loss or any other problems caused directly or indirectly by the "Symbionts" extension or "Symbionts Control" control panel.
