No, AutoCat‚Ñ¢ doesn't automatically feed the cat and put it out at night... (And I do not plan to add this functionnality in a future version, so please don't ask for it !)
AutoCat™ is a control panel that automatically creates a catalog of the files on your floppy disks (or on any other removable volume) when they are ejected. With AutoCat™, you have only to write the name of your disks on their label. To find a file, you can use the Finder™'s Find… command as though your file was on your hard disk.
AutoCat‚Ñ¢ is also a SHAREWARE program : if you like it enough to use it, you are required to pay the $10 shareware fee. There is more information about this in the Paying for AutoCat‚Ñ¢ section. Thanks in advance !
The Philosophy of AutoCat‚Ñ¢
When I decided to write a catalog utility, I wanted to have an automatic cataloger, because I didn't want to open an application, then to click somewhere to catalog a disk, and I wanted to be sure the catalog was always up-to-date. Therefore, AutoCat‚Ñ¢ is automatic.
The next problem was to build a nice interface to browse the catalog. After a few days of intensive mental activity, I understood that the best interface to navigate through a disk was the Finder‚Ñ¢ ! I had two solutions : to write a Finder‚Ñ¢-like interface (which cannot be as perfect as the Finder‚Ñ¢), or to use the Finder‚Ñ¢ itself (but how ?).
Apple introduced aliases with their fantastic System 7, so the solution was simple : create aliases of all files on the disks and put them in a folder on the hard disk.
AutoCat‚Ñ¢ was designed to be as transparent as possible. Once you have indicated your preferences (and paid your shareware fee...), AutoCat‚Ñ¢ is set so you can forget it. To locate a file you know is stored on a volume not currently mounted or on a diskette somewhere near, but not in, your Macintosh, simply use the Find... command or navigate manually through your disk. No application to run, nothing to do. Just type [Command] [F] when you need a file on a removable disk. I must admit that I really love this command : sometimes, when I am searching for something in my room, I have the reflex to type [Command] [F], as if I were in front of my Mac ! (Yes, I should probably consult my Doctor immediately...)
You can always assume the required file is on your hard disk, and when the Mac needs to read from it, it will just ask you to insert the corresponding volume. It cannot be simpler and intuitive !
About this Help
Just select the topics you want in the pop-up menu above. AutoCat‚Ñ¢ also supports Balloon Help ; to show the balloons, you can use the Help menu in the Finder‚Ñ¢, or simply select the checkbox close to the Help symbol in AutoCat‚Ñ¢. Since the Help contains some important information and tips, I recommend that you read it.
