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Today's News by Cletus™ The Gramotki Contest is over. Final round winners will be announced Monday. Round two of the Gramotki Giveaway has come to a close. But not to worry, there is still one more round to go. Again I remind you that you will need to submit another entry for this round. The winners of round two are listed below. Congratulations! - Robert R. La Barre
- Ian Raymond
 Iconfactory has released version 3.0 of their premier Photoshop plugin for constructing icons- IconBuilder. You will need Mac OS 8.5 or higher PPC and Photoshop 3.0 or higher to use this plugin. It will allow you to build icons for both Classic and Mac OS X. A complete list of features is provided here.
MP3 Strip1.2.3 is a Control Strip Module that provides easy browsing and high-quality playback of MP3 files. It has instant access and, despite its small size (100KB), requires no other program for easy listening of your favorite MP3's. It is now compatibility with WorkStrip. It also provides some bug fixes
Angelo Scicolone has a very special offer for you. A new package of software called Zik's Utilities. Zik's Utilities is a set of four applications that will speed up your work and increase your productivity. These applications are: PrefsOverload, ExtensionsTracker, AliasMultiplier and ClipWorks. If purchased separately they would run you $50. dollars, however you can grab them all for only $25 bucks! Cool! - PrefsOverload is the definitive preference files manager, allows you to delete unused preference file.
- ExtensionsTracker keeps track of all modifications to your control panel and extensions folders,
- AliasMultiplier is a very useful utility that allows you to create multi-aliases.
- ClipWorks allows you to directly modify contents of your clipboard.
Angelo has also posted the second beta version of PrefsOverload 3, which has a lot of new improvements. Those improvements can be found below: - Fixed some cosmetic bugs
- Menu items work properly in "Find Damaged Prefs" mode
- "Delete File" command works just fine in "Find Damaged Prefs" mode
Time to visit the Theme.org site again and check out the new uploads of screenshots and themes. Some very nice submissions are offered. Have a great weekend! Submit Software and General News Suggestions!
Click here to learn more about Toast 6 Titanium
Tools of the Trade. by Michael Coyle
Before becoming a recording engineer at the finest studio in Chicago, I would wander about with a portable tape recorder in hand. Whether is was a thunderstorm, softball game, or my children playing with toys, I would record little snippets of sound effects that I hoped could someday be used in commercials I would mix.
I enjoyed recording audio in the field and built a large library of custom sound effects, but the odd part was the busier I became mixing commercials, the less I found myself sitting outside recording ambient sound.
With the start of this two week vacation from the production studio, I was determined to head outside with a mic and capture some new effects. While I still have my portable DAT machine, this time I wanted to record, edit, and burn custom Sound Effect CD's on my Powerbook!
The software I chose was Digidesign's free version of ProTools. This is excellent software for the job, providing equalization and compression for the microphone if needed. ProTools is also the system we use at work, so the audio can be transferred for additional editing and archiving.
I borrowed a Shure VP88 from the studio. It's a battery powered condenser microphone that sounds great, and the one-point stereo capsule makes setup easy.
To amplify the VP88 to line level for the "Sound In" jack on the Powerbook, I went to my local Radio Shack and plopped down $40 for their 4-Channel Stereo Microphone Mixer. While this is a cheap mixer, it's certainly electronically quiet enough for the outdoor sounds I wished to record. It's also battery powered, an important requirement for my portable studio.
On the road with my rolling studio
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The final item was a pull-by-the-handle Radio Flyer wagon with removable wooden sides to haul my contraption to the desired location.
I was ready to take my show on the road.
While most effects could be recorded unassisted, there were a few instances when my 11 year-old son manned the controls. In one situation, I was driving a car down a gravel road and as I approached the microphone, I shut the engine off, passing the mic and kicking up gravel. (By shutting off the engine, I record only the tires on the gravel, allowing me to add an appropriate engine sound in the mix). You can hear a CD quality sample, but be warned it's 1.5M in size.
I have been thoroughly impressed with the quality from my inexpensive "Studio on the Go". Not only are the sounds filling holes in my library, but I found my self reconnecting with memories from 20 years ago when I would bring a tape recorder camping with the intention of capturing the perfect owl hoot or bullfrog croak. The best part is it can all be done inexpensively on my Powerbook.
User Contributed Splash Screens: by Michael Coyle
Remember, each month the most popular contribution (includes Snapshots, Desktops, Icons, Splashes, etc...) will win a prize!
- A pair of MacOS X Boot panels has been sent by Mark Boszko. There is one for owners of Beige G3 machines as well as new PowerMac G4s.
- Up in a puff of smoke is what this new Dock Poof from Christian Sass will have you thinking.
