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Today's News by Cletus™  Guess what! Another fantastic giveaway! ResExcellence and The Kennett Network are teaming up to geiveaway three registrations for WriterPRO. This is a really nice word program that is small and fast. The perfect replacement for SimpleText.
I have been playing with a new program I downloaded called StickyBrain by Chronos. It's described as: "a personal productivity application that incorporates a 'sticky note' interface." However, it is so much more. I really like it since I tend to have notes scattered all over my desktop. Virtually anything can be stored on a StickyBrain note. I would recommend giving this a try if you haven't already. Selznick Scientific Software, LLC has announced an update for their MoonMenu software taking it to version 1.7. They have added support for the following Full Moon names from the Farmers' Almanac: Wolf Moon, Snow Moon, Worm Moon, Pink Moon, Flower Moon, Strawberry Moon, Buck Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Fruit or Barley Moon, Harvest Moon, Hunter's Moon, Beaver Moon and Cold Moon. They have also fixed a small registration timing problem. I think a full Strawberry Moon is coming up in several days! The OS X - Zone has released RBrowser. RBrowser is a full featured graphic FTP client. From their homepage: It has the NeXT interface and can replace the Finder in Mac OS X. There is one more thing to know. RBrowser is a cocoa native application and is faster than the Finder (the fact that the Finder is slow is one of the main problems of Mac OS X). Since RBrowser is a Cocoa application, the Services menu has been enabled. This was one of the main advantages of NeXTStep, which disappeared with the Carbon version of the Finder. Image is here. MSR Software Developments has posted an update to File Renamer. It is now at version 1.5. This freeware program is great for doing batch renaming of files. Simply type in the file extension and then choose the folder containing the files you wish to add the extensions to. Iconata has been updated to version 1.0.5. This is an easy to use icon tool for Mac OS X, that lets users create and customize icons on their Mac.  StimpSoft has released Cat-in-the-Dock. What can one really say except that it will place a cat in your Mac OS X dock. An image of version 0.0.1.8.0.45.0.9.30 beta 7 is pictured to the right.
Rage Software has posted an enhancement to their program Macintosh Explorer that will give it a cool Aqua appearance. Submit Software and General News Suggestions!
Click here to learn more about Toast 6 Titanium
 Polling Place by Michael Coyle
Perhaps the days of cursive writing are numbered. You don't think so? I'll bet medieval monks though calligraphy would never leave the mainstream either!
59% of readers can't remember the last time they wrote in cursive. I did an informal survey around the office and several coworkers grabbed a sheet of paper to prove they could still remember what they had learned in 4th grade. The stunned look on their faces as they hesitated trying to remember how to write a particular letter was priceless.
Because of the shortened holiday week, there will be no Polling Place this week.
Tools of the Trade by Michael Coyle
Melissa has added seven more sites to the ResExcellence Links page. Are there only 150 MacUI sites in the world? Let her know if she's missing one.
Dan Steffen sends this nice addition to last week's tip on dragging icons to the MacOS X Toolbar.
- Launch Tinkertool and check "Show Trash on Desktop"
- Quit.. Logout then login.(required to make the Trashcan show up on the desktop.)
- Then Drag the Trashcan to your Finder Tool Bar.
- Now launch Tinkertool and uncheck show Trash on Desktop.
- Quit, logout, login and you will still have a trashcan in your toolbar but not on your desktop.
For lovers of KDE2.1 themes, Vadim Plessky has updated and added to his plethora of 33 window decorations and 6 widget themes. Preview and download them from his site, or the faster mirror. (Hey Mom, I used "plethora"!)
Fontosaurus Text is back after a short hiatus. If you haven't been there lately, Spring Break, Ebola Jones, Trade Embargo, and Zonkers are new font offerings.
If Apple's 10 GB hard drive isn't big enough for you, check out these detailed instructions from Greg Meach. There are tons of photos to show you how to void your warranty by disassembling your iBook! :)
George Krueger is a regular contributor to ResEx. He also has a nice web site to catalog his creations. There are desktops, Clock.app faces, and iTunes skins.
User Contributed Splash Screens: by Michael Coyle
Complete Cable Management For The Home & Office.
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Get your Wednesday snapshots right here: - James LeDuc contributes this snapshot sporting his inFusion K-Scheme with a matching desktop picture. Custom icons abound.
- Scott Chitwood’s “Quantum X” desktop picture is showcased in this OS X contribution from John Montgomery. iTunes is kicking out songs in the lower right-hand corner. Icons from Xicons and Icon Factory are scattered throughout.
- A “Britney Spears” desktop picture from Desktop Girls and Akio’s BIG Red K-Scheme debut in this submission from Alvara Wallace. Interesting.
- This OS X screenshot from Jeff Welsh features the “Stained” desktop picture. Very blue.
Have a desktop masterpiece you’d like to share with the Mac masses? Read our submission guidelines and then bring it on!
Support ResExcellence By Visiting Our Sponsors!
Icon/Desktop News 05-30-01 Icon & Desktop News: by Dan  Icons - Desktops: We've got (6) really nice desktops and (2) new OSX Icon sets to start your work week off right. All on display for today's update.
- Hein Mevissen provides the autophiles in the crowd with a new set of Car Icons for OSX. This small but well done grouping of 6 icons includes some classic cars as well as a few 128x folders.
- Ilicon releases a flock of "Butterfly Icons" for OSX to flit about the Mac community. The set includes 19 different beautifully drawn butterflies in Ilicon's signature style. You will have to visit her website to download these gossamer beauties.
