A Better Finder Creators & Types
Author: Frank Reiff
Shareware: $10.00
http://www.publicspace.net/ABetterFinderCreatorsAndTypes
Many readers may remember my review of Frank Reiff’s A Better Finder Rename, back in October, 1998. A Better Finder Rename enabled you to automatically rename batches of files through a contextual menu in the finder. Similarly, A Better Finder Creators & Types (referred to as ABFCT from this point on) allows you to change the creator and/or type of any file via an application launched through a contextual menu plug-in.
ABFCT will change the creator and/or type of a large batch of files all at once, eliminating the need to manually “Save As…” from the program which you want to be the creator (the program that is opened when you double click on the file). Another way to do this would be with ResEdit, but this would be even more time consuming. ABFCT is a no-fuss program. It has a very well-done interface, allowing you to simply select the creator and/or type from a pop-up menu and then click “OK.” ABFCT also allows you to type in a creator and/or type code, so you can give a file any code you want, not just the codes of the programs listed in the pop-up menu. ABFCT is very fast, and your file(s)’ creator and/or types are changed instantly.
ABFCT also ships with a handy “Drop” application, where you can drag and drop any number of files onto it and it will launch ABFCT, just as if you were using the contextual menu.
The Summary
ABFCT is another ingenious utility by Frank Reiff that fully exploits Mac OS 8.x’s contextual menus. It is fast and runs smoothly without a hitch. If you work with foreign files frequently, or like to open files in two or more different applications, ABFCT is for you. $10.00 is the right flavor for this top-notch piece of shareware. Highly Recommended.
Download A Better Finder Creators & Types 1.4
QT Speed 1.0
Author: Mark Eaton
Freeware
http://www.mindspring.com/~markeaton/QTSpeed.html
Owning a PowerBook is different, and many desktop users don’t realize how much different it really is until they own one. When I was a desktop user, I never imagined that I would have to literally reconfigure my machine several times a week. Now, however, I’m the proud owner of a PowerBook G3–a machine that I take almost everywhere I go. Every time I change location preferences using Apple’s handy Location Manager, I am more and more thankful for this wonderful software. However, there was always one setting that the Location Manager didn’t change: QuickTime Connection Speed. QT Speed, by Mark Eaton, has filled that gap nicely.
In today’s world, QuickTime movies imbedded via the QuickTime Plug-in on Internet web pages are commonplace. Many web pages include different versions of their movies, and the version that you receive depends on the connection speed setting you have in your QuickTime Settings control panel. I switch between a modem and a T1 connection frequently, and having to reconfigure this setting each time I browse the web is a hassle. That’s where QT Speed 1.0 comes in. I can configure this module along with the rest of my Location settings, and it will automatically change my settings each time I switch settings with the Location Manager.
The Summary
What a useful piece of software! QT Speed makes life with my PowerBook easier, and that is what matters most. Go try it, it’s free! There is no excuse not to. Highly Recommended for all PowerBook owners who use Apple’s Location Manager.
Download QT Speed 1.0.1
Trash It! 3.6
Company: Skidperfect Software, Inc.
Freeware
http://www.pair.com/ammon/skidperfect
Trash It! is a simple control strip module that allows you to instantly delete anything that you drag and drop onto it. It will also empty the trash if you click on it. Trash It! will delete locked or busy files without any prompting, and is fully Mac OS 8.5.x and Control Strip 2.0 compatible. Cool!
The Summary
Trash It! is a neat control strip module that can be a big time saver–if used properly. However, it can also be a dangerous feature if left in the hands of a novice or beginning user. Thus I can recommend Trash It! for advanced users but I cannot recommend it for advanced users who also share their computer with less-experienced users.
Download Trash It! 3.6
Requirements/Availability: A Better Finder Creators & Types requires a PowerPC Macintosh running Mac OS 8.x. QT Speed 1.0 requires Apple’s Location Manager, and Trash It! 3.6 requires Apple’s control strip software. All three of these utilities can be downloaded at their respective URLs.
Adam Karneboge
webmaster@mymac.com
Websites mentioned:
http://www.publicspace.net/ABetterFinderCreatorsAndTypes
http://www.mindspring.com/~markeaton/QTSpeed.html
http://www.pair.com/ammon/skidperfect
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