- Looking as if it were stamped from a piece of chrome, Dan Leeder created a nice looking MOSS.
- Another nice looking iTunes skin was created without button wells by George Krueger.
Complete Cable Management For The Home & Office.
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Friday’s snapshots are ready for consumption: - Faithful contributor Jade Barton sends this OS X screenshot touting MacDesktops’ “This Is As Good As It Gets” desktop picture. iTunes is serving up songs near the bottom, and icons from Xicons, icons.cx, and our Icon Archive are visible throughout.
- A custom desktop picture and the Blue K-Scheme debut in this submission from Tim Fong. iTunes is nestled in the upper left-hand corner, and a smorgesbord of icons from the likes of Xicons and icons.cx are scattered throughout.
- This snapshot from longtime viewer and first time contributor Lalonde sports a modified “Hackers” desktop picture. iTunes is cranking out selections along the top.
- Spordoff contributes this OS X screenshot featuring a desktop picture of Star Trek: Deep Space 9’s “USS Defiant.” SaveHollywood is showcasing more of the Federation’s only cloaking vessel. Very cool.
What’s your Mac look like? Send a snapshot for all the Mac world to see.
Icon & Desktop News: by Dan  Icons - Desktops: We've got (6) great Desktops and (2) new Icon Sets for OSX to dress up your desktop. All on display for today's update!
- 'Ryan Meek does it one more time with "Meeker's Folders", his latest Icon creation for OSX. Included in this set are 9 different folder icons in several variations to liven up your desktop.
- 'Flax Creations detours from desktop design and dives into the brave new world of creating OSX Icons. "TechnoFolders Vol.1" is the first of several sets to be released exclusively on ResExcellence, and includes 11 different hi-tech looking folders.
- Does art imitate life, or vice-versa? "BlueStripe" by ARK was inspired by the design on one of his little brothers shirts. When he saw it, he ran to the computer and made this desktop. Comes in 1024x resolution.
- The artwork being submitted by John William's really rocks. You really should take a look at John's newest desktop creation titled "Blue Gloss". Featuring a shiny 3-D blue and gray theme and wrap around docks, this excellent backdrop comes in 1024x resolution.
- Gigi spills the beans, and admits that with a little know how and a few Photoshop filters, anyone can create a Hollywood quality "Lunar Landscape". Arm yourself with Flaming Pear's Lunar Cell and Glitterato filters, apply a lens flare or two and Presto. Try it for yourself, or download the desktop in 1024x resolution.
- Henry Sigall sent us a large collection of backdrops titled "SciFi Dreams Surreal". The entire set includes 25 different pieces and would make for a mega download. So, over the next few weeks I will be posting smaller chucks. Today's selections include 3 different colorful pattern desktops, all coming in 1024x resolution.
- Two turn tables and a microphone... "Spin City #3" is the third release from a funky new desktop series by SoulRocka Nasty Nene to add to your Nene collection. This one comes in 1024x resolution.
- Rob Jones whips up a stylish set of background "Panels" to help you organize you desktop. This is the first set from a group of 3, and comes in 800x and 1024x resolutions.
News From Around the Web: Ra announces the release of two new desktops for download at this site. The Iconfactory is pleased to announce the immediate availability of IconBuilder Pro 3.0, a filter for use with Adobe Photoshop for constructing Macintosh and Windows icons. Mike Davidson's Mac File Library has recently been updated with some _I "Apple" NY_ desktops, in both transparent and non transparent versions, with many styles to choose from. Mandolux wanted let you know of the introduction of a new desktop series: "The Money Series". There are 36 of these desktops based on bills from all over the world, in this case, there is Burmese, Japanese, and Mexican money (Soon, Chinese, Finish, Euro, Danish, Spanish, Brazilian, Mexican, and many others. The Iconfactory announces the release of "World of Aqua 2" Icons for OSX. This is the second installment in the series, and are available for download. On Wednesday, July 11, MacMonkies will be updated with new smiles, news, and two new 3-D desktops. DV Graphics (http://www.geocities.com/dvgraphics2 ) has updated with two new OS X icon sets and a new, large desktop set. Gridface has just posted "Railyard Desktops" - five new photos of metal textures for your Mac. There's a new icon set at http://mypage.bluewin.ch/d-design, titled "Feuilles" (in english, leaves). Eddie posts a bunch of Depeche Mode DTs he made for all the fans out there. There are 50 new desktops at http://www.mandolux.com. These new pictures are the last of my Impressionist Series representing the best of the best (a lot of Georges Seurat works). BlueSkyHeart has 3 new Bryce desktop pictures: Two Space Cadets and a Lamp. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
Today's News by Cletus™ I have picked the first two winners in the Gramotki Contest. The names are listed below and congratulations go out to the first round winners. Please remember that you need to send another entry for the second round. - Rev. Glenn A. Lucas
- Fred Showell
Adrian's Software has released MouseKeys 1.0. Control the mouse cursor using the keyboard. MouseKeys is a very small extension which allows you to move the cursor around the screen using the arrow keys, and to click using the space bar.  Interface Viewer 1.1.4 is the latest release of this Finder themes or Kaleidoscope schemes pre-viewer. Changes to this version include:
- Up to 15 Previews to choose from (only 6 for unregistered users)
- Added Vertical Slider and Text field
- Added "Open Appearance" and "Open IV Snaps" buttons in the Interface Log
 Smart Window 2.0 helps navigate windows during a drag & drop operation. This version is totally new. Smart Window has been split into Smart Window Agent and Smart Window Remote Control. Smart Window Agent does the "dirty work" behind the scenes and receives orders by Smart Window Remote Control.