- Summer comes to the city again with SoulRocka Nasty Nene's "Suncity 4" desktop. This is the third from a collection of different Suncity backdrops, and comes in 1024x resolution.
- Gigi experiments with a number of Photoshop filter combinations on a stock photograph, and comes up with an interesting metallic backdrop transformed into "Foil". Comes in 1024x and 800x resolutions.
- For all those "Danger Girl" comics fans out there, John Rose submits a nicely done desktop featuring your favorite heroine in 1280x resolution.
- Retro Rocks with the "Elvgren Girls" by John Rose. This saucy desktop depicts some of the artwork of Elvgren, who from the 1940's to the 1960's illustrated the all American Girl in many magazines and other media. The desktop comes in 1280x resolution
- We dip once again into the pile of superb 3-D rendered desktops submitted by digital dynamo Henry Stidston . Today's selection is titled "Shotgun & Lamp" and brings some macho 3-D realism to your desktop in 1024x resolution.
- 'Ilicon provides us with a preview of one of her latest desktop pictures titled "Tulips". Visit her website for the download, and take a look at all the other "goodies with style" you will find there.
News From Around the Web: In the weeks ahead DV Graphics will be clearing out their desktop section to make room for more desktops. This means everything must go. Tray'sTrove updates with eight new desktops - 5/27/01 Mandolux wanted to let you know that he will soon issue the eleventh version of his site. For a small-tiny preview of the new version - please go to http://www.mandolux.com. Ilicon updates with a new icon set for OSX, and two new desktop pictures. Happicon updates his icon set "TranZformZ' for OS X and renames it 'X-Frunnels'. Go and get it! DOME-O-RAMA updates with Chunky and Chunky Mono desktop patterns collections. Colheres updates with a new icon set titled "quadros" (by Rosa). BREDSTIK ENTERTAINMENT updates with a new animation, icons, comics and more. Pixelheart updates with a new icon set: Life powder system. The Devils Desktop will go off-line in Mid-Late June, and wanted to let everyone know this and give them time to download anything they wanted from the site this month and into the next one. It won't be disappearing though, and will be relaunched as MacuserX.com with the same great desktops and icons and such.
For all of you learning the ins and outs of Photoshop and other graphic programs, visit EyeWire and scroll through their "tips' section for some great advise on Design work. Epoch Icons updates with some desktops he made with material garnered at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this weekend. The first of which are online now. DV Graphics has posted it's first photo realistic icon set. Also, they are having constant updates on their "Mac OS X journal". So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
Visit the Mac Experts!
5/29/01 Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Tuesday’s snapshots are ready for primetime: - Faithful contributor Jade Barton sends this snapshot sporting MacDesktops’ “G4 3/4 View” desktop picture. iTunes is shuffling songs in the background at center.
- A Hebus desktop picture and Amphagorey’s Blood K-Scheme share the spotlight in this screenshot from Todd Beshara. iTunes is taking music requests in the lower left-hand corner.
- The “Bjork” desktop picture and William Bart’s BBX Platinum K-Scheme debut in this snapshot from Kreg Holt. SoundJam, retro-fitted with the BBX skin, is cranking out music in the lower right-hand corner. Icons from Mendelini are also present.
- Martus contributes this snapshot featuring a Weezer desktop picture and Daisuke Yamashita’s Titanium 7 K-Scheme. A slightly hacked iTunes is playing at left center.
- A “Star Trek Voyager” desktop picture and the GlassBox Theme are showcased in this contribution from Michael Rabe, our resident theme-meister. iTunes, overhauled with a marble texture is pumping out soundwaves in the lower left-hand corner.
- Brett Yoakum submits this dual monitor snapshot touting two custom desktop pictures in conjunction with Daisuke Yamashita’s FT-5 K-Scheme. Audion, equipped with Scott Raleigh’s Sickness face, is dishing out tunes in the lower left of the first screen.
Have a desktop masterpiece you’d like to share with the Mac masses? Read our submission guidelines and then bring it on!
REALbasic News by Erick Tejkowski This week in REALbasic News: - Apple gives REAL Software honors.
- Lorin takes over the airwaves.
- MacCollection gets an update.
- MacScripter posts a cool AppleScript tutorial.
- Patrick Wynne gives us a handy plugin development tip.
Find all this and more in today's REALbasic News. (Continued...)
Visit the Mac Experts!
Today's News by Cletus™ The staff says: Happy Birthday Webmaster™ Fabricata has released Iconata. Iconata is an easy to use icon tool for Mac OS X, allowing you to easily create custom icons on your Mac. Iconata includes: - Easy to use drag and drop-based Aqua user interface.
- 8-bit masks for shadows, transparent areas and anti-aliasing.
- Live preview of the icon, at any size and on any background.
- Creation of icons by putting a frame around a simple source image.
- Import existing icons.
- Automatic creation of necessary icon elements, including alpha
channels and hit masks.
- Display detailed icon data in the X-Ray view.
SoundHack is a sound effects manipulation tool. Version 0.890b9 fixes a bug in the default file type being saved correctly.  GMem! 1.0b1 is a memory status indicator for Mac OS X. It has many features that can be customized including: font color, display used or free memory, display either memory (in megabytes) or percentage used/free, update interval configurable (from 5 seconds to 5 minutes).
