Tools of the Trade by Michael Coyle

Talking about Quartz Extreme is giving me a headache. Last week I asked if the indication from Apple's provided OpenGL Info utility that hardware acceleration was active was an indication of Quartz Extreme. Many readers wrote to say, "No!"

The only application that can tell you if QE is enabled is Quartz Extreme Check X 1.1.

Other than that, Readers offered these two tips as a test for QE:

• Set a screensaver as the desktop picture. Open a transparent terminal. If the screensaver continues to run under the transparent terminal then you have Quartz Extreme.
  
  
• Assign a folder of images for the Desktop picture. Set the picture to change every 5 seconds. If the transition from one picture to the next is a soft dissolve, then you have Quartz Extreme. If the pictures change suddenly, take your bat and ball and go home.

If you still can't get enough of Quartz Extreme, Hector Llera found this article at ArsTechnica which provides an easy to understand description of what is taking place.

Click preview for full image in new window.

Configuration is a little different than setting up MOL with MacOS 9, but if you are familiar with the new preference file structure introduced with 0.9.64, then you'll be up and running in no time.

In my screen snapshot, both the Linux and Mac desktops are using Propaganda desktop tiles creating the illusion that the MacOnLinux window is transparent. Sorry, it's just an illusion.

Today my new 40G Firewire drive arrived so I hope to start testing backup strategies this week. In addition, Michael Watson has updated his documentation on MacOS X backup techniques. The PDF docs are now split into two files, one for 10.1.5 and another for 10.2.

The easiest way to install a MacOS X Boot Panel that you have downloaded from ResEx is by using Visage from Sanity Software. This new version is out of beta and is fully compatible with MacOS X 10.2. It also allows complete control of background screen savers (launch at login, rotate at designated intervals, control CPU usage) and provides a new tab allows you to personalize system alerts with your own phrase.

For users of good old Netscape 4.8, C. Osborne created an Applescript to open the mail pane and check for new messages. Assign it to a command key using OSA Menu, or stick it in the Apple Menu Items and select it no matter which application is forward.

New Boot Images in the Archive...

Thanks to readers, I have received dozens of boot images. Each one is being tested before posting so you can swap them out with confidence. Thanks to Ryan Schmidt's Applescript program, installing a new one is drag-n-drop easy. Here are today's seven contributions.

• Jason Nielsen sent his company logo - Crywolf Consulting. They provide training and service for Macs in the San Diego area. If you're in the area check them out.
  
  
• Two variations of the new Apple logo were sent. Michael Rensing's is light grey, and Sam Stephenson's is a little darker.
  
  
• Mitcz Marzoni's boot image is of a new G4 computer. He also includes all the raw elements and a mini-tutorial if you would like to learn more about making your own images.
  
  
• Making your own Boot Image is so easy, even a dummy like me can do it! I took one of Hein Mevissen's Star Trek icons and made a boot image that's perfect for me. Maybe you'll like it too.
  
  
• One of the older Macintosh images features the smooth line of Picasso. It's the logo that resided in the old "About this Mac" screen. Today's posting has two versions of this classic. Tom Buzzeo sends the first in grey and Ian Rickard sends the second in color.
  
  
  

User Contributed Splash Screens. by Michael Coyle

It's easier than ever to contribute using the new Browser Based Upload Page! If you contribute a file to any section of ResExcellence, you could win a PowerMax gift certificate worth $50 ! (How?)

• I can tell from the country codes from the web server logs that we have a few visitors to the ResExcellence from the country is Israel. Le Bandito has made two Boot Panels displaying the symbol of that country.
  
  
• The brushed metal look is such a favorite of Marks that he made six replacement splash screens for various applications: Powerpoint, Excel, Entourage, Word, Explorer, and Navigator.
  
  
• Snuff72 sent a Dock Poof of an explosion! This file is formatted for MacOS X 10.2 and includes instructions.
  
  
• John Rose sends another nice pair of Boot Panels. Checkout the crew of the Starship Enterprise and the eternally lovely Marilyn Monroe.
  
