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Today's News by Cletus™ The Greg's Bundle Giveaway has come to an end. Check back on Monday to see if you won! Thanks. Just today and tomorrow until...the Greg's Bundle Contest ends! You thought I was going to say until Mac OS X arrives, didn't you? I received an e-mail from Greg and he said there were "lots of great suggestions so far." With two days left, there is still enough time for you to get entered. **I have received 4 emails about this. If you happen to be looking for Akio's web site and you try the "www.macAkio.com" address, you may think the site has dissappeared. However this link still works: http://homepage.mac.com/Akio. I have spoken with Akio and all is well, the former link just expired is all!  Speaking of Mac OS X, I received an e-mail today (Thursday) from Apple stating that it had shipped, with a delivery date of Saturday. I am planning on installing it on my iBook as soon as it arrives. I have been playing with build 4K78 for the last couple of weeks, and while I am prevented from speaking about it, it will be interesting to see how different it is from the official release. From different sources, it appears build 4K78 just may be different. Time will tell. I have had one or two problems with the last build, but I tend to agree for the most part with Maury McCown's synopsis of the whole Mac OS X release.
How Long has my Mac been running? How Long will tell you! Version 1.0.2 has just been released and will monitor your Mac between restarts. Stop over to Noah Pepper Software and download the new version. Screen Catcher 2.3.2 from St. Clair Software is now out. This popular screen capture utility just keeps getting better and better. Primarily a bug fix release, this version has added the ability to "send a snapshot" using the Mulberry e-mail client from Cyrusoft. Bug fixes are listed below: - Worked around a conflict with Kensington MouseWorks that could cause buttons and controls in some dialog boxes to disappear
- Fixed a bug that caused the AutoFile dialog to crash if the format was previously set to GIF without interlacing
- If the AutoFile folder is deleted, Screen Catcher will save snapshots to the Desktop rather than complaining and then not saving them
Keyboard Shutdown 1.0 is an AppleScript that mimics the Mac OS Shutdown Dialog. It is described as the perfect script for people who use keyboards without a power key and want to use the F-Keys for something useful.
Desktop Resetter 2.6 by No-U-Turn, Inc. is an easy-to-use program designed to store the icon placement, window locations, and their sizes on the desktop, including the pop-up windows. Scheme News: Aqua II+ K-Scheme by Peter Harte has been updated to version 2.7. This version fix is being called "Cosmetic Spring Cleaning." Stop by his site and get it. Maury McCown from RAILhead Design has posted further information in the forums concerning the conflicts some are still having with Kaleidoscope, 8.6 and Page Set-up for certain print drivers. As this is an ongoing problem, rest assured that as soon as a concrete solution is found, I will post the information here. Kine Courtesy Tadashi. Submit Software and General News Suggestions!
Tools of the Trade by Michael Coyle
 DragThing 4.0 has been released! Having been a beta tester for this utility, I can attest to the amount of work and quality control James Thomson put into this release. It runs native in Classic and MacOS X.
It has been completely rewritten with an Aqua-ready user interface with new Preferences and Options windows. There are also hierarchical pop-up menus for folder and disk contents. And it supports true 128x128 icons, even on OS 9. And be sure to notice the popup item names on mouseover!
If you have never registered for DragThing before, it will cost you $25 to get legit. Upgrades from previous versions are $10. It's money well spent. Under MacOS X, DragThing is practically a necessity!
Granet showing Ethernet
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The good folks at Pepsan & Associates have updated and released two free utilities for system monitoring under MacOS X. AysMon (Are You Serving Monitor) is a multi-purpose utility for monitoring system resources associated with network services. System administrators and other expert users benefit from continuous monitoring of critical aspects of network services of the host system.
Granet graphs the throughput of each active network interface on your computer. It provides at-a-glance feedback on network activity and works with most any
network interface recognized by the OS (including Ethernet, Airport, and PPP). Each interface is displayed in its own window which can be moved and re-sized from small to large.
On Saturday, stop by DVGraphics for their big MacOS X release party! There will be desktops, hacks, icons, desktop patterns and much more.
MacInstruct has a nice tutorial outlining many of the command line network tools available in MacOS X.
User Contributed Splash Screens: by Michael Coyle
- Agent X sent two Giant MOSS featuring scenes from the movie BladeRunner!
- Another day, another fine contribution form Jon Breitenbucher! This time it's an iTunes splash based on the Apple Rip/Burn commercial.
