Opps! No new postings today because your WebMaster™ was out of town this weekend and is very, very behind on all his work!

The Making of ResExcellence

Here in the United States, most businesses are shut down in honor of Memorial Day. While the staff of ResExcellence is relaxing with a well deserved day off, today this page will describe the routine involved for the publishing of one day's update to this site.

Currently, there are four editors maintaining ResExcellence. Ilona handles Icons and Desktops, Cletus is the Software Man, Jeremy posts the Snapshots, and I cover the remaining sections. For each of us, the site is not our main source of income. We have other jobs, other interests, and we do this because we enjoy it.

While I once met Cletus for dinner when a meeting brought him to the area, the rest of the gang have never met face to face, yet I'm sure we all consider each other close friends. We're spread out across the country from Florida to Chicago, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

One Day of ResEx

For me the process starts the day before with the preparation of the User Contributions. Each one is unstuffed and opened in ResEdit to check the resources. If the file is a replacement PICT image, I use Applescripts that are located in OSA Menu to open Photoshop and create preview gifs of the appropriate size. Once the previews and html pages are complete, I move on to the latest hack or Linux tutorial. Fortunately for me, I have an hour and fifteen minute round trip train ride to and from work. This is when most of my preparation takes place.

The same is true for Ilona, Cletus, and Jeremy. During the day, they are also busy preparing preview images, writing html, and scouring the internet looking for cool items for readers.

Every night before an update, the four of us meet at 9:00 pm in an AOL Instant Messenger chat room. Here we kick around the latest news and discuss any possible posting conflicts. For example, if Iconographer is updated who gets the post, Ilona (Icon Editor) or Cletus (Software Editor)? A quick game of Quake III settles the dispute.

Sometimes a Snapshot may show a little too much flesh. Is it reasonable to post? Is this latest MOSS screen an interpretation of another submitters work, or a blatant rip off? Should this piece of software make it into the archive? These are all topics we hammer out as the evening wears on.

To make managing the work of four writers possible, the main page at ResExcellence is dynamically created based on several cgi scripts that read the separate html files of each writer, and create one large document. This allows each writer the freedom to update their section independently. If Cletus receives a last minute software announcement, he can update his section of the main page without affecting the content of the others.

By 11:00 pm, a test page is uploaded to the server so each writer can check to make sure his/her html is correctly compiled into the main page. Once everyone has signed off that their section is complete and ready, I upload the main index.shtml and the Midnight Prowlers get their first look at the new page.

The graphic displayed with this story shows what one update of ResExcellence looks like from top to bottom. In addition, there are at least another dozen pages that are added or updated to cover all the user contributions, sanpshot, icons, desktops, software, etc.

The next morning, we wake u pand start all over again.

My best guess is that an average update is the work of 20 man-hours, and that doesn't count the dozens of emails we answer each day. And while I would love to say we'll all be millionaires with the IPO, the truth is that we would make as much working at McDonalds.

Needless to say, this site is a labor of love.

So join me by raising your glass and help me toast the staff at ResExcellence. They're working hard to make your Mac look better, and work harder.

5/26/00

Often when you buy a game or other software package, an image has been converted to Finder icons and is cleverly displayed when you open the CD. While he didn't originate this idea, Marcos Lopez from MacThings has found a new use for these "Finder Pictures". Why limit them to CD's! You can place them anywhere on your hard disk.

Use GraphicConverter to take an image and convert to a Finder Picture. I recommend you create an empty folder in which to save your work. This folder should not have its preferences to "Lock to Grid". When you're ready to drag your creation into the destination Finder window, make sure the destination will not lock to grid.

Once you have dragged and placed the Finder Picture, you can once again set the preference to "Lock to Grid" if you wish.

I would love to see some Snapshots of cleverly used Finder Pictures used in conjunction with Window Monkey! This shpuld open up some creative possibilities for you.

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Patrick Kelleher wrote to say there are a load of new throbbers on his web site, including a spinning 20th Century Mac, and a whole bunch of throbber ported to iCab.

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This makeover kit for Adobe PhotoDeluxe, created by Rampant Mac's Scott Chitwood, is the first of it's kind.

Scott took the boring, Windoze-looking interface, and waved his Aqua wand over it. The result is much more pleasing on the eyes.

Lately, it seems many applications are building there interfaces from readily editable resouces. The layered Photoshop files from iMovie ane another example.

I think this trend is likely to continue and increase as applications are prepared for the NeXT based MacOS X environment. For example, in Linux, before you compile an application, you can edit many of the interface elements, which exist as standard graphics files.

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User Contributed Splash Screens:

You can now upload your contributions to the ResExcellence ftp drop box, and let us know with an email.

• The Star Girl is the latest MOSS from Andrew.
  
  
• If you use Apple's Control Strip, get with the new century and replace it with Extension Strip! Derek Gordon created this Aqua makeover to customize the little utility.
  
  
• She's back! Lara Croft makes her latest appearance on tis Eudora splash screen created by Jim O. Hilario.
  
  
• Cat lovers will want to download this Kitty Throbber form Jean-Pierre Fritz. Even if you don't like cats, download it anyway. You may enjoy the little critter's endless spinning.
  
  
• Featuring the brushed metal look and fruity iMacs, this MOSS was sent in by Sergio Recabarren.
  

5/24/00

It appears Mac users were very lucky regarding the I LOVE YOU virus. All of my Wintel friends (well, they're not really friends since they don't have Macs), anyway, my Intel friends all received dozens of copies of the email virus, while over 86% of ResEx readers didn't receive one!

