10/29/99
AppleWizards has a new section where you can download sound sets for outlook Express 5.0. There are already a dozen selections from which to choose!
Rams sent some great AppleScripts for you download and use.
Add-EarlyWarning --Mac OS 8.5 and up required. A folder action to alert you to the presence of applications. Designed with catching malicious script virii that appear to binary files in mind. This is an update from the original script that had a minor flaw in identifing names without file tags.
Find & Replace --Jon's commands or Mac OS 8.5 and up required. A simple script that gives you the ability find and replace text in any application. Just copy the text to the clipboard, run the script, enter the text to find, the text to replace, and paste.
Downloadzzz --Mac OS 8.6 and up required. Allows you to queue url's on the clipboard. Copy the internet location of those large files you don't have time to download, queue them, and run the script before bed time.
Sherlock Scripts -- Mac OS 8.6 and up required.These are similar to Apple's sherlock scripts found at http://www.apple.com/applescript/ however they have been designed to make use of the scriptablity of the new sherlock. (No more alias moving).
Both Anthony Saxton and Peter Hein wrote to recommend a website to ResExcellence readers. NoWonder.com. They have a large number of Mac specific volunteers answering hundreds of Mac questions weekly! Most questions are answered in less that 24 hours! They have sections for every major OS, even Linux and the little known Windows OS.
As ResExcellence approaches the serving of its 1,000,000th home page, watch for details of our "Thanks a Million" event...
Add Custom MacAmp icons to Audio CD Tracks
Here's an edit that Michael Askew recently performed on his iMac to make CD tracks automatically open in MacAmp instead of the Apple CD Audio Player. While similar to another recent edit for the Apple Audio CD Player, I thought users of MacAmp, and other players, would appreciate this version. (Continued...)
Software News 10-29-99
Software News: 10/29/99 – by Cletus
Today I want to go back and give some more information on some topics I have mentioned previously.
Lots of new AppleScripts are coming in for Outlook Express 5.0. They can be found at the Unofficial Outlook Express site. They are averaging around 4-5 new ones per day.
I mentioned last time the sites I go to for help when I need it and several wrote in to thank me. Your Welcome! :) Only a fool thinks they know everything my dad would say. To that end I want to give out a few more ideas to help you all out as suggested by readers.
The OE 5.0 Talk List is a great place to start if you are moving from another email client or wish help in figuring something out that confuses you. Thanks, L. D. Ford.
To HTML or Plain Text your email, that is the question and considering the email I receive any more from ResExcellence readers, I found this a valuable read and you may too.
A reader wrote in to notify me that OpColourLight has been finalized and can be downloaded at Cybernet Plus+. I changed the links in the SW Archive to reflect these pages that provide better English translations.
Last, but by no means least, is a software suggestion by an old friend. Well he is older then me ;) Dan Flax wrote in to suggest I add Scrollability by Edenware to the Archive. Formerly known as ScrollMagick, it provides an unique way of scrolling through your folder window's list.
Submit Software News Suggestions!
Icon/Desktop News 10-29-99
Icon &
Desktop News (10/29/99) by Ilona
Braking News:
(10/30-31/99)
Last time arrivals: Three new Halloween desktop pictures
in the Desktop
Archive!
Two new great icon sets in the
Icon
Archive! Two good looking new
pictures in the Desktop
Archive. Enjoy! And don't
forget: They are always open for your
contributions!
Beautifully drawn, new 32 bit
transparent icon set and some new desktop pictures are
waiting for you at power/Mac.
The icons have just got the residency in our Icon
Archive. Thanks for the contribution!
Icon
Amazons has a new member and a
girlish possible new icon set, Fairy tale
Princess.
Beans are not always for making
neckless and bracelets... The Beanz at Kaysha's
Interface Plaza are there for
decorate your desktops.
Kiwame(Ultimate)
-Icon Mania is a site, devoted
to Japanese icons. Don't worry if you don't know
Japanese. Every click will take you to an icon site, full
of icons. Thanks for the hint Tomomi(Girlie
Macintosh)!
Flax
Creations released three new
desktop pictures. Two of them are in our Desktop Archive.
Thanks for the contribution!
Since Halloween is just two days
ahead, I think these are the final links to some scary
stuff. Chemicons
released Fright cons and he will make you hunt down some
extra limited edition on Halloween night!
Texture
Paradise has some Halloween
related patterns for your desktops and web pages. It's a
nice looking site with ingenious preview
presentation.
What is your newest creation? Icons?
Desktop pictures? Inform
us! We'll post it!
Use Contributions: (10/29/99)
Register to Win an iPod at Smalldog.com
10/27/99
Even if you are not running Linux, you're gonna love this site! Linuxberg Themes has hundreds of theme files for several popular window managers, and while you can't use them on the MacOS to change the look of your windows, there are enough desktop pictures that you can waste a weekend viewing them!
Visit the download page at Owen Strain's web site to view the "About this Mac" replacements he has posted!
OmegaDawn Grafix has posted half a dozen desktop pictures for you to download. The pictures are definitely hi-tech and are available in several sizes.
Just in time for Halloween, Unkindesign added three new spooky desktops to their download section.
Create New Sound Sets for Outlook Express 5.0
Want some new sounds for Outlook Express 5.0? Mark Thalman was the first to send this simple tip regarding OE5 Sound Files. Download my quickie Trek Sound Set! (Continued...)
Software News 10-27-99
Software News: 10/27/99 – by Cletus
Being the golf enthusiast I am, and for those who know me, you will no doubt know how truly saddened and shocked I am by the death of Payne Stewart. It really hit me hard as he has always been a favorite of mine. I am sure all of our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the other five families of those who died in this all too tragic event. I needed to say this, thanks.
Now on with the news...
Script Software has updated it's wonderful CopyPaste program. The most significant among the many feature upgrades is that it is now Mac OS 9 compatible. Additionally, ClipViewer and the ClipRecorder windows now have scrollbars, you can always see all your clips, one can drag and drop freely between the Recorder and the Palette and several other additions. The Archive has been updated.
Now for a few "alternate" OS screenshots:
--WindowMaker Themes.org has updated two of their most popular "themes" as witnessed by these two screenshots: One and two.
--Enlightenment.org lists five screen shots
--Ice WindowMaker also updates one of its themes.
I wish I were as much of a Software Guru as many of you feel I am. I have been able to help the majority of those who have asked for information or help though. If I can't help, I find these places of great value and mabe you will also find your answer here. ResExcellence Forum, Apple Tech Exchange, MacFixIt Forums. But please continue to write me for help and I will do my best.
Submit Software News Suggestions!
Icon/Desktop News 10-27-99
Icon &
Desktop News (10/27/99) by Ilona
New icons arrived in the
Icon
Archive! If you missed the
news last time: we have a special Icon
Archiver offer for
you. ResExcellence readers save $10 on the
registration. We also have an in-depth interview
with the programmer, Alessandro Levi
Montalcini.
Blue
Sky Heart Graphics - has two
Halloween desktop pictures for you. They are great as
always!
SMD's
Web has added pumpkin desktop
picture for Halloween. And I know there will be another
pretty picture soon.
Devil's
Desktop is showing two sets of
icons and desktop pictures as well.
If you are a K-schemer and you have
difficulty finding out how many icons are in the System
and what are their ID numbers, download the
Icon
Helper Set!
IconDropper and IconBuilder are ready
for MacOS 9! Get them from Iconfactory.
They also promise a new utility, iControl which will help
you fiddle with the System icons.
What's new on your site? Icons?
Desktop pictures? Inform
us! We'll post it!
Use Contributions: (10/27/99) Girls, girls, girls...
- Matthew Barre's MOSS featuring Star Trek's "7 of 9" is ready for you to download. My, she's a good looking Borg.
