ChangeType 1.1.1 Written by Matt Pauker Introduction ============ ChangeType is a simple application that allows you to easily change the type and application signatures of files. It's especially helpful for files that you FTP which end up with no signatures. How to Use ========== Startup/Opening a file ---------------------- To start ChangeType, either drag a file onto it or double click it. If you start it by dragging a file, a window for that file will be opened; if you start it by double-clicking, you'll be presented with a File Panel to select a file. You can open more files by dragging them onto the application or choosing 'Open' from ChangeType's application menu. Setting the type/application signatures --------------------------------------- Once you have a file open, you can adjust its type and application signatures by adjusting their respective text boxes. Note that you can only have 4 characters in each box; type and application signatures can only be 4 characters long, so the same limit exists on the text boxes. If you're not sure of the signature you want, you can click on the 'Choose...' button to set the type or application signature to that of another file. For example, if you click on the 'Choose...' button next to the type box, and choose an Edit file, the type will be set to 'TEXT'. You can also set the signatures by dragging a file onto the window. If you drag a file onto the type box, the type will be set to that of the file you dragged. Likewise, if you drag a file onto the app box, the app will be set. If you drag the file onto any other part of the window, *both* the type and application signatures will be set to that of the file. Once you've adjusted the type or application signatures, you can save them by choosing 'Save' from the File menu. To save, both your type and application signatures must contain either 4 characters or 0 characters (In case you want a generic document). If you've accidently changed the signatures and can't remember what they were originally, just choose 'Revert' from the File menu, and the signatures will be set to the values at the last save (Or when the file was opened, if no save has been performed). Batch Changes ------------- ChangeType can also work on a group of files. If a window affects multiple files, the window title will change to "Batch Change", and a new "Files" menu will be added; from this menu, you can select which files will be changed upon saving. There are several ways to initiate a batch change: ¥ Dragging a folder onto ChangeType All files in the folder will be selected. If you hold down the Shift key while dropping the folder onto ChangeType, it will recurse down the directory, adding all files it finds. ¥ Dragging multiple files onto ChangeType while holding down the Control key ¥ Dragging a file(s) onto an already opened window while holding down the Control key Instead of adjusting the type/creator boxes, as is customary, the file(s) will be added to the change. If this all seems pretty complicated, it's probably because I didn't explain it well. Just try it once, and you'll see that it's pretty easy. Notes ===== ChangeType was my first BeBox program, as well as my first real C++ program; so the code is probably not very good. However, you might find it useful as an example of a program that uses basic Interface Kit functions. Feel free to take a look at the code and use it in your programs. If you use any major portions, though, a small acknowledgement of the writer (me) would probably be appropriate. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or ideas, feel free to mail me at . I'd especially like a new icon (I'm a horrible artist, as you can probably tell), and I can't say I'm too fond of my name choice (I'm not too good at thinking of application names). Bug reports are always welcome as well. Legal Stuff =========== This application and code is in the public domain; it's far too simple for me to stick a copyright notice on it. However, I disclaim all responsibility for any damage that may result, directly or indirectly, through the use of this program (Not that it should cause any). Changelog ========= 1.1.1 - 10/26/96 Modified, compiled for DR8 1.1 - 4/17/96 Added support for batch changes Some code cleanup Compiled for DR7 1.0 - 2/18/96 Initial release