Does this also mean that computer users on the internet are sharply divided by OS type? The Poll results suggest that few Mac users are in the Address Books of the Wintel crowd.

I have always owned a Powerbook. I'm dying to buy a Pismo! O'Grady's Powerpage has been posting reader created mock-ups of what they would like the next generation Powerbooks to look like. Several of them have two-button trackpads. These would be great for accessing contextual menus, of for use under Linux.

So I was wondering, and this weeks Polling Place asks, "How many buttons are on your mouse?".

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With phydeaux off touring the galaxy, sfhaudio has stepped in and tweaked the ad removal patcher for the latest beta of AOL Instant Messenger.

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Set a Background Image in Stickies

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User Contributed Splash Screens:

You can now upload your contributions to the ResExcellence ftp drop box.
Don't forget to let us know with an email.

• "Think Veggie" is the latest MOSS contribution from Seba. Vegans, get your copy now!
  
  
• Zero Divide created a nice looking splash replacement for Netscape.
  
  
• Scott Brown from kindground, sent an About this Mac replacement in Amber. Be sure to stop his site and see the beautiful collection of desktops.
  
  
• Peter Baran likes the look of the splash screens in Windows. So he made these replacements for the Mac versions of Explorer and Outlook Express.
  
  
• Tommy T. sent this replacement PICT for the Start menu in GoMac.
  
  

Holy Mac has posted an article reviewing the latest release of MacOS X DP4. It features tons-o-screenshots, so hurry over there before Apple's lawyers do...

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Danny Semaya sent this nifty tip:

I found this really cool thing with Stickies. We all know that in Stickies if you type "Antler!" and press return you see the picture of the moose with the credits. This picture makes a very nice watermark or background look on stickies, so wouldn't it be nice to have your own? Its not a PICT resource, so at first glance it would seem impossible to change this picture, but its actually pretty easy.

Using Resedit, open up the BDat resources and open ID 129. Copy this entire resource in the hex editor. Next create a new PICT resource. Open the resource using the hex editor and paste the data in. SURPRISE! The BDat resource is a PICT resource in disguise! So now you can pretty much paste in any picture you want, for me it worked nicely with the red car picture in the scrapbook so I would assume that color is not a problem (it converts it to grey anyway.)

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Installing Pmudmon under KDE and Gnome.

In a previous Icebox tutorial, we discussed power management under Linux. I outlined usage of a little application called Batmon to keep tabs on the status of the batteries. While Batmon works, it's a little cumbersome to always have an additional program window on the desktop.

Thanks to Mike Palczewski , there is a new dockable battery monitor called pmudmon. The latest version will place a simple graph displaying the percentage of battery power remaining. (Continued...)

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User Contributed Splash Screens:

You can now upload your contributions to the ResExcellence ftp drop box. Don't forget to let us know with an email.

• South Park was on Jérôme Canavero 's mind when he created this MOSS.
  
  
• This Netscape splash by Nels Anderson looks cool, but Tyx the Penguin with a rocket launcher!
  
  
• Michael Miracolo brought Alyssa Milano to this splash screen for Microsoft Office.
  
  
• A spinning graphite Apple was created by Michael Miracolo. This throbber is for Explorer 5.
  
  
• In the last of the series, Jaco de Jong sent a Voyager Tuvok splash for Explorer, and a Janeway version for Outlook Express.
  
  
• A collage of Macintosh images made their way into this About this Mac replacement by Matthew Theobalds.
  
  
• Available in regular and giant sizes, Donwicks submitted these good looking Aqua MOSS.

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Snapshot Gallery by Jeremy Hoesly

• This awesome screenshot from Ryan Overbey features Digital Visions’ “DV Stoneclouds” desktop picture and the iZappy D K-Scheme. Macast, configured with the TriAmple Blue skin, is playing in the lower right-hand corner.
  
  
• Armed with the “Quantum X” desktop picture and Ressentiment’s Aqua II++ K-Scheme, this submitter, known as cLouD, contributed this snapshot. SoundJam, configured with the Aqua-X skin, is playing in the center.
  
  
• This dual monitor snapshot from Richard Tassone touts two desktop pictures from the Apple Collection along with Ben Mackin’s Liquid Theme. Audion, configured with the Quicker face, is playing in the center of the right screen, and Santiago’s OS X icons are present throughout the screenshot.
  
  
• The “Mac OS 9” desktop picture from Macsurfshop and the Dimple Theme were used in this snapshot from Ricky Roe. SoundJam, configured with the GenAmp skin, is playing in the upper left-hand corner.
  
  
• This screenshot from Jeremy Kemp is running Mac OS X Server on the left and Mac OS 8.6 in the Blue Box on the right. A MechWarrior desktop picture along with the R.O.B.O.T K-Scheme are being used in the Blue Box. Audion, configured with the Glass face, is playing along the top of the right screen.
  
  
• Jim DiCamillo contributed this snapshot sporting the “Neotek Idora” desktop picture and the Black Hot & Blue K-Scheme by Albie Wong. Audion, configured with the Torn face, is playing in the lower right-hand corner.
  

Here is some interesting information. What you do with it is up to you!

Erick Tejkowski was digging around in iMovie and discovered that the Interface Files are nothing more than layered Photoshop graphics.

Open copies of the following files in ResEdit and change the Type/Creator codes to 8BPS/8BIM.

iMovie:Resources:Interface Files: Parts
iMovie:Resources:Interface Files: Panes
iMovie:Resources:Interface Files: Materials
iMovie:Resources:Interface Files: Main

Then open the files in Photoshop to see all the interface elements. Is there enough there to create a makeover kit for iMovie?

