CopyDoubler 2.0—more than a cure the slow finder blues
By Tom Pitts
One complaint against System 7 has been that it is slow, particularly with Finder functions such as file copying and emptying the trash. Apple released System 7 Tuner for use with Systems 7.0 and 7.0.1 to correct this problem. The functions of the Tuner were included in System 7.1 so that one need not and should not use System 7 Tuner with this version. Most folks feel that the speed of Finder functions has been boosted markedly with this improvement. I know I was quite satisfied. However, it seems we might have been missing something.
Fifth Generation Systems, Inc., purveyor of many fine Mac programs, offers a solution to the problematic sluggishness of System 7 Finder functions. CopyDoubler™ is a Control Panel/extension that works transparently in the background with System 7 to improve the speed and functionality of Finder actions. It is particularly touted for those who use the Finder for copying large numbers of files and for backing up. The recent upgrade to version 2.0 makes CopyDoubler a productivity tool for offices and networks as well. Among the claims listed on the box are that it “Saves time by copying files about three times faster than the System 7 Finder; Reduces the risk of data loss; Speeds backups; Empties trash up to 10 times faster.” CopyDoubler, says the box, “is the Mac tool every System 7 user should have.” Can that really be true? Let’s take a close look.
Basically instinctual…
Installation of CopyDoubler is simple—just insert the disk and click on the installer. Once you restart, it’s in action. Access it in the Control Panels Folder. From its Control Panel interface you can select its preferences. (See Figure 1.) The default settings are the best for most Mac users. If you have some special needs you can configure it in the preferences windows.
As shown in Figure 1, you have a number of preference options available from the window. Most of the options available in the Fast Copy Preferences window, Figure 2, left, are best left unchecked. Should you wish, you may force CopyDoubler to copy files’ Finder icons or “Get Info…” comments when those files are copied, by selecting the appropriate boxes in the preferences settings. However, this requires more time for copying, in part defeating the purpose of CopyDoubler. Because the icons are usually supplied by the Finder from the Desktop files and the creating application, it should not be necessary to copy the icons.
You may force CopyDoubler to do all of its copying in the background. However, anytime a copy is in progress you may resume working by simply clicking in an open application window. Thus, background copying is always available without checking this box.
Another option most users should avoid is that which allows CopyDoubler to replace locked files without a warning during the copying process. Normally, if a file is locked it can not be overwritten by another file. This prevents accidental data loss. If you select this option you eliminate this protection that is part of the Mac system software to which you are accustomed.
As a rule the Finder verifies all copies to floppy disks—but not those to hard disks or removable cartridges. The default of CopyDoubler is to verify writes to floppies and to removable media. However, should you wish, you may set CopyDoubler to verify all copies, including those to another hard disk. This will increase the time required to copy to a hard disk by about 50%. The CopyDoubler 1.0 manual suggested that this verification option is useful if you have a hard disk that you do not trust—thus reducing the risk of data loss. However do not take this as advice that CopyDoubler can protect your data from loss. If a hard disk or SCSI chain is having problems of which you are unaware, repeated verification error messages from CopyDoubler can be a good clue that something is amiss. If you have a hard disk you don’t think is working correctly, get it checked by a competent technician. For Data’s sake don’t use that hard disk for backups!
Options not shown in Figure 2 are intended for users of Fifth Generation Systems’ AutoDoubler 2.0.1. CopyDoubler can expand files that have been compressed with AutoDoubler as it copy them. This is useful for those who copy files to give to someone who does not use AutoDoubler. Alternatively, CopyDoubler can compress files as it copies them, a feature useful if you want to back up your files in compressed format.
Oscar loves ’em
The most important options in the Fast Empty Trash Preferences are those for deleting locked files and “security” erasing files. (See Figure 2, right.) Normally, neither the Finder nor CopyDoubler will delete locked files from the trash unless you depress the Option key as you select Empty Trash from the Finder’s Special menu. This prevents inadvertent loss of locked files. You may force CopyDoubler to always delete locked files by selecting this option in the Fast Empty Trash Preferences, but you must consider the possibility of accidental data loss should you do so. There is little need for this option because you can always delete locked files manually should the need arise—and the Finder tells you how to do so in case you can’t remember. (See Figure 3.)
Under typical operation, a trashed file is deleted from the Finder’s catalog of files but remains on your disk until it is overwritten during the course of your work. This is why some “erased” files can be recovered by programs like Norton Utilities. When you select the “Security Erase” option CopyDoubler completely overwrites the file, thereby preventing its accessed by unwelcome hackers, and by your recovery program. Also, security erasing requires more time, thus slowing trash emptying. The option is best avoided unless you have confidential files that you must completely erased from your disk.
The third selection in the Fast Empty Trash Preferences is that for forcing CopyDoubler to empty the trash in the background. This option offers little utility because emptying the trash is usually so fast that you won’t spent much time waiting for it to finish. Hey, use those few seconds while the trash empties to close your tired eyes and stretch your aching back.