- In another series of splash screens for Microsoft products, Tashi sent these images of lovely ladies for Word 98, Excel, and Explorer.
- Not to be outdone in the exposed flesh arena, Kerry Raport sent a Netscape splash titled., "Latex". (I bet this is the one Howard Stern uses...)
- Erik Barzeski proves once again that his infatuation with Sandra Bullock is to our benefit by sending this first replacement splash screen for Outlook Express 5.0
- And finally, an attractive woman of the animated variety. Michael Pollard sent a Hotline splash featuring Oni.
Ilicon Graphic Design
10/25/99
Some of the best programs for the Mac have been written by Alessandro Levy Montalcini. KeyQuencer, Icon Archiver, and USB Overdrive - to name just a few.
That's why I was tingling all over when I heard that ResExcellence's Ilona Melis snagged Alessandro for an excellent interview!
In addition, read Ilona's column below to find out about a special offer for ResExcellence readers.
 By an overwhelming majority, 90% of ResExcellence readers have made purchases online. I hope that like me, you have found the experience pleasurable, or at least comparable to a traditional 'brick and mortar" store.
This week's Polling Place question was suggested by Eric Barzeski from AppleWizards. "Does your Browser's Bookmark Menu scroll?"
This turned up in the Users Forums over the weekend. MACMAN mentioned this link to a web site that has posted MacOS X Client pictures. It doesn't look much different that the MacOS X Server. Be sure to take a peek before Apple's lawyers have a "heart to heart" with the webmaster. (Opps, gone already....)
Speaking of special offers, this is the last week to take advantage of RAILHead fonts! Answer this ResExcellence question, "Who submitted the edit that shows you how to modify a bitmapped font so that the System thinks it's at 12 points?". Put the answer in the comment area of the RAILhead order page, and you can double-up your order for no additional charge! Buy one font, get one free, buy two and get two free, and so on!
My local Barnes & Noble bookstore has a great selection of computer books and magazines. In what must be a good sign for the Macintosh computer, I saw a surprising number of Mac print magazines:
Software News 10-25-99
Software News: 10/25/99 – by Cletus
This weekend was real Autumn like around here. Breezy, rainy and chilly. But I am hoping to squeeze in a round or two of golf yet this year.
Anthony D. Saxton dropped off a present for ResExcellence late last week, BundleFix™. He wrote this little application about one year ago for members of VMUG to correct a problem with the FirstClass Client Installer where the bundle bit wasn't set appropriately. He writes:"This program corrects the bundle bit on any file dragged to it. If the BNDL resource is present, the bit is set. Otherwise, it's reset. ...In effect, it fixes a generic icon if at all possible!" Thanks!! It's new home is here!
Currently Smart Scroll is incompatible with Mac OS 9. As of early this weekend this incompaitbility wasn't widely known. It appears to be causing some unusual dramatic effects such as menu bar flashing and alert sounds going off. Wierd! Additionally noted is that Custom Menu's and Startup Doubler also by Marc Moini is not compatible, but the Homepage indicates updates are coming and I will keep you posted.
Lemke Software updated their superb Graphic Converter program over the weekend to version 3.7.2. Seperate downloads for PPC and 68K are now available. As well as the following partial list of enhancements and fixes for this version: sliced export, import options for PGC, PGF, 48-bit TIFF, CAM, and cicn files. Compatible with Internet Config also.
Submit Software News Suggestions!
Icon/Desktop News 10-25-99
Icon &
Desktop News (10/25/99) by Ilona
Attention please! We have a
special Icon
Archiver offer for
you. ResExcellence readers save $10 on the
registration. We also have an in-depth interview
with the developer, Alessandro Levi
Montalcini.
Today's discovery is a site with
excellent icons and desktop pictures. Hell's
Half Acre has a great looking
site design with a logical arrangement of its contains.
Thumbs up for simplicity!
PowerMac
has a great cure for his injury. He makes icons. Good
medicine! I'm sure he will be well soon since he just
released five new sets, including Toy Story and several
handsome folder icon sets!
One of our diligent contributor Brian
DePalo opened his brand new web site, Mac
OS Resource Plaza. You can get
his icons and news and who knows what else will be there
in the future. Good luck Brian!
Nerd: Webster's Dictionary doesn't
say anything about uniqueness or originality associated
with "nerd," but this is what you get when you visit
Mac
Nerds! I love those icons and
desktop pictures!
Leafs are falling, Halloween is
coming. Creative
Box doesn't want to scare you
in any way. He find an elegant way of celebrating the
season. Get his October Apple, desktop
picture.
Icon
Macher updated again to
version 1.5.4. Also listed it in our Software
Archive.
iMac
Kid is not about icons or
desktop pictures. It's about iMacs. But I felt writing
about it because it is designed and maintained by a
nine-year old Mac enthusiast! I believe many of you have
kids, maybe an iMac too. Well, this is one of those sites
you can let your kids visit! You might want to write this
little girl a nice encouraging email. Welcome in the Mac
community, Lexi!
What's new on your site? Icons?
Desktop pictures? Inform
us! We'll post it!
Use Contributions: (10/25/99)
- For those of you have created an individual logins under MacOS 9 for each of your Multiple personalities, you can download this Star Trek insignia for the Captain Kirk buried deep within you. (If I receive enough of these Mutiple-User Pictures, I'll put them in a new section.)
- Phineas X. Jones has submitted some the funniest (yet horrible) splash screens ever to grace these pages. Based on the premise that users of Microsoft are suffering terrible, he has created Martyrsoft: a series of splash screens depicting torture of a Biblical nature. Versions are posted for Word 98, Outlook Express 4.5, and Explorer.
- Another opinion on Microsoft was expressed in this Explorer Borg splash screen by Jjaro.
- Two more Netscape splashes by Adam have been posted for you young lads in the crowd. These feature Brittany Spears and Katie Price Jordan.
Stocking Stuffers from Kensington and Smalldog.com!
10/22/99
Bob Friede sent a URL to this web site that has posted several patchers that mirror previous ResExcellence edits. Specifically:
I haven't tried any of these patchers, so please be sure to work on a backup copy of your files.
Regarding the recent edit to replace the Audio CD icons, Jolin Warren sent this additional tip:
If you have multiple hard drives, you _must_ have the modified CD Audio Player on the startup disk when you do the desktop rebuild! The CD Audio track icons come from the DesktopDB on the startup disk, and when you rebuild the desktop, if the CD Player isn't on the startup disk, it will use the old icons. This flummoxed me for a while (my CD player is normally on a different disk), so I thought others should know!
Raptor's Console is a Star Wars/Star Trek Desktop Picture/Theme site. While the Themes are for Windoze, the desktop pictures can be used on Macs, of course.
Matthew Barre, the webmaster of the site, has submitted a Star Trek Voyager MOSS that you'll be seeing in a few days!
 Switch from gdm to kdm to manage your Linux Logins.
LinuxPPC 1999 comes configured with the very boring Gnome Desktop Manager (gdm). If you installed the K Desktop Environment (KDE), you can have the option of using their desktop manager: kdm.
I like kdm better because it can be configured from the KDE Control Center. You can select colors, a graphic, fonts, how to display users, and determine logout options. (Continued...)
Also for Linux, Jeremy Mates sent this tip to remove the Shop button in Netscape (and manage other butons too!).
Hacking Netscape under X Windows is rather easy (well, in comparison to, oh, sendmail). Just edit your ~/.Xdefaults file and throw in lines similar to:
Netscape*toolBar.home.isEnabled: true
Netscape*toolBar.search.isEnabled: false
Netscape*toolBar.destinations.isEnabled: false
Netscape*toolBar.print.isEnabled: false
Netscape*toolBar.viewSecurity.isEnabled: true
Netscape*toolBar.myshopping.isEnabled: false
Software News 10-22-99
Software News: 10/22/99 – by Cletus
It's been slow so let's revisit... I think I am very safe in saying that I have seldom received so many responses to a request for information as I have with ACTION Menus. More amazing perhaps is the amount of positive responses. Approximately 35 responded and only two had anything "bad" to say. I guess I may have to download and try it after all.