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Paul tipped me off to a great set of recent articles at About this Particular Macintosh that cover a wide range of MP3 software issues. They review lots of different MP3 players, encoders, DJ-ing programs, and more.

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After the recent update to Power Windows, Greg Landweber surprised ResExcellence Forum readers by stopping by to answer questions and hint at what's coming in Kaleidoscope 2.5.

Regarding transparent menus and Theme files, Greg knows they don't work and he's working on that for the next version of Power Windows. Another problem is the menu bar turning black.

The problem with the black bar drawing at the top of the screen when you launch an application is actually due to a bug in the Mac OS. For whatever reason, when the Mac OS detects that you're using colorized menus, it uses a whole different set of menu drawing routines. Unfortunately, those routines look like they were not tested very well and introduce several problems. I've tried to work around this particular problem (if I hadn't, you'd be seeing it all the time), but sometimes it slips past my code.

If you experience intermittent translucency, Greg explains it this way:

The problem here is that the system likes to cache its menus to speed up drawing, but this menu caching doesn't work with translucent menus. So, when translucent menus are switched on, I disable the menu caching. However, if any menus were already cached, they will remain solid until the cache is cleared. If you simply leave translucent menus turned on, then everything will be fine. This problem only appears when you switch from solid menus to translucent menus.

And the future of Kaleidoscope 2.5?

The plan for Kaleidoscope 2.5 is to extend the translucent menu technology that I have incorporated into Power Windows. Over the last few months I've figured out how to do lots of cool stuff with menus, and I'm planning to incorporate that into Kaleidoscope, creating lots of new possibilities for scheme designers.

Since the first release of Aaron, I have been amazed at Greg's ability to stay two steps ahead of Apple. I would never have believed that several years after the release of Theme technology by Apple, that Kaleidoscope would be alive and thriving.

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User Contributed Splash Screens:

You can now upload your contributions to the ResExcellence ftp drop box. Don't forget to let us know with an email.

• Peter McHugh sends an Aqua styled mini-MOSS. I love the look on my coworker's faces when I boot with a mini-MOSS. Peter also sent a splash replacement for Netscape.
  
  
• This is retro! André Lipinski submitted seven replacement images for Apple's Puzzle Desk Accessory! The images feature Apple hardware and logo's.
  
  
• Featuring a beautiful Asian home on a hillside, Wayland Radin created this Outlook Express splash.
  
  
• Another Aqua styled MOSS was created by Antoudewo. This one has a nice bubble look.
  
  
• Keith likes his Orb so much, he made a tribute MOSS - that's Orb the band, not Orb the drive.
  
  
• This BootX splash replacement also comes with a few Tux icons and LinuxPPC desktop picture. The package was created by Sean King.
  
  
• Here's another Star Trek Voyager splash for Explorer from Jaco de Jong. This one feature's Commander Torres.

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Snapshot Gallery by Jeremy Hoesly

• A ResExcellence desktop picture and the zzAlpha X K-Scheme are touted in this screenshot submitted by Jeremy Kemp. Audion, configured with the AlienEgg skin, is playing in the lower right-hand corner.
  
  
• The Oni craze continues with this snapshot from Akio featuring a custom desktop picture with Oni’s main character, Konoko, coupled with a custom K-Scheme named Aquafine Blueberry. SoundJam, configured with the Transmeta skin, is playing in the lower left-hand corner, and icons from Perfect Yosemite’s PY3 blueberry iPack as well as Marvel and Misc Comic icons from the Devil’s Desktop can be seen along the right edge.
  
  
• Rudy contributed this screenshot featuring a custom dekstop picture and the Aqua II K-Scheme. Audion, configured with the Quicker face, is playing in the lower right-hand corner.
  
  
• JjaroCVi is back with another snapshot, this time sporting the custom “MachéSupremo” desktop picture and a hacked version of the RealBlack K-Scheme called BlackTechX LTD
  
  
• This submission by Glenn Halloran touts the “Arnold Schwarzenegger DA Man” desktop picture in the center along with SoundJam playing in the upper left-hand corner.
  
  
• The “Mist Castle” desktop picture and the Aqua III K-Scheme by Peter Harde are part of this screenshot by Tommy T. Audion, configured with the New Beetle face, is playing in the lower left-hand corner.
  

How do you do it? How do half of you go through the day not knowing exactly how much money is in your checking account? At any moment, the stars may align in such a way that every check you have written within the last month will arrive at the bank in the same instant, bouncing checks from here to Timbuktu!

The one shining ray of hope in last week's poll is that if you do balance your checkbook, you are most likely doing it on your computer.

Last week, we were inundated with news of the Window's crashing I LOVE YOU virus. I guess no one loves me because I didn't receive a single copy of the worm. This week's Polling Place asks, "How many copies of I LOVE YOU did you receive?".

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ResEx Software Editor Cletus Waldman sat down for a virtual interview with the author of TypeIt4Me, Riccardo Ettore. Read their witty chat and find out how to win a free registration for this must-have utility.

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Ilona's back! Refreshed from her trip to her homeland in Hungary, our Icon Goddess catches up on the backlog of news and submissions. Find her section below.

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No web broswer is perfect, so if you're surfing and come upon a page in Explorer that looks out of whack, this little Applescript from Ryan Schwartz will open the current URL in Netscape.

tell application "Internet Explorer"
set FrontWindowURL to (item 1 of (GetWindowInfo -1))
end tell

tell application "Netscape Communicator™"
OpenURL of FrontWindowURL
activate
end tell

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Steven Varner has something to say about the edit to use third party SCSI drives with Apple's CD/DVD driver extension:

I really didn't feel like buying the latest version of the Toolkit, so I tried hacking MacOS 9's CD/DVD player extension (v1.3.1). It worked. Not only that, but it now allowed my Yamaha CD burner to work without the Toast driver.