As I monitor the GUI shareware/freeware Mac community for updates for this section, I have noticed the frequency of updates for some programs. On the one hand, I simply report what is there. On the other hand I often wonder if it is just getting annoying to report it again. MacFixIt is running a particularly interesting poll question this week asking: "Software updates: How often is often enough?" Themes.org is great place to stop by for ideas on customizing. Many new screenshots and themes have been posted. Be sure to check the individual sections of the site as well. For instance, the KDE section has some wonderful screenshots and themes posted. This is really cool! I just read over at MacMinute that a new iBook is coming in July. Jeez, does this mean mine from November will be yet another generation older?? Oh well, I still like it! Submit Software and General News Suggestions!
Support ResExcellence By Visiting Our Sponsors!
Tools of the Trade by Michael Coyle
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me...
Isn't there something pathetic about wishing yourself a happy birthday? And it's not even a milestone birthday. At twenty-one, you're able to have you first legal beer. Twenty-five brings a lower insurance premium. You can even look forward to your third decade as a measuring stick of your accomplishments.
But forty-one?
All forty-one can guarantee is that I will be at least two decades older than the youngest lady in the bar, and rapidly approaching the point of "old enough to be her father". Ah well, I guess I should be happy to have made it this far since most had placed bets that I would be gone by now! Do you have any idea how hard it is to blow out 41 candles?? :)
Lee has made an "Accidental iTunes Discovery". Using the ResEx forum as a think-tank, Lee and Jazper have decoded undocumented preferences for the iTunes Visualizer plugin. With the visualizer running, the following keys allow you to modify the patterns and colors in the display:
- Q W: themes (objects etc.)
- A S: the direction
- Z X: the color
Just about every key has some function. Read the thread to learn more.
Each combination of settings has a name. Notice the upper right corner of the visualizer.
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Today the 5th issue of the MacScripter's Magazine AppleScript tutorial series from MacInstruct has been released. The first chapter is dedicated to date and time. After that, the Mag shows you how to script an e-mail program and store e-mail messages inside a database. The combination of the Magazine's interactive multimedia format and AppleScript gives the reader the option to display his or her own familiar (e-mail) data inside the magazine. The examples use Outlook Express and Filemaker Pro, but scripts are provided for AppleWorks and several e-mail programs.
Did you know that you can drag just about any icon onto the toolbar to have it added as a shortcut button? Well I didn't!
- Need some splashes for Eudora? Peter McHugh has whipped up a collection of 27 splashes with a common theme.
- Matt Heerdt made matching MOSS and About this Mac replacements for lovers of the game Oni.
- Featuring the Smilin' Mac, Daryl Hansen created a MacOS X Boot panel for you.
- These new Clock.app faces by George Krueger are more Aqua than Aqua! There's one each for lovers of analog or digital clocks.
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Here’s Friday’s snapshot rollout: - This contribution from Kevin Adams features a desktop picture of his pride and joy peeking out from the lower left-hand corner. Warning: Side effects of this submission include heart melting, excessive cooing and babbling, and flaring of paternal or maternal instincts. Most were mild or moderate. Consult with your psychiatrist or mental health professional if you have a family history of these symptoms.
- Rob Hanlon touts a custom “Black Tile” desktop picture along with Albie Wong’s ByCrom! K-Scheme in this screenshot. Audion, retooled with Paul Styles’ DigiChrome face, is taking music requests along the left edge.
- A MacWorld website desktop picture and the Unlined Charcoal Theme debut in this screenshot from Brandon Muhlach. iTunes is kicking out soundwaves at upper right. Icons from Xicons abound.
- The “Gil Elvgren” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme are showcased in this submission from John Rose. Audion is dishing out tunes along the left edge.
- Manuel Velazquez returns with this submission sporting the “Delta” desktop picture from his new Post Avant series in conjunction with William Bart’s BBX Platinum K-Scheme. Audion, equipped with Toren Valimir’s I/OS face, is cranking out songs along the top.
- Cody Walton shows off the OS 9 and OS X sides of his Mac in this two-part submission. The OS 9 desktop consists of a Mandolux desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme, while OS X’s desktop is decked out almost identically.
Have a desktop masterpiece you’d like to share with the Mac masses? Read our submission guidelines and then bring it on!
Calendar & Appointment Scheduler for Mac OS X
Icon/Desktop News 05-25-01 Icon & Desktop News: by Dan  Icons - Desktops: We've got (6) excellent desktops to carry you over the long awaited holiday weekend. All on display for today's update.
- Manny Velazquez premieres "Delta", the second desktop from his new "Post Avant" series. This stylish backdrop comes in 1024x resolution.
- Gigi appears to like our website so much that he created a second "Resx desktop" for your approval. This gradient "Resx" blue backdrop comes in 1024x resolution only.
- Summer comes to the city again with SoulRocka Nasty Nene's "Suncity 3" desktop. This is the second from a collection of different Suncity backdrops, and comes in 1024x resolution.
- "Quicksilver", by Twist was made to go with the Quicksilver Kaleidoscope Scheme by Toren Valimir and Richard Bensam. This companion background comes in 5 different resolutions.
- This giant city eating sized "Robot" by an unknown author, will make your little brother think twice before he messes with your computer. The hand drawn desktop comes in 800x and 1024x resolutions.
- Is it the beginning or the end??? "Meltdown" by Bradford J. Wiles asks that fateful question. This 3-D rendered Bryce desktop comes in 1024x and 800x resolutions.
News From Around the Web: Pixelheart updates with a new icon set: Life powder system. The Devils Desktop will go off-line in Mid-Late June, and wanted to let everyone know this and give them time to download anything they wanted from the site this month and into the next one. It won't be disappearing though, and will be relaunched as MacuserX.com with the same great desktops and icons and such.
