f.hollander@applelink.apple.com (09/18/90)
P. O. Box 811 Allen, Texas 75002 214/727-2329 AppleLink: F.Hollander CIS: 72077,3544 Internet: f.hollander@applelink.apple.com Software Innovations ships HandOff(tm) II, THE File Launcher HandOff II is a powerful new file launcher with many important features for organizing files and applications the way the user wants. Some of these features are in addition to those announced last April. HandOff II incorporates all of the application substitution capabilities of HandOff plus the ability to assign files to applications by creator (e.g., MacWrite, MacPaint), type (e.g., TEXT, PICT) or filename extension (e.g., .TXT, .WK1) directly from the Control Panel. HandOff II provides a popup menu of applications and files that can be accessed at any time by pressing the user-defined modifier keys and holding down the mouse button. "Other file launchers that provide a popup menu expect users to associate all of their documents with the application that created them. This can be inconvenient and awkward", according to Fred Hollander, president of Software Innovations. "HandOff II provides users with the ability to organize their documents more naturally using Briefcases(tm) and Categories." HandOff II introduces the Briefcase metaphor to represent how the user can now organize files by project rather than arbitrarily associating files with the application that created them. This will make it easier to locate files. It also gives the user the ability to open all files in a Briefcase with a single menu selection. Another useful organizer is the Category which allows a number of applications to be grouped into one submenu. For example, the user may create a "Graphics" category, containing a paint program, a draw program and a photo-retouching program. HandOff II provides the ability to define a default selection for applications and categories so that a document or application will automatically open when just the application or the category is selected. This is ideal for applications that require a settings file or perhaps a letterhead attached to a word processor. "Based on feedback from our HandOff II beta testers, we knew that users really wanted powerful MultiFinder switching capabilities. HandOff II provides the most complete switching capability we know of", said Fred Hollander. MultiFinder users can switch processes using the menu or using a number of keyboard shortcuts. A user-defined set of modifier keys can be specified for switching directly to any process by number. Another user- defined set of modifier keys allows the user to switch to the next, previous or most recent process. The latter being ideal for frequent cutting and pasting between two applications. In all cases, the processes are sorted by name, not by launch order! HandOff II retails for $79.95. Software Innovations is offering a direct upgrade for owners of any competitive file launching program. Anyone interested in taking advantage of this offer should send proof of ownership (receipt, disk or manual page) of any file launcher along with $29.95 (outside US add $5 shipping, Texas residents add sales tax) to Software Innovations, Inc., P.O. Box 811, Allen, Texas, 75002 or call 214/727-2329 for more information.