Sound advice
With version 2.0, CopyDoubler now supports alert sounds which are set in the Sound Preferences window. (See Figure 4.) If you like to be beeped, quacked, and eeped at, you’ll enjoy these options. This is particularly useful for those who use the background and delayed copying features. You may use any sound that is installed in the System file. Be creative and surprise your office co-workers.
CopyDoubler in action
Once you have installed CopyDoubler and configured its preferences, you’re ready to get back to work and let it do its thing, …er, things. You’ll notice first that CopyDoubler replaces the normal Finder copy progress dialog box with one of its own. (See Figure 5.) If perhaps you are a truly obsessive person or if you want to check on a copy in progress, you can get a detailed file copy progress box. (See Figure 6.) Just click on the triangle at the lower right corner of either window to toggle between compressed and expanded views.
Futuristic feature
If you depress the Control key as you copy you will get a dialog window offering even more options—a feature added with version 2.0. (See Figure 7.) On the fly, you can copy without CopyDoubler, or temporarily eliminate alerts and enable/disable verification during copying. These options increase the flexibility of working with CopyDoubler.
Among the best and most powerful features introduced with version 2.0 is delayed copying. Select the “Later With CopyDoubler” radio button shown in the dialog box in Figure 7, and the default “Copy” button changes to a “Schedule…” button, prompting you to schedule your delayed copying. This gives you a dialog with numerous options. (See Figure 8.) Those working in professional situations such as offices and on networks will find this an excellent boost to productivity. For example, backups to other hard disks, even those across a network, can be scheduled to suit the needs of virtually any situation imaginable. You may also queue up several delayed copies and edit them later by selecting the “Copy Schedule…” box in the Control Panel window shown in Figure 1. Don’t be daunted by the complexity of the Schedule Setup box. It is intuitive enough so that even a home Mac user can set up a delayed copy to back up to another hard disk. Backing up your data has never been this easy.
Get smart…
Another excellent feature of CopyDoubler, particularly so for those who back up using the Finder or synchronize files from a PowerBook to a desktop Mac, is Fast Replace, which was called Smart Replace in version 1.0. I like to back up by copying files and folders from one hard disk to another—it’s faster than the standard backup program that I use periodically to back up to floppies. In the past, for example, I dragged my “Work In Progress” folder onto the icon of another hard disk and the Finder copied all the files in that folder replacing the contents of the corresponding destination folder—rewriting even those files that had not been altered. The process is slowed because of the unnecessary rewriting.
CopyDoubler facilitates this approach nicely. First it warns you that you are about to overwrite another folder of the same name. (See Figure 9.) It does this because Finder and CopyDoubler both replace the contents of the identically named destination folder with that of the folder you are copying, eliminating any files within the destination folder that are not contained in the copied folder. This is a well known Mac principle, one not changed by CopyDoubler. When you select the Fast Replace button, it checks to see what files have been changed, then copies only those files. When it has finished, it somewhat proudly tells you what it has done. (See Figure 10.) Fast Replace is aptly named—it’s quick and a terrific time saver.
Schedule smarter and faster
A very powerful attribute of CopyDoubler is that folders added to the delayed copy queue may remain there across shut downs as “permanent” members of the list—permanent until you remove them, of course. Thus, with Fast Replace, delayed copying, and creative use of aliases, backups are easier than I ever imagined. For example, I merely added my “Work In Progress” folder to the copy queue by depressing the Control key as I dragged the folder to a conveniently located alias of a folder on another disk, and set the delayed copy for each Shutdown. Copying is done in the background at shutdown and only the changed files are copied due to Fast Replace. Backing up changed files at the end of each work session is a no brainer—something all of us need. This capability alone makes CopyDoubler worth its weight in silicon.
Also worth mention…
If you do a lot of copying, such as a network operator does, background copying lets you queue up copies as you work. Just send CopyDoubler to the background and make additional copies as you need—it will get to them in their turn.
Put on the lab coat…
To determine if CopyDoubler could live up to its claims of speed, I put both Finder 7.1 and CopyDoubler 2.0 through a series of identical file and folder copying and trash emptying tests. I created three files, 1 MB, 1.8 MB and 2.8 MB in size. In addition, I prepared three folders as follows: 700K (21 files); 2.5 MB (61 files); and 9 MB (89 files). In the series of tests, each conducted in two or more replicates, each test file or folder was copied from internal to external hard drive, copied between external hard drives, copied to floppy disks where appropriate, and emptied from the trash. The time required for each task was recorded and multiple determinations were averaged. The hardware setup was an SE/30, internal hard drive, two external hard drives, internal 1.4 MB floppy drive, and external 800K floppy drive. System 7.1 was used, with the memory cache set at 512K and virtual memory disabled. CopyDoubler’s default settings were used. (Background music was Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony.)