Loren Peace has posted the first version of a program called Panel Manager. Panel Manager is an application to manage the "panels" on the bootup screen and login screen of Mac OS X. Panels are the background images that say "Welcome to Mac OS X" by default. You can find many replacement panels right here!
SoftwareManager 1.0.1 for Mac OS X will display all running foreground and background apps. - Lists all the running applications foreground and background
- Displays Applications Creator, Size, and info
- Shows where the application is in the Finder
- Allows you to close the application and releases the memory used.
Frank Vercruesse has released DockLock 2.0. DockLock patches the Dock so that it keeps your favorite orientation and pinning setting, even after a restart. Version 2.0 doesn't require the location of the Dock to be restored at login time anymore. Simple installation- just move or copy the file to the desired location and double-click to start it. Submit Software and General News Suggestions!
Support ResExcellence By Visiting Our Sponsors!
Tools of the Trade. by Michael Coyle
Looking for some visual iTunes plugins? Dave Goeb has posted four: FlowerPowerFlow, Blue/Red StarWarp, DarkSosaiBay, and FreeFireBird. They look great under MacOS 9 and MacOS X.
Usually, a hard disk crash is reason for tears, but Adriaan Tijsseling found the silver lining by using the occasion to carefully document on his web site the installation of MacOS X and all his applied tweaks.
Expert MacOS X Tip: If you use your Mac only in single user mode, then don't even bother reading this tip from Professor Ibson. It will only make your eyes bleary and your head hurt. BUT if you are a network administrator managing a public MacOS X server, then you're gonna love this.
When you create a new user from the System Preferences, a Home directory for that user is also created. It contains some predetermined preferences, Explorer bookmarks, and folders titled Music, Pictures, and Movies to name a few.
Where does the OS get this information? Where is the template for the default Home folder? In this folder is a file titled user.gnutar: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Admin.framework/Versions/A/Resources/English.lproj/
If you decompress it with the command: tar xvf user.gnutar, you are left with a new folder, "user.template", that is used as the default Home directory for new users.
By adding and subtracting files and folders, you can customize a new users directory to suit your company's needs. For example, how about a customized set of Explorer Favorites?
When you're done modifying the contents of user.template, compress it with the command:
tar cfv user.gnutar user.template
Any new users will now have the modified Home directory. Some caveats: I found modifications to user.template were more predictable when only terminal commands were used to move files and create directories. This means you can only add files that DO NOT contain a Classic MacOS resource fork. Tar cannot compress a resource fork, so these files will be incomplete.
User Contributed Splash Screens: by Michael Coyle
Remember, each month the most popular contribution (includes Snapshots, Desktops, Icons, Splashes, etc...) will win a prize!
- As part of readers' love-hate relationship with Microsoft, Andy Sohoza sends the second Explorer splash this week that pokes fun at our latest monopoly. The fine print on this one gives Microsoft ownership of your first born.
- giZm0 sent a nice looking MOSS with stylized Mac logos.
- For users of MacOS X, Chad Wolcott created a "Fight Club" replacement for the About this Computer window.
- Brian Freeman created a giant Boot Panel for MacOS X featuring a lovely lady.
Support ResExcellence By Visiting Our Sponsors!
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Wednesday’s snapshots have come into port: - Jeff Drake sends this dual-monitor submission touting his “Family Portrait” desktop pictures drawn in Freehand and rendered in Photoshop. Cool!
- This contribution from David Giraud sports Chapter 3 Desktop Imperium’s “Idiorrhythmic” desktop picture. Audion, retooled with the Clean face, is tickling the eardrums in the lower left. A smattering of icons from Xicons and icons.cx roam the desktop.
- A custom desktop picture and CRasH’s TitaniumSQ Theme debut in this screenshot from Randall Hopkins. Audion, equipped with the SlickCorner face by Akio, is dishing out tunes in the lower left-hand corner. Custom icons are also on display.