On the other hand...my mentioning of Outlook Express 5.0 brought about some "strong" reactions. Most were positive, some were upset that the program can't stand up and do a twirl and the "rest" will probably never give it a shot. I am a simple person I guess and it serves my needs very well. I am very happy with it.
As to my concern of limited sound assignments, L. D. Ford notified me of an impending and since released OE Sound Set Creator application by Omar Shahine. You can get it on the Unofficial OE Page, which is a great source of information. It works great and even I managed to create a sound set! I added it to the SW Archive and would strongly recommend trying this out. It is simple and easy to use.
Grab some new K-Schemes. You have 7 new and 14 updated to choose from!
Submit Software News Suggestions!
Icon/Desktop News 10-22-99
Icon &
Desktop News (10/22/99) by Ilona
Something really great is coming in
the Icon
Archive. Maybe as soon as
Monday! Three new pictures arrived in the
Desktop
Archives. Thanks! Enjoy! And
don't forget: They are always open for your
contributions!
Icon
Amazons are ready to spook you
with their first joint set of icons for
Halloween!
SMD's
Web released a great looking
K-scheme, Graphite, comes with icons and gorgeous desktop
pictures as usual. She also has beautiful Halloween
scenes for your desktop and other stuff for further
customization.
Pixel
Base released five pretty girl
icons, called Amazons.
Intergalactic
Desktop released new icons,
The Mad Pack.
The three new pictures we got today,
are from Aldert
Han's Homepage. The site is
written in Dutch but you will have no problem to find the
beautiful desktop pictures. Just look for them under
"Apple Wallpapers".
Brycetopia
- great name, good looking interface. They have amazing
3D desktop pictures and Bryce tips.
What's new on your site? Icons?
Desktop pictures? Inform
us! We'll post it!
Register to Win an iPod at Smalldog.com
10/20/99
Well this eCommerce thingy is a little harder than I first thought it would be. In order to sell ResExcellence t-shirts to billions of eager fans, I had hoped to setup a secure server with credit card authorization through a third party.
It's costs so darn much that it would eventually cost me the ResExcellence t-shirt off my back!
If I continue to go forward with this idea, it will probably take this form:
Using a page on ResExcellence, you send me your name, address, and shirt size. then I'll email you total (including shipping), and you send me a check for that amount. once the check clears, I'll ship the shirt!
It's the best I can do for now...
Mr. Fantastic wants me to tell you about Unkindesign.com. It's a very odd web site with some very nice desktop pictures.
If you're a Powerbook user, you may be interested to know that Sun remarketing cut $15 from the price of their Graphite ADB mouse bringing it down to $75.
Add colored icons to Audio CD Tracks
 Ben Lukens sent in this great tip, along with a great looking icon. This edit removes one of the last commonly seen black and white Mac icons - the dreaded audio track!
(Continued...)
Software News 10-20-99
Software News: 10/20/99 – by Cletus
Well I am trying out the new Outlook Express 5.0. My initial reaction with the software is that it is very well done. I did have some trouble locating where the Preferences are stored. It is not in the same folder as the application as in previous versions. To help you all I got this reply from the MacFixIt Forum: "It is stored in the root of your drive, in the Documents-->Microsoft User Data-->Identities folder." One thing I would prefer is more freedom selecting sounds but hey...
Public Access Software has released a new product which I think may spark an interest in some of you. Appearance Menu places an icon in your menu bar through which you can gain instance access to the Appearance Manager. Even more cool is that you can instantly select and switch Themes! It is in the SW Archive.
KeySwapper by John V. Holder Software has been updated. From the version history read me: "Added three new keys (the function keys F13-F15) for applications that use them to access certain features (newer Mac keyboards don't have them anymore!) Bug fix: The caps lock disable now works properly in older desk accessories." The Archive has been updated!
Everyone by now knows ACTION Menus has been released. As I stare with great sadness at my now defunct Now Utilities disks I begin to wonder how my favorite aspect of Now Utilities is working? Let me know please!
Submit Software News Suggestions!
Icon/Desktop News 10-20-99
Icon &
Desktop News (10/20/99) by Ilona
Our Icon
Archive has new icons and our
Desktop
Archives has new desktop
pictures. Thanks! Enjoy! And don't forget: They are
always open for your contributions!
Iconmaniac
is finally up with its Top Ten list for September. Yes,
you're right. It is a little bit late. But now it's up,
so you can chide the judges if you like. Also see Jason's
SD Ultraman & Monster icons, his newest
pixellation.
Mac'in
Trash is a forest of iMac
icons. There must have been a good inspirational rain
there because those iMac icons are just keep growing! I
especially liked the iBook Folders.
Magie
Tear is my newest discovery.
There are nicely done Bloom County and Outland icons. And
his lovely Bonsai set has just got a place in our Icon
Archive. Thanks for the contribution.
Get yourself some new Marvel icons
from Devil's
Desktop! I wonder if he'll say
"Boo" with some icons for Halloween...
Albie
Wong is an old master of Kal
schemes and System Replacement icons. This time he made
something different. He calls them "1234". A great
looking, cheerful little set of icons!
If you get iMac sick, you can take
some iMac pills! Get them from the Apple
Valley Icon
collection!
It is one of the rare occasion when
all the workers in the factory make icons. Yes, you
guessed it right. It's Iconfactory!
All members has made some icons of their own to spook the
hell out of you for Halloween. I like the appropriate
Halloween language they changed throughout of the whole
site... "Adverdying" - that's a good one!
If you need to be further terrified,
go to HomeArt
and grow your Halloween collection with these 32 bit
icons.
Big Mean Tangerine? And all the
others... The Perfect
Yosemite is not just perfect
when it comes to making icons. He proves it to you with
his new creations, desktop pictures. But hurry, they are
available only for a limited time!
Echo
Zone is a site with a look, it
reminds me of K-schemes. And two of her desktop pictures
just got a place in our Desktop Archive today. Thanks for
the contribution.
Rampant
Mac - what a great place, full
of beautiful desktop pictures! I love the Wolves and the
Frog and the White Tiger! Hmm... I want that Leaf! What
about that iGrapeOS... and the Painted Mac... and the
Three Little Max! Oh, and look at that Graphite SE...!
They sure look good in the preview! I think I'll try the
Leaf...
PowerMac,
though he had some injury, managed to release some new
desktop pictures and there will be great system icons
soon.
You can make your desktop picture
into numerous amount of folder icons. It would be crazy
but hey, you can do it with Icon
Macher! You have seen those
pretty little pictures decorating some icon sets. Right?
Well, you can make any PICT, JPEG, GIF, and TIFF into
folders to spice your icon sets, now with the 1.5.3.
updated version of this great little utility. See also in
our Software
Archive.
What's new on your site? Icons?
Desktop pictures? Inform
us! We'll post it!
User Contributions: (10/20/99)
- Joe Rossell created this classy Freehand replacement splash screen.
- Calvin and Hobbs have always been favorites at ResExcellence. Michael Askew created this funny splash screen for Internet Explorer.
- Futurama is the latest MOSS submission by Gary Saxon.
- The Apostate added to the collection of X-Ray exposed splash screens with this new one for Netscape.
- And finally, Adam sent some Netscape splashes featuring his favorite fantasies: Katie Price and Brittany Spears.
VillageTronic Video Card For Only $99 at Smalldog.com!
10/18/99
 Being the adventurous readers that I knew you were, I wasn't at all surprised at results from last week's poll - in fact, as you will see below, I was betting on it!
