Type Shuffler Read Me

TypeShuffler 1.0.4 for Mac OS October 6, 1998 Introduction TypeShuffler is a drag and drop utility that allows you to change the file type and creator codes of files that are dropped on top of it. TypeShuffler provides you with a configurable database of creator codes so that you can easily change files to a common file type and creator. Background Each file in the Mac OS file system has two four-character codes associated with it. One is the creator code which identifies the application, control panel, or other system entity which created the file. The second is the file type which, as you might guess, is the actual type of the file, such as 'TEXT' for text files and 'PICT' for picture files. The Finder uses this information to display the proper icon for the file and to know which application to open if the file is double clicked on. Changing this information allows you to change this behavior. For example, you could change the creator code of a picture file so that it's opened by SimpleText instead of ClarisWorks. Be careful. This can obviously lead to some problems if you change files to inappropriate types. For example, if you were to change a text file into a picture file, any application trying to open this "picture" file may crash because it would clearly be an invalid picture. Features You can drop any number of files onto the TypeShuffler application to change their file type and creator codes. In addition, you can also drop any number of folders containing files onto the application. When TypeShuffler is first opened, it will display the file type and creator codes of the first file that it finds among the files that were dropped onto it. In the top right corner of the dialog you will also see the icon that is associated with the current file type and creator. This icon will be updated whenever the file type and creators codes are changed. TypeShuffler can also make use of Internet Config for dropped files which are of a generic type or are text files, and have a file extension, such as ".SIT". It will ask Internet Config to find a corresponding file type and creator for the file extension in its file mappings. If found, TypeShuffler will display these values in its window. To change the file type and/or creator codes of the dropped files, type the codes that you want into the appropriate edit fields in the dialog. You can also use the pop-up menus to change the file type and creator codes. The codes are changed only after the "OK" button is clicked. Under Mac OS 8.0 and later, once the TypeShuffler window is open, you can drag files onto the open window to set the file type and creator code instead of using the pop-up menus. The pop-up menu of file types comes from the desktop database of the computer. The desktop database stores information about applications, control panels, and other system entities which create files. If the "Mac OS Easy Open" control panel is installed, a brief description of the file type is used …