Topic       : Documentation for Thing
Author      : Arno Welzel/Thomas Binder/TransAction
Version     : thing.hyp 1.27E (23/8/1998)
Subject     : Documentation/Shells
Nodes       : 269
Index Size  : 6336
HCP-Version : 4
Compiled on : Atari
@charset    : atarist
@lang       : 
@default    : %I
@help       : %Hilfe
@options    : +g -i -s +y +zz -t4 -d10
@width      : 75
@hostname   : THING   
View Ref-FileWhat are symbolic links?
File - New...                                                         Thing

This function is used to create new files, folders, object groups or links.

Object type: This option determines the desired object type. Files,
  symbolic links and folders can only be created in the current directory. 
  If the dialog is called when there is no directory window active, the 
  corresponding option is not selectable.


If the object type 'Object group' was selected, the following sub-section 
 entries appear:

Group file: Name of the file to which the group is to be saved. If a 
  directory window is open when the dialog is called, the new group will 
  be saved to that, otherwise to the same directory in which the 
  configuration files and icons of Thing are stored. Group files can be 
  moved subsequently to any other directory, or renamed, so long as the 
  extender '.GRP' isn't changed.

Title: Here a name for the group is entered, up to 32 characters in length, 
  that is to be used as the window title; mixed upper and lower case can be
  used. If the field is left empty, the filename will be used as the title.

Save automatically: If this option is set, all changes of the group
  will be saved (usually immediately but at the latest when the group 
  window is closed). Excepted from this are movements of window positions 
  off-screen and back again using the 'Hide' and 'Unhide' functions of 
  MagiC. With this option not set, an asterisk '*' preceding the group 
  title in the window title line denotes unsaved changes have been made 
  to the group; these changes can be saved permanently by using the 
  'Save Group' function of the 'File' menu.

Icon ⇨  Desktop: A new file icon for the group will be created on the 
  desktop if this option is set. Thing looks for free space starting from 
  bottom left.
 
 
If, on the other hand, the object type 'Link ('Alias')' was selected, 
 the following sub-section entries appear:

Absolute / Relative: With these two radio buttons one can choose between 
  creating a symbolic link with an absolute destination (i.e. complete 
  with drive letter and access path) or specifying a relative destination.
 
Dest.: Here the destination of the symbolic link is specified. If one has 
  selected 'Absolute' then this button calls up the file selector for
  choosing the destination file or folder. If 'Relative' mode was selected, 
  on the other hand, one obtains an input field in which the destination 
  can be entered manually (which can, of course, also be an absolute path).

Name: This name will be used for creating the symbolic link in the current 
directory after clicking on  OK .

⇨ What are symbolic links?


      Not all operating systems or all file systems permit the creation or 
      use of symbolic links. Since, unfortunately, an absolutely certain 
      check of this capability can only be made with a rather nasty trick, 
      Thing always offers the option of creating symbolic links if this 
      cannot be established directly with the info function of the file 
      system. Thus it may happen that after clicking on  OK  one receives 
      an error message; in general this means that either the operating 
      system in use can not cope with symbolic links at all, or that they 
      are not possible with the particular file system.