Virtual.Data Version 1.0 - 22nd May 1997 Copyright 1997 - This program is Shareware US$10. Written by Andrew Roughan What is it? Virtual.Data is an Apple IIgs Finder Extension which keeps track of Finder's open directory windows, their positioning and format, for write protected volumes. Finder stores information about how you had a directory window open on the desktop, including the size of the window and the view (by icon, by name, by date etc) in files named Finder.Data. Finder stores these Finder.Data files inside the directory so that next time you open the directory, the directory window is displayed in the way that you last had it open. However, if the directory is locked, (e.g a CD-Rom disk, a locked or read-only Appleshare directory, a locked RamFAST partition, a write-protected disk, etc.) then Finder can't keep track of the information. Finder also does not create Finder.Data files on Appleshare directories (although Finder will use them if they exist). Virtual.Data fills this void by storing this information in a file named Virtual.Data in the @:Preferences directory - which is usually inside the System directory on the disk you boot from. Why was it created? I found a need for Virtual.Data's functionality while exploring CD-ROMs using Finder on my Apple IIgs. I found myself double clicking everything in sight which usually had the effect of launching an application. On return to the Finder, I had to laboriously find my way back to the directory I was in before I could continue exploring. Believe me, it is very easy to lose your place in 600MB of data! Where does it go? The Virtual.Data Finder Extension can be placed in either the *:System:System.Setup or the *:System:FinderExtras directory. As Virtual.Data has no use outside of the Finder, I recommend placing it in the FinderExtras directory. This means that when Finder is not active, Virtual.Data will not take up memory. Virtual Data requires System 6.0.1 and Finder 6.0.1. Which features can I play with? A "VD Prefs..." menu item is added to the Extras menu when Virtual.Data is installed. - Remember Volumes after Finder shuts down The volume containing the locked directory would be unmounted when Finder shuts down and probably not available when Finder next started up. Virtual.Data therefore normally removes temporary information. When this option is chosen Virtual.Data will keep all information. - Use Finder.Data files if they exist When this option is chosen Virtual.Data will not modify the newly opened directory window if a Finder.Data file is available inside the locked directory. If there is a Finder.Data file within a locked directory then whoever created it must have thought about it and hopefully it is therefore useful. However, if you don't like the format stored in the Finder.Data file, then it can be overridden by unchoosing this option - however, this will be slower as Finder uses this file to initially format the window. Want something more? I have a few ideas for extending the functionality of Virtual.Data. For example, I would like Virtual.Data to permanently remember the settings of a few commonly used directories. Also I would like to make the 'Use Finder.Data' option user selectable on a directory by directory basis. However, if you find yourself thinking something like "Gee, I wish it did...." then please let me know. I can't add it if I don't know about it or I haven't thought of it yet. Who's responsible? The author can be reached via the following internet address: posty@triode.net.au What are the conditions of use? This software is made available to you as Shareware. You are allowed to evaluate this software at no charge for a period of 30 days. At the end of this time, you must send US$10 (or equivalent) to the author if you wish to continue using it. The only alternative is to remove it permanently from your system. Cheques should be made payable to Andrew Roughan and sent to the following address: GPO Box 830 Sydney NSW 2001 Australia Future enhancements to Virtual.Data will only be provided to people who have paid the shareware fee. Words of thanks: Richard Bennett for the name. Jim Maricondo whose Golden Orchard CD provided the inspiration (perspiration?). Responders to my questions on the Comp.Sys.Apple2.Programmer newsgroup. The dedicated beta testers: Erik Gachot, Gareth Jones and Bob Rivkin.