I want to report that the ResEdit hack for CD/DVD player 1.3.5 is identical to that for 1.3.1 as given on your web site!

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Anne Sharp from eLinux.com has pulled together a large number of resources to write, Why should I run Linux on a Macintosh computer? If you have been wondering what all the buzz has been about, and why you should run Linux on Apple's hardware versus Intel's, give it a read.

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User Contributed Splash Screens:

You can now upload your contributions to the ResExcellence ftp drop box. Don't forget to let us know with an email.

• Peter McHugh has devised another splash screen trick! By pasting multiple PICTS into Explorer, he has created an animated splash screen. Download the file to see how he did it.
  
  
• Nick Watson sent this iNteresting MOSS featuring a boat full of iMacs.
  
  
• Robert Percival has sent another of his masterful Explorer skins. This one would look truly at home under MacOS X.
  
  
• This MOSS featuring a troubled soul trying to breakout was created by Keith!
  
  
• This unusual splash for Netscape is an oversized map of the world! Created by Sébastien Lavoie, it also comes with a replacement PICT for the map control panel.
  
  
• This is not your usual MOSS. Contributed by Zero Divide, it is an Aqua free zone.
  
  
• Featuring the MacOS 9/Sherlock logo, Jim Flach put together this About this Mac replacement.
  

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Snapshot Gallery by Jeremy Hoesly

• The “Aqua Dock” desktop picture from K.C.’s Custom Desktops along with Maury McCown’s Aqua-X II K-Scheme make up this submission from K.C. Lofty. Audion, configured with Chris Whittier’s X Fusion face, is playing along the top edge.
  
  
• Another one of our regular contributers, Sean King, submitted a snapshot, this time featuring the “Munition” desktop picture by Jaw Shaw at d-TOP Wallpapers along with Maury McCown’s Aqua-X K-Scheme. Audion, configured with the X Fusion skin by Chris Whittier, is playing along the top edge.
  
  
• Paul Thiem is back with another snapshot, this time sporting Kuehn Graphics’ “Plasma” desktop picture and Arlo Rose’s Mekong K-Scheme. SoundJam, configured with the converted Audion face Light Alloy Ultra, is playing in the lower left-hand corner.
  
  
• Aaron Scott contributed this screenshot touting the “Cyclosys” desktop picture from Customize.org and Toren Valimir’s I/OS X Graphite K-Scheme. Audion, configured with the Reintegration skin, is running in the upper left-hand corner.
  
  
• Oni feaver has struck Edmund Rollett who contributed this screenshot featuring the “HWKonoko” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s Aqua-X II K-Scheme. Audion, configured with the Audion X face, is playing near the top edge in all of its translucent glory.
  
  
• Another submission from Mike S., one of our faithful contributers, sports the “Gunmetal Glass” desktop picture from the Apple Collection along with the Floating K-Scheme. The gorgeous Apple Cinema Display is shown in Internet Explorer because Mike thinks “it’s really, really, cool!”
  
  

5/12/00

There is a small update to the Photoshop 5 Action from sysinfo. If you have downloaded the original one for making Aqua buttons, grab this new one.

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On the topic of Photoshop, John Ertman put together a layered template to aid in the creation of MutiUser Login screens. If you have forgotten the topic, check out this previous edit.

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Sure they're silly, but they're fun too! These two Applescripts by Sir Roidy utter silly phrases when you start and shutdown your Mac. One of them can actually carry a tune.

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An interesting site called The MacOS Open Source Software page tracks several dozen Open Source Macintosh projects. If you're a programmer, maybe you can help out. If you can handle a little html coding, the webmaster has hung out the Help Wanted sign.

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That Draft you feel is from the Linux IceBox!

MountX is a great little extension from Benjamin Herrenschmidt. It allows your Linux partitions to be visible as read-only drives under the MacOS. This comes in handy for copying files or sharing on them Appletalk network. This tutorial will show you how to change the default hard disk icon, and name of the Linux partition. (Continued...)

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Be sure to stop back on Monday as ResExcellence posts a great interview with a popular Macintosh programmer, and hands out three registrations of the latest release, available only at ResEx!

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User Contributed Splash Screens:

Don't forget, you can now upload your contributions to the ResExcellence ftp drop box:
ftp://ftp.resexcellence.com/drop_box/. Don't forget to let us know with an email.

• Another cool About his Mac replacement from Kuzey Atici. This one for MacOS 9 looks great on my Powerbook.
  
  
• This latest Voyager splash for Explorer from Jaco de Jong features a weird alien-thing-a-ma-bob.
  
  
• For those of you with Palm Pilots (and that seems to be everyone), Tony McDaniel put together this nice Palm Software splash screen. It was inspired by a desktop at icons.cx.
  
  
• The prolific Nick Watson is filling my In-Box with his creations! So here are three MOSS submissions for you to peruse. The first, GenX, has a cool Aqua-look. The next two feature Apple hardware: an iBook and 2000 Powerbook.
  
  

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Snapshot Gallery by Jeremy Hoesly

• I decided to submit my own screenshot to the archive featuring the “Mountain Lake” desktop picture by Jim Oltersdorf and the DSG Theme. I’m cataloging snapshots I have received via email in Netscape Messenger and making clipping files of the email message, email address, and website address with the help of FMR Software’s Clip Snippel.
  