For all of you learning the ins and outs of Photoshop and other graphic programs, visit EyeWire and scroll through their "tips' section for some great advise on Design work. DOME-O-RAMA updates with THREE new sets of patterns. Each has 8-16 color variations. Epoch Icons updates with some desktops he made with material garnered at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this weekend. The first of which are online now. DV Graphics has posted it's first photo realistic icon set. Also, they are having constant updates on their "Mac OS X journal". Mike Davidson's Mac File Library has been updated again to include the "Genius" pack. Dean's Design's updates with one new desktop this week. Mac.axonz.com updates with an iTunes-Visualizer-Inspired Desktopz! Colheres updates with a New icon set: my favorite things (by Ana) Rene of Happicon notes that the address to his website is still http://members.ams.chello.nl/ymollema
and that it takes a little while before things start loading due to a redirect. Rampant Mac updates this week with one new desktop, a new set of icons and a minor update to his 'PhotoDeluxe Makeover Kit. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
Visit the Mac Experts!
5/24/01 Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Get your Thursday dosage of snapshots: - Scott Kleinberg takes us to the screensaver gallery in this snapshot featuring a peculiar desktop picture of various screensavers coupled with Duncan Cowen’s Co-Pilot K-Scheme. iTunes is managing the background music in the upper right-hand corner.
- A gorgeous custom “Clouds” desktop picture coupled with Diasuke Yamashita’s Titanium 7 K-Scheme debuts in this submission from McAmera. A smattering of icons from the likes of Icon Factory, Xicons, and icons.cx among others line the edges.
- This screenshot from Mike touts a gray desktop picture that compliments the brushed metal look of iTunes and Sherlock. iTunes is sitting in as digital DJ at center. iCab, configured with the Charcoal Buttons, is surfing in the upper right-hand corner.
- MacDesktops’ “Aquadrops” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme are showcased in this contribution from Mike Milligan. Audion, retooled with Som’s Aquafier face, is cranking out songs in the lower left-hand corner. Icons from Icon Factory, Perfect Yosemite, RAILhead Design, and the Roach lurk about the desktop.
- This two-part OS X snapshot from James Rogers sports MacDesktops’ “Jack O Lantern” desktop picture. iTunes, outfitted with a custom skin, is shuffling music tracks along the left edge of the second shot. Icons from Xicons as well as some custom ones are also featured.
- Joe Sieracki contributes this snapshot touting a “Phantom Menace” desktop picture and Peter Harte’s Aqua II K-Scheme. iTunes, equipped with a snazzy skin by Michael Rabe, is serving up music in the lower left-hand corner.
Have a desktop masterpiece you’d like to share with the Mac masses? Read our submission guidelines and then bring it on!
REALbasic Picture Extractor by Erick Tejkowski As a ResExcellence reader, you probably already know how cool Macintosh resources are. All sorts of information can be stored in resources, including text, icons, cursors, audio, and even graphics. This REALbasic tutorial shows you how to create a program to extract 'PICT' resources from your favorite applications and save them to disk in a more useable format - a PICT file. (Continued...)
iStrawberry - in the Archive now!
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Theme News by Michael Rabe
Do you have an idea for a theme, but need a little help to get started?
Well, the Doghouse has reopened with the first of many Theme "How To's". It comes with a complete layout and a base theme on which to build yours.
It's Thursday and that means another theme has been added to the Theme Archive. iStrawberry is the newest of the "i" themes to be released.
See ya on the flip flop!
If you have a theme you wish to add to the Archive, drop me an email.
5/24/01 Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Get your Thursday dosage of snapshots: - Scott Kleinberg takes us to the screensaver gallery in this snapshot featuring a peculiar desktop picture of various screensavers coupled with Duncan Cowen’s Co-Pilot K-Scheme. iTunes is managing the background music in the upper right-hand corner.
- A gorgeous custom “Clouds” desktop picture coupled with Diasuke Yamashita’s Titanium 7 K-Scheme debuts in this submission from McAmera. A smattering of icons from the likes of Icon Factory, Xicons, and icons.cx among others line the edges.
- This screenshot from Mike touts a gray desktop picture that compliments the brushed metal look of iTunes and Sherlock. iTunes is sitting in as digital DJ at center. iCab, configured with the Charcoal Buttons, is surfing in the upper right-hand corner.
- MacDesktops’ “Aquadrops” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme are showcased in this contribution from Mike Milligan. Audion, retooled with Som’s Aquafier face, is cranking out songs in the lower left-hand corner. Icons from Icon Factory, Perfect Yosemite, RAILhead Design, and the Roach lurk about the desktop.
- This two-part OS X snapshot from James Rogers sports MacDesktops’ “Jack O Lantern” desktop picture. iTunes, outfitted with a custom skin, is shuffling music tracks along the left edge of the second shot. Icons from Xicons as well as some custom ones are also featured.
- Joe Sieracki contributes this snapshot touting a “Phantom Menace” desktop picture and Peter Harte’s Aqua II K-Scheme. iTunes, equipped with a snazzy skin by Michael Rabe, is serving up music in the lower left-hand corner.
Have a desktop masterpiece you’d like to share with the Mac masses? Read our submission guidelines and then bring it on!
Visit the Mac Experts!
Today's News by Cletus™ WorkStrip 1.0.3 is now available from Softchaos. WorkStrip 1.0.3 is a file management Control Strip-like launcher. Many bug fixes can be found in this update: - Auto-Shrink now works correctly with Macromedia Flash.
- Fixed a problem where WorkStrip would gets it size wrong and hide the application zone if it was placed on any monitor except the one with the menu bar on it.
- Auto-Shrink now works correctly with QuarkXPress and AppleWorks 6.1.2.
