Last I was on these forums, I was working on a replacement finder for wrapped SheepShaver applications. A Finder replacement is preferable to using AppleScript because: 1) it jails the user inside the application, 2) it reduces boot time and gives a much more native application feel. Normally, however, exiting an application just relaunches the Finder so a custom replacement is needed to issue a shutdown call when the application is exited.
I had implemented the direct LaunchApplication system call in a C++ program. The launch system call worked, but handling processes in the Macintosh toolbox were a bit trickier. I may revisit it later.
However, along the way I had been running an MPW Shell prototype that worked completely flawlessly. I realized I could just use ToolServer as the replacement Finder to run it as a script.
The results are a vast improvement over using AppleScript.
Simple Tutorial:
1) On Mac OS 9.0.4, download the MPW-GM archive and copy ToolServer to your System Folder.
2) Create a text file named "StartupTS" in your System Folder which contains the following code:
Code: Select all
"Macintosh HD:FOLDER:FOLDER:NAMEOFAPP" -wait
Shutdown
4) Rename Finder to something else, and ToolServer to "Finder".
5) Reboot.
There are a number of next steps towards hiding emulation. Darkening out the startup screen, or implementing communication between a modified SS and ToolServer in order to prevent the user from seeing any OS9 outside the application are possible next options.