Mac OS 9 Lives

Classic Mac OS Software => System Utilities & File Management => Topic started by: supernova777 on July 13, 2014, 05:55:39 PM

Title: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 13, 2014, 05:55:39 PM
hey guys
is there any way to edit the order/layout of the context menu that appears when u do a control-click?
(right click if u have a two button mouse)?

reason i ask because i always ALWAYS select "help" by mistake and it takes a few seconds to launch the help file its really annoying.. and i almost never really want to  open this 'help' is no 'help'
 8)

obviously it can be edited because stuffit has added its own sub menu to this menu
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: Syntho on July 13, 2014, 06:18:19 PM
I'd like to edit a command in there to create a new simple text document.
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 13, 2014, 06:24:36 PM
I'd like to edit a command in there to create a new simple text document.

yes we must figure this out!!!!! customization is a must!
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on July 14, 2014, 07:29:36 AM

hey chris, i have years solved this by simply deinstalling the help extension.

maybe worth a try!
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: Syntho on July 14, 2014, 07:30:46 AM
There's GOT to be some kind of control panel where we can make our own right click commands...
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: Syntho on July 14, 2014, 07:35:13 AM
My book Mac OS9 The Missing Manual lists this plugin for it: http://www.fnarr.net/old-finderpop/index.html

I'm not in the studio right now but check that out and let us know how it goes Chris!
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: Syntho on July 18, 2014, 04:46:14 AM
Hey Chris did you ever try this out?
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 18, 2014, 05:28:11 AM
Hey Chris did you ever try this out?

no i didnt see that anyone replied on this topic yet but this is something of great interest to me!
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 18, 2014, 05:29:23 AM

hey chris, i have years solved this by simply deinstalling the help extension.

maybe worth a try!

i would be very happy if this works  ;D
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 18, 2014, 06:19:27 AM
yeah it seems like finderpop is the solution here  8)  ;D

following the install instructions and placing files intp control panels & extensions folder
the control panel is missing an icon and doesnt show in the apple menu i had to browse to it on my drive and double click the file with no icon but it opens
and the context menu is altered with many new functions + access to all files on desktop etc
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: Syntho on July 18, 2014, 06:50:40 AM
I'd like to add just a couple different things. Create new text document, and maybe add a quick shortcut or two for various things. Will finderpop allow me to do that?
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 18, 2014, 07:42:05 AM
I'd like to add just a couple different things. Create new text document, and maybe add a quick shortcut or two for various things. Will finderpop allow me to do that?
u can add a shortcut to "simpletext" in the finderpop folder and then it will show up on right click ->finderpop->simpletext
u can also link to open running applications (to switch between them)

theres a bunch of ways to use it..
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 19, 2014, 12:46:39 PM
There's GOT to be some kind of control panel where we can make our own right click commands...

im still hoping someone can come forward with a better solution but finderpop will do for now;)
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: Syntho on July 19, 2014, 12:54:32 PM
Is there some kind of resedit thing that we can do?
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on July 19, 2014, 03:12:20 PM
you could just write custom CMMs? that will be required for anything more than linking to a file anyway.
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 19, 2014, 03:13:37 PM
you could just write custom CMMs? that will be required for anything more than linking to a file anyway.
initiate 110 translation please.. what is a CMM?
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on July 19, 2014, 03:38:37 PM
a conext menu item .. such as for example stuffit added to your contextmenu.

other examples are default folder, file buddy, igetter, dropicon, joliet access ... many common 3rd party extensions to OS9 will install some CMM, too.

"gather items" would be an example for apple script based context menu items.

context menu items are located in / system folder / Contextual Menu Items  / (which is why the folder is called like that. :))

try putting something inside and it will show up. though IMO it is a bit pointless to have a shitload of apps and scripts there. i have a 3-button mouse ... but i dont really like to use the wheel as thrid button in classic ...


Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 19, 2014, 04:01:59 PM
other examples are default folder, file buddy, igetter, dropicon, joliet access ... many common 3rd party extensions to OS9 will install some CMM, too.

of course thats the whole point of this thread; we know it can be done, as have seen the proof that it can be done,
but we dont know how, which is why we are asking the question. How do we customize this menu?
if we could find someone that possesses this knowledge and can clearly communicate to the rest of the people who are not so familar, how it would be possible to do this.... we would be greatful + that much more skilled as mac users... do u know anyone?? :)
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: Protools5LEGuy on July 19, 2014, 11:45:15 PM
you could just write custom CMMs? that will be required for anything more than linking to a file anyway.
initiate 110 translation please.. what is a CMM?
Since last 90's CMM means Computer Music Magazine.
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 20, 2014, 12:46:47 AM
you could just write custom CMMs? that will be required for anything more than linking to a file anyway.
initiate 110 translation please.. what is a CMM?
Since last 90's CMM means Computer Music Magazine.

hahaha thats what i thought too lol!!!!
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on July 20, 2014, 03:06:21 AM
Quote from: chrisNova777
of course thats the whole point of this thread; we know it can be done, as have seen the proof that it can be done,
but we dont know how, which is why we are asking the question. How do we customize this menu?

that as what i tried to anwser above. you can add items to the menu (such as apple scripts or programs) or write your own extensions.

Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 20, 2014, 03:22:24 AM
Quote from: chrisNova777
of course thats the whole point of this thread; we know it can be done, as have seen the proof that it can be done,
but we dont know how, which is why we are asking the question. How do we customize this menu?

that as what i tried to anwser above. you can add items to the menu (such as apple scripts or programs) or write your own extensions.

110- u seem like an experienced + intelligent guy who has a few more tricks up his sleeve definately then most (probably including myself!) -- i wish you could take the time to share some of that knowledge in an easily digestible form rather then communicating so shortly!!! i hear u loud and clear but it still leaves the question.. HOW???? how does one go about doing this?? we are trying to compile of these answers here on this board for future reference for people like ourselves who happen to take an interest in vintage computing.. which honestly is probably a very unique and small demographic that would have that interest to begin with, which is why i like to try to make sure that people can have resources to find the answers they need to actually be productive and not give up so easily on mac os 9 immediately like alot of younger people would. i have a 20 something friend and i hear him laughing at os9 all the time i always have to remind him to look a little deeper and theres more then meets the eye..  anyways..

does anyone have any more info on this subject to offer?
can we get some answers? can we at least point the way for others like myself to research more info on the topic?
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on July 20, 2014, 06:23:53 AM
well i see what you mean with the "how" thing, but i dont think it is possible to give a proper answer to such an unspecific question.

building contextual menu modules in mac OS8.6+ are, to my knowlegde, documented in the carbon API, and to program your own you should get the carbon API, read the documentation, install a text editor and a C compiler, learn how to use them, then learn C++, then make up an idea , then see how you can implement it.

same goes with the apple script solution: install script editor, learn how to use it, learn how to script, build a script, put it into the CMM folder ...

the way how to get such things done lies somewhere between the rtfm and the principle of trial and error.

personally i have no clue about C++ and only basic knowwledge about applescript, so i wont be of much help here i guess.

otoh i believe that it should be possible for the average user to get it (for example) working to have a menu item which opens a blank simpletext document like asked above. probably 1.) create a simpletext document 2.) save as formular (or however thats called in english), 3.) move it into the CMM folder.
i have my default iText document in the apple menu ...
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on July 20, 2014, 06:25:29 AM
btw, i think deinstalling the help extension is not a solution, because when i remeber right cubase refuses to start without. :) i was just checking and i have "help" installed (again)
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: MacTron on July 20, 2014, 07:44:19 AM
Is there some kind of resedit thing that we can do?
Yes there is. But it is limited to Finder commands and launching apps...
The hack consist in to modify the existing contextual menu to do different things. In the picture you can see how the last item is replaced by FileType.
(http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1401.0;attach=597)
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: supernova777 on July 26, 2014, 11:40:43 AM
i would like to make a shortcut key to macbinary any selected file.
there is already shortcuts added to my system by stuffit deluxe
(cmd-u to unstuff, cmd-s to stuff) is there anyway to make cmd-b make it convert to macbinary?
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on July 26, 2014, 01:20:24 PM

with a util which lets you add keyboard comands that should be possible. there is one which also let you add commands to submenus (so that it would work with "make mac binary" from stuff it)

i am preparing an installer with some 100 system add-ons in the next days. will upload to v. when it is done.
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on July 26, 2014, 06:12:37 PM

hm, i cant remeber its name. ;(

there was a great one for OSX 10.2 where you csould change all menus in all programs and all non-destructive ... which i never bought because my OSX machine was out of orrder between 2003 and 2004.

i have packed my personal favorites and all i could find (which seems useful) from macmagazin CDs and the like into one bundle now. stay tuned. :)
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on July 27, 2014, 10:22:16 AM
file is up in v., please test and report.

this is my personal install. i dont use the contextmenu much anyway, but i will add the "video tools" and "picture tools" to my system now, which you can also find in my installer. they are by alberto ricci and i forgot about them for 10 years.
ricci sounds familiar to you? yes, thats the dentist who also made the wonderful "soundeffects" program.
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on July 27, 2014, 11:06:42 AM
here is NewCM, which does what syntho was asking for.
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: dr bu on July 27, 2014, 12:57:54 PM
yes, thats the dentist who also made the wonderful "soundeffects" program.

you mean Soundmaker, right? (Soundeffects was a prerunner, e.g without undo) indeed a wonderful program. :-*  :-* to bad it doesnt take 24bit.

http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/soundmaker-103
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on July 27, 2014, 02:07:40 PM
i think i stopped using it when soundmaker came out. its option to build custom plug-ins from plug-in stacks – adobe-aftereffects-like – seemed awesome, but for some reason i lost interest in it after sonicworx´ birth.
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on August 02, 2014, 08:07:06 PM

i have built a collection of 400+ contextmenu, strip, controlpanel and driver utils now, i always work on it in the background during my other work (which is writing about politics stuff). stay tuned!
Title: Re: edit right click on desktop context menu?
Post by: IIO on August 02, 2014, 08:09:55 PM
here is NewCM, which does what syntho was asking for.

haha, i am using this myself now, all the time. very handy.

just a bit dangerous when you have several copies or versions of a program installed.