Disable autosave

I started using TextWrangler instead, no way can I write scripts with this incredibly stupid "feature" auto-save...

I want my templates to stay the way I wrote them and when I´m done I´ll save a new one... for every OS update I find myself using more third-party software components 😠

My Bad — I should sleep more.

I use the Apple Term '"versions" when thinking about this feature and tend to think about the saving and restoring of windows as autosave. But Apple uses the term "Auto Save" in conjunction with "Versions" to describe the complete feature.

So sorry for stepping in on this conversation.

-Alan

I've tried Autosave for two days now, ruined at least a dozen documents and sent my client in two cases a broken version. Apple, please give us the option to turn "versions" off - system wide!

Marc,

Can you please explain which applications you were using auto save with? Can you explain how the files became ruined? Can you explain how you sent a broken version?

Without info, we cannot help you.

I don't really need help, just wanted to chime in: The only thing that can help me is to disable the enforced autosave. I've really tried to cope with this new feature, but I spend too much time being careful or restoring older versions. I had to buy BBEdit* to get things done where I used TextEdit before. Yes, TextEdit is unuseable. Try managing config files or viewing logfiles with it in Lion.

PS: I'm working with Windows, Linux and OS X and switching between them on a regular basis. Different saving methods adds a complexity for me that I am not willing to deal with. Yes, I do get the idea behind autosave and I guess many/some/a few people will like it, but it has to be optional.

* BBEdit is more expensive than Lion OS, *smackhead*

My problem is just the opposite. I can't find AutoSave or Versions. Spotlight search reveals several folders with those names, but their contents are unusable. So, I guess my question is: How do I enable AutoSave or Versions

magisterpat, Autosave is enabled by default. Open TextEdit, type something, save the file. Change the text and close TextEdit. When you reopen the file you'll see that the changes got saved.

You can access the older versions by clicking on the little arrow next to the title bar.

As for your troubles with Versions, please start a new thread, you're very offtopic here 🙂

Marc,

I know that you don't want help, and that you have purchased the very fine BB Edit, but if you ever want to protect a script template (or other) in Text Edit there are two possible options for you.

1. In Text Edit, if you hover over the document name (top dead center) you can 'Lock" the document from further change.

2. You can make it read only using the Format Menu / Prevent Editing function.

3. Duplicating your finished template: You can use the 'duplicate' function that is found under the disclosure triangle to the right of the document name which appears when you hover there.

F.Y.I

-Alan

Thanks Alan, that's indeed helpful hints everybody should know who's used to the old way. (I figured them out on day 2, but so far I didn't have a single case where I'd want to autosave the types of documents I edit in TextEdit). I really don't get how Apple could have added this to TextEdit. Numbers/Pages is probably fine. Not sure. Still got that experience ahead of me hehe

My problem with Autosave is that it's slowly eating my hard drive space (on two computers) - so fast I can watch it go when I get info on the drive.

I've been to the Apple store twice and their latest answer was to go back to Snow Leopard.

Sorry, been a fan of Apple for years - and I still will be - but this release *****!

Hello Alan.

I just read your reply and you may have answered my issue for me. I posted a few pages back as i love and use Keynote (iWork) daily for pretty heavy media rich presenatations full of video and audio for my job. Till the upgrade to Lion it all worked like a dream, however lately every time i add a new video or file to a large keynote presetation, it auto saves the changes which can take a good minute or so of the spinning ball.

It actually makes using keynote unusalble and stressfull. However on reading your post do i just select "lock" to stop this from happening? Or does that stop me from carrying on working on the presentation?

Thanks in advance

Tim

tim,

Lock also prevents you from editing. To be able to work in peace you need to do the following:

1. Load a document or start a new one + save it once.
2. Click on the document titlebar and select "Duplicate".
3. Close the orignal document

Now you got a 2nd copy that doesn't autosave for you and you'll get prompted when you close the window.

thats great news, thank you very much

I wish they would explain that so easily as you have.

Tim

Marc, that is not entirely true. If you duplicate a document, it will auto save, just as an untitled document in the changes database.