Almost 45% of you have given LinuxPPC a spin on your computer. It took me several attempts over the course of the year to get an install with which I was comfortable.
If you're love your MacOS, but want to occasionally experience a different look and feel, set aside a partition or reformat a Jazz drive, and experience the excitement of a "first date" with Linux!
With a few months left in the Holiday shopping season, every commercial on the radio screams "dot com"! While online sales are still a small fraction of the economy, this week's Polling Place is curious, "Have you made a purchase online?".
Never being satisfied to maintain the status quo, ResExcellence is proud to once again announce the opening of new section: The Linux Icebox!
In the simple style of our previous ResEdit postings, the Linux Icebox will demonstrate modifications to the LinuxPPC operating system.
Today's block of ice shows you how to shorten the startup countdown in BootX. (Continued...)
MacInstruct has posted two more great tutorials. The first one (29 pages long!), shows you many ways to get the most out of your Mac.
The second desribes SCSI basics and is supported with plenty of graphics.
Software News 10-18-99
Software News: 10/18/99 – by Cletus
It was just one of those weekends. Had some trouble with the cable modem and was only able to get on in little sporadic bursts. So what does one do then? Well I downloaded (when able) and played with a few new applications for me. The end result is some additions to the SW Archive!
The first is what I have been using for the last week and sent in my registration for on Sunday. TypeIt4Me by Riccardo Ettore has become invaluable for me over the last week. It allows you to specify abbreviations that will be expanded to full text on-the-fly while typing. Example: U ha gt t tr th expands to = You have got to try this! It is in the SW Archive.
Two other additions come from DragonOne. The first is AppTab which, through a hotkey combination will pop up a window showing all open apps. From there you can then navigate and quit application.
The second addition is QuickWindow, an extension that allows full manipulation of the Finder's windows via the Finder's Menu. Both AppTab and QuickWindow are Mac OS 9 compatible and have been added to their respective Archive pages.
Ben Mackin wrote into tell me his Dark Platinum Theme has been updated: "...updated the document windows, dialogs, movable modals, icons, and widgets." Give this a try and let him know. It is coming along very well I think and further updates are planned.
Mark Evans wrote in to suggest I add Custom Menu by Marc Moini to the Software Archive. It allows you to tear off any menu in any application as well as make custom menu's. Please note that Custom Menu's page suggests it is not compatible with Mac OS 8.6 +. It has been added as requested.
Submit Software News Suggestions!
Icon/Desktop News 10-18-99
Icon &
Desktop News (10/18/99) by Ilona
Our
Desktop
Archives is really popular!
Again it has been updated with new pictures! We also have
great stuff in the Icon
Archive! Enjoy! And don't
forget: They are always open for your
contributions!
Icon
Machine(also listed in our
Software
Archive) has gone through some
bugs extermination. In other words, it has been updated
again. Try this promising 32 bit icon editor!
Kitchen
Sink Design has new iMac
icons. There are tons of comic book character icons too.
If that's what makes you happy, that is your place to
go!
Epoch
Icons went through a massive
update attack! You must see all of the goodies, desktop
pictures fonts... great stuff!
Icon
Studio has not only icons but
plenty of MacOS related desktop pictures as
well.
Spy
- true to its name - spied some icons and successfully
made them into its own style! Sing of a true artist. My
personal favorite is iAliens.
Icon
Amazons new member brought
some flowers into the community today. The brave girls
are also prepared to spook you for Halloween!
Intergalactic
Desktop will give your desktop
a Halloween treat with its new picture!
If blue is your color, visit
Smoking
Drum. He has four Deep Blue
desktop pictures. While you are there, look around. You
might find yourself a pretty font to take with you. Or
perhaps a K-scheme?
Speaking of K-schemes. I know
they are not about icons and they are not about desktop
pictures... They are about both! K-schemes are about
almost anything. They have the most creative and
beautifully made system icons. Most of the schemes come
with desktop pictures and patterns too. All of them have
their own designed cursors. For customization freak like
us, Kaleidoscope
is definitely the place to go.
What's new on your site? Icons?
Desktop pictures? Inform
us! We'll post it!
User Contributions: (10/18/99)
- To match his previously submitted Desktop Picture, Mitcz Marzoni created a Giant MOSS of Sleepy Hollow for 15 in. and 17 in. monitors.
- Continuing his series on StoogeOS, Scott Chitwood sent a cool looking About this Mac replacement.
- A very colorful Simpson MOSS was created by Gary Saxon.
- Based on 3D artwork by Michael Koch, Joe Russell made this Hotline Splash screen.
- Seven new About this Mac replacements were created by Tim Horton featuring a scene from the Matrix.
- From a beautiful scene in the Utah Mountains, Cody Stephens made this Netscape splash replacement.
Stocking Stuffers from Kensington and Smalldog.com!
10/15/99
It's been confirmed by independent laboratories around the world. The edit to modify Apple's CD/DVD driver to mount third party drives works with the latest version that ships with MacOS 9! Thanks to Bernhard Fuerst for being the first to tell us, and Anthony Saxton, the author of the edit, for backing him up!
 Everyone and their brother has emailed asking where Victor Nystad got that cool looking trash can.
It's from John Marstall's Perfect Yosemite. In fact, John just redesigned his site, so be sure to take a stroll around.
Mac Things has added to its AppleScript page, and posted several new Desktops, including some transparencies.
MacOS 9: Remove or Change the Logout Command Key
 Maybe I'm a klutz, or too impatient, but I am constantly logging out when all I'm really trying to do is quit another application.
This simple edit removes the command key from the Logout menu item. The setting is stored in the Multi-User Startup extension. (Continued...).
Software News 10-15-99
Software News: 10/15/99 – by Cletus
It has been kind of slow over the last couple days with Software updates. I suppose all the developers are curled away in their corners making sure their programs are Mac OS 9 compatible.
MacNN has started a Mac OS 9 Report page that deals with compatibility issues and updates to those programs that need it. It is definitely worth a read.
 I have been playing around with an interesting little application from DouWere called DateViewer. It places a small floating window on your desktop with the date in it. What makes it even more useful is that you can drag and drop the date from it's window into your documents. I have added this to the SW Archives.
AfterStep Themes.org has been posting several Sceenshots over the last week or so. Additionally their Themes page list several updates for October.
Submit Software News Suggestions
Icon/Desktop News 10-15-99
Icon &
Desktop News (10/15/99) by Ilona
We have so many great stuff in our
Icon
and Desktop
Archives! Enjoy! And don't
forget: They are always open for your
contributions!
Blue
Magnetic Web Dynamo! Every
icon lunatic knows the mighty icon artist, Etherbian. He
makes original and fun icons for even the dustiest Mac.
He always makes me laugh with one or two icons in every
set he is making. Berrybushy is one example from the
Transitiotrash, his latest trash icons set. He creates
icons, nobody else create. He writes the way, nobody else
write. He cannot do anything I don't like... I even like
his FAQ page! From now on, he also has something else to
offer. What are those? How can we describe the unique
drawings? We can't! We just stare right at them and love
them! What are you waiting for? Go take a look at the new
and redesigned Blue
Magnetic Web
Dynamo.
Eric
Peacock's Wed Site is a
collection of links to icon sites. The only place you'll
find Japanese icon sites listed separately. If Japanese
icons are the love of your life, you must visit this
excellent site. Eric also offers some of his icons. Now,
that Halloween is coming... get the skull icons from his
collection.
Iconhouse
has Starcraft icons. For now. But go back later and
you'll find yourself in a strange vision of Halloween
happenings...
Though I don't think the Bugiconset
was meant to scare you for Halloween, they are spooky
enough to me! Go to Little
Icon Foundry, and hunt down
those elegant looking bugs. If crawling creatures are not
your taste, you don't have to go too far to find his much
friendlier icons, like those Mac characters with
attitudes.