- Calvin and Hobbes reside in every nook and cranny of this OS X snapshot from SNOoPy featuring a custom desktop picture. Icons from Xicons abound.
What’s your Mac look like? Send a snapshot for all the Mac world to see.
Icon & Desktop News: by Dan  Icons - Desktops: We've got (6) really good desktops and (2) awesome new Icon Sets for OSX to dress up your desktop. All on display for today's update!
- Flax Creations detours from desktop design and dives into the brave new world of creating OSX Icons. "TechnoFolders Vol.1" is the first of several sets to be released exclusively on ResExcellence, and includes 11 different hi-tech looking folders.
- Ryan Meek does it again with "Meeker's Circles", his latest icon set for OSX. Included in this small set are 5 different abstract form icons to liven up your desktop.
- While the rock group Emerson Lake and Palmer no longer play together, their album artwork lives on with "ELP desktop" by Dean Fusaro of Dean's Designs. Visit the site for the download, where you will find this fine desktop available in 1024x resolution.
- The artwork being submitted by John William's just keeps on getting better and better. You really should take a look at John's newest desktop creation titled "Blue Apple". Featuring a glossy Aqua theme and wrap around docks, this elegant backdrop comes in 1024x resolution.
- The ancient art of paper folding and the digital age collide with the "Origami desktop" by Gigi. This bright and cheerful backdrop comes in 1024x and 800x resolutions.
- Henry Sigall sent us a large collection of backdrops titled "SciFi Dreams". The entire set includes 25 different pieces and would make for a mega download. So, over the next few weeks I will be posting smaller chucks. Today's selections include 3 different desktops in the greyscale range, all coming in 1024x resolution.
- Two turn tables and a microphone... "Spin City #2" is the second release from a funky new desktop series by SoulRocka Nasty Nene to add to your collection. This one comes in 1024x resolution.
- In the immortal words of the late Douglas Adam's "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" - "don't panic". Riccardo Sartori pays respectful homage to his memory and the newborn Mac OSX with this desktop in 1152x resolution.
News From Around the Web: The Iconfactory announces the release of "World of Aqua 2" Icons for OSX. This is the second installment in the series, and are available for download. On Wednesday, July 11, MacMonkies will be updated with new smiles, news, and two new 3-D desktops. DV Graphics (http://www.geocities.com/dvgraphics2 ) has updated with two new OS X icon sets and a new, large desktop set. Gridface has just posted "Railyard Desktops" - five new photos of metal textures for your Mac. There's a new icon set at http://mypage.bluewin.ch/d-design, titled "Feuilles" (in english, leaves). Eddie posts a bunch of Depeche Mode DTs he made for all the fans out there. There are 50 new desktops at http://www.mandolux.com. These new pictures are the last of my Impressionist Series representing the best of the best (a lot of Georges Seurat works). BlueSkyHeart has 3 new Bryce desktop pictures: Two Space Cadets and a Lamp. Rampant Mac updates with 6 new desktops! There's a Desktop Explosion (21 new pics) at Josh Bishop's Website. Four new desktop pictures at Pixelheart! Twisted Technology has updated all the desktop picture sets on the site, to include pictures at 1280x1024 resolution.
MacMonkies opens it's doors July 4, 2001. We are a site dedicated to bring a smile to your Mac and PC. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
7/12/01 Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Here’s Thursday’s snapshot offering: - This OS X submission from Jorge Caffarena sports a desktop picture for the upcoming Spider-Man movie. Two freeware applications developed by Jorge, eeCD and eeShutdown, are on the drawing board. iTunes is kicking out soundwaves in the lower right.
- Chris Hamant contributes this OS X screenshot sporting the “Bubble Fade” desktop picture. iTunes is cranking out songs at the top.
- Pixelcentric’s “Bluewave” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s MacQNX K-Scheme debut in this screenshot from Paul Lagace. Audion, overhauled with the Bipolar face, is dishing out tunes along the bottom.
- Rampant Mac’s “One” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme are showcased in this contribution from Jose Miranda. iTunes, tweaked with George Krueger’s Graphite skin, is churning out music in the lower right. Selections from RAILhead Design and Xicons are also featured.
What’s your Mac look like? Send a snapshot for all the Mac world to see.
REALbasic Tutorial - Build a Caller ID Application (Part 3) by Erick Tejkowski This week we continue with the third (and final) installment of the ResExcellence Caller ID tutorial. In the past two weeks, we discussed how to: - Connect Caller ID hardware to your Macintosh.
- Read the basics of the Caller ID specification.
- Write a simple REALbasic project to parse the CID data.