  
• Curt Menn is back the another snapshot, this time with the subtle “G3” desktop from Macsurfshop and Maury McCown’s Aqua-X K-Scheme. Audion, configured with Jake Rodkin’s Reintegration face, is running in the upper left-hand corner.
  
  
• This snapshot featuring the “Homer” desktop picture and Aqua Theme was submitted by Eric Maas. Audion, configured with Jake Rodkin’s ever popular Reintegration face, is running in the upper left-hand corner. Several game console emulators can be seen in a window at the bottom.
  
  
• The Matrix craze continues with this snapshot from Klevn touting the “MatriX” desktop picture by Aldert Greydanus and Ben Mackin’s Liquid Theme. Audion, configured with Jake Rodkin’s Reintegration face, is situated in the upper left-hand corner. A Windows in Mac’s clothing is running in Virtual PC at the bottom.
  
  
• Merv Merzoug contributed this snapshot featuring the “G4 Dock” desktop picture and Mac OS X Aqua K-Scheme. Various icons from Icon Factory inhabit the right and bottom edges. Audion, configured with the Orb face, is running in the upper left-hand corner
  
  
• This contributor, who requested to remain anonymous, submitted this screenshot sporting the “Iguana” desktop picture and the Dimple Theme. Marc Oliver’s Iconimals are lined along the right side.
  
  

5/10/00

If you're like me, and you don't know an RGB from a Bumblebee, you'll love this Photoshop 5 Action from sysinfo. A Photoshop Action is similar to Quickey Macro or an Applescript; it's a prerecorded set of commands for the application to execute.

This Photoshop action walks you through the steps needed to make a decent looking Aqua button. It took me a few attempts to get it right, but the helpful dialogs boxes guide you every step of the way.

To install the Action, select Show Actions from the Window menu. On the Action palette, use the Popup menu in the upper right corner to Load an action.

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Repositioning a Printer Dialog Box

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After previous reading on ResExcellence about using "talking" Applescripts to check for mail in Outlook Express, Charlie Hayes dusted off his Script Editor to create the following:

I created two new Applescripts. One for checking your e-mail accounts, and the other for sending e-mail. It only works for POP Accounts, but could easily be modified for other types. I used a variable for the voice, so if you want to change it, its really easy.

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A couple more comments on MP3's. In the article, I mentioned that Knapster and Gnapster both compiled fine on my computer. I launched both programs and performed searched, but never downloaded a song (Hey, Metallica's lawyers are everywhere!)

It turns out that there is a bug in Knapster that prohibits it from downloading. Gnapster works fine. In fact, I now possess a copy of the Carpenters, "Close to You". :)

Gino Generelli: One great mac utility that you didn't mention is the N2MP3 encoder. In my opinion it is the most fully featured, easy to use encoder I could find... I actually paid the shareware fee for this one, if you can believe it ; ). But it was worth every penny.

David Bradbury: Want a great MP3 Encoder comparison? Check out mine! I haven't updated it since December, but not many encoders have been released since then so I haven't felt the need to update quite yet... though I will soon. :)

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Gridface, has just added its first series of desktop pictures. This are simple bold images with disturbing messages. :)

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User Contributed Splash Screens:

Don't forget, you can now upload your contributions to the ResExcellence ftp drop box:
ftp://ftp.resexcellence.com/drop_box/. Don't forget to let us know with an email.

• Our latest Explorer skin is from Mike Vannorsdel. Called OS X Buttons, this one takes its cue from the MacOS X Login screen.
  
  
• Here is the next in a series from Jaco de Jong of an Explorer splash from Star Trek Voyager. This one features the annoying Neelix.
  
  
• Showing the speedy G4 chip, Nick Watson submitted this MOSS.
  
  
• As a kid, did you ever sharpen a pencil down to the eraser? That's what this stubby cursor form Sébastien Lavoie will remind you of.
  
  
• This MOSS is so obvious, I can't believe no one though of it before! Kudos to Kuzey Atici for this nice Quicktime look. Kuzey also created an About this Mac replacement featuring Buzz Lightyear.
  
  
• Do you wear baggy pants and knee pads? Then you'll like this skateboard throbber for Netscape from Matt Lajoie.
  
  

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Snapshot Gallery by Jeremy Hoesly

• Mike Elhard submitted this screenshot sporting the “KoRn Issues” desktop picture and NeXT Theme. SoundJam MP, configured with a Mountain Dew skin, is running in the lower left-hand corner.
  
  
• A modified version of Henrik Ronnlund’s “My Apple” desktop picture and the Black, Hot, and Blue K-Scheme together make this snapshot from Rob Barnes. SoundJam MP, configured with the GraphiteJam skin, is running along the top.
  
  
• The Estaño K-Scheme by Kei Kinoshita and Henrik Ronnlund’s “My Apple” desktop picture can be seen in this screenshot from Kevin Leslie. Audion, configured with the Badge face, is running in the lower left-hand corner.
  
  
• Alberto Chávez, another faithful contributor to the Snapshot Archive, has sent in a snapshot with a Malcolm McDowell desktop picture and the Tephra K-Scheme. Audion, configured with the BeOS face, can be seen running near the left edge.
  
  
• This screenshot from Trevor Pressman touts the “NeonDisaster” desktop picture along with several Gorts and BeOS icons. Anarchie is running towards the bottom.
  
  
• The “Power Armor” desktop picture and eAz OS K-Scheme are featured in this snapshot from long time contributor Mike Orticari. Photoshop is in the foreground where a MOSS is being designed.
  