Kineticon
has new kines. This time the MacOS two face icon will
animate for your entertainment.
Ra's
Page, is full of fun,
interesting and original collection of icons. Get your
Flash plug-in. You'll need it!
It was worth waiting!
Flax's
Creation made new desktop
pictures for your customizing pleasure.
What's new on your site? Icons?
Desktop pictures? Inform
us! We'll post it!
User Contributions: (10/13/99)
- Akeem Williams from the Creative Box sent a watery blue About this Mac replacement called "da bomb".
- From StarWars Episode I, Marc Andryuk put together this MOSS featuring the Powerbook of the Furture.
- Xrra submitted a Netscape splash of a woman on the beach.
- And in the same vain, Dan Jensen sent his female dream team on an Explorer splash. (it all must be due to some alignment of the planets.)
Ilicon Graphic Design
10/13/99
So far, the word on MacOS 9 and our Previous Edits is "No Problem!"
 If you would like to see Apple's ugliest, I mean newest feature without resorting to child's play in the MultiUser controls, run this AppleScript to active Panels:
As we mentioned earlier, it's one of the few places in the OS that support Huge icons. To Quit Panels, select Log Out from the Special menu while a panel is open.
Remember when performing System suitcase edits: if the edit isn't working, you may have to perform the edit on the MacOS ROM file. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be any clear rule as you move from Mac to Mac, but hang in there, if there's a resource to edit, we will find it!
"Path? We don't need no stinkin' path!"
Anthony Pittari made a few simple additions to Gary Satterfield's cache deleting AppleScript so that you will no longer have to edit the path. Download the script and view the source below:
property FirstRun : true
property TheCacheLocation : ""
if FirstRun then
set TheCacheLocation to (choose folder with prompt "Please choose your cache folder:")
set FirstRun to false
end if
tell application "Finder"
delete every file in folder TheCacheLocation
empty trash
end tell
Victor Nystad dropped a line to tip us off to a nifty trick he put together.
One of the coolest things about OpColorLight is that I can finally delete the name of the trashcan in ResEdit (make is a space), and make the textbox color in OpColorLight transparent.
And one more thing: If you use OSA Menu, which lets you assign keyboard shortcuts to applescripts, and put the following very simple script in the universal folder, you can toggle the visibility of the Application Switcher from within every application.
tell application "Application Switcher"
if visible of palette is false then
set visible of palette to true
else
set visible of palette to false
end if
end tell
What are the "Seven Strange Problems The PRAM Can Cause"? Stop by MacInstruct to find out. A second tutorial is a reader submission that deals with iMac file transfers.
The MacOS 9 Login Page features images that you can use with the MultiUser function of MacOS 9.
Software News 10-13-99
Software News: 10/13/99 – by Cletus
Today we have a real mixture of things to cover so hang on, here we go!
First is an update to ViaHTTP. Version 1.4 adds queueing and fixes a registration bug. I have updated the SW Archive to reflect the new version number.
Customize.org posted some new wallpaper recently which you should check out. In particular I find Organic and The Centre 2 very unique.
Opera Software has updated its information on the Project Magic page listing the current status of the Mac OS version of this browser.
For those still waiting for Mac Os 9 MacSoldiers has a page that shows screenshots of the newest features of the OS and what you can expect.
For those that have Mac OS 9, Version Tracker has a page of needed updates for the new OS
Kaleidoscope has posted their updated schemes for the week. 10 New and 15 Updated.
As to the request for more unique Location Manager uses, Ronald Guest wrote back to add this to his previous suggestion. "If you open LM you will see the sorts of things it can change. It is truly wonderful if you travel with a PowerBook or have to connect one to different networks. I have to connect to 4 different networks depending on where I am and what I am doing. This involves direct ethernet or dialup, different email servers, and so on. LM completely automates all of this. One click and my Outlook Express settings change, browser proxy settings, time zone, TCP/IP settings, default printer, Appletalk, etc. It really is an amazing tool - and all that with no programming!
He adds: "there is another use for LM, which is to open sets of applications. Just create a location and add "auto-open" applications and/or files to it. Whenever you switch to the location, your Mac automatically opens the set of files/applications. It slices, it dices, ..."
Now I need some help. With the impending arrival of my Mac OS 9 disk I need to replace Speed Doubler it appears. I am particularly interested in replacement of two components of Speed Doubler I find invaluable: Smart Copy and HotKeys. Go here for more details.
Submit Software News Suggestions!
Icon/Desktop News 10-13-99
Icon &
Desktop News (10/13/99) by Ilona
Look into our
Icon
Archive! We've got a great
looking Halloween icon set contribution. You will also
find "More 32 bit" icons!
Our
Desktop
Archive,just opened two days
ago, has again six new desktop pictures to
show!
Hide's
Icons will spook you with this
Halloween set for sure! Ghosts are flying around... dead
are rasing from their graves... vampires are waking up to
get you!, View the sample,
feel the chill and run to Hide's
place to pick them
up!
To get further
scared go to Devil's
Desktop. Five new pictures
waiting for you. Two of them will scare you really
good!
Thanks for all your
contributions!
What's new on your site? Icons?
Desktop pictures? Inform
us! We'll post it!
User Contributions: (10/13/99)
VillageTronic Video Card For Only $99 at Smalldog.com!
10/11/99
Peter McHugh is the winner of last months random drawing for contributors to this site. Peter, our pal from the land down-under, will show up at the next boomerang competition wearing an original Bondi iMac T-shirt.
And creativity runs in the McHugh family. When you get to the User Contributions at the bottom of the page, take a look at Alex McHugh's submissions! Alex is Peter's son.
 I thought for sure readers were somehow misunderstanding last week's poll question. How could almost half of you have 7 or more browser plugins installed!
An informal check of the computers around the office confirmed it though - a lot of plug ins work there way onto your hard disk.
I'm a total Ludite with only two: the default and Quicktime, but many of you have Flash, Beatnik, and dozens of others.
This week's Polling Place asks, "Have you ever installed Linux on your computer?".
Long lost Hungarian Princess, Ilona Melis, has once again worked her magic, and that's why today I can announce the opening of our new Desktop Picture archive! With the addition of this latest section, ResExcellence can do an even better job of helping you customize your Mac.
Beautiful daytime temperatures in the 70's, nighttime was a cool 50 - and no bears!. So passes another Fall Camping trip. The photo below shows ten of the kids who made the trek. If you get the chance, you should visit Gov.Dodge State park in Wisconsin!
Gary Satterfield sent an AppleScript you can download to do the following:
This simple script will delete all your browser’s cache files in one easy step. You can change "Path:to:Cache ƒ" to whatever drive/folder contains your browser’s cache. I compiled this script as an application and tossed it into my Startup Items folder so my cache would be deleted each time I restart. Offered on an “as-is” basis with no warranty or guarantee of any sort. Although it is unlikely you will cause any harm to your computer with this script, there is always room for error, so use this script at your own risk. You may modify this script in any manner you see fit.
tell application "Finder"
delete every file in folder "path:to:the:Cache ƒ"
empty folder "trash"
end tell
Software News 10-11-99
Software News: 10/11/99 – by Cletus
Outstanding! My wife and I just got back from a Sarah Brightman concert. "One Night In Eden" Tour. If you ever get a chance to see her, go for it. Now for the news.
Haunt Your Mac! is the theme of this years Clixsounds' spooky tracks for the Halloween season. Classic releases are blended with new sounds making this a well rounded sound package for your Mac.
ProcessInfo, mentioned last week, has under gone a minor revision correcting a spelling mistake and an e-mail problem, taking it to version 1.1.4. The SW Archive has been updated also.
Hide's Software has updated their CMM Plug-in, Finder Icon: ICS. Please note this is the Icon Creator's Special version of Finder Icon. The new version has added the capability of creating Windows icon file (.ico). This is the easiest and quickest way to convert Macintosh icons to Windows icons!