- Here is a "not the usual" Toast skin from Nicolas Cardot.
- We received a very nice looking Explorer splash from Samuel Thurber. Hey Sam, how about an entire set for Office?
- Our own Michael Rabe sends three more cursors for you to mouse-around with.
- Tom Haller may have run out of fine works of art on which to base MOSS because these two new ones feature the Space Shuttle and a scene from the game Riven!
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Ah, Friday at last! Refresh yourself with a helping of snapshots: - A fiery inferno licks at the contents of this OS X 4K78 screenshot from Robin Enhorn. Both a custom clock interface and a homegrown dock pattern reside on the bottom edge.
- A custom desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme are showcased in this submission from Nicolas Goles. iTunes is sitting in as digital DJ in the upper right.
- Gavin Robb from Brycetopia is back, this time featuring a custom desktop picture coupled with William Bart’s BBX Platinum K-Scheme. Audion, outfitted with Rob Gentile’s FishFace face and the G-Force visualizer, is serving up music along the left edge.
- The “Flower Power” desktop picture and Peter Harte’s Aqua II+ K-Scheme debut in this submission from Ely Rosenblum. iTunes is cranking out tunes in the lower right-hand corner.
- This dual monitor snapshot from Jason Showers features one custom desktop picture and one modified desktop picture from Mercedes-Benz along with Maury McCown’s MacQNX K-Scheme. Icons from Xicons propagate the desktop.
- Erik Veland contributed this screenshot sporting a desktop picture from EndEffect in conjunction with Maury McCown’s AquaX III Graphite K-Scheme. Cool.
Show the Mac world how you’ve tamed and trained your desktop to your own liking. Read our submission guidelines and then fire away!
Calendar & Appointment Scheduler for Mac OS X
Icon/Desktop News 03-23-01 Icon & Desktop News: by Dan  For those of you excited by the impending release of OS X, I've got a couple of nice desktops to help feed your fever. Need some OS X icons? Head on over to the Iconfactory's OS X Fest where they will be releasing a new OS X savvy icon set every day of the week starting March 26th.
Icons - Desktops: Sorry to say the Icon stocks are way down like Wall St., but we do have one more 3-D desktop submission, plus six brand new desktops. All this great stuff on display for today's update.
- "XAppleglass" is the first of several nicely done OS X-centric desktops created by Garry K. Williams of the Williams Studio. Reminiscent of a modern stained glass window, this backdrop comes in 1152x resolution.
- Andy Melchers creates a cool set of desktop pics to help the Mac community
count down to the Mac OSX release on the 26th. "OSX Countdown" includes 3days worth of different desktops in honor of the occasion. All come in 1056x resolution.
- Scott Chitwood of Rampant Mac donates a final selection from his 3-D desktops archive. For today I've chosen "Get happy". A humorous example of what's possible with 3-D work plus a little wry imagination, and comes in 1024x resolution.
- I'll bet there's a few of the boys out there that would love to see what else John Rose has in his "Sketchpad". This naughty but nice desktop comes in 1280x resolution.
- iTunes is cool. "George Clinton" is cool. The new Apple ad is cool. Put all those together and you've got a cool desktop picture by Cody Jang in 1024x resolution.
- One more in John Rose's Celebrity series, "Think Diva Faith" features the sultry country singing belle Faith Hill, in 1280x resolution.
- The only person in the world who knows the identity of this "Powerbook Cutie" is Jonathan, and he ain't telling. Download and wonder about this attractive mystery face splashed across your Powerbook, in 1024x or 1280x resolution.
News From Around the Web: BREDSTIK Entertainment updates with 3 New Animations, One new Icon Set for the Mac, Three new desktop pictures, new comics and a whole lot more. The Devil's Desktop has been updated with 6 new desktop pictures and one new OSX icon set SUNFLOWERS!. Jeff Welsh announces the grand opening of his new website up at http://xmac.50megs.com. Hansworks Design has posted 3 new desktop pictures, Infinity X2 and two other remixes
of the original. Look for a new site design as well. Mando Gomez of Mandolux wants to inform you that he has just issued 16 new desktops in the continuation of the Mac OS X desktop theme - The X Series - now with "Kabrix." George Krueger has posted some desktop pictures on his site at: http://pw1.netcom.com/~geokrueg Blueskyheart announces a new desktop picture release titled "LongPlayer". There are three new desktops today at Epoch Icons. Now featuring: Excess (desktop), Flourish (desktop) and Ultraviolet Flora (desktop). Tray's Trove updates 3-18-01 with eight new desktops. Steve Sobek updates his site over the last week, and keep your eyes peeled in two weeks for a very involved April Fools prank on the site. Adriaan Tijsseling directs the public to his visually decadent custom desktop picture domain. Fred Blaison, Media Master for Univers Macworld (french edition of macworld magazine) is working very hard to build a CD-ROM which includes preview (or betas) and demos versions of products for Mac OS X release. This CD-ROM, named Macworld on CD, will ship for free each month with the magazine. If you are planning to release any products, he would like to propose to you that they be featured in this package. The dead line for CD-ROM is - for now - on March 30th. Let him know if you need more details on this project or you have any questions.
