!QuickLink - Shortcut Creator
=============================

What does it do?
================

!QuickLink is yet another shortcut creator - that is, given a file, directory 
or app, it makes a small file which, when clicked on, opens that 
file/directory/runs that app.  Whilst it has none of the power of Unix/Linux's 
symbolic links (writing to a link will not write to the original file, for 
example), it has an extra feature over the other RISC OS shortcut-makers 
(AFAIK, anyway) in that it notices broken links and provides a facility to 
correct them.

How do I use it?
================

To create a link, run the application and drag any file/dir/app (henceforth 
file) to the iconbar icon (alternatively, click on the icon to open a window 
and drap the file there).  A save-box will pop up; drag this to where you want 
the link to go (as per normal).  Clicking on this link will then access the 
file.

Should a link become broken (by a file moving, for example), clicking on it 
will not lead anywhere, but will instead change the icon to a red 'broken link' 
one.  There are two ways to fix a broken link:

a)	Move the destination file back to its original location, then click on the 
	broken link again.  It will regain its original icon and open the destination
	file.
b)	Drag the broken link to the !QuickLink iconbar icon.  A window will pop up.  
	Drag the file you want linked to to this window.  The link will be updated.
	
!QuickLink does not have to be running to open links, it merely has to have 
been seen by the filer.

How does it work?
=================

It's pretty simple - the contents of the link is the path of the destination 
file.  Clicking on it runs a little program which Filer_Runs this file.  This 
does allow for some clever tricks though; the 'little program' automatically 
decodes any system variables it finds in the path, so you can 'hand-code' links 
to Wimp$Scrap etc. and it will open them.  I have a utility from somewhere 
which encodes the CSD as a sysvar called CSD, and I have a QuickLink to open 
that.

One more trick: you can create links to links - if you want to have 
multiple links to a file, make one QuickLink link to it and the rest link to 
this one, so that if the file moves you only have to update one link.

Any limitations?
=================

Due to the way it works, you can't open applications, just run them.  You can't 
write to links, like in Unix/Linux.  All you can do is click on them.  That's 
their purpose.

How can I contact the author?
=============================

I can be contacted for suggestions (if there's really much else you can do with 
a shortcut-creator), bug reports (don't count on me doing anything, I'm pretty 
busy), or big fat cheques (some hope) at:

	Mark Hutchinson
	19 Larkhay Road
	Hucclecote
	Gloucester
	GL3 3NR
	
	See website for email details (http://hutchies.iconbar.com/contact.html)
	
My thanks go to Colin Granville for permission to use the most excellent 'link' 
sprite from his most excellent !FTPc program.  Get it at http://ftpc.iconbar.com.

Copyright Statement and Disclaimer
==================================

Copyright (c) 2003 Mark Hutchinson. All rights reserved.

Redistribution and use of this program is permitted provided that the following 
conditions are met:

1.  	Redistributions of this program must reproduce the above copyright notice, 
	this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation 
	and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
	You may charge a fee for the physical act of transferring a copy, and you may 	at your option offer warranty protection in exchange for a fee.
	
2.  	The name of the author may not be used to endorse or promote products 
	derived from this software without specific prior written permission.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR(S) ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED 
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF 
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO 
EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, 
INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT 
LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR 
PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF 
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE 
OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF 
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