- Can now preview certain file types which include their own non-QuickTime based preview PICT resources (XPress documents and EPS files).
- More likely to be able to generate previews for images and movies without any built-in previews (requires QuickTime).
- The Control Panel will now display an alert if it is unable to launch a Web Browser when needed.
- Added URL file to registration page.
- Installer will now ask to reactivate Apple Control Strip on uninstall.
Iconizer Pro which will allow you to build a group of icons from a picture to be a folder background is now at version 1.4.4. Changes to this version include: - Updated contact information in Iconizer Pro's Contact Window
- Improved speed of transparent border-enhanced iconization.
- Improved method of registration number recognition.
 ASM- Application Switcher Menu by Frank Vercruesse is a small utility that adds a system-wide menu to the right side of the menu bar. This menu lists all of your open applications, so you can easily switch between them. It is easy to install also: "No special installation necessary, just move or copy the file to the desired location and double click to start it."
X-Assist 0.5 is a great little program for Mac OS X by Peter Li. Adds OS 9 windowing, application menu, Apple-like menu support. - Added icon for Menu Resizer.
- Added support for using Shift key to temporarily invert the current Windowing mode. (Defaulted off).
- Improved the display of Control Panel name (internal name and localized).
- Integrated a few localizations (some incomplete), Japanese, German, French
re-arranged preference pane and added two new Prefs. Rage Software has released Invisible Finder which they are calling "the ultimate tool for managing your invisible files." Invisible Finder allows you to either search your hard drives or just click a button to find all you invisible files. Invisible Finder will also remember the files that you changed the visibility of so they can be changed later. For a complete listing of all Invisible Finder's features please see the Specifications Page." Scheme News: Dragon Tongue dropped us a note about some Kaleidoscope Schemes he is furiously working on. I have seen the images he has up on his schemes page and they look nice. One is included below for a tease. What he is looking for is some input from the ResExcellence crowd. He writes... "I am looking for feedback, to see which schemes people might prefer, so I know which ones to focus on. I am also looking for any suggestions, for modification to these 'works in progress', or any future schemes someone might like me to try. I am also open to any help from existing 'Scheme Experts'." Submit Software and General News Suggestions!
Click here to learn more about Toast 6 Titanium
Tools of the Trade by Michael Coyle
A substantial amount of new information regarding Eudora Pro and it's desire to send information and prompt for upgrades was sent by Harold Bakker. Eudora maintains a page of settings that are changed using the x-eudora settings from within the email client. The best way to use these settings is by saving the web page as a text document and then open it in Eudora. Click on any of the x-eudora links to bring up a dialog window similar to the one shown below.
Automatic checking for updates can by disabled by setting <x-eudora-setting:305> to y.
Unfortunately, the rest of dialog boxes and text document are not very informative. Harold believes the settings below in the region of 135xx also might have an impact on privacy:
<x-eudora-setting:13509> One in this many startups ask to send audit info.
<x-eudora-setting:13510> Address to which usage stats are sent.
<x-eudora-setting:13512> Days after which to nuke the usage log and begin a new one.
<x-eudora-setting:13518> Filename containing information about Eudora Updates. DO NOT LOCALIZE
And finally, the good folks at TIDBITS maintain an email list to keep you informed of any changes in the x-eudora tags. If anyone knows of more descriptive documentation of these settings, please let me know!
Multiple Icon Sizes in MacOS X by Carsten Klapp
I have discovered an exciting hidden feature of the Mac OS X Finder! Multiple icon sizes are now possible on the Desktop or in a Finder window! (Continued...)
User Contributed Splash Screens: by Michael Coyle
- Werner Martin Egget sent a new Dock Poof for use with MacOS X. While there are only three so far, I see this as a growing section, so I have placed the Poofs on their own page. The preview animation is crude, but since there is no way to take a snapshot of a poof in action, this will have to do for now.
- Five new Clock.app faces were created by Tom Hackett; three are digital, two are analog.
- Opps, she did it again. Britney Spears is featured on this MacOS X Boot Panel from Randy Meyer.
- HexMan send a combo screen. It looks like a MOSS, and you could certainly paste the PICT image into the System and use it as one, but it's really a small StartupScreen. Just drop it loose in your System Folder.
- The Man of Steel takes to the air in this Explorer throbber by Davor Mihalji.
- Titled "Converg" Jason Williams created a nice looking splash for Photoshop 6.
Complete Cable Management For The Home & Office.
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Yearning for a mid-week boost? Wednesday’s snapshots come to the rescue: - Jeff Abraham submits this snapshot touting Cognitive Distortion’s “Caged Fury” desktop picture coupled with William Bart’s BBX Mercury K-Scheme. SoundJam, bolstered with the Final Jam Pro skin, is tickling the eardrums in the lower right. Icons from Xicons and Icon Factory abound.
- This OS X submission from Morrell Bazemore features a custom desktop picture composed of elements from ResEdit and the 1000 Robots website. iTunes is sitting in as digital DJ in the upper left-hand corner. Icons from Icon Factory also share the spotlight.
- Desktop Girls’ “Love Hewitt” desktop picture and Akio’s BIG Red K-Scheme are showcased in this screenshot from faithful contributor Christopher Brown. Audion, overhauled with Akio’s BIG Red face, is churning out music in the lower left-hand corner.
- The custom “Navigator” desktop picture and Riverbed Software’s Alpha Aqua Theme debut in this submission from Jonathan Martin. iTunes, retro-fitted with a custom appearance hack, is dishing out tunes along the top. Custom icons also roam the desktop.