The Iconfactory, is pleased to announce that Monday, March 26th through Friday, March 30th is OS X Fest at the factory. In order to celebrate the release of the new OS on the 24th, they will be releasing a new OS X savvy icon set every day of the week. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
Click here to learn more about Toast 6 Titanium
3/22/01 Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Get your Thursday snapshots right here: - Kevin Adams sent in this snapshot featuring an “Unreal 2” desktop picture made from concept art on Unreal’s website in combination with William Bart’s BBX Platinum K-Scheme.
- Digital Blasphemy’s “Companion Star” desktop picture and Takashi Izawa’s Dark Side of IZA K-Scheme are showcased in this contribution from Rob Hanlon. Audion, equipped with the SmoothFace face, is kicking out soundwaves in the lower left.
- Jeff submitted this two part snapshot touting an “Audi” desktop picture coupled with the Aqua K-Scheme. Icons from ResExcellence and Xicons roam the desktop.
- This contribution from Pablo Ortega spotlights Polycarbon’s “Polycarbon Ultrahuge” desktop picture. Audion, overhauled with William Bart’s BBX•Tycho™ face, provides the background music in the upper left-hand corner. Selections from William Bart’s BBX•Platinum™ makeover kit line the right edge.
- The “Think Diva” desktop picture and Arlo Rose’s Onyx K-Scheme debut in this contribution from John Rose. Audion, tweaked with the Prop face, is taking music requests along the left edge.
- This OS X 4K78 submission from Jeff Welsh sports a custom desktop picture. Very classy.
Show the Mac world how you’ve tamed and trained your desktop to your own liking. Read our submission guidelines and then fire away!
Theme News by Michael Rabe
 The Doghouse has received a lot of eMails asking, "Will MacOS X have themes?" Well this Saturday we well get the chance to find out. Word has it that MacTheme.org (as well as myself) is working on a way to get themes to work in MacOS X. With any hope, the so called "X Themes" will start popping up left and right.
The wait is over. "iBlueberry" the first of the "i" themes is here. Run don't walk to the Theme Archive to pick up your copy today. Tuesday be sure to stop by and pick up "iGranite".
If you have a theme you wish to add to the Archive, drop me an email.
Click here to learn more about Toast 6 Titanium
Today's News by Cletus™ I hope you have all been thinking hard about a new feature for Greg Landweber to add an upcoming release of Power Windows. Our contest is just about midway through, so you have some time to put together a nice suggestion. Who knows, you could walk away with Greg's Bundle as your prize. Buh-Bye Baby! is what you will hear as you shut down your Mac if you stop by Clixsounds and download the newest Shutdown Sound file of the week! Gideon Greenspan has posted version 1.5.3 of Drop Drawers. "Drop Drawers 1.5.3 adds some minor usability improvements. Drop Drawers X 1.5.3 is fully updated for the OS X Release Candidate (which should be identical to OS X 1.0) and should not be used with earlier versions of OS X."  Rampell Software has updated FunKeys. FunKeys will allow you to program the functions keys on an extended keyboard into something a little more useful then what they are programmed to do now, which is basically nothing.
SysMenu 1.0.2 by the Macintosh Development Center has gone to version 1.0.2. "SysMenu allows you to launch any application, document, control panel, or use one of many plugins in any application, including the Finder." Additional Plugins can be found here. This version includes the following fixes: - You can now change SysMenu's icon without having to restart.
- It is now possible to resolve aliases by appending
- Fixed a bug which would occur when aliases to plugins were placed in the SysMenu Items folder.
- Fixed a bug which would cause icons on plugins not to appear properly.
- Plugin API was modified to include more functions.
- Generally cleaned up the code to make it run better.
