dave@hpdstma.HP.COM (Dave Waller) (05/10/88)
Well... I've been hearing alot about the "desktop" file and I have searched high and low to find out exactly what it does and how I can manipulate it... and come up with nothing! Anyway, I'm breaking down and asking the net if they could give me some info on it: What does it do? What can you do to it without some sort of custom program to manipulate it? And most of all, HOW DO YOU DELETE HIDDEN FILES?? Besides desktop. there is another hidden file in my System folder that I'm not sure what it's for (also, I can't remember the name right now and I'm at work) but I know it's there because I can "see" it with ResEdit. How does one deal with these ghostly apparitions that are showing up in my system folder?? Thansk for Gdansk in advance, Dave
barmar@think.COM (Barry Margolin) (05/11/88)
The Desktop file is used by the Finder to keep extra information about files that only it needs. It contains copies of all the icons that are in use for files (so that the Finder doesn't have to open all the files that it is displaying), it contains the locations of all applications keyed by their creator string (used to find the application when you double click on a document), and it contains the finder comments. In the MFS file system it also kept all the folder and icon location information; in HFS this is stored in file system directories. As for other invisible files, there are some other applications that maintain some internal data in invisible files. I think this used to be more common than it is now, and it is probably more common with games. For example, some game disks have their startup screens in invisible files. Finally, some virii may create invisible files; for example, I think the Scores virus creates an invisible Desktop file in the System folder (as opposed to the root folder, where the real Desktop file lives). Your best bet is to use something like the DiskInfo DA or ResEdit to look at the creator string of the invisible file, and then see if you can find an application with that creator. Barry Margolin Thinking Machines Corp. barmar@think.com uunet!think!barmar
dorourke@polyslo.UUCP (David M. O'Rourke) (05/11/88)
In article <440008@hpdstma.HP.COM> dave@hpdstma.HP.COM (Dave Waller) writes: >Well... I've been hearing alot about the "desktop" file and I have searched >high and low to find out exactly what it does and how I can manipulate it... >and come up with nothing! Anyway, I'm breaking down and asking the net >if they could give me some info on it: > >What does it do? The desktop is used by the finder to maintain several lists of information that it uses while manipulating the directory of a Macintosh disk. Just some of the things it keeps in this file are: 1) I list of Icon's and who they belong to, so that it knows what an application and it's documents look like. 2) A list of applications so that when you "open" a document file the finder knows who/what/and where that application can be found so that it can launch it for you. 3) A list of the comments in the get info window of the file. 4) Icon positions and window positions for the subdirectories. >What can you do to it without some sort of custom program to manipulate it? This is a file created by the finder, it is not there for you to manipulate. And besides it's not easy. If you want to find out how to browse though it I can recommend "Macintosh Programming Secrets" by Scott Knaster from Addison- Wesley Publishing. It give a very lengthy explaination about how to find icons, comments, ect. But the format of the Desktop file is not specified in any "offical" documentation and is one of the most likely canidates for modification at Apple's slightest wim. The relationship's between the various resources is not a simple one, and I can't think of any reason to manipulate this file directly, except if you're makeing an alternate finder. But in that case you could make your own sort of custom type desktop that your program uses, unless you want your programs changes to appear in the regular finder. But I wouldn't recommend messing with it. >And most of all, HOW DO YOU DELETE HIDDEN FILES?? Besides desktop. there >is another hidden file in my System folder that I'm not sure what it's >for (also, I can't remember the name right now and I'm at work) but I know >it's there because I can "see" it with ResEdit. How does one deal with these >ghostly apparitions that are showing up in my system folder?? You can use ResEdit {by selecting the file name and choosing clear from the edit menu}, or any other finder substitute to delete invisible files. I can recommend FEdit Plus, DiskTop, and MacTree, or you could whip up a little application to do it for you. David M. O'Rourke +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | dorourke@polyslo | Disclaimer: All opinions in this message are mine, but | | | if you like them they can be yours too. | | | Besides I'm just a student so what do I | | | know! | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | When you have to place a disclaimer in your mail you know it's a sign | | that there are TOO many Lawyer's. | +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
