The switching of the file's status wouldn't work, because I'm trying to solve a work problem where I need a gazillion files open to do what I'm doing, but I don't want to lock the editors out--I'm just using most of them for reference.

Don't sweat it, tommy. I appreciate your effort, but I was hoping to take advantage of work already done, in a...what was that app?...PowerTools or whatever sort of way.

Actually, this part:

whether a DOS script can get the highlighted file name passed to it as a parameter when the script is called by the right-click/open-with functionality.

I've been wondering for years - if I could do that I could save myself a bit of file maintenance work on one of our client's systems.

But really, the sucky thing is that Windows lacks a decent scripting language (.bat files don't count). Isn't there a new scripting facility in Vista?

(Reuters) - Apple Inc. said it launched iTunes Plus, a digital rights management-free music download service, for $1.29 per song.

The new service, offering higher audio quality music downloads, will operate alongside the existing iTunes, which offers music tracks at 99 cents per song, Apple said in a statement.

Separately, Apple said it will also offer educational materials from universities on its new iTunes U service

hmmm University classes....

ita-there is not a chance that most of these files you are opening are office files is there?

Cause if so, office has an option to open files read-only, and you could probably write a macro to make it a one-click choice.

office has an option to open files read-only, and you could probably write a macro to make it a one-click choice

A macro that's invoked from the right click menu in Explorer? I didn't know you could do that. I thought the app had to be open and in focus.

Hmm - even if the files you are opening are office, the read only option only works from within office applications. That is you have to be in word or excel or whatever. Choose file open from the menu or shortcut key, and get the file open dialog box, the click the little right arrow extra choices thingie to the right of the open button. While all those key strokes could be saved in a Macro, you would have to run that macro from within word or excel or whatever, which is not what you have in mind. Sorry, thought I had something.

x-post. I realized at the same time you did that it would not work.

here's the latest palm product. I'm a bit underwhelmed, but perhaps I was predisposed to be such:

[link]

You need a smartphone to work it? Not so dazzling.

So... do I want to download iTunes 7.2 or wait until some other lab rat type tries it?