The TypeRighter Suite brings unique and simple type changing utility to the Macintosh.
The TypeRighter Contextual Menu Plug-in adds functionality to Macintosh contextual menus, allowing you to manipulate the creator and type of any number of files selected within the finder. You can copy and paste creator and type information between files, manually edit the creator and type information, or have it set automatically (with the help of Internet Config). From version 1.2, you can also set the creator and type of any number of files using a seperately specified file as an example.
For Macintosh systems runnning System 7, the TypeRighter application can be used to automatically set the creator and type of files, by a simple drag'n'drop action. The application can process any number of files, folders, and disks. Manual editing of the creator and type information of individual files is also included.
What's New?
Version 1.2 adds the ability to set the creator and type of any number of files using a seperately specified file as an example.
Features
The contextual menu plug-in can:
• Copy creator and type information from files.
• Paste copied creator and type information to other files.
• Set the creator and type of a file, or group of files, to be the same as a user specified example file.
Both the application and the contextual menu plug-in can:
• Automatically set the creator and type of a file, or group of files, based on its filename extension (requires Internet Config).
• Manually set the creator and type of files.
Background Information
The MacOS Finder uses the creator of a document to work out which application owns it. It uses this information to choose which application to launch when the document is double clicked. For example, the text editor BBEdit has creator 'R*ch'. All documents created by BBEdit will have this creator. If you want text documents to be opened in BBEdit when they are double-clicked then their creator should be set to 'R*ch'.
The type of a document is used to describe the contents of that document. For example, 'TEXT' (plain text files), 'HTML' (HTML files), 'MooV' (QuickTime movie). The file type is used by your Macintosh to decide which other applications can open a document if its creator/owner is unavailable.
Who Needs It?
There are many different applications which create a great array of different document types. If you ever need to open application which you didn't create then you need the tools within the TypeRighter Suite.
Maybe you download picture files from the internet. Or you get sent sound files from a colleague who works on a Windows-based PC. All you know is that the file ends with .TIF or .WAV. The TypeRighter Suite tools will automatically set the creator of selected documents to that of your favourite relevant application, as specified in your Internet Config settings. It will also ensure that the document type is correctly set.
Maybe you want to force a certain application to open a document that you know it can handle. Then you can manually set it's creator and type so that it will be recognised properly by the application.
Requirements
In order to make use of the TypeRighter Contextual Menu Plug-in you will need:
• an Apple Power Macintosh, or compatible
• Mac OS 8.0, or better
• the following in your Extensions folder:
o Contextual Menu Extension
o SOMobjects™ for Mac OS
In order to make use of the TypeRighter application you will need:
• a 68020 Apple Macintosh or better; or an Apple Power Macintosh, or compatible
• Mac OS 7.1, or better
• the following in your Extensions folder:
o Appearance Extension
To make full use of the suite's features you will also need:
• Internet Config
When available, the TypeRighter Contextual Menu Plug-in makes full use of:
• Navigation Services
Note: You can obtain the Appearance Extension, Contextual Menu Extension, and SOMobjects™ for Mac OS by downloading the Appearance and Contextual Menu SDKs from Apple's internet site.
Note: The latest version of Internet Config can be obtained from The Lightning Foundry web site, <http://www.lightningfoundry.com/>, or also from the official Internet Config FTP site, <ftp://ftp.quinn.echidna.id.au/Others/Quinn/Config/>.
Installation
The TypeRighter application can be located anywhere on your Macintosh hard drive. It is, however, recommended that you leave an alias on the desktop for easy drag'n'drop of files that need to be processed.
The TypeRighter Contextual Menu Plug-in should be placed in the Contextual Menu Items folder inside the System Folder, or just drop it on your closed System Folder icon and it will automatically be placed there for you. You may need to restart your Macintosh.
It's as easy as that.
How To...
Using the TypeRighter Contextual Menu Plug-in
Simply control-click on any item, in a Finder window or on the desktop, to make a contextual menu appear. The TypeRighter menu item will appear if the selected file, or files, can have their creator and types manipulted by the contextual menu plug-in. You then have the following choices:
• Auto TypeRight - will automatically set the creator and type information of the selected file(s) based on the settings of Internet Config. (Only available if Internet Config is installed, and the file(s) can be automatically processed.)
• Manual TypeRight... - allows you to manually edit the creator and type information of the selected file(s).
• TypeRight By Example... - displays a dialog asking the user to select a file whose creator and type information is then applied to each file previously selected in the Finder.
• Copy Creator & Type - copies the creator and type information, of the selected file, to the clipboard. This information can then be pasted on to other files with the next command. (Only available when a single file is selected.)
• Paste Creator & Type - pastes creator and type information onto the selected file(s). This has the effect of setting each selected file to have the same creator and type as the file that the infomation was copied from. (Only available when creator and type information has previously been copied to the clipboard from a file.)
Using the TypeRighter application
To automatically set the creator and type of a file, or group of files, simply drag'n'drop the file(s) on the TypeRighter application. Alternatively you can launch the TypeRighter application, then choose Auto TypeRight from the File menu. You can then choose a file, folder, or disk, for automatic processing. (Only available if Internet Config is installed, and the file(s) can be automatically processed.)
