Re: Type/Creator codes
Re: Type/Creator codes
- Subject: Re: Type/Creator codes
- From: "Dennis C. De Mars" <email@hidden>
- Date: Sun, 13 May 2001 14:04:15 -0700
on 5/13/01 11:10 AM, Ali Ozer at email@hidden wrote:
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1. Use extensions to assure that files are not fragile with regards to
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being placed on the web or alternate file systems, and sent to other
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platforms.
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2. Use Mac OS file types to assure that files are not fragile with
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regards to name changes.
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3. Don't use Mac OS file creators as the strong-binding they establish
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isn't always appropriate. But, if your document needs a creator code to
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open properly on Mac OS 9, and it needs to open properly on Mac OS 9,
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then by all means, include it.
I'm with you on the first two points. On the third point, I have some
related questions:
a) On HFS+ file systems, how do you "not" use a file creator code. Do you
make it zero, or '????' or what?
b) The "System Overview" says if more than one application claims a file
type and there is no creator code, it uses one of the applications that
claim the file type to open it. How does the system decide which application
to use in this case? (First one installed, alphabetical order,
arbitrary...?)
c) Is Apple considering a way to allow the user to specify which application
to use in cases like this?
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There are issues with using file extensions, and there are issues with
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using Mac OS file codes, and we are looking at allowing users to name
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documents as they please and reducing fragilities associated with file
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typing.
I'm glad to hear that, as I think a lot of users will resist any naming
convention you choose to suggest. I'm happy to stick a filename extension on
as a suggestion in a "Save As..." dialog, but some users will just go ahead
and delete it.
Sorry to extend the discussion like this. Unfortunately, this is one of
those "religious" issues that always spawns a large thread. I'd like to say
that we are all getting this out of our systems, but I'm afraid that would
be wishful thinking; every time the subject comes up a similar thread
results.
- Dennis D.