  

As you're cranky old married Webmaster™, it appears I'm in the minority of ResExcellence readers. Only one third of us are married. Maybe that's why I'm cranky!

11% listed themselves as "Other". I wonder if any are Civil Unions!

No other program I own has paid for itself as many times over like Quicken. For years I have used it to paid every bill, performed every transfer, and track our retirement accounts. Even though my bank charges $9.95 per month to use Quicken, I recoup that by saving on stamps, and receiving additional interest because I manage money more efficiently. My friend on the other hand, never balances her checkbook! Where do you stand?

This week's Polling Place asks, "How do you balance your checkbook?".

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Readers are always asking why ResExcellence doesn't have a poll on browser choice. We don't need to because the Apache web server gathers that information for us. Below are the stats for the first few days of May. With the release of Internet Explorer 5, Netscape was relegated to the number two position. (I wonder if Opera is the Windows version, or the Mac alpha. Konqueror is the new KDE 2.0 browser.)

reqs: browser
------: -------
678470: MSIE
461311: Netscape
46691: Netscape (compatible)
27349: iCab
876: Opera
872: iCab J
356: Konqueror
339: Cyberdog
239: OmniWeb
168: WebTV
2499: [not listed: 115 browsers]

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There were several follow-up comments to Friday's article on Ripping CD's under MacOS and LinuxPPC. Many readers recommended SoundJam from Casady&Greene as an MP3 Ripper/Player combination that costs $39.95. The SoundJam "player only" is a free download. Brian Bergstrand pointed me to a free Mac port of the Blade MP3 encoder that I was using under Linux. Brian also adds, "QuickTime can play MP3's. Cost on Mac $0". Dan Schmidt has put together a page comparing various MP3 programs.

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on applescript (main) has added a new script named AppMem which is now available in the scripts section. AppMem allows you to change an application's memory partition before launching it. It features a FirstRun routine and the ability to 'morph' itself to any app dropped onto it. Be sure to check out the rest of their scripts.

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User Contributed Splash Screens:

Don't forget, you can now upload your contributions to the ResExcellence ftp drop box:
ftp://ftp.resexcellence.com/drop_box/. Don't forget to let us know with an email.

• This cool looking heartbeat throbber was created by Sébastien Lavoie. It's available for Netscape and iCab.
  
  
• Jay Amici sent a nice looking Eudora splash screen replacement.
  
  
• Featuring Cartman from South Park, Kuzey Atici created a MOSS!
  
  
• Peter McHugh sent an Aqua styled makeover for the Remote Access Control Panel.
  
  
• An impressionistic About the Mac replacement was created by Nicholas Knyk.
  
  
• Displaying an image from her uglier Borg days, Jaco de Jong created this Explorer splash of "7 of 9" from Star Trek Voyager.
  
  

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Snapshot Gallery by Jeremy Hoesly

• Maxfield Parrish’s “Lantern Bearers” desktop picture and Albie Wong’s Mamma Mia K-Scheme are displayed in this snapshot by Gary Shawver. Very orange!
  
  
• Brandon Muhlach is salivating over the new Power Macintosh G4 in this screenshot touting a custom desktop picture and the PMG4 K-Scheme. SoundJam, configured with the AquaX skin, is running in the lower left-hand corner.
  
  
• The Matrix is back in this screenshot submission by one of our regular contributors, Mike. The “Green Liquid Chrome” desktop picture and the Trianon K-Scheme were used.
  
  
• One Linux desktop pattern and the Sugar Plate V K-Scheme mixed in with a custom window pattern make the ingredients for this submission from Marc Wright. Audion, configured with some cool-looking skin, is running in the lower left-hand corner, and DragThing is running along the left edge.
  
  
• A calm custom desktop picture and the Sugar Plate V K-Scheme are a part of this snapshot by Michael Rosen. Audion, configured with the BCK-Amp face, is running in the upper left-hand corner, and DragThing is running along the left edge.
  
  
• Who is that in the screenshot!? A college kid after 20 hours of C++ programming? The mother-in-law everyone prays they’ll never have? No, it’s Storm from the X-Men The Movie trailer in this latest submission from Frank Rozsa. The Dimple Theme was used as well, and Audion, configured with the Reintegration face, is running in the upper left-hand corner.
  
  

5/5/00

Many readers wrote to say the computer pictured in the 1981 Apple advertisement is an Apple III. Jean-Jacques Cortes sent this picture from the Machine Room.

Avi Drissman also recommends Apple-History for more information on the ill-fated machine, and all things historical pertaining to Apple.

And Graeme Cowling was one of the few chumps, umm, customers to buy one:

I just noted your page today with the inclusion of the Apple ad from 1981. I think I must be on of the very few who actually bought the machine shown...An Apple III with Silentype thermal printer and external 160K floppy drive (I think that was the capacity at least and I am too lazy to go over to the other side of the room to check at the moment!)

The Apple III was an orphan unfortunately, but I loved it and ended up with two, a III with 128K memory and a III+ with 256K (what power!) They replaced my Apple II and IIe's.

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There is a new Applescript site that should become a great resource! MacScripter's magazine has everything you need to learn scripting, download scripting additions, and keep up to date on scripting news from around the web.

Another new site is DailyMacFix. Not all the sections are flushed out yet, but give a look and send encouraging words.

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Is Grandma still not getting this whole email attachment thing? Well send her to MacInstruct. They just published part tow of "How to Send Attachments".

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A couple of months ago icons.cx released the first third-party icons for MacOS X. Now, they just re-released six of their most popular icon sets in the Mac OS X format--that's more than 300 icons!