To manually set the creator and/or type of a file, launch the TypeRighter application, then choose Manual TypeRight... from the File menu. You can then choose the file whose creator or type you wish to alter.
Purchasing
This software is shareware, which means that if you use it then you must pay for it. You are free to use it for up to 30 days. After this trial period you must either remove all parts of the TypeRighter Suite from your Macintosh, or purchase a licence for it.
Prices start at US$15, for a single machine licence.
Why Purchase this Software?
• On purchasing The TypeRighter Suite you will be sent information on how to disable the purchasing reminder dialogs which occassionally popup in the unregistered version.
• Purchasing The TypeRighter Suite entitles you to free upgrades to the application, the plug-in, and all future TypeRighter products. It also provides you with free email technical support.
You can purchase a licence to use The TypeRighter Suite, via Kagi Shareware, by the following methods:
Purchasing a Licence Online
You can purchase licences to all Lightning Foundry software online at <http://order.kagi.com/?7E>.
Purchasing a Licence Offline
You can also purchase licences to Lightning Foundry products by using the Register application. Just follow these simple instructions:
1) Get a copy of the Register application
The Register application is distributed with the software you want to register, and is also available from The Lightning Foundry FTP site on the Internet, <ftp://www.lightningfoundry.com/products/>.
2) Launch the Register application, and fill out the form
You need to enter your name, email and (optionally) postal addresses, and select the products which you wish to purchase. The form accepts many different payment methods such as: US Check, Money Order, Cash (in many different currencies), Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Invoice (to be given to your accounts payable department).
3) Send your payment/information to Kagi Shareware
If you choose to pay by credit card, you can then email the data generated by the Register application, or print it and send it via postal mail or fax. Credit card information is encoded by the Register program.
If you choose to pay by cash or US check, you will have to print the data created by the register application and send it via postal mail.
The addresses to send the completed form are:
Email: shareware@kagi.com
Facsimile: +1 510 652 6589
Postal mail:
Kagi Shareware
1442-A Walnut Street PMB #392-7E
Berkeley,
California, 94709-1405
USA
Payments to Kagi Shareware sent via email are processed within 3 to 4 days. You will receive an email acknowledgement when the payment has been processed. Payments sent via fax take up to 10 days, and will also receive an email acknowledgement if you provide a valid internet email address. Payments sent via postal mail take time to reach Kagi, and then up to 10 days for processing. Again, if you include a correct email address, you will hear from Kagi when the form is processed.
You can also receive a postal receipt on payment of an extra $1 processing fee. This option is chosen from within the Register application.
Purchasing a Licence in UK Pounds Sterling
UK residents can purchase licences to Lightning Foundry products by making payment direct.
Send cash (by recorded delivery) or cheques to the value £10 (UK Pounds Sterling only) to:
The Lightning Foundry
45 Tarry Road
Arbroath
DD11 4BD
United Kingdom
Please write 'The TypeRighter Suite' on the back of any cheques sent.
Site Licences
University, school, or company site licence: US$300 (UK£200)
Worldwide license: US$1500 (UK£1000)
A site license covers usage of The TypeRighter Suite on an unlimited number of machines, within 50 kilometres (31 miles) of some arbitrary central point, which are owned by the licensed organisation.
Worldwide licences remove the 50 kilometre (31 mile) radius restriction, and allows usage of The TypeRighter Suite on an unlimited number of machines, anywhere on Earth, which are owned by the licensed organisation.
Technical Support
If any assistance is required while using any part of The TypeRighter Suite, The Lightning Foundry web site's Technical Support section, <http://www.lightningfoundry.com/support.html>, is available to help solve your problems.
Registered users are entitled to free email technical support via: support@lightningfoundry.com
Version History
1.2 (1999/11/23)
• Added the ability to set the creator and type of files to be the same as a seperately specified file.
1.1 (1999/05/24)
• Added the ability to copy and paste creator and type information between files.
1.0.1 (1999/01/27)
• Fixed a bug which could cause the application to fail if the Internet Config Extension was not installed.
1.0 (1999/01/25)
• First public release.
Distribution
You may distribute this software any way you wish as long as you don't make a charge for it. You must distribute the package in its entirety. Compilers of shareware CD compilations should request permission before including the contents of this package.
Disclaimer
The Lightning Foundry hereby disclaim all warranties relating to this software, whether express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The Lightning Foundry will not be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or similar damages due to loss of data or any other reason, even if The Lightning Foundry or an agent of theirs has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall The Lightning Foundry be liable for any damages, regardless of the form of the claim. The person using the software bears all risk as to the quality and performance of the software.
If you don't agree to those terms then please refrain from using the software contained in this package.
Acknowledgements
The Lightning Foundry would like to thank Apple and Metrowerks for providing the operating system and tools with which this software was created. Special thanks goes to Peter N Lewis and Quinn "The Eskimo" for Internet Config. Finally, a big thank you also goes out to the external testers who provider valuable feedback during the development and testing of this software.
Sine quo non.
Contact Information
Email: info@lightningfoundry.com
The Lightning Foundry
45 Tarry Road
Arbroath
DD11 4BD
United Kingdom
The most current version of The TypeRighter Suite is always available for download via our web site: <http://www.lightningfoundry.com/>.