Wapp pro 3.1 adds a really cool feature- the ability to add a separate menu for each application in the menubar. Clicking on one of these icons will switch to that application. Clicking and holding will display a menu with the app's windows. This version also brings "general" compatiblility (some options have to be avoided) with Action Menus. Other minor bug fixes were also taken care of with this update. Ron Wilder at The MacAuthority has posted an article on iTunes: "iTunes Brings The Digital Audio World To Every Mac." Scheme News:  It pays to read the forums!! If you have been following these two threads [ A, B ] in our forums, you will have noticed that some were having a problem with the Aqua III Schemes by Maury McCown. The Finder would quit. Maury and Greg Landweber and many beta testers got together and did a double blind scheme test and ferreted out the problem. Maury has posted an in depth explanation on our message boards as well as on RAILhead Design. It also leads in to this announcement from Maury:
"Greg emailed me and said he'll do some deeper investigation just so we can know what’s *really* going on — but in the mean time, and since the bug has been killed, I'll be releasing updates to AquaX III and AquaX III Graphite TOMORROW!" That means Wednesday folks! The KSA has updated recently adding one lone scheme. IZA Slate Grey, which you may remember you heard about here last week when it saw the light of day on Desktopper. 11other scheme tweaks and fixes round out the update at KSA. Desktopper has posted the updated to Aquacid 1.0.2, by the Aquacid Project. This an Aqua influenced scheme. Submit Software and General News Suggestions!
Complete Cable Management For The Home & Office.
 Tools of the Trade by Michael Coyle
How would you like drag and drop installation of MOSS screens? Laine Lee has created a series of Applescripts that greatly simplify the management of these startup screens.
The first of the three, Install MOSS, provides drag and drop installation of the MOSS. Double-click the applet and you are presented with the option to revert to the original MOSS, or preview a file for installation.
The other two scripts can help MOSS authors prepare files, or help users preview a MOSS collection.
One concern I have with these scripts is that they move PICT resources in and out of the active System suitcase - generally a big no-no at ResExcellence, but I have tested them on several computers and had no problems. If you experience any troubles, please email me and Laine. Initially, it's probably a good idea to make a backup of the System suitcase.
Download the package of scripts and documentation from Laine's site. The source for the Applescripts is listed there too.
Have a bunch of LP records lying around? Why not convert 'em all to MP3s? You can do it with MacInstruct's new tutorial written by Gareth Jones.
Interested in writing Cocoa apps for MacOS X? Checkout Cocoa Dev Central, a new site that is geared towards newbie Cocoa developers. They post tutorials, news, Q&A's, and more with the goal of easing people into Cocoa development in both Objective-C and Java. Not interested in writing programs? Then at least stop by to see an old sales video for NeXT Computer!
Griffin Technology, the people who make the cool USB Mic Preamp, have released G-Sound, a new control panel that provides more accurate control over your Mac's sound input and output. The control panel has larger volume sliders and provides a numerical value for the computer's sound level. They also posted an updated iMate driver.
User Contributed Splash Screens: by Michael Coyle
- Jon Breitenbucher sends a new and improved Giant MOSS and About this Mac combo for lovers of Star Trek Voyager.
- Is it possible to fall in love with an anime charactor? If so, I'm n trouble! Neo created an About this Mac replacement featuring Leifang.
- Is this a modern Lady Gadiva in this Hotline splash by Eric Augustyn?
- The Matrix is still on the minds of many readers. Petrus created a splash for Netscape featuring Neo and the gang.
- Do you use Discribe for CD mastering? George Krueger sent a makeover package containing a new splash and icons.
- Here are three more MOSS from Thomas Haller for your viewing pleasure!
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Get a snapshot boost to get you over the mid-week hump: - This gorgeous OS X 4K78 screenshot from Kent Corser features Rampant Mac’s “Quantum X” desktop picture. iTunes shuffles music tracks in the lower right-hand corner.
- RAILhead Design’s “Aqua Stripes” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme are showcased in this submission from Dylan Daniélou. ResExcellence is being displayed in Netscape Communicator, iCab, and Internet Explorer. Various icons, some of which are custom, are scattered about.
- Another two part snapshot comes to the Snapshot Archive, this time from James, sporting Mac Surfshop’s “Windows Killer” desktop picture in conjunction with Maury McCown’s incredibly popular AquaX III K-Scheme. iTunes, reskinned with an alternate pattern and Added Aqua Buttons, serves up music in the lower left-hand corner. Icons from William Bart’s BBX Platinum K-Scheme are also displayed.