nagel@ics.uci.edu (Mark Nagel) (05/12/88)
In article <2419@polyslo.UUCP> dorourke@polyslo.UUCP (David O'Rourke) writes: >>What can you do to it without some sort of custom program to manipulate it? > > This is a file created by the finder, it is not there for you to manipulate. Well, there *is* a program out there called Layout that will allow you to modify the Desktop file to some extent. It basically lets you change the way icons get layed out on the grid, the font used for file names, the distances between small icons, etc. It has a very nice interface and lets you revert back to the default layout easily. It's kind of nice to use a neat-looking cursive font for filenames and to have the icons stagger automatically. If there's enough interest (e-mail me, please!), I will send this puppy on to the moderator of comp.binaries.mac (although it may have already appeared there--I don't remember). Mark D. Nagel Department of Information and Computer Science, UC Irvine nagel@ics.uci.edu (ARPA) {sdcsvax|ucbvax}!ucivax!nagel (UUCP)
benjamin_kuo@pedro.UUCP (Benjamin Kuo) (05/15/88)
It is not so wise to delete the desktop file, which contains ALL your
comments in the finder, most of the icons, and the folder placement of
all your files. And besides that fact, as soon as you delete it the
file will be reconstructed...
I advise you to _not_ delete hidden files unless you are positively
sure of their function. Deleting any file can be hazardous to your well
being (and that of your system!). If you need to delete a hidden file
for any reason, just use ResEdit, any disk editor, or even a DA like
DeskZap or DiskTop.
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Benjamin Kuo DISCLAIMER: I don't work for anyone, so my
opinions don't matter to them!
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(Couldn't resist one of them -^ :-) macak@lakesys.UUCP (Jim Macak) (05/15/88)
In article <483@orion.cf.uci.edu> nagel@ics.uci.edu (Mark Nagel) writes: >In article <2419@polyslo.UUCP> dorourke@polyslo.UUCP (David O'Rourke) writes: >>>What can you do to it without some sort of custom program to manipulate it? >> >> This is a file created by the finder, it is not there for you to manipulate. > >Well, there *is* a program out there called Layout that will allow you to >modify the Desktop file to some extent. It basically lets you change the >way icons get layed out on the grid, the font used for file names, the >distances between small icons, etc. It has a very nice interface and lets (etc. etc.) Actually, I believe that Layout goes into the Finder and modifies the appropriate resource there that determines how things look on the Finder's desktop window(s). One could do this by using ResEdit and modifying the correct Finder resource (I think it is called 'LAYO'?) but the Layout application allows you to achieve the same result via a well-done user interface. So, I believe the first writer that is quoted above is correct: the invisible Desktop file is not intended to be manipulated, and in fact, Layout does not change it directly. Jim -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Jim --> macak@lakesys.UUCP (Jim Macak) {Standard disclaimer, nothin' fancy!} >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
dorourke@polyslo.UUCP (David M. O'Rourke) (05/16/88)
In article <483@orion.cf.uci.edu> nagel@ics.uci.edu (Mark Nagel) writes: >Well, there *is* a program out there called Layout that will allow you to >modify the Desktop file to some extent. It basically lets you change the > {more information, see original posting} Layout does not modify the desktop file. It modifies a a resource in the finder called 'LAYO'. ResEdit knows about this resource and it will allow you to modify it also. Layout simply changes some flags to the finder about the method used to display files, ie. Icon Line up, Filename Font, ect.. It doesn't modify the desktop file directly, it does cause the desktop file to be modified the next time the finder is launched, but for example if you set the grid to the on position and go back and look at the files, their positions will be the same as they were before you turned the grid on. BUT!!!! If you now try and drag the icons they will only fall into grid positions. David M. O'Rourke +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | dorourke@polyslo | Disclaimer: All opinions in this message are mine, but | | | if you like them they can be yours too. | | | Besides I'm just a student so what do I | | | know! | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | When you have to place a disclaimer in your mail you know it's a sign | | that there are TOO many Lawyer's. | +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++