This week, we will look at how "private" and "out-of-area" calls are handled by CID. We will also improve the project by adding speech notification and database storage of calls. (Continued...)
Theme News by Michael Rabe
If you have recently downloaded XMorph v1.5 then you need to update to v1.5.1. Colin Cornaby reports that XMorph v1.5 had some bugs that he has fixed in v1.5.1. For more info goto his site.
If you downloaded XMorph v1.5 you may have noticed two Doghouse's MacOS X themes came with it. A new version of Theme Checker is included as well. Today I have added the updated versions of Glass and Pastel Blue 10 to the Theme Archive. Fixed are the progress bar, bevel buttons, and a few other interface glitches. Both themes are ready to be used for XMorph, so make sure you pick up your copy.
On July 11, 1994, a VERY little website popped up named "Odie's Doghouse" with a few pictures of a certain little yellow dog. Over the past 7 years a lot of things have changed including the name. The little yellow dog is gone (but not forgotten) and themes rule supreme. I'm talking about "Doghouse Online"! The Doghouse is celebrating its seventh birthday with the release of Theme Checker 3X. It's a MacOS X version of the Classic Theme Checker. I also would like to point out that if it were not for Michael Coyle and ResExcellence giving me the courage to play around with ResEdit, the Doghouse would have never become what it is today, and I would never have made any themes or schemes. So Michael, "Thank You".
See ya on the flip flop!
If you have a theme you wish to add to the Archive, drop me an email.
Today's News by Cletus™ I have picked the first two winners in the Gramotki Contest. The names are listed below and congratulations go out to the first round winners. Please remember that you need to send another entry for the second round. - Rev. Glenn A. Lucas
- Fred Showell
Adrian's Software has released MouseKeys 1.0. Control the mouse cursor using the keyboard. MouseKeys is a very small extension which allows you to move the cursor around the screen using the arrow keys, and to click using the space bar. Interface Viewer 1.1.4 is the latest release of this Finder themes or Kaleidoscope schemes pre-viewer. Changes to this version include: - Up to 15 Previews to choose from (only 6 for unregistered users)
- Added Vertical Slider and Text field
- Added "Open Appearance" and "Open IV Snaps" buttons in the Interface Log
Smart Window 2.0 helps navigate windows during a drag & drop operation. This version is totally new. Smart Window has been split into Smart Window Agent and Smart Window Remote Control. Smart Window Agent does the "dirty work" behind the scenes and receives orders by Smart Window Remote Control.
Loren Peace has posted the first version of a program called Panel Manager. Panel Manager is an application to manage the "panels" on the bootup screen and login screen of Mac OS X. Panels are the background images that say "Welcome to Mac OS X" by default. You can find many replacement panels right here!
SoftwareManager 1.0.1 for Mac OS X will display all running foreground and background apps. - Lists all the running applications foreground and background
- Displays Applications Creator, Size, and info
- Shows where the application is in the Finder
- Allows you to close the application and releases the memory used.
Frank Vercruesse has released DockLock 2.0. DockLock patches the Dock so that it keeps your favorite orientation and pinning setting, even after a restart. Version 2.0 doesn't require the location of the Dock to be restored at login time anymore. Simple installation- just move or copy the file to the desired location and double-click to start it. Submit Software and General News Suggestions!
Tools of the Trade. by Michael Coyle
Looking for some visual iTunes plugins? Dave Goeb has posted four: FlowerPowerFlow, Blue/Red StarWarp, DarkSosaiBay, and FreeFireBird. They look great under MacOS 9 and MacOS X.
Usually, a hard disk crash is reason for tears, but Adriaan Tijsseling found the silver lining by using the occasion to carefully document on his web site the installation of MacOS X and all his applied tweaks.
Expert MacOS X Tip: If you use your Mac only in single user mode, then don't even bother reading this tip from Professor Ibson. It will only make your eyes bleary and your head hurt. BUT if you are a network administrator managing a public MacOS X server, then you're gonna love this.
When you create a new user from the System Preferences, a Home directory for that user is also created. It contains some predetermined preferences, Explorer bookmarks, and folders titled Music, Pictures, and Movies to name a few.
Where does the OS get this information? Where is the template for the default Home folder? In this folder is a file titled user.gnutar: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Admin.framework/Versions/A/Resources/English.lproj/
If you decompress it with the command: tar xvf user.gnutar, you are left with a new folder, "user.template", that is used as the default Home directory for new users.
By adding and subtracting files and folders, you can customize a new users directory to suit your company's needs. For example, how about a customized set of Explorer Favorites?
