Running
without a restart.

While snooping around the new MacOS 8 Finder, I discovered a couple of little hacks for this week:

Hack #1: Remove The Word "Alias" When You Create A New Alias

Hack #2: Change The Phrase That's Displayed When You Open A Font Suitcase

Hack #3: Make The Spring Loaded Folder Delay Really, Really Short!

Hack #1: Remove The Word "Alias" When You Create A New Alias

Using the Duplicate command under the File menu, make a copy of the Finder and leave it in the System Folder.



Open the copy of the Finder with ResEdit, (be certain to work on the copy, not the running Finder) and find the STR# resources.

Scroll down to ID 8200 and open it up.

String number 1 is the word "alias" preceded with a blank space.

You need to have something in this box because the Finder will not let you name the alias exactly the same as the original.

I deleted the word alias and left just the blank space so it would appear the original and alias had the same name.

That's it, you're done! Replace the original Finder with the copy (making sure the System Folder is blessed) and Restart the computer.

Hack #2: Change The Phrase That's Displayed When You Open A Font Suitcase



If you want to change the phrase that's displayed when you open a font suitcase, re-open the Finder STR# resources as described above, only this time, open ID# 5816.

As you see, the only string listed is the one to change.

I've always prefered to use AaBbCcDd...

...but the choice is up to you!

Replace the original Finder with the copy (making sure the System Folder is blessed) and Restart the computer.

Hack #3: Make The Spring Loaded Folder Delay Really, Really Short!



I love my Spring Loaded Folders. I just wish they'd pop open a little quicker! So I hunted around and found the answer lies in the Finder Preference file.

Open a copy of the Finder Prefereces (found in the System Folder, Preference Folder) using ResEdit.

There are only two resources. Open the one titled fv18.

There is also only one ID, number 128, so open it up.

See the circled HEX number? It's where the speed of the folders is stored. Below is a table of the orginal values:

Slider Position	HEX	Decimal
1 - Short	OC	12
2	18	24
3 - Medium	24	36
4	30	48
5 - Long	3C	60

Since I want the folders to pop open as fast as possible, I entered HEX 00. It's not a huge difference, but every little bit helps. :)

After entering the new value, close and save the file and replace the original. You will need to restart for the new value to be used.

The problem with this hack is obvious: after entering the new value with Resedit, you can't move the slider in the Finder Preferences or you'll overwrite your setting with one from the table!