- Edward O’Rourke sends this contribution bearing the “BlueScan” desktop picture and simple but elegant ProMac K-Scheme. Icons from Deiz are also on display.
- Adriaan Tijsseling sends another snapshot, this one of the classic Mac OS sporting a custom desktop picture. Oscillator, a custom neural network simulator using OpenGL, is also featured.
Have a desktop masterpiece you’d like to share with the Mac masses? Read our submission guidelines and then bring it on!
Support ResExcellence By Visiting Our Sponsors!
Icon/Desktop News 05-23-01 Icon & Desktop News: by Dan  Icons - Desktops: We've got (6) great desktops to help you get over that mid week hump. All on display for today's update.
- Travis Sibley submits a great close up shot of a patch of Asian "Jasmine" to decorate your desktop. This elegant, very fragrant and evergreen ground cover can only grown in the warmer parts of the world in case you were wondering. The desktop will thrive anywhere, and comes in 1024x resolution.
- "Planet Burst" by Adam Betts was built to show you the secret that emerged from the little home of ours; Earth. This desktop picture was created entirely in Adobe Photoshop without any third-party plug-ins, and comes in three different resolutions.
- Summer has come to the city with Nasty Nene's "Suncity 2" desktop. This first of a bunch of different Suncity desktops, this one comes in 1024x resolution.
- The Computer World is humming with news about Apple's opening it's first two retail stores. Billy Nicolas wanted to be the first to honor this momentous occasion and submits "Shop Different" desktop in 832x and 1024x resolutions.
- Fast forward again to 7-21-01, and to the release of the new 'Planet of the Apes' movie. "1World" sent in by Joe Sainson is another official splash screen for the movie designed to commemorate the event in several resolutions.
- Bradford J. Wiles briefly departs from his 3-D work and sends us a desktop titled "Mold" instead. (inspiring name dude). Bradford says that this one is an oldie moldy dug out of the dirt from his dusty ole archives, and was organically produced in Adobe PhotoDeluxe. Comes in 1024x and 800x resolutions.
News From Around the Web: The Devils Desktop will go off-line in Mid-Late June, and wanted to let everyone know this and give them time to download anything they wanted from the site this month and into the next one. It won't be disappearing though, and will be relaunched as MacuserX.com with the same great desktops and icons and such.
For all of you learning the ins and outs of Photoshop and other graphic programs, visit EyeWire and scroll through their "tips' section for some great advise on Design work. DOME-O-RAMA updates with THREE new sets of patterns. Each has 8-16 color variations. Epoch Icons updates with some desktops he made with material garnered at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this weekend. The first of which are online now. DV Graphics has posted it's first photo realistic icon set. Also, they are having constant updates on their "Mac OS X journal". Mike Davidson's Mac File Library has been updated again to include the "Genius" pack. Dean's Design's updates with one new desktop this week. Mac.axonz.com updates with an iTunes-Visualizer-Inspired Desktopz! Colheres updates with a New icon set: my favorite things (by Ana) Rene of Happicon notes that the address to his website is still http://members.ams.chello.nl/ymollema
and that it takes a little while before things start loading due to a redirect. Rampant Mac updates this week with one new desktop, a new set of icons and a minor update to his 'PhotoDeluxe Makeover Kit. Paul from Renaissance Design announces the addition of another new desktops to his site and another experiment added as well. Tray's Trove updates 5/13/01 with eight new desktop designs. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
Visit the Mac Experts!
REALbasic News by Erick Tejkowski Today's REALbasic News: - New version of REALbasic
- Mac OS X-style preferences
- Resorcerer updated for Mac OS X
- Animated Marquee Class
- Speak Greek? We have good news for you!
Find information about all of this and more in today's REALbasic News. (Continued...)
Odds & Ends by Michael Coyle
Trevor asks, "I was wondering if you could give me more details about how you edited the .hidden file to show the MacOS 9 desktop. In the screen shot you are using the terminal, but thats about the only details you gave."
Sure Trevor. First, if you haven't already, install the Developer Tools. Many of the utilities will come in handy, especially the text editor pico.
Open a terminal and type:
su
(enter root password)
cd /
pico .hidden
You should now have the contents of the .hidden file visible in the terminal via pico. The mouse doesn't move the cursor in a terminal, so use the arrows to position it at the end of the line "Desktop Folder" and delete it (don't even leave a blank line). Save your work by typing ctrl-O. Force quit the Finder, or log out and back in, and you should see the Desktop Folder on your main boot partition.
Trevor was also wondering if there was a way to hide (under MacOS 9) the mach, mach.sym and mach_kernel files. As a matter of fact, I do!
Initially, I used ResEdit to make those files invisible under native MacOS 9, but discovered that MacOS X keeps creating new ones! Since MacOS X seemed to have no trouble recreating the files, I took the small chance of deleting them, and of course, MacOS X recreated them!
Finally, I used the Script Editor to record this simple script and placed it in my startup folder. There are no more mach files and X doesn't seem to care in the least.
5/22/01 Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Tuesday’s snapshots are ready for public consumption: - Jade Barton submits this OS X screenshot featuring the “Backwater 5” desktop picture. iTunes is churning out songs at left center.
- This contribution from Conrad touts OpiumBlue’s “Universe” desktop picture while iCab displays the website at center. The Classic X, Decipher Spiral, and @reGIS Millennium are also on display.
- Derek Gordon sends this OS X snapshot sporting SaverLab, a utility that runs screensavers in a window, as a virtual background. Icons from icons.cx and Icon Factory are scattered throughout.