When you're done modifying the contents of user.template, compress it with the command:
tar cfv user.gnutar user.template
Any new users will now have the modified Home directory. Some caveats: I found modifications to user.template were more predictable when only terminal commands were used to move files and create directories. This means you can only add files that DO NOT contain a Classic MacOS resource fork. Tar cannot compress a resource fork, so these files will be incomplete.
User Contributed Splash Screens: by Michael Coyle
Remember, each month the most popular contribution (includes Snapshots, Desktops, Icons, Splashes, etc...) will win a prize!
- As part of readers' love-hate relationship with Microsoft, Andy Sohoza sends the second Explorer splash this week that pokes fun at our latest monopoly. The fine print on this one gives Microsoft ownership of your first born.
- giZm0 sent a nice looking MOSS with stylized Mac logos.
- For users of MacOS X, Chad Wolcott created a "Fight Club" replacement for the About this Computer window.
- Brian Freeman created a giant Boot Panel for MacOS X featuring a lovely lady.
Click here to learn more about Toast 6 Titanium
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Wednesday’s snapshots have come into port: - Jeff Drake sends this dual-monitor submission touting his “Family Portrait” desktop pictures drawn in Freehand and rendered in Photoshop. Cool!
- This contribution from David Giraud sports Chapter 3 Desktop Imperium’s “Idiorrhythmic” desktop picture. Audion, retooled with the Clean face, is tickling the eardrums in the lower left. A smattering of icons from Xicons and icons.cx roam the desktop.
- A custom desktop picture and CRasH’s TitaniumSQ Theme debut in this screenshot from Randall Hopkins. Audion, equipped with the SlickCorner face by Akio, is dishing out tunes in the lower left-hand corner. Custom icons are also on display.
- Calvin and Hobbes reside in every nook and cranny of this OS X snapshot from SNOoPy featuring a custom desktop picture. Icons from Xicons abound.
What’s your Mac look like? Send a snapshot for all the Mac world to see.
Icon & Desktop News: by Dan Icons - Desktops: We've got (6) really good desktops and (2) awesome new Icon Sets for OSX to dress up your desktop. All on display for today's update! - Flax Creations detours from desktop design and dives into the brave new world of creating OSX Icons. "TechnoFolders Vol.1" is the first of several sets to be released exclusively on ResExcellence, and includes 11 different hi-tech looking folders.
- Ryan Meek does it again with "Meeker's Circles", his latest icon set for OSX. Included in this small set are 5 different abstract form icons to liven up your desktop.
- While the rock group Emerson Lake and Palmer no longer play together, their album artwork lives on with "ELP desktop" by Dean Fusaro of Dean's Designs. Visit the site for the download, where you will find this fine desktop available in 1024x resolution.
- The artwork being submitted by John William's just keeps on getting better and better. You really should take a look at John's newest desktop creation titled "Blue Apple". Featuring a glossy Aqua theme and wrap around docks, this elegant backdrop comes in 1024x resolution.
- The ancient art of paper folding and the digital age collide with the "Origami desktop" by Gigi. This bright and cheerful backdrop comes in 1024x and 800x resolutions.
- Henry Sigall sent us a large collection of backdrops titled "SciFi Dreams". The entire set includes 25 different pieces and would make for a mega download. So, over the next few weeks I will be posting smaller chucks. Today's selections include 3 different desktops in the greyscale range, all coming in 1024x resolution.
- Two turn tables and a microphone... "Spin City #2" is the second release from a funky new desktop series by SoulRocka Nasty Nene to add to your collection. This one comes in 1024x resolution.
- In the immortal words of the late Douglas Adam's "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" - "don't panic". Riccardo Sartori pays respectful homage to his memory and the newborn Mac OSX with this desktop in 1152x resolution.
News From Around the Web: The Iconfactory announces the release of "World of Aqua 2" Icons for OSX. This is the second installment in the series, and are available for download. On Wednesday, July 11, MacMonkies will be updated with new smiles, news, and two new 3-D desktops. DV Graphics (http://www.geocities.com/dvgraphics2 ) has updated with two new OS X icon sets and a new, large desktop set. Gridface has just posted "Railyard Desktops" - five new photos of metal textures for your Mac. There's a new icon set at http://mypage.bluewin.ch/d-design, titled "Feuilles" (in english, leaves). Eddie posts a bunch of Depeche Mode DTs he made for all the fans out there. There are 50 new desktops at http://www.mandolux.com. These new pictures are the last of my Impressionist Series representing the best of the best (a lot of Georges Seurat works). BlueSkyHeart has 3 new Bryce desktop pictures: Two Space Cadets and a Lamp. Rampant Mac updates with 6 new desktops! There's a Desktop Explosion (21 new pics) at Josh Bishop's Website. Four new desktop pictures at Pixelheart! Twisted Technology has updated all the desktop picture sets on the site, to include pictures at 1280x1024 resolution.