Download "X-optimized" versions of Solar System, Spiffy Apps III, Circles Encore, Quake III: Arena, More Quake III, A Place Called Yuck, and IE Flavors sets. If you're lucky enough to have a developer release of Mac OS X you can use them in their full 128x128 glory. If you don't have it, fear not; you can use the icons under Mac OS 8.5 or newer, and when you upgrade to Mac OS X this summer you'll be able to see the new sizes automatically.

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The Linux Icebox (whew, it's cold in here!)

With all the recent talk at ResEx about MP3's, I though I'd run a little demo comparing ripping MP3's under MacOS versus LinuxPPC. (Ripping is when you convert CD audio tracks and store them on you hard disk. In my example, the final format is MP3). See a desktop snapshot of each OS, and a list of software used. Please, no comments on my '80's rock musical tastes. Remember, I'm an old man. (Continued...)

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User Contributed Splash Screens:

Don't forget, you can now upload your contributions to the ResExcellence ftp drop box:
ftp://ftp.resexcellence.com/drop_box/. Don't forget to let us know with an email.

• "Revenge is a dish best eaten cold...". If you use Outlook Express 5, fred sends this OE5 splash screen featuring our favorite Klingon, Worf; and a soundset of his witty Klingon sayings.
  
  
• Jim Flach sends another MOSS! This one, for users of MacOS 9.0.4, is tangerine in the style of the MacOS 9/Sherlock logo.
  
  
• Called "GoHack", this sidebar graphic by Daniil Khorunzhiy is for your GoMac menu.
  
  
• Kuzey Atici sends two submissions. A Quicktime styled About this Mac replacement, and a MOSS featuring Bart Simpson.
  
  
• If you like the anime "Danger Girls", Nels Anderson has created replacement splash for the Office 98 suite of programs.
  
  
• Matthew Theobalds submits another IE5 throbber. This one is a spinning iBook!
  
  
• Featuring a big ol' Aqua button, Antoudewo created this interesting MOSS.
  
  

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Snapshot Gallery by Jeremy Hoesly

• Fredrik Holmqvist sent in this snapshot with a custom desktop pattern inspired by a Japanese website. SoundJam, configured with the 1983d skin, is running in the lower right-hand corner.
  
  
• Pete Goudreau contributed this snapshot touting Blue Sky Heart’s “DC Orbit” desktop picture along with a slightly tweaked Platinum Theme to match the color scheme. Anarchie, an FTP client, is open along the left edge, and HogWasher, a newsgroup reader, is running near the top.
  
  
• Richard Kim submitted this screenshot featuring the “Quantum Foam” desktop picture along with Kei Kinoshita’s Estudio K-Scheme. Microsoft Word is running in the background, and various icons from Icon Factory are placed along the right edge.
  
  
• Alex Kleiner sent in this screenshot sporting a custom desktop picture and the iMac Paper Theme. Macast, configured with the Triample Blue skin, is running in the lower right-hand corner and the QuickTime Player, configured with the Aqua skin, is openin the upper left-hand corner.
  
  
• This contributer, known as Anto, submitted this snapshot featuring a custom desktop picture and the Grafito K-Scheme. Audion, configured with the Reintegration face, is running in the upper left-hand corner. The cursor replacement is a custom creation of Anto’s as well.
  
  
• Nick Redmond submitted this screenshot featuring the custom “Organica” desktop picture and the IZA Metal Finish K-Scheme. The High Level Abstraction iPack along with various icons by Colheres can be seen on the desktop. Audion, configured with the s.i.n. gelido azul face, is running in the lower left-hand corner.
  
  
  

While paging though an old National Geographic from 1981, Timothy Zulewski found this advertisement from Apple! I don't even know what model computer that is. Unfortunately, the ad copy punctuates the missed opportunities by Apple in the early Eighties.

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Keep an eye Iconfactory today. They'll be releasing a new version of IconBuilder. This update creates icons for MacOS X too!

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Alphanumerica has posted a new Netscape 6 skin called FruityGum. It's meant more as a demonstrations skin, highlighting some new techniqes, which is good because yours truly thinks it's u-g-l-y! :)

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Lots-o-people emailed to comment on the Applescript to bring the Finder to the front after DropDrawers launches at startup. Well it seems there is a preference in DropDrawers to do just that ! :)

But this simpler version still has value for those of us with other applications that are launched at startup.

tell application "Finder"
activate
end tell

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Shortly after ResExcellence mentioned Toren Valimir's web site update, he maxed out his throughput with his ISP. Well, it's a new month and Toren has megs to born, so stop by, download his beautiful user interface goodies, and let's see if we can shut him down by the weekend! :)

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User Contributed Splash Screens:

Don't forget, you can now upload your contributions to the ResExcellence ftp drop box:
ftp://www.resexcellence.com/drop_box/. Don't forget to let us know with an email.

• Another IE5 Skin! This one by Robert Percival. By the way, the preview I posted Monday for Wayne Chang's skin in the archive wasn't correct due to an error on my part, so be sure to check them both out!
  
  
• "The MOSS Files" is a replacement by Seba that was inspired by the X-Files, without all the green.
  
  
• If all of the AIM artwork looked as good as this splash by Nels, we wouldn't need the patcher to remove them!
  
  
• Jim Flach submitted this MOSS that has a nice graphite/Quicktime look to it.
  
  
• A colorful rainbow Quicktime Player makeover was submitted by Brad Gosse.
  
  
• Based on the circular Smilin' Mac logo, Kevin Leslie created both a MOSS and an About this Mac replacement.
  
  
• Another version of a Powerbook Throbber was created Matthew Theobalds. This one is only for Explorer 5.
  