- The “DMB” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III Graphite K-Scheme debut in this screenshot from Andy Melchers. iTunes is cranking out songs along the bottom. Icons from icons.cx and Xicons are featured throughout.
- Lerpwl Peldroed submitted this snapshot touting the “Liverpool Football Club” desktop picture. That’s quite a celebration!
- Trevor contributed this snapshot sporting MacDesktops’ “Kenny” desktop picture. iTunes is kicking out soundwaves in the lower left-hand corner. A smorgesbord of icons from Gort’s icons, Xicons, and icons.cx along with selections from OS X and the Be OS abound.
Show the Mac world how you’ve tamed and trained your desktop to your own liking. Read our submission guidelines and then fire away!
Support ResExcellence By Visiting Our Sponsors!
Icon/Desktop News 03-21-01 Icon & Desktop News: by Dan  I'm pleased to announce a special addition to the ResExcellence Desktops Archive. Due to popular demand, we've decided to feature 3-D Rendered Desktops in their very own section. This includes artwork created in Bryce, Strata, Infini-D, Studio Max and others. I'm really looking forward to many new submissions in this category. Thanks!
Icons - Desktops: Two more 3-D desktops submissions, plus four brand new desktops. All this great stuff on display for today's update.
- 'Dragon Tongue goes straight to the "Apple Core" of things with his latest desktop creation. This one comes in 800x and 1024x resolutions.
- Dean Fusaro continues his digitally artistic metamorphosis with "Butterfly Fury". This stylish desktop comes in 1024x resolution. Visit Dean's newly opened website for more great backdrops.
- Scott Chitwood of Rampant Mac donates two more selections from his 3-D desktops archive. For today I've chosen "The_Cage" and "Way Out Space". Both awesome examples of what's possible with 3-D work plus imagination, and come in 1024x resolutions.
- Understated, but elegant, "Simplicity" by John Rose is a refreshing change from a busy desktop, and comes in 1280x resolution.
- Schack Lindemann continues to perfect the Zen art of Quicktime Movie making with his latest "G4 Startup Movie". Look for Schack's other movies in our archives as well.
- "@nd You Don't Stop Mac" by SoulRocka NastyNene pays tribute to break dancing B.Girls Rockafella and Mega, in 1024x resolution.
News From Around the Web: George Krueger has posted some desktop pictures on his site at: http://pw1.netcom.com/~geokrueg Mando Gomez of Mandolux wants to inform you that he is continuing his X Series (as in Mac OS X) desktops with 21 new wallpapers. Blueskyheart announces a new desktop picture release titled "LongPlayer". There are three new desktops today at Epoch Icons. Now featuring: Excess (desktop), Flourish (desktop) and Ultraviolet Flora (desktop). Tray's Trove updates 3-18-01 with eight new desktops. Steve Sobek updates his site over the last week, and keep your eyes peeled in two weeks for a very involved April Fools prank on the site. Adriaan Tijsseling directs the public to his visually decadent custom desktop picture domain. Fred Blaison, Media Master for Univers Macworld (french edition of macworld magazine) is working very hard to build a CD-ROM which includes preview (or betas) and demos versions of products for Mac OS X release. This CD-ROM, named Macworld on CD, will ship for free each month with the magazine. If you are planning to release any products, he would like to propose to you that they be featured in this package. The dead line for CD-ROM is - for now - on March 30th. Let him know if you need more details on this project or you have any questions.
The Iconfactory, is pleased to announce that Monday, March 26th through Friday, March 30th is OS X Fest at the factory. In order to celebrate the release of the new OS on the 24th, they will be releasing a new OS X savvy icon set every day of the week. Ilicon's Flower Fashion desktops continue with another two ladies in scented petals. Brian drops a line to say that Etherbrian has updated with 2 new icon sets. Woo-hoo ... stop the world ... ahem. Thanks! My favorite website, Flax Creations (wonder why?) has been updated with 3 new desktops for your viewing pleasure. Xochi announces that version 3.0 of Kaxo.com is now up and running. Any pointers, gripes or donations are much appreciated. Colheres uploads a new version of their site to celebrate its first birthday. All sections were updated, and there are a new icon set and a new desktop picture ready for download. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
Visit the Mac Experts!
3/15/01 Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Feast your eyes on Tuesday’s lineup: - Micheael Baker submitted this contribution featuring Apple’s “Space Dawn” desktop picture. iTunes is kicking out soundwaves at lower center, and the Spiffy Apps and Afterstep icon collections are also shown off.
