*applause*

Adam, thanks for all your help. I'd love to see this ability to change/ assign creator codes in a new Limewire version.

efield, thanks for the links and info. you're always posting here and so super helpful, and it's really appreciated.

Thanks, candyangel.

The File Exchange control panel is the place to do it. Make a file with a creator code of 'hook' and a type code of 'Mp3 ' using one of the type and creator code applications such as FileTyper. These codes are case sensitive and always four characters so this type code ends with a space. There are two tabs in the File Exchange CP and here you want to work from the File Translation tab. Click Add... at the bottom of the window and pick the file that you set the codes too. Another dialog will display with applications that can play MP3s such as QuickTime Player or Audion. Soundjam should be in this list too. Select an app and now files of that type open with the selected app.

A note that a creator code of 'hook' and a type code of 'mpg3' didn't work; I got an error that no application could handle this file type. If Soundjam is doing this I wonder what they're up to.

I tested this on OS 9.1 with QuickTime 4.

efield --
Thanks for the detailed instructions -- I'm getting close!

However, in the second dialog box (the one where you pick the app that you want to use to translate, ONLY QT shows up. I have Win media player and SoundJam installed, so seems like both of those should be in there as well. Any idea how to get apps added to this list?

I'm going to try rebuilding the desktop, reinstalling SoundJam, and see if that helps.

-Micah

I _could_ explain it to you, but i have a german MacOS and don't know the english translation for my buttons.

if you have your help system installed, then fire it up and search for the term "file exchange". this gives you overdetailed instructions how to get datatypes installed or recognized.

an installed help system is recommended, of course

thats the reason, why macs always under pcs, they are so easy, no one mind it to go the simpliest way :-)))

Thanks, unregistered --
Go ahead and give me the German, maybe it'll help. I speak only limited terrible Deutsch, but maybe I can find my dictionary somewhere. Also, I tried searching the Mac help system for file exchange and got instrux re: using the control panel, but I can't find any instrux re: adding apps to the window.

But I did have some luck -- I deleted the prefs file for SoundJam, restarted, and re-ran the initial setup for SJ, choosing to have SJ handle all MP3s. Then I rebuilt the desktop, which finally allowed SJ to show up in the File Exchange dialog box that efield mentioned. Seems that installing the app is the only way to get it "recognized"?

So now the files are easier to open -- the dialog box pops up each time I dbl-click on an mp3 downloaded from LW, and it has SJ listed as a choice. But the files retain their creator=hook until I filetype them into submission.

I'd say that's as far as I can go until afisk codes the creator choice into a future release of LW.

...Or until I decide to use iTunes. Which reminds me -- does iTunes interface with Toast? It's convenient that in SJ, you can create a playlist, hit "make CD," and transfer all the info into Toast ready to burn. Can iTunes do this? Couldn't find the answer at apple.com.

Thx all,
-Micah

If you don't want a dialog box every time you open a 'hook' mp3, uncheck "Always show choices when translating files" in the File Exchange CP. This setting will apply to any mystery file; the first choice for that type of file will be used every time.

Soundjam may have an option in the prefs to automatically associate files with Soundjam when then are opened. Audion does this, "When files are played associate them with Audion."

Hey, Mac users, know thy platform. Change/correct your downloading in File Exchange (system 9 or below). View by creator, change what you want changed, and eliminate the grief. You can get to the dialog through the Internet CP as well. Some updates are very aggressive (such as RealPlayer), and they mess with your settings. If necessary, you can even trash your prefs and start from scratch. The first time you try to open an audio file (with a plain icon), your friendly Mac will offer you choices and you can pick whichever program you want for a default.

This isen't just about setting the "right" default program, its also about the freedom to not set a default program at all for some files.
I resent that the Quicktime updater messed up my computer somehow and now all mp3 files "become" quicktime docs when downloading completes, no matter what the file exchange cp tells them to be. I would like all mp3 files to ask me each time which player I want to use and not have a "default" player set. I still can't make that work unless I manually change the creator codes myself. Perhaps I am missing some obvious "ask me each time" setting?

BUT I was successful in making all txt files open in Appleworks and all gif/jpgs open in Photoshop!

candyangel try unchecking "Enable QuickTime Exchange" under the QuickTime Exchange section in the QuickTime Settings control panel. When I was testing this I was told I would need to restart for this change to take. I didn't bother with that so this may not do what you want but if there is an option for what you're asking for this sounds like it.

...

And then my computer crashed. Looks like it works. When you add .mp3 or whatever to the end of a file now it doesn't change it to QuickTime.

I'll try that and let you know what happens.
*hugs* to you efield for always having a great tip or new idea.