MacMonkies opens it's doors July 4, 2001. We are a site dedicated to bring a smile to your Mac and PC. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
Complete Cable Management For The Home & Office.
REALbasic News by Erick Tejkowski This week in REALbasic news: - Ono, but no Yoko
- Four mice
- Easy Databases
- Create Excel Spreadsheets with REALbasic!
- The great wait...
Find this and more in today's REALbasic News. (Continued...)
Theme News by Michael Rabe
Today's news focuses on themes for MacOS X.
After looking into "X" themes a little more, I have found that what readers are calling "cocoa theme bugs" are really just theme bugs. I have taken both Pastel Blue and Glass back to the drawing board to fix all of those bugs. It will be time consuming, so please bear with me. A few of these bugs have already been squashed and when released they will be packaged to work with the new X theme tool "XMorph". If all goes well, I'll post updated "X" themes in the Theme Archive Thursday.
Colin Cornaby has released XMorph v1.5 DE. This theme manager for MacOS X is more then a switching tool, it has everything you would need to check, bundle, and use your favorite "X" theme. If you are a theme maker, you can use the many tools (Theme Builder 1.7, QuickConvert, and Theme Checker 3X) to test and bundle your theme with ease. If I can do it, then anyone can! :-)
Erik Thorteran has asked me to inform our readers that he has updated MetamorphX to version 2.1. So be sure to stop by to check it out.
See ya on the flip flop!
If you have a theme you wish to add to the Archive, drop me an email.
Today's News by Cletus™  It is contest time again! Dennis Ionov, author of Gramotki, is offering 6 free registrations over the next week. Gramotki is a small "sticky notes" type of application, which may be run continuously. In addition to low memory requirements and full drag-and-drop support, Gramotki is not encumbered by the 32K limit for styled text. Visit the contest page to get entered. There are many other useful features that you will soon discover. It is a great little program! Full details about the contest can be found here.
Sort of a nice quiet weekend for me and others it appears. Smallish update!  SoundJam Tool 1.0 is a small tool bar which floats above all other applications. It has buttons for controlling music playback in SoundJam MP. You can also adjust the playback volume. It is a freeware application.
No U-Turn Software has posted Dot What 1.5. It features 5 reference databases, file extensions, internet extensions, applications, area code directory, and zip code directory. The PC version of 1.5 will be released shortly, for now, we offer 1.3 for Windows. Dot What is designed to run on Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000, Mac OS 8/9 and Mac OS X. Users of Mac OS 8/9 will need to have CarbonLib installed. A partial list of what is new is listed below: - Added Area Code database support
- Added Zip Code database support
- Added application searching support
- Added internet extension support
- Added support for Carbon Lib 1.3
- Changed some classes around to take advantage of Mac OS X
- Significant improvements to Mac OS X version
Extension Overload v.5.8.5 is now available for download. Extension Overload is an extensions, control panels, control strip modules and contextual menus management application. It offers detail information of 4900 extensions and control panels, control strip modules and contextual menu items in your system. If you want more on Extension Overload, you can read Jeremy's review on it right here. Here is a list of changes: - More URL's and emails have been updated.
- Better support for non English Mac OS.
- Updated version history for many extensions, control panels, CSM and CMM.
- Fixed a URL bug with URL's when the mail application is Eudora 5.1 and maybe other email clients. This bug was not a problem with Eudora 4.3.
- Fixed a bug that could stop the grow icon from being available if a user switched screen resolutions and the window was bigger than the new screen.
- Now the window will shrink to fit the new window
Just to get the word out a bit more- "PowerBook G3 AC Adapter Exchange Program" Submit Software and General News Suggestions!
Complete Cable Management For The Home & Office.
 Polling Place. by Michael Coyle
Two weeks ago, readers selected OmniWeb as their favorite browser under MacOS X, but it looks as if only a small percentage of readers would pay for a browser.
OmniWeb is a great web browser, but so is Explorer, and the latter is free. While an individual may be willing to pay for a browser to show support for a company, in the cold cruel world of business, I can't imagine many IT managers would allocate a chunk of their budget to pay for a web browser on every computer.
This week, the Coyle family is on vacation and traveling around the Midwest. Taking the little-traveled back roads makes you realize that most of America does not line in "The Big City". The country is a grid work of small towns spaced roughly a dozen miles apart. Only occasionally does one rise to the claim of "city". This weeks Polling Place asks, "What is the size is your town?"
Tools of the Trade. by Michael Coyle
Ted Swinyar sends this tip for users of the MacOS X version of Mirabilis ICQ.