- MacDesktops’ “Foam” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme are showcased in this contribution from Oscar Bodini. Icons from Icon Factory’s Pixelpalooza 2001 are scattered throughout.
- This snapshot from Scott Mullins touts a custom desktop picture, a fusion between Maury McCown’s “Cool Waves” desktop picture and two other desktop pictures, along with the AquaX III Graphite K-Scheme also by Maury McCown. SoundJam is dishing out tunes along the top, while the Another Sugar Plate Vitro icon set propagates the desktop.
- A desktop picture from Desktop Wallpapers and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme debut in this submission from Nick. SoundJam, outfitted with the Music Player skin and G-Force visualization plugin, is cranking out songs along the left edge.
- This two part snapshot from Manuel Velazquez sports the custom “Third Eye Open” desktop picture from the Metaphysical series. Greg’s Browser in all its X-ish glory is displayed in the second shot. MacBackgrounds’ Decipher icons and Derek Gordon’s OS X icons are prominently displayed.
- Caleb Wills sent in this screenshot sporting a custom desktop picture. The Macromedia and Pills icons are visible in addition to some OS X icons.
Show the Mac world how you’ve tamed and trained your desktop to your own liking. Read our submission guidelines and then fire away!
Theme News by Michael Rabe
 Hello boys and girls. Ready or not here is the news for Tuesday.
Themes are being released left and right. Today with the release of "Surged!" to the Theme Archive there have been 4 themes released in the past two weeks! Adam Betts and I had a lot of fun making this great theme. We hope you enjoy it.
The Doghouse has received a lot of email asking, "When are the "i" themes being released?"
The wait is almost over. Thursday "iBlueberry" the first of the "i" themes will be released, to be followed by "iGranite" next Tuesday. These can only be found here at ResExcellence!
If you have a theme you wish to add to the Archive, drop me an email.
The latest MacInstruct tutorial goes into detail on how to use the Modem Script Generator to create a custom, hopefully better, modem file for your Mac.
Support ResExcellence By Visiting Our Sponsors!
Today's News by Cletus™ Congratulations to Paul Rouffa who correctly answered the Greg's Bundle Giveaway questions. The questions were: What was 'SmoothType' originally called, and when did it first appear? The answer was actually given on Greg's SmoothType homepage: "Greg's Hack originated as an entry in the MacHack '95 hack contest. As its name implies, it was a quick hack developed in a few days, not a finished product."
Greg Landweber isn't through with ResExcellence yet however. He has agreed to go one step further and offer another Greg's Bundle to a lucky ResExcellence reader again this week! We will call it Greg's Bundle Giveaway: Round Two! This time your submissions will go directly to Greg and you must use the e-mail address on the contest page! He wants to tap into the creative minds of all ResExcellence readers for this contest.  St. Clair Software has posted version 3.1 of Default Folder. Default Folder is a control panel that enhances Open and Save dialog boxes to make it easier for you to manage files on your Macintosh. Recent changes include:
- Finder "Get Info" comments can now be edited within files dialogs using Default Folder's Get Info command
- Default Folder fixes the command-up-arrow keyboard shortcut so that it works in Navigation Services Save dialogs without having to tab away from the filename edit box
- A problem with the SetFileDialogFolder AppleScript addition was fixed, eliminating errors and crashes in AppleScript and while syntax checking MacPerl scripts in BBEdit
- Default Folder now works correctly in all Save As dialogs displayed by the LaserWriter 8 printer driver
- The Default Folder Control Strip module no longer crashes when used with Kaleidoscope installed
- An option was added to the "Expert Options" dialog to speed up the "Recent" menu in Navigation Services dialogs by displaying only folders in the menu.
No-U-Turn Software has posted Dot What? version 1.3. Dot What? allows you to type in a questionable file extension, and instantly be presented with its description, recommended application to open it with, and even a corresponding web site for each application! It provides a very comprehensive listing of extensions. Far more then you find in any of the file mapping control panels.
- Merged OS 9 and OS X versions. They are now the same application!
- Icon and web tables are now drawn in non-bold, to make more room
- Fixes a bug where the list window would become visible on activation while iconized.
- Fixed a bug when displaying certain applications in the list.
- Fixed a bug that prevented some sites from showing in the list.