Ronald Guest sent in an alternative way of selecting a Printer as mentioned last time.
He writes: "Regarding the tool PrintChoice to switch printers, there is another way to do so without having to add any software to the Mac (as long as you're running a reasonably modern release). You can use the Location Manager to change printers (as well as a host of other features). Just create a "location" for each printer, then you can use the Location Manager's control strip item to switch between them. Works equally well with printers that do and don't support desktop printing.
While I personally only have one printer, I do not need to use the Location Manager this way. Ronald however, mentions there are "host of other features" and ways you can use the Location Manager. Drop me a line if you have found a unique or interesting way to use the Location Manager.
Submit Software News Suggestions!
Icon/Desktop News 10-11-99
Icon News
(10/11/99) by Ilona
The Icon
Archive has two new
contributions! Now you can have the newest looking iMac
and Finder/System icons on your desktop. Go
get them!
Tobias at iMacSidan
also shows you new looking iMac icons, from a different
angle. There is no preview, but if you know Tobias's
icons, you know its worth downloading them!!! Since this
site is not written in English, I help you find all the
spectacular icons. Click on "Laddar ner" and look for
"... ikoner" under "Blandant".
IconHQ
released Apple Utilities in a good old Copland
style!
PowerMac
has Color Folders, made in a delicate style. They offer
desktop pictures and games too.
Chemicon
released "Just a Test". A set of icons, testing... Well,
get the icons and read the "ReadMe", you'll figure it
out!
There has been a terrible crime in
Icon
Town! Turn your JavaScript ON
in your browser, take your detective talent with you and
solve the big crime! You could be the one who will be
rewarded with Icon Town T-shirt!
Congratulation to Robot
Frog, who just got its own
domain! Every one of us are eager to see what new icons
will appear in the near future. Don't forget to bookmark
the new URL!
Icon
Parade expanded its already
huge amount of list with eight new links to icon sites!
Are you a PC user? Is it just an accident you happened to
be reading this? No problem. Icon
Parade has links to both, Mac
and Windows icon sites. Today's update just happen to be
only Mac icon sites!!!
ISC(Icon
Search Center) now has mailing lists to their registered
users. ISC
is free. The registration is just a process to help the
makers, Sandy(SMD's
Web) and Sara(Icon
Parade) to know how many of
you are using it. Through the mailing list, you 'll be
able to share your thoughts and experience to help
ISC
developing even better.
I've got a suggestion, that I should
mention this site of great icons! Though there is no new
icons at this time, I felt I really should write about
it, because everything is new for somebody who have just
started looking for goodies. This great site is no other
than Hide's
Icons! Besides his beautiful,
delightful icons, you can find helpful little utilities
too. So, here it is an old icon site, every icon lover
should know about it! Give a big applause!
I have been working on an introduction of the icon
legends, namely the great "old" icon sites and their
creators for our viewers.
Your suggestions
are greatly appreciated.
What's new on your site?
Inform
us. We'll post it!
User Contributions: (10/11/99)
- This transparent MOSS by Alex McHugh & David Robinson is one of the slickest to come through ResExcellence in a while. It comes in seven different colors, and the preview doesn't do it justice.
- Here are two more MacOS 9 About this Mac replacements from Richard Hamilton. One features the Box logo, and the other the G4 chip.
- Marc Andryuk sent this MOSS with his opinion on the US Army and Mac web servers!
- This hot looking Hotline splash was created by Chris Donovan.
Stocking Stuffers from Kensington and Smalldog.com!
10/8/99
Bobby Kinstle was one of the first to add the LED Apple glow to his Powerbook (which I copied!). He dropped ResExcellence a line to say a new LED that is 5 times brighter is available from Allied Electronics. I have one on order and will keep you posted!
How would you like to get rid of the annoying Shop button in Netscape 4.7? Maybe this tip from James Whitson will work for you.
I tried the Netscape fix for getting rid of the SHOP button after mistakenly hitting it several times but couldn't get it to work. After some trial and error I finally figured it out:
1. Open Communicator 4.7 in ResEdit (make a back-up copy as always)
2. Open the TEXT resource
3. Open ID #3015 "macprefs"
4. Add the line: user_pref("browser.chrome.disableMyShopping", true);
5. Close all windows and save
PenguinPPC is news site dedicated to LinuxPPC. It's updated almost daily, and is a great one-stop-shop for LinuxPPC news.
Here's a great script written by WTF and submitted by Blake. Drag a folder onto it, and the folder, and all sub-folders, will be changed to "List by Name". You can easily modify it to View by Icon.
on open theList
my SetView(theList)
end open
on SetView(theViewList)
tell application "Finder"
repeat with theItem in theViewList
if the kind of theItem is "folder" then
open theItem
set view of theItem to name
close theItem
set theFolderContents to the contents of theItem
my SetView(theFolderContents)
end if
end repeat
end tell
end SetView
 It's time for the annual Fall Camping Trip to Gov. Dodge State Park in Wisconsin. Long time readers to the site may remember that ResExcellence was updated via a cellphone link from the top of Lone Birch Bluff. This year, I'll have the digital camera, so the quality of my online photos should be better!
This year, over two dozen friends and their families will make the pilgrimage that started over twenty years ago.
Be sure to stop by Monday to find out if bears have eaten us, and for another new section announcement at ResExcellence!
Software News 10-8-99
Software News: 10/8/99 – by Cletus
I happened to stumble across an interesting piece of software last night from John V. Holder Software called KeySwapper. "KeySwapper will allow you to use any key(s) you like to emulate other keys that your computer may not have (such as the Forward Delete key, the Page Up key, the End key, etc.)". I have added it to the SW Archive.
Again I have some software suggested by our readers to tell you all about:
Charles Bouldin wrote in to recommend adding PeekaBoo to the SW Archive. He writes: "It lets you dynamically control process priorities, view memory use, etc. The dynamic priority control is *amazing*. I run scientific programs that can run for 48 hours on a fast G3. PAB lets me turn the priority up and down. It almost makes the MacOS multitask like a Linux box. ...incredibly, it seems to accomplish this magic without causing any system instability. Thanks Charles, it has been added.
Another reader who works at a printing company wanted me to add PrintChoice to the SW Archive. This is an older, hard to find control panel that still functions great under the newer machines and software. He writes: "it adds a printer selector to the menu bar, especially useful for me since I work at a printing company (and DesktopPrinting never was stable enough to use)." You can download from here.
OK, enough with us! Here is some software for our four-legged friends. Let them get some use out of your Mac as well. There is one for  and  so click the animal you want!
Thanks for all the suggestions from our readers!
Submit Software News Suggestions!
Icon/Desktop News 10-8-99
Icon News
(10/08/99) by Ilona
Our Icon
Archive has been updated again
with a few MonsterPiece contributions! Keep them
coming!
Now... bring water and food near your
computer, take a deep breath, warm up your mouse and
shake your hand for a good blood circulation, because we
have many great places for you to click on!!!
Iron
Devil - created many great
icons. His recently released iBook icons are no
exception! And the arrangement of the icons in the Finder
window, demonstrate the good taste and the care this
"Devil" is handling his creations with. The "Treasures"
are based on a lovely idea, showing the sensitive inner
side of my fellow devilish icon artist.
SchemeBox
- provides G4 icons and screens in a delicate style your
eyes can relax on. Highly recommended to all who prefer
clean and rather conservative looking icons with a
tasteful design!
The Devil's
Desktop (I didn't know we had
so many devils around), provides icons and desktop
pictures as well. Take a visit and say hello to this
red-head handsome Devil, dressed in black and
white.
If you missed Iconfactory's
newest creation, be sure to visit and return with a
folder full of your favorite characters from the early
Star Trek series. I swear, Captain Kirk was never more
handsome than he has under Dave's magical pixel pencil.
