Dorman.Bullard@p4.f56.n114.z1.fidonet.org (Dorman Bullard) (03/14/90)
In message <2234@tellab5.tellabs.com> Jeff Wiseman writes: > Would someone please explain this to me. I noticed that it is not > one of the defaults in Fix desktop (a real nifty utility by the > way). What does fix application list really mean and why would > I NOT want to do it (a la the default settings)? I'm not sure I understand the question from the wording, but: Basically, when a document or an application is moved to a disk drive, some information about them is stored in the (invisible) desktop file. This includes information allowing the Finder to locate each application and information about its icons. If files are removed by some utility other than the Finder, this data may remain in the desktop file even though it is no longer of any use. Also, if an application is moved onto a disk drive by something other than the Finder, the desktop file may not be updated with the new information. Over a period of time, the Desktop file will accumulate a lot of wasted and wrong information. This can cause a lot of (usually) minor problems including slowing down of the disk drive and wasted diskspace, "The application cannot be found" messages,etc. So, you likely would wish to fix the application list except for one thing: It will take some time on a hard disk drive that has lots of stuff on it 'cause it looks up all applications on the drive. -- Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!56.4!Dorman.Bullard Internet: Dorman.Bullard@p4.f56.n114.z1.fidonet.org