- Added more extensions!
iTunes Associator 1.6 is now available for download. iTunes Associator is a freeware application that changes the file type and file creator codes of any mp3 file to associate them with iTunes. You can change any number of files at once. This version provides a minor fix and adds some new filters.  HALemulator 1.3 from Galatoire Games, will install HAL on your hard disk. HAL will inform you when the startup process is complete. It uses sounds from the original movie 2010 - Odyssey Two and an Apple commercial. Version 1.3 takes complete control over your startup-process and integrates a cool new feature: the startup screen randomizer (called HALvision).
Submit Software and General News Suggestions!
 Polling Place by Michael Coyle
Just about a third of ResEx readers have owned Apple stock. I have too, on and off, over the years. My most recent purchase several months ago (at $20) has yet to pay off. My guess is that's a very high percentage of users and shows our confidence and attachment to Apple computer. Now double in price dang it!
It use to be cool to carry a portable computer, but lately it seems everyone is toting a Palm or Visor. Companies are providing them to employees with the entire rolodex preloaded! Am I a dinosaur for hauling around my Powerbook? This week's Polling Place asks, "Do you carry a PDA?"
Tools of the Trade by Michael Coyle
Whoa! Dr. Bob took the idea of a wrapping a G4 Cube to a new level! Take a look at what he did for a friend, wrapping and capping a Cube with a modified Propaganda tile. Very cool.
It never fails. Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. I'm packing up my computer to head home. I just couldn't resist one last check for email, and there it was. A client sent a Quicktime movie of a new commercial and needed some sound effects added. She had to show it to her boss first thing Monday so could I please prepare an audio track, dub the Quicktime movie to video tape, and have it on her desk by 9 a.m.
Ummm... sure. No problem.
Actually, big problem. Everyone had left for the day and I didn't have access to the machine that could dub the Quicktime to tape. All I had was my Powerbook with S-Video output, and the adapter plug was at home!
 A quick search of the web turned up this page to whip up an S-Video to RCA adapter cable. After a trip to the shop for some cables, connectors, and solder, I was able to copy the movie from the computer to tape so I could begin working.
As an aside, I stumbled upon this page to add an S-Video output connector to a PlayStation!
Fontosaurus Text has posted a new grundge font titled, "Wrecked Adepts", and Technophobia, a new desktop graphic.
 Linux Icebox by Michael Coyle
A long time ago, ResExcellence posted an edit on modifying Modem init files. This edit came in handy trying to use PPP under LinuxPPC! While I could configure the modem correctly under Linux, when it dialed into my ISP the connection was unstable, terminating in less than a minute.
By reading through the modem init script provided by Apple, I found the following line:
write "AT&FL3E0W1Q0V1X4&C1&K3S95=1&D3S7=75S0=0+MS=11,1,300,33600\13"
This part is the modem INIT string:
AT&FL3E0W1Q0V1X4&C1&K3S95=1&D3S7=75S0=0+MS=11,1,300,33600
Under Linux, by placing this text in the PPP window of Netcfg or the Modem INIT window of KPPP, I was finally able to get a stable dialup connection. Click on the previews below to view a larger image.
Modem command page of KPPP
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PPP Interface in Netcfg
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Cool User Contributed Splash Screens: by Michael Coyle
- Long time contributor Nicolas Cardot sent a cool MOSS for you. I'm not quite sure what it is, but it's colorful!
- Michael Kuhn likes the smooth metal look, so he whipped up these cool simple PICT replacements which work in iTunes and the Quicktime Player.
- John Rose created a cool looking splash for Illustrator. It's a pencil sketch!
- If you're running a darker Explorer skin, this throbber by Adam Betts will look cool.
- Do you like Monet? Cool! Thomas Haller sent three more MOSS based on Monet's work.
- Checkout the three latest cursors from Michael Rabe! They're based on Star War X_Wing fighters, and do they look COOL!
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly It’s Monday again! Start your week off right with a batch of snapshots: - iTunes is once again in the limelight in this contribution from Matthew Crowley featuring an iTunes visualizer screen capture for a desktop picture in conjunction with Maury McCown’s AquaX III Graphite K-Scheme. iTunes itself is running in the lower right with its visualizer giving a live presentation of mesmorizing patterns. Beatle icons are also shown off.
- The “XTop II” desktop picture and AquaX III K-Scheme, both from RAILhead Design, are showcased in this submission from GroundZero. iTunes is dishing out songs in the lower left. Icons from Xicons and Icon Factory are also on display.
