SYSTEM 6.0 - Making the most of New Features
By Wayne Short
Copyright (c) 1992 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
Part One - Finder Extensions
The Apple engineers that developed System 6.0 for the Apple IIGS have provided it with a great deal of flexibility for programmers that like coding small accessories (CDEVs, INITs, NDAs etc) which allow customization of your computer system.
These while not being 'full-blown' applications simplify your tasks and therefore reduce the time in performing them.
In this series of articles I intend to provide details of what programs are available, their cost and how to obtain them. (the AUG's own disk library will be featuring a large number of these in the forthcoming months). In this course of this I also will be featuring some of the enhancements to GS/OS version 6.0 and how to take advantage of them.
EXTRAs! EXTRAs!
A Finder Extension is a program that adds new options to version 6.0 and later of the IIGS Finder. Most Finder Extensions show up in a special "Extras" menu at the end of the Finders menu bar and do not operate outside of the Finder.
System 6.0 introduces a new set of toolbox programming calls that provide Inter-Application Communication (IAC). The simple mechanism is provided via two toolbox calls, SENDREQUEST and ACCEPTREQUEST. The Finder uses these to broadcast what it is doing to any finder extension that wants to listen.
Most finder Extensions are INITS that are stored on disk in either the *:System:Sytem.Setup folder or the *:System:Finder.Extras folder. So where should you put yours? Well if the extension in question is purely a Finder Extension, (i.e. it works only within the Finder) you should put it into the FinderExtras folder. (Note that when you install System 6.0, the folder FinderExtras is not created for you, you must create it yourself!!) However, if the extension is an INIT that can also work outside the Finder (i.e. it's an INIT that just happens to do some neat extra things inside the Finder), you should keep it in the System.Setup folder.
Another tradeoff for keeping a Finder extension in the FinderExtras folder is that it will only use memory when the Finder is running (important for people with small memory systems), but the Finder will take longer to startup because the extension needs to be loaded every time the Finder Starts. If the Finder Extension resides in the System.Setup folder, less time is used when the Finder starts up but the extension is always using memory even when the Finder isn't running. You will also probably notice a colourful "icon" associated with the INIT appear at System boot time to indicate its loading into memory.
Already there is a growing list of Finder Extensions:
1. QUICKLAUNCH Version 1.0 by Steve Stepenson and Seven Hills Software 1991-92.
QuickLaunch allows users to add names of their favorite applications to the "Extras" menu of the System 6.0 finder. Those applications can then be launched simply by selecting them from the "Extras" Menu.
FreeWare Availability: AUG Bulletin Board, Library Disks
2. SCARABAEIDAE Version 1.0 by Richard Bennett and OZ Data 1992
Invoked from the "Extras" Menu, Scarabaeidae deletes all the currently selected Finder data files and the ones buried in the currently selected folder.
FreeWare Availability: AUG Bulletin board, Library Disks
3. REBUILD DESKTOP DATABASE Version 1.0 by Josef Wankerl and EGO Systems 1992
Invoked from the Finder "Extras" menu. Rebuilds the desktop database file kept on each disk. (located in the *:Icons folders as the invisible file Desktop). The file contains information on how applications may be launched by the various Icons created for use with the Finder.
Availability: Supplied as part of GS+ magazine on Disk Volume 3 No. 5
4. MOREINFO Version 1.2 by Bill Tudor 1992
This extension is a "More Info" option to the Finder's "Icon Info" Menu item. The "More Info" window allows you to change File Types, Create Date, Modfication Date, File Access (Read/Write/Delete/Rename), File Visible/Invisible, Backup needed/not needed.
ShareWare $10 Availability: July 1992 A2 Central Disk, AUG Library Disk
5. IR (Init Runner) Version 2.0 by Matt Deatherage, Apple DTS 1991
The word 'IR' originally stood for Init Restarter but this Finder extension now has broader applications. With version 2.0, you may install CDAs, NDAs, inits, GS/OS Drivers and even Finder Extensions without ever leaving the Finder! This allows you test applications without installing them permanently on your hard disk.
FreeWare Availability: with Program GSBUG, Apple System 6.0 Golden Master CD.
6. FINDER RSOUNDER Version 1.0 by Mike Fleming, Jupiter Systems 1992
This extension allows you to play sound resource files directly without needing to go to an application program.
FreeWare Availability: AUG Bulletin board, Library Disks
7. SYNTHINIT Version 1.0 by Mike Nuzzi, Triad Venture 1992
Finder extension which allows you to play SYNTHLAB Sequencer files as background music while you are in the finder.
FreeWare Availability: AUG Bulletin board, Library Disks
8. INITMASTER Version 2.1.1 by Bill Tudor, 1992
This extension allows the enabling/disabling of CDAs, NDAs, CDEVs, Icons, Inits, Drivers, Extensions, etc. for the next System Boot-up. This is a much easier method than using the Finder for changing the files' "active" state. Also has a facility for three saved settings of your System configuration.
ShareWare $10 Availability: AUG Bulletin board, Library Disks
9. HOTKEYS Version 1.1 by Bill Tudor, 1992
Allows the numeric keypad to do such things as open Windows, Shutdown the system, open the about Window...etc. The program allows full customization of the keypad if you don't like the existing settings. Functions within the Finder only.
ShareWare $10 Availability: AUG Bulletin board, Library Disks
10. KEYBOARD EXTENDER
Enables some extended keyboard keys by mapping them to common desktop program keystrokes. Requires an extended keyboard and works in desktop applications only
ShareWare $10 Availability: AUG Bulletin board, Library Disks
11. FINDER BLANKER Version 1.0 by Bill Tudor, 1992
A "bare bones" screen blanker, this functions while in the finder only and is acitivated after 5 minutes of inactivity of your system.
FreeWare Availability: AUG Bulletin board, Library Disks

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