If there is anyone I would trust to paint my miniature
portray, he is the one!
My IconTown
neighbor, Pseudoroom,
is always coming up with a new angle for System
Replacement icons. I'm crazy about System icons and
praise everyone who is brave enough to do them. Well, he
did it again! But the star in his update is the warriors
of Street Fighters! Simply breath taking!
Are you preparing for Halloween?
IliCon
- my little corner of the web, had a massive update
attack! Icons, desktop pictures, cursors, and dividers
have been made just for your upcoming scary
days.
ISC(Icon
Search Center) has been updated again. A helping utility
to find more... Halloween icons?
You can always make the next news
even better by posting
your icon news!
User Contributions: (10/8/99)
- Based on the Star Wars X-Wing Fighter, Matthew Barre created this MOSS submission.
- Plastered all over Tyron Washington's bedroom are posters of Tyra Banks. That's why it's no surprise that he created a Hotline splash, and a Netscape splash featured the way-to-tall-for-me model.
- Peter McHugh, created two Giant MOSS submissions. One called Happy Mac, and the other is Untooled.
- Strigmaga created an Outlook Express splash featuring the comic book character "Fathom".
- Two more "About this Mac" submissions are in from Richard Hamilton. These are sized for MacOS 9.
Register to Win an iPod at Smalldog.com
10/6/99
There were lots of comments regarding the printout of my digital photos. Most concerned the long term viability of the ink. A useful link to a MacIntouch special report was supplied by Mike Conwell.
Read it to find out the average life of the papers and inks used, and ways to extend it with aerosol sprays.
Since my photos will be stored in albums and not exposed to UV rays, I feel they'll last several decades. I have traditional 10 year old photos that are sitting on the bookshelf, and they show signs of fading, so the problem is not just limited to ink Jet printouts.
Another reader pointed out that my price comparison did not take into account the benefit of the additional 300 photos I have stored on CD ROM, and what it would cost in standard film to accumulate that much information. Adding to the benefit of digital cameras.
Exert More Parental Control over AOL AIM
I am the lucky father who just happens to have the best little 13 year-old daughter on the planet. Several months ago, when I installed AOL's Instant Messenger on her computer, I instructed her, in my best fatherly voice, not to adjust the preferences.
So imagine my surprise when I discovered the settings had been changed to allow her to receive instant messages from anyone! I'm sure someone else's child snuck into my house and altered the preferences (not my lovely daughter!), but still, how do I prevent this from happening in the future! (Continued...)
The Grey Tomorrow web site offers a bunch of textures for ReExcellence readers.
Software News 10-6-99
Software News: 10/6/99 –Updated at 12 noon-- by Cletus
Nate Hamilton notified me of an updated albeit "Lite" version of DeskTopOpColour Lite. Everyone has been waiting for this update it seems. Apparently Nate speaks some Japanese also because he sent this explanation: "It's an extension that changes only two things: the text color and the icon label background. You can edit those two colors in CLUT 128 of the extension. The first color is the text color, and the second is the icon label background." I have provided an alternate download for those that find the site difficult to navigate.
Reader Feedback: Nate wrote in to tell me that I should perhaps mention also: "If the user sets the icon label background to black, then no background will show up in the Finder, leaving just the icon name showing." Thanks!
ViaHTTP has been updated to version 1.3 and has added the following features: Proxy Support and Custom Buffer Size option. This application will allow you to start/resume HTTP downloads in Netscape. I have added this to the SW Archive
Two more software extensions were added to the SW Archive based on readers requests. NamedFolder7 is a neat little extension that will allow you to name a folder that you create instead of getting the usual "untitled folder" name appended to it. Although a bit older it still runs on 8.6 and the newer B&W's as well.
The second addtition is from David Lawson who recommends Natural Order for those who wish to see lists views sort the items in "correct" order. The homepage gives all the details.
I have received a couple of emails asking why I have several "aging" software items in the archive. My answer? Because they still work! Maybe not on their machines but on others'. I love to read forums and newsgroups and I am always seeing how someone is questioning about how to upgrade from 7.0 to 7.5 for instance. For them, these "aging" pieces will be new and useful. In fact most of these items should still function on OS 9. Hey, this is what makes ResExcellence's Software Archive so unique, it is built by you, the readers!
Submit Software News Suggestions!
Icon/Desktop News 10-6-99
Icon News (10/06/99) by Ilona
It's never enough to tell... we are getting some great contributions to our Icon Archive, which we are grateful for! Thanks and let's do more!
IconsPlus has always made nice looking icons which are great for desktop use. This time I think he released his best work! The Classic Comedy Screen Legends Icons deserve a big applause!
With Rich's 32 bit icon creations you'll have 70 different icons, from silly looking sculls to serious Mac related icons. In one single folder, you can find a whole icon market place!
PixelBase's colorful fruit icons will freshen you up after a hard day!
The One-Button Mouse went to Guatemala and came back with pleasant memories... What a great subject for an icon set!
Do you know I-Mil? If not, it's time to visit this delightful site! Though it's mostly written in Japanese(?), you'll have no problem. Just click on every single link. The whole site is a treasure box!
Wow! What a day! You want it even better? Well... just post your icon news!
User Contributions: (10/6/99)
- Just in time of MacOS 9, Dan Gayhart send the MOSS featuring the new packaging.
- Richard Hamilton sent two "About this Mac" replacements for OS 9. remember, the size is different, so these won't work on OS 8. You'll just have to upgrade!
- Russell Chen send an Outlook Express splash screen featuring another model from Victoria's Secret.
- This new MOSS by Nuno Luz shows the new graphite G4 logo, and OS 9 moniker.
- It pains me to post this next submission - a Brittany Spears splash screen for Netscape by Erik Stone. When will the madness end!
- Peter McHugh send a fully loaded MOSS. This one comes with desktop pictures, a Startup Movie, desktop patterns, and kitchen sink...
Ilicon Graphic Design
10/4/99
 Finally, polling results in a bell curve!
As you can see in the graphic on the left, very few Mac users have only 32 megs of RAM in their computer; which is what I would consider the bare minimum. So why is Apple shipping iBooks and iMacs with that much? Probably to keep the list price down. Fortunately, most of the catalog companies toss in an addition 32 to ship the computer with 64 Meg.
The results also seem to show that most users realize even 64 megs isn't enough for heavy duty work on a Mac, so they opt for an additional 128 Meg module.
Who would have thought we would see the day of 16 meg RAM System footprints and the average computer loaded to 128 Megs!
As I played with Communicator 4.7, beginning the ritual of copying plugins from the old version to the new, this week's Polling Place question appeared in a lightbulb above my head, "How many browser plugins do you have installed?". Those of you with an outrageous number, feel free to email me with a list.
Looking for some great fonts? Stop by RAILhead. They have 8 free fonts ready for you to download, or take a look at over a dozen buyable fonts. They'll even turn your handwriting into a font. ( I had this done several years ago, and it looks great on FAX cover letters!)
This October, as a special trick or treat for ResExcellence readers, find the answer to this ResExcellence question, "Who submitted the edit that shows you how to modify a bitmapped font so that the System thinks it's at 12 points?".
Put the answer in the comment area of the RAILhead order page, and you can double-up your order for no additional charge! Buy one font, get one free, buy two and get two free, and so on!
Chas Martinez noticed this cool feature in the newest update to Kaleidoscope.
If you use the folder "Photos" as the desktop picture using the Appearance control panel (so that you get a new desktop picture every time you restart) Kaleidoscope will switch the desktop picture every time you change schemes. Neat!
This weekend, I was determined to print some of the 400 digital photos I had taken over the past three months. I saw it as an opportunity to evaluate the cost per photo versus tradition film and developing.