I've just moved over to MacOS X full time and downloaded the OS X Mirabilis ICQ client. Lo and behold, the engineers mapped both "History" and "Hide ICQ" to the Command-H keyboard shortcut. Turns out you can simply open up the "Resources" file with ResEdit, remove the offending keyboard shortcuts in the MENU resource and ICQ behaves like every other OSX native app.
Flurry is a new screensaver for MacOS X written by Calum Robinson. He has also released as shareware a GUI front end for some common terminal commands.
User Contributed Splash Screens: by Michael Coyle
Remember, each month the most popular contribution (includes Snapshots, Desktops, Icons, Splashes, etc...) will win a prize!
- George Krueger sends another of his fine iTunes skins. In addition to Aqua elements, his skin removes the "wells" around all the buttons.
- After the courts ruled that the Microsoft Antitrust trial should be sent back to the lover court for review, Dale Nabeta created this humorous splash for Internet Explorer based on the game Monopoly.
- Since we're on the topic of Microsoft, Sébastien Lavoie thought the icons in the MSN Messenger were U-G-L-Y, so he took the time to create some nice replacements.
- If you have updated to MacOS 9.1, take a look at this matching MOSS and About this Mac set from Albert Atkinson that features the Happy Mac logo.
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Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly It’s time to get back to business. Here’s the fruits of Monday’s labor: - Martus contributes this snapshot sporting a desktop picture from Renaissance Web Design and the AquaAcid K-Scheme. iTunes is serving up songs in the upper right.
- A modified version of Rampant Mac’s “QuantumX” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme debut in this submission from José Miranda. iTunes, equipped with George Krueger’s Graphite makeover, is shuffling music in the lower right.
- This OS X screenshot from Paul Sahner touts a desktop picture from DV Graphics along with Michael Rabe’s Glass Theme. Icons from icons.cx are present.
- A G3 desktop picture and William Bart’s BBX Platinum K-Scheme are showcased in this contribution from Kevin Skeoch. Very chic.
What’s your Mac look like? Send a snapshot for all the Mac world to see.
Icon & Desktop News: by Dan  Icons - Desktops: We've got (6) really nice desktops and (3) brand new Icon Sets to dress up your desktop. All on display for today's update!
- 'Nicolas Cardot sadly informs me that for the moment he's run out of time to work on his wonderful Icon sets, Desktops and his site. So, "Fablue Icons-10" will be the last to be featured on Resx for awhile. This final set includes 28 black and white Dingbat symbol icons in folder format. Even though Nicolas is taking a break, don't forget to visit his website where you will find a treasury of neat stuff to download.
- Ryan Meek creates some "Transparent Fun" with his latest icon set for OSX. Included are 11 different semi-transparent and quite stylish icons to liven up your desktop.
- Bob Freide updates his "Graphic Converter" Icon makeover kit to version 4.0.8. This set contains some new resources for the latest version of Graphic Converter.
- John Williams continues to be a very a busy boy, and submits another of his excellent desktops titled "Ghost" for your viewing pleasure. Featuring a glossy graphite theme , this one comes in 1024x resolution.
- Scott Chitwood of Rampant Mac fame previews "3d Scribble 2" and "Swirl O Vision", two of his latest desktop releases on Resx. Both are available here in 1280x resolution only, but other sizes can be downloaded at Rampant Mac.
- Andrew Symington sends us an old favorite of his, a Calvin and Hobes desktop. Updated with a bit of digital magic and matching docks, this puckish backdrop comes in 1024x resolution.
- "Spin City #1" is the first release from a funky new desktop series by SoulRocka Nasty Nene to add to your collection. This one comes in 1024x resolution.
- For those of you who won't be attending Macworld NY , at least you can pretend you went with Scott Smith's "Macworld NY Poster". Celebrate the opening of this event on July 17th with the desktop in 1024x resolution.
News From Around the Web: BlueSkyHeart has 3 new Bryce desktop pictures: Two Space Cadets and a Lamp. Rampant Mac updates with 6 new desktops! There's a Desktop Explosion (21 new pics) at Josh Bishop's Website. Four new desktop pictures at Pixelheart! Twisted Technology has updated all the desktop picture sets on the site, to include pictures at 1280x1024 resolution.
There are 4 new pictures at http://mypage.bluewin.ch/d-design, and this number should grow during the week-end!! MacMonkies opens it's doors July 4, 2001. We are a site dedicated to bring a smile to your Mac and PC. Tray's Trove updates with eight new desktop designs. Colheres updates with a new icon set: Around Belfast (by Lu=EDsa) Creative Box has updated with a new desktop picture named "Spring Street" Visit Brain of the Monkey for some cool desktops Mike Davidson's Mac File Library has been updated again with a flash based screen saver titled APPLE HANDHELD. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
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