Emptying the trash
We can get the “unpleasant” news out of the way first. CopyDoubler did little to improve the time required to empty the trash, even when it was very full. In all fairness, I should say that this is because emptying the trash was not very slow to begin with. Without CopyDoubler the single files were trashed in 2 seconds and the folders in 3–7 seconds. With CopyDoubler, the single files disappeared in only 1–2 seconds and the folders took 2–8 seconds. A whopping 18 MB load (two copies of the 9 MB folder) cleared in only 12–13 seconds—CopyDoubler or no! Because the trash takes so little time to empty anyway, this should not be a major disappointment to anyone. Moreover, under less artificial conditions, such as if you fill up the trash over the course of a day’s work then empty it, the time may well be reduced.
Copies to floppies
If you do a lot of copying to floppy disks and had hoped CopyDoubler would be your liberator, don’t get too excited. The problem is that all writes to floppy disks are limited by the speed (or lack thereof) of the floppy drive. Also, such writes are, or should be, verified. That takes a fair bit of time—in my tests, about 40% of the entire time required for the copying process. Copying the 700K folder to an external 800K floppy required 97 seconds with the Finder alone, and 81 seconds with CopyDoubler, a reduction of only 16%. Copying the same 700K folder to an internal 1.4 MB floppy disk took 80 seconds without and 65 seconds with CopyDoubler, a respectable but unsensational 19% reduction. The 1 MB file took 94 seconds to copy to the internal floppy disk with the Finder alone but only 64 seconds with CopyDoubler, 32% less time. (See Figure 11.) Depending on your hardware and how many copies you must make to floppy disks, these moderate savings could become substantial over the course of a work session.
Files and folders
When it came to copying files and folders between hard drives, CopyDoubler lived up to its name—literally. With files and folders over 1 MB, CopyDoubler cut the time in half—for internal to external hard drive copies and for external to external hard drive copies, as well. (See Figure 12.) To be pragmatic about this, the actual time saved for copies under 2 MB was small, only 4–7 seconds. The improvement was more dramatic with the larger, more complex copies, such as the 2.5 and 9 MB folders which, respectively, required 25 and 72 fewer seconds with CopyDoubler.
A word of caution
The SE/30, on which these tests were performed, has a relatively slow 16 Hz, 68030 CPU. Your results may differ a good bit. CopyDoubler improves copy times by about 50% on most Macs. However, the actual amount of time saved by CopyDoubler may vary with the speed of the machine. Thus, on an older Mac, such as an SE or Mac II, a 50% savings may be more dramatic than a 50% savings obtained, for example, on an LC III or a Quadra. That is, 50% of a minute is more impressive than 50% of 15 seconds. Similarly, the speed and condition of the hard drives can influence the results.
Alternatives
I would be remiss if I failed to tell you that CopyDoubler is not the only way to speed up System 7. If you don’t need such niceties as background copying, delayed copying, security erasing and Fast Replace, and you just want to boost the speed of your system software, there are alternatives. I recommend you try System 7 Pack!, an excellent, easy to use $30 shareware program that can improve the functionality of many Finder actions, including file copying speed, without introducing any potential conflicts with other software such as extensions or applications. I put it through the speed tests and the improvement I gained from it was almost equal to that afforded by CopyDoubler, especially for copying items less than 3 MB. (See Figure 13.) System 7 Pack! is available from user groups and electronic bulletin boards such as America Online, CompuServe, and local BBSes.
By the way, in pursuit of real speed, I used System 7 Pack! to modify the Finder and added CopyDoubler 2.0. Then I repeated the speed tests. (Maybe I need a real life, huh?) Unfortunately, this combination did not further reduce the copying time in my tests compared to the improvements produced by CopyDoubler 2.0 with an unmodified Finder. Well, at least I was adventurous!
The bottom line
On the negative side, I doubt CopyDoubler reduces risk of data loss. If you enable the Security Erase option and allow it to delete or overwrite locked files, you probably increase that risk. Similarly, if you think that its ability to verify writes to a questionable hard disk really increases the safety of your data, you are courting disaster. Even if your files were verified, they can be lost later when that hard disk proves you were correct to worry about it. But don’t let this cloud the issue.
Without a doubt, CopyDoubler can increase, even double, the speed of file and folder copying. It is easy to use, and the concise, well written manual will guide you through any rough spots or questions. (I used the manual for CopyDoubler 1.0.1 for this review, since the new manual for version 2.0 had not shipped at press time. Salient and Fifth Generation Systems are well known for excellent user manuals.) Its Balloon Help may be activated within individual modules, one of the best implementations of Balloon Help I have seen. Your gain in speed will depend on your Mac and other hardware. Your productivity will benefit more if you normally do a good deal of copying large files and folders, especially those over 2–3 MB, between hard drives. CopyDoubler makes backing up to another hard disk a breeze, due as much to delayed copying and Fast Replace features as to the faster copying speed. CopyDoubler, though perhaps not the Mac tool that every System 7 user should have, will be a welcome aid to many System 7 users. I recommend it enthusiastically—something I don’t often do.
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