- Glenn Halloran contributes this submission touting a desktop picture of Arnold flexing his bulging muscles. iTunes is pumping out soundwaves along the top.
- Akio’s “Oni Tangerine” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme debut in this submission from Joseph Marinaro. iTunes provides the background music at left center. Custom icons along with selections from ResExcellence and Xicons are scattered throughout.
- Neo submits this screenshot sporting the custom “Leifang” desktop picture coupled with Akio’s BIG Graphite 2 K-Scheme. Audion, retro-fitted with the custom “Warped Indigo” face, is tickling the eardrums in the upper left. A smattering of custom icons in addition to selections from Perfect Yosemite, icons.cx, and MacAkio are in the spotlight.
- Regular contributor Sergio Recabarren sent in this OS X 4K60 snapshot sporting a desktop picture included with the system build. iTunes is shuffling music tracks in the center, and icons from Icon Factory roam the desktop.
Show the Mac world how you’ve tamed and trained your desktop to your own liking. Read our submission guidelines and then fire away!
Calendar & Appointment Scheduler for Mac OS X
Icon/Desktop News 03-21-01 Icon & Desktop News: by Dan I'm pleased to announce a special addition to the ResExcellence Desktops Archive. Due to popular demand, we've decided to feature 3-D Rendered Desktops in their very own section. This includes artwork created in Bryce, Strata, Infini-D, Studio Max and others. I'm really looking forward to many new submissions in this category. Thanks! Icons - Desktops: Two more 3-D desktops submissions, plus four brand new desktops. All this great stuff on display for today's update.
- 'Dragon Tongue goes straight to the "Apple Core" of things with his latest desktop creation. This one comes in 800x and 1024x resolutions.
- Dean Fusaro continues his digitally artistic metamorphosis with "Butterfly Fury". This stylish desktop comes in 1024x resolution. Visit Dean's newly opened website for more great backdrops.
- Scott Chitwood of Rampant Mac donates two more selections from his 3-D desktops archive. For today I've chosen "The_Cage" and "Way Out Space". Both awesome examples of what's possible with 3-D work plus imagination, and come in 1024x resolutions.
- Understated, but elegant, "Simplicity" by John Rose is a refreshing change from a busy desktop, and comes in 1280x resolution.
- Schack Lindemann continues to perfect the Zen art of Quicktime Movie making with his latest "G4 Startup Movie". Look for Schack's other movies in our archives as well.
- "@nd You Don't Stop Mac" by SoulRocka NastyNene pays tribute to break dancing B.Girls Rockafella and Mega, in 1024x resolution.
News From Around the Web: George Krueger has posted some desktop pictures on his site at: http://pw1.netcom.com/~geokrueg Mando Gomez of Mandolux wants to inform you that he is continuing his X Series (as in Mac OS X) desktops with 21 new wallpapers. Blueskyheart announces a new desktop picture release titled "LongPlayer". There are three new desktops today at Epoch Icons. Now featuring: Excess (desktop), Flourish (desktop) and Ultraviolet Flora (desktop). Tray's Trove updates 3-18-01 with eight new desktops. Steve Sobek updates his site over the last week, and keep your eyes peeled in two weeks for a very involved April Fools prank on the site. Adriaan Tijsseling directs the public to his visually decadent custom desktop picture domain. Fred Blaison, Media Master for Univers Macworld (french edition of macworld magazine) is working very hard to build a CD-ROM which includes preview (or betas) and demos versions of products for Mac OS X release. This CD-ROM, named Macworld on CD, will ship for free each month with the magazine. If you are planning to release any products, he would like to propose to you that they be featured in this package. The dead line for CD-ROM is - for now - on March 30th. Let him know if you need more details on this project or you have any questions.
The Iconfactory, is pleased to announce that Monday, March 26th through Friday, March 30th is OS X Fest at the factory. In order to celebrate the release of the new OS on the 24th, they will be releasing a new OS X savvy icon set every day of the week. Ilicon's Flower Fashion desktops continue with another two ladies in scented petals. Brian drops a line to say that Etherbrian has updated with 2 new icon sets. Woo-hoo ... stop the world ... ahem. Thanks! My favorite website, Flax Creations (wonder why?) has been updated with 3 new desktops for your viewing pleasure. Xochi announces that version 3.0 of Kaxo.com is now up and running. Any pointers, gripes or donations are much appreciated. Colheres uploads a new version of their site to celebrate its first birthday. All sections were updated, and there are a new icon set and a new desktop picture ready for download. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
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