I used 33 sheets of Epson Photo Paper. The 52# high gloss paper is thick and study, so pictures feel like they came from the local Pharmacy. I printed four 4x5 inch pictures per page at an average cost of $.45 per page.
132 photos just about used up a new color ink cartridge ($25) on an Epson 740; the black ink usage was negligible.
Total cost per digital photo: $.30
A tradition roll of 36 exposure film costs $6, and developing that roll is also about $6.
Total cost per traditional photo: $.33
If you hunted for bargains and clipped coupons, you could probably bring down the costs of traditional photos to equal a digital print, but is that the whole story?
Digital advantage: Out of 400 photos, I printed only the best. While I didn't adjust color balances, I did fix the occasional "red eye". The result was 132 fairly perfect photos.
Traditional advantage: you don't loose a weekend of your life printing digital photos! There is a great convenience in dropping the roll of film into the little slot at the drug store and picking it up the next day.
For a geek like me, the extra effort is worth it. Not only do I have dozens of great looking photos, there are hundreds more burned onto a CD for viewing anytime. Do you think jpegs will be around in 50 years? :)
Ian's Power Backgrounds is a Mac site with a gazillion colorful backgrounds for you to download. All right, he really has only 400, but it feels like a gazzilion. You can order them on a CD too.
Software News 10-4-99
Software News: 10/4/99 – by Cletus
Another relaxing weekend! My wife and I made our yearly pilgrimage to the Finger Lakes on the Kueka Lake Winery route. I highly recommend this area as it is absolutely beautiful this time of year.
The freeware program Process Info was updated over the weekend. I have added this to the SW Archive. It supplies a very intuitive window listing all the running processes, type, CPU Time and percent of memory used. It also allows you to Kill or Reveal the process ala Mac OS X.
As I promised, themes.org has posted 5 screenshots from users.
Haru's Software has released another set of "beep" files. These are for the most part simple, short replacement sounds that I like to use for alerts.
David Lawson wrote in to recommend a file called "Bail" for the SW Archive. Made by Poppybank Software, this control panel will allow you to "stop an application from loading if you accidentally launched it." Although it is an older control panel David says he is running Bail on a number of newer machines (including a B&W) and 8.6 without any problems.
I had several requests from David and others for additions to the Software Archive. I will be adding these over the next couple of weeks. I did notice however the first page was getting a little long so I moved three programs off of it and onto the Icon Tools SW page only. They are: Icon Archiver, Icon Machine and IconToGif. I think you would look there for them first anyway. 
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Icon/Desktop News 10-4-99
Icon News (10/04/99) by Ilona
You might have run into this one, but considering the upcoming Halloween, if you like Adams Family icons...
The Girli Macintosh's webmistress is not just a very pretty girl, but she makes lovely icons too.
The Perfect Yosemite has released 32 bit icon set with attitude!
Something wonderful is happening in everybody's favorite town, IconTown that is! Take a look at the many new things Be has coming up!
We've got the first scary contribution in our Icon Archive's Holiday category!!! And today we have another new set, 32 bit Hard Disk icons.
Please post your icon news!
VillageTronic Video Card For Only $99 at Smalldog.com!
10/1/99
What's that chill in the air? It must be the October wind.
I love October because it contains Halloween, the greatest holiday. No gifts, no relatives for dinner, you get to dress-up goofy and stuff your face with candy. What could be better!
Thanks to a gent named Paul McGrane, you can still download the original eWorld Fonts - Espy in sizes 9, 10, 12; and eWorld Tight 18.
Netscape is up to version 4.7, but still has plain white menus. This previous ResExcellence edit will give the web browser Apple Platinum menus.
Looking for some new throbbers for Netscape? This site has four of them: a couple based on BeOS, a bouncing ball, and the Apple logo.
The new bbs.applescript.com is a well organized site dedicated to AppleScript. There's lots of information for every level of script writer.
 Michael Annino thinks I should tell you about the shareware email program, Musashi, and I agree.
In addition to supporting multi-user/multi-accounts, and background sending and receiving, the $33 program comes with complete documentation on creating "Modules". These are themes that replace the icons and window element colors.
The Musashi web site contains links to several Module sites.
So if you're considering switching from your current mail program, and love to customize your software (why else would you be here!), check it out.
Software News 10-1-99
Software News: 10/1/99 – updated 12:05pm– by Cletus
With the impending release of Mac OS 9 nothing is probably going to excite me more then being able to post an update to programs I use regularly for compatibility with the new OS. I always dread having to improvise until my favs are updated.
everyday software has updated two of their excellent programs: Dock Manager Lite v1.9, their Application Menu manager which has been made OS 9 compatible with the removal of its Sherlock Plugin management. Since OS 9 will contain Sherlock 2 which already handles this, there is no longer a need for it. I have added this to the SW Archive.
Their second update is to clipEdit to version 1.5. I stated before how absolutely wonderful this program is. Although the program has always been Mac OS 9 compatible they still found a plethora of enhancments for it, the highlights of which are: ability to print, find, and find/replace functionality in a big way, a revert function and a preference to set the default font and size clipEdit uses when creating a new clipping. As well, several bug fixes were made.
With every new Mac OS comes some incompatibilities. MacNN has a forum going which everyone may want to check out about Mac OS 9.
This may be just a tad beyond the scope of Software News, but it deals with software and it was just so darn interesting to me that I wanted to share it. Since doing the Software News at ResExcellence I find myself with both Netscape and I.E. open almost all the time in order to check how things look in both. The problem I face is how to handle bookmarks. Invariably the one I want is in the others' file. And No, I am not a fan of the url managers. This article solved this problem for me.
Reader feedback: Gregory Chan wrote in to tell me: "...did that long time ago and recently I deleted a profile from Netscape and it resolved the alias back to the original and deleted it immediately (not moved to trash)!" Step four from the article reads: "4. Copy that file (Favorites.html) to a safe place as a backup." The suggestion bears repeating here however, I feel. Thanks!
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Icon/Desktop News 10-1-99
Icon News
(10/01/99) by Ilona
-
- Icon
Amazons welcomes three new
members. Take a look at my fellow brave girls icon
creations.
-
- On Wednesday, after opening all the
Perfume icons from Snaky
Reports, I smelled like a
perfumery.
- Yesterday I got another treat when I
visited a site where I found Icon
Bar with 20 spirits bottles
and 10 canned beers...
- Do I hvt... hae.. - hiccup - have to
tell you more?
-
- The newly designed Power/Mac
has useful 32 bit icon sets. Nicely presented if I may
add.
-
- What first of October means for
Iconfactory?
It is the day of opening their redesigned site in which
we had an advanced report
a few days ago.
-
- Kineticon
updated to version 1.6.2. Besides there were some bugs
extermination, it's now Mac OS 9 compatible! Also see it
in our Software
Archive.
-
- We've got the first scary
contribution in our Icon
Archive's Holiday
category!!!
-
- That's it for this week.
Post
your icon news here for next week!
Use Contributions: (10/1/99)
- The first of several humorous contributions is from Scott Chitwood. His new StoogeOS MOSS, featuring the famous trio, will put a smile on your face.
- What was Russell Chen doing at the Victoria's Secret web site? We can only hope he wasn't looking for a Halloween costume! Lucky for us, he came away from his visit the makings of a Netscape splashscreen.
- If your computer has the Horse Power, be sure to download Quake 3. After you're hooked on the game, install Chris Donovan's Quake 3 MOSS.
- WiseWeazel has a few choice works expressing his opinion on the latest release of Hotline in this replacement splashscreen.
- Peter McHugh sent this update to an earlier release of his Mummy MOSS.
- The two pieces of this ATM submission by Cody Stephens really work well together. If you're a fisherman, check this one out.
Stocking Stuffers from Kensington and Smalldog.com!
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If you have an iBook, you'll like these replacements for the