  
• Jay Amici sent a splashscreen replacement for Netscape based on the "N" logo.
  
  

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Snapshot Gallery by Jeremy Hoesly

• Matt Huitson sent in this snapshot sporting a desktop picture from Macsurfshop along with a modified Turbo Theme. Internet Explorer is running at the top.
  
  
• Oz Alfert contributed this snapshot featuring a desktop picture from AddWoo along with the Ben Mackin’s Liquid Theme. Audion, configured with the Cutting Edge face, is running along the top edge.
  
  
• This submitter, known only as Chez, contributed this snapshot featuring the “Aqua” desktop picture by Scott Chitwood and Riverbed Software’s PaperBox Blueberry Theme. Also various icons from Epoch Icons, Etherbrian, Perfect Yosemite, and Icon Factory propogate the screen. Audion, configured with BCK Graphics’ bck_soldier face, is running along the left edge.
  
  
• Kenneth Kirksey submitted this snapshot featuring Digital Blasphemy’s “Traveller” desktop picture along with the Aqua K-Scheme. SoundJam, configured with the AquaX skin, is running at the top, and icons from Perfect Yosemite’s High-Level Abstraction iPack live on the desktop.
  
  
• Todd Patrick submitted this cool snapshot of his desktop running LinuxPPC 2000. Mac-on-Linux is running Mac OS 8.6 and the X Multimedia System on the left edge sports the Blur Scope visualization plugin. Netscape’s Mozilla browser is running at the top. Very awesome setup!
  
  
• Alberto Chávez is back again with another snapshot, this time touting a custom dock he created from an H. R. Giger illustration along with the Boilerplate K-Scheme. Audion, configured with Scott Raleigh’s Wetware face, is running near the left edge.
  

Open Photoshop in ResEdit and open the only BNDL resource in it. Choose "Create new file type" from the Resource menu; the new file type added to the BNDL will be '????'. This OS Type is reserved by Apple and can mean "unknown" or "any", depending on context. In this case, it means "any".

Save Photoshop and quit ResEdit. Any time you change a BNDL, you'll need to rebuild the Desktop File by holding down Command and Option when the Finder starts up.

Now you can drag any file onto Photoshop and have it open.

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Matthew Theobalds sends this simple Applescript:

Here is an AppleScript which I have made to open Drop Drawers, and then Activate the Finder afterwards. This is fully compatible with the obligatory alias in the Startup Items Folder.

I wrote it because I didn't like the way Drop Drawers by default was the frontmost application.

tell application "Drop Drawers"
activate
tell application "Finder"
activate
end tell
end tell

Anyway there it is. Simple eh.

This comes in handy for any program launched at startup. On my computer, I use Gramotki instead of Stickies. At every restart, Gramotki is the final forward application. This script allows me to switch it to the Finder.

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Internet Explorer Skin Archive Opens:

This weekend I dug out the ResExcellence crowbar and squeezed another section into the website. We have our first contribution to the Internet Explorer Skins archive.

Take a look at Saphire skin by Wayne Chang, and be sure to visit the Skin Lab to find out how to create your own IE5 skins. Their message boards have been active with discussions from names that will be familiar to ResExcellence readers.

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User Contributed Splash Screens:

Don't forget, you can now upload your contributions to the ResExcellence ftp drop box:
ftp://www.resexcellence.com/drop_box/. Don't forget to let us know with an email.

• The Visual Station by Wayne Chang is a great looking MOSS that is not in the standard size, but not quite Giant.
  
  
• Wayne also sent a matching About this Mac replacement featuring the San Francisco skyline.
  
  
• Mark Evans created a cool looking splash screen replacement for the users of Outlook Express. It's very geometrical in its style.
  
  
• Continuing the resurgence of throbber submissions, Patrick Kelleher sends another of his creations. This throbbing Apple is for both Netscape 6 and Explorer 5.
  
  
• Nicholas Knyk created a Giant MOSS with elements of Aqua and the MacOS 9 logo.
  
  
• This Supermac Netscape splash was created by Jeff Miles
  
  

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Snapshot Gallery by Jeremy Hoesly

• Gedeon Maheux contributed this snapshot featuring the “Chiana” desktop picture from Farscape along with Toren Valimir’s I/OSX Graphite K-Scheme. John Marstall’s High Level Abstraction folders iPack and Icon Factory’s The Farbles icons are also displayed.
  
  
• This submitter, known only as PafMax, sent in this screenshot with the custom “Weird” desktop picture. Audion, configured withthe Gizmo 2.0 face, is running in the lower left-hand corner, and WebLab Viewer Lite is in the foreground displaying RNA molecule stereogram.
  
  
• Darth Sideous’ evil apprentice, Darth Maul, has landed at ResExcellence in this snapshot from Sean King. Besides the Darth Maul DP, the Obsidian K-Scheme by Indigo Kelleigh is being used and Audion, configured with the Runestick face by Lliam, is running at the bottom.
  
  
• Alberto Chávez, one of ResExcellence’s faithful contributers, sent in this screenshot showing off a custom Space Ghost desktop picture coupled with the Bondi K-Scheme. Audion, configured with the Badge II face by Grifiths Designs, is running in the center.
  
  
• Neill Holloman submitted this screenshot featuring the “Perl Cafe” desktop picture and an Aqua theme/scheme. Audion, configured with the Reintegration face, is running in the upper left-hand corner.
  
  
• Rick Bargerhuff contributed this snapshot touting a modified version of the gorgeous desktop picture from EndEffect. Some of the icons are from ResExcellence’s very own Icon Archive.