- Christos Magganas’ “Into the Void” desktop picture and William Bart’s BBX Mercury Overlay is showcased in this submission from Sam Miller. iTunes is shuffling music tracks in the lower left-hand corner.
- Michael Rabe, master of our Theme Archive, contributes this screenshot bearing his new “iSnow” desktop picture and theme. iTunes, tweaked with a marble texture, is pumping out soundwaves in the lower left-hand corner.
- The custom “AppleMarble” desktop picture and William Bart’s BBX Mercury Overlay debut in this contribution from Manuel Velazquez, one of our most regular contributors. Very silver.
Have a desktop masterpiece you’d like to share with the Mac masses? Read our submission guidelines and then bring it on!
Need more workspace? Get Virtual Desktop!
Today's News by Cletus™ Another great giveaway has come to a close. Ammon Skidmore and ResExcellence would like to thank all those that entered the Extensions Strip Contest. The final two winners are listed below. Congratulations! - Harvey Buckley
- Monty Lewis
The newest beta release for Icon Machine is 3.0b2. The system requirements for this are: Mac OS 8.6 with CarbonLib 1.3.1, or Mac OS X 10.0 or newer. Since this is beta software, the author is requesting you send in reports of problems while testing it. "Icon Machine is an icon editor that keeps up with the Mac OS. It provides a standard array of tools, Drag and Drop and contextual menu support, and a unique approach to mask editing."
- Fixed a crash that could happen when clicking the button in the "Register" dialog that launches the Register application.
- Added a zoom level popup menu to the editing windows.
- Removed the Preferences and QuickTime Effect commands. They didn't do anything anyway, although they will be coming back.
- Fixed a window drawing problem in OS X.
- Corrected the text in the about box that said the shareware fee is $20. Everybody knows it's really $25.
- Added a cool effect when zooming in and out in an editing window in OS X.
- Windows always resize when changing magnification.
 Another beta test going on is with SpeedApp 2.1b6. SpeedApp will allow launching of applications via a shortcut within the Finder by typing in part of the name. The image at the right gives you an indication of how it works. As with all beta tests, the authors are looking for input. If you are testing this beta, and find a problem, send them an email
Kanzu Utilities has updated two of its products: Windolene 1.1 which will save double-clickable files that remember open windows, the size of them, which ones are shaded, and which ones are popups. When you open this file, these window settings are restored. The other product is IconLiner 1.1. This is a MiniApp which stores and restores desktop icon placements. Iconliner saves a double clickable file that remembers your desktop icon placements.
Pretty Scroll 2.0.1 by Johnny C. N. Lee is a control panel that will animate your scrolling in documents. This update fixes a bug that prevented some registered users from unlocking Pretty Scroll. Snard v0.4 is now available at Gideon Softworks, Inc. Snard is a dock based launcher. Snard reduces dock clutter by replacing numerous app/document icons in the dock with a single docklet. A screenshot is available on the authors site. Snard also includes the ability to:
- Launch An Application as the Admin
- Perform a search locally or internet wide using Sherlock
- 1 Click access to all your preferencesCreate
- Worksets : allow you to specify a list of files to open with once click of the mouse
- Worksets introduced in this version
- Drag and Drop from finder works in this update
- Snard Config now quits when you close the config window
Scheme News: Desktopper has posted a new K-Scheme called Rabit 1.0. It was made by Enju and is best described as pink— really pink! Submit Software and General News Suggestions!
Support ResExcellence By Visiting Our Sponsors!
 Polling Place by Michael Coyle
It comes as a surprise that over 30% of ResEx readers don't have a cell phone! It certainly seems as if everyone on planet does. I love when I'm on the train ride home from work and when a cell phone rings, fifty people jump for their bags.
Almost 9% only have a cell phone. If it were not for the kids, I'd probably ditch the land line too.
Those of you with a "tin can and string", your Mom called. She said come down out of the tree house, your dinner is ready.
This week's Polling Place question was inspired by daughter Melissa, who noticed awkwardly that she had momentarily forgotten how to write some letters in cursive. She usually prints or types on a keyboard. I realized I couldn't remember the last time I had written in cursive hand writing which prompted Melissa to wonder if that style of hand writing would soon become forgotten. This week's question asks, "When was the last time you wrote in cursive?"
Tools of the Trade by Michael Coyle
As a long time fan of Eudora Pro, I was disturbed to read this recent forum post from Sara outlining Qualcomm's monitoring of usage statistics. I looked into the files in question, and most of it seems to be related the ad banners that are displayed in the 'sponsored' version. The privacy statement on Qualcomm's site covers all the information that is recorded and transmitted. Before I make my final decision whether to switch email programs, does anyone else have more info?
I was just about to tell you about three new fonts at Fontosaurus Text, but then Dan Bailey emailed to say his server went up in smoke! Expect the site to be down for a few days while he rebuilds. Good luck Dan!
The other day, I mentioned the problem of X beta applications launching in native MacOS 9 when I would prefer the standard classic application. I suggested changing the creator code of the X app, but Clinch has a better idea.
I had the same problems with OS9 always launching the carbon version of Interachy but instead of tinkering with ResEdit I just went to the internet control panel and assigned manually the "classic" version as file helper for the appropriate protocols. I know it's no big deal but maybe it might be of interest for those who don't feel confident enough playing with ResEdit.
And Russ Campbell sends this tip for handling long directory paths in a terminal window under MacOS X.
