MetroTools
The Premier Utilities Package Application
MetroTools was the premier utilities package for NEXTSTEP computers. It included the most requested utilities in one inexpensive and easy-to-use bundle. It included Application Launcher, NiteLite, Font Installer, Archiver, File Locator and Sound Importer.
The dock extender was regarded as the most powerful available and operated as a natural extension of the NeXTStep dock. You could create groups of applications and documents, show their names, use miniature icons, start up complete groups with a double-click and much, much more.
Font Installer greatly simplified the process of installing NeXTStep fonts and converting Macintosh-based PostScript fonts for use on your NeXTStep computer. In fact, you could install megabytes worth of fonts in a variety of formats, using a single drag followed by a button click. NiteLite had screen-locking and backdrop features, could run multiple modules simultaneously, and could run while the NeXTStep login window was up.
Metrotools would help you find your files and allowed you to quickly compress, examine, and decompress file archives.
MetroTools also offered an expandable shell that other developers could use to develop their own tools. Technical support was free.
MetroTools Technical Summary
MetroTools Features:
- User-friendly interface common across tools
- Drag-and-drop interface for easy use with NeXT Workspace Browser
- Supports multiple file selections and folders
- Automatic panel resizing to minimize screen use without hiding
- Intelligent file handling
- Content-dependent
- Goes beyond simple extension recognition
- Sophisticated handling of Macintosh resource files
- Configurable for individual users
- Published API for creation of custom tools and NiteLite modules
Archiver Features:
- Drag-and-drop compression, decompression and archiving
- Uses standard Unix compression and archive formats
- Fool-proof user interface
- Single-step expansion of archive files
- Easily archives files from multiple folders
- Formatted listing of archive contents
- Flexible extension handling
** Multi-volume backups
** Tape drive support
NiteLite Features:
- Animated backdrop and screen saver
- Automatic and manual screen locking
- Locks screen if user forgets
- Unlocks using user’s password or root password
- Many different animated modules to choose from, including:
- SlideShow: Displays multiple EPS and TIFF images
- Strings: Curved lines that flow around your screen
- MetroScape: A night-time cityscape scene
- Clock: Clocks that bounce, march, spin and more
- Bezier: More fun with curved lines
- User-configurable settings on modules
- Color workspace backdrop
- Supports BackSpace modules
** Planned enhancements for version 1.2
Font Installer Features:
- One-step drag-and-drop font installation
- Installs NeXT and Macintosh PostScript fonts for use in all applications
- Intelligently parses Macintosh font files
- Enhances Macintosh fonts to allow them to be used with NeXTstep
- Corrects font family names
** Font deletion and packaging
File Locator Features:
- Several name matching schemes:
- Traditional file name wildcards (i.e. *.tiff)
- Unix regular expressions for powerful name matching
- Unique approximate matching for misspelled names (with user-selectable tolerance)
- Selectable filters for file size, date, time and owner
- Hierarchical search of nested folders - that really works
- Opens applications, files and folders directly from list by double-clicking
- Displays information for selected files - size, dates, owner and icon
- Icons can be dragged to the Workspace, other programs and Tools
Application Launcher Features:
- Effectively extends the dock by up to 38 applications
- Pull-down menu occupies very little screen space
- Menu items resize based on length of list
- 22 applications in standard mode
- 38 applications in compressed mode
- Drag-and-drop addition of applications
- Keeps application icons at the bottom of screen in a neat row
** User-configurable application/document groups
Sound Importer Features:
- One-step drag-and-drop sound importing
- Converts Macintosh sounds for use on NeXT computers
- Intelligently parses Macintosh sound files
- Generates separate sound files for each SND resource
- Installs sounds in correct library folders or user-defined locations
MetroTools is a trademark of Metrosoft, Incorporated. NeXT and Workspace Manager are trademarks of NeXT Computer, Inc. PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Company. Metamorphosis is a trademark of Altsys Corporation.
MetroTools Brochure
Metrosoft
$89