You mentioned the drudgery of typing long pathnames to files in today's ResExcellence. Well you can drag/drop a file from a Finder window RIGHT INTO the terminal window and it fills in the pathname for you. So you can start out by typing whatever command you are about to execute, add a space then drag the file into the terminal window, presto!
User Contributed Splash Screens: by Michael Coyle
- The number of boot panels contributed has now surpassed the MOSS screens. I guess MacOS X has truly arrived! Here are the last two in the series from Martin Sundstrøm, two boot panels in Lime and Grape.
- A Hotline splash of the lovely lady in red was sent by Scott Slusher.
- Three dock panels featuring the Apple logo were contributed by Paul Sahner.
- Full Volume Studio sent a MacOS X Boot Panel of a sunny place!
- John Bailey and Egbert have reworked the PPP Control Strip module with better graphics, and it's available in English and German.
- Aki Ross from Final Fantasy is featured in this Netscape splash by Jaime O. Hilario.
- She's one bad dudette that Lara Croft! Robin Lydeén's MOSS has Angelina Jolie cast as the heroine.
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Welcome back! Monday’s snapshots are waiting for you as you start the new week: - This submission from Thomas Hackett touts a custom desktop picture inspired from Propaganda’s Analog Wind tiling pattern in conjunction with the Aqua Theme. iTunes is dishing out songs along the right edge and Stickies provides nuggets of wisdom in the lower left.
- Wallpapers.ru’s “BMW Interior” desktop picture in conjunction with Arlo Rose’s Onyx K-Scheme debuts in this submission from Scott Kleinberg. iTunes is kicking out selections along the bottom edge. Icons from Xicons and icons.cx abound.
- This OS X screenshot from Paul Sahner sports a desktop picture from MacDesktops. Selections from icons.cx and Xicons are visible throughout.
- Styles submits this screenshot touting William Bart’s “Gravity Well Mercury” desktop picture and Daisuke Yamashita’s Titanium 7 K-Scheme. iTunes is serving up music in the upper right-hand corner. Icons from icons.cx and Xicons are scattered about.
- Adriaan Tijsseling is back this time with an OS X snapshot featuring a custom desktop picture. Interesting.
- A custom desktop picture and William Bart’s BBX Mercury Overlay are showcased in this snapshot from faithful contributor Manuel Velazquez. Greg’s Browser is prominently displayed in the second shot.
Have a desktop masterpiece you’d like to share with the Mac masses? Read our submission guidelines and then bring it on!
Calendar & Appointment Scheduler for Mac OS X
Icon/Desktop News 05-21-01 Icon & Desktop News: by Dan  Things are starting to get a little quiet around here lately. Must be the summer weather coming on across the country. I can't say I blame anyone for wanting to be outside playing, and away from their computers. None the less, summer time and rainy day submissions of Icons and Desktops are always welcome!
Icons - Desktops: We've got (6) excellent desktops to fill your decorating needs for the first part of the week. All on display for today's update. - Manny Velazquez detours from his work on the Metaphysical series and previews "Apple Marble", the first from his upcoming "Post Avant" collection. This one comes in 1024x resolution.
- "Chengyu" desktop by Nicolas Cardot tells of a little proverb that originates from China. It roughly translates to: "the last touch on the eye gives the dragon alive" or "the last touch makes the work true". However you interpret this is up to you, but it sounds like good advice. Visit Nicolas's website for the download, and view the many other wonders to be found there.
- "Balloons" is the latest Apple-centric desktop creation from the talented Dean Fusaro of Dean's Designs. View the preview here, and visit the website for the download, where you will find this fine desktop and many others available in 1024x resolution.
- We dip once again into the pile of superb 3-D rendered desktops submitted by digital dynamo Henry Stidston. Today's selection is titled "Snow Scene" and brings a cooling 3-D winter scene right to your desktop in 1024x resolution.
- "Island of Luminesti" by Donnie Fischer of the White Fire Ministries contains 2- 3D renderings of an island world he created called "Luminesti". The rendered images detail a "Night View" and a "Day View" of Luminesti and come in 1024x resolution.
- "One" by Bradford J. Wiles, is what he simply calls a "mood desktop". This brilliant 3-D Bryce rendered creation comes in 1024x and 800x resolutions.
News From Around the Web: DOME-O-RAMA updates with THREE new sets of patterns. Each has 8-16 color variations. Epoch Icons updates with some desktops he made with material garnered at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this weekend. The first of which are online now. DV Graphics has posted it's first photo realistic icon set. Also, they are having constant updates on their "Mac OS X journal". Mike Davidson's Mac File Library has been updated again to include the "Genius" pack. Dean's Design's updates with one new desktop this week. Mac.axonz.com updates with an iTunes-Visualizer-Inspired Desktopz! Colheres updates with a New icon set: my favorite things (by Ana) Rene of Happicon notes that the address to his website is still http://members.ams.chello.nl/ymollema
and that it takes a little while before things start loading due to a redirect. Rampant Mac updates this week with one new desktop, a new set of icons and a minor update to his 'PhotoDeluxe Makeover Kit. Paul from Renaissance Design announces the addition of another new desktops to his site and another experiment added as well. Tray's Trove updates 5/13/01 with eight new desktop designs. The Devil's Desktop has finally been updated with 3 new icon sets. Powerpuff Girls, Out There and Wonka! New site design coming in June! Mike Davidson's Mac File Library has been updated to include a beautiful transparent desktop, Apple Rising. Yosh from Chillyday informs us that he has posted 4 new desktop pictures today and wanted you to know that. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
You can now upload your contributions (include a READ ME) to the ResExcellence
ftp drop box, and let us know with an email. Be sure to read the Submission Policy
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