  
  

Calendar & Appointment Scheduler for Mac OS X

Today's News by Cletus™

Jan Van Boghout wrote in to tell me about an update to the super cool DeskShade Plus program. Why would you be happy with a static background covered by documents? DeskShade Plus provides three really nice features all accessible via the menu bar. DeskLock enable a password protected desktop for when you need to step away from the computer. DeskMovie introduces a new way of watching movies. It allows you to use any QuickTime movie as a moving desktop picture. Finally, as the name indicate, you can pull the shade down over all the desktop clutter one accumulates over time.

IconIt X as been updated specifically for Mac OS X 10.2. The original version of IconIt (1.0) is still available for OS X 10.1 users. The way it works is described like this: IconIt takes the hassle out of assigning new icons to files and folders in Mac OS X. IconIt puts a convenient menu of all your icons in the toolbar of the Finder. Just select the file or folder you want to change, choose your new icon from the menu, and you're done! An image of the interface is provided here.

Trash It! 1.3 is the popular AppleScript that allows force emptying of items dropped on it. This update from NoName Scriptware provides the following:

• You can now drop stubborn items onto the icon and have them deleted immediately.
  
  
• Installer package for the 24U scripting addition.
  
  

Softchaos Limited have released WorkStrip X 2.0.2. They describe it as the new central hub for your desktop. Launch, quit, hide and activate applications, open and preview documents from one elegantly designed bar. A few of the updated features are listed below:

• On Mac OS 10.2 and later, you are no longer limited to 5 levels deep when working through WorkStrip's menus.
  
  
• Command-Option-clicking an application on the strip is a shortcut to Hide Others.
  
  
• Command-clicking an item on the strip is a shortcut to Show in Finder where appropriate.
  
  

Meteorologist is a new program providing current weather and forcasts for the area you select. The author writes: I started working on it as a pet project when WeatherPop was broke for a couple days. It's developed nicely, and I thought some other Mac users may find it useful as well. It is ffull featured and free.

File Freak has hit the upgrade trail. It is a program that offers a new and better way to get at your files. Rather than navigating through several levels of folders in the Finder.

• Support for long file names in the browser in Mac OS X
  
  
• Support for long file names in the item info path in Mac OS X
  
  
• Support for changing a file's name to a long name in Mac OS X
  
  
• Fixed two problems that could cause a crash during indexing
  
  

I wonder if anyone else is having problems printing with Jaguar and an HP 930C with the version 2.0 driver. I get one printing per startup and then it sits and spins. Let me know.

Two Minute review by Cletus™— Metallifizer

Click for large image

If you like the look of the brushed metal appearing in some of Jaguars newest programs, such as iChat and Address book, you will want to give this a try. It brings that appearance to all Cocoa programs like Mail and Preview etc. If nothing else, it add consistency to the appearance of those programs. Why some programs have the brushed metal look and some do not is beyond me, especially considering the new system was just released.

For those of you who dislike the look of brushed metal, you are not left out in the cold. By simply adding "De" to the Application Enhancer module, you can remove the appearance and return it to plain old Aqua. If the application still falls under Carbon format, it will not remove the brushed metal appearance. For example in iTunes, and QuickTime Player.

This gives everyone a chance to play with the appearance of your Mac without necessarily getting involved with full fledged Themes. Installation is simple as clicking and installer icon for Application Enhancer and dragging and dropping the Metallifizer.ape into the newly created Application Enhancer folder created in your home library. Removal is equally simple. You merely drag the Metallifizer.ape out of that folder. No need to remove the Application Enhancer folder.

I happen to like the look of the brushed metal appearance and appreciate having it throughout my everyday applications. If I did not like the look of brushed metal, I would still use Metallifizer in order to remove that appearance. It is definitely a win— win— win deal. Have brushed metal throughout, remove brushed metal throughout, and the third "win" you ask? All this is free, free, free from the haxie nuts at Unsanity!

Have a Press Release? Software or General News? Submit it here: Suggestions!

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Polling Place by Michael Coyle

Previously I had said I found myself shopping more and more in brick and mortar computer stores. It seems I am in the minority as most ResExers prefer to shop online. Surprisingly, less than 5% of readers order from a paper catalog. Mailings by MacMall, MacWarehouse and others are expensive. I wonder how long it will be before companies no longer find it worthwhile to purchase advertising space in these catalogs.

What's that? You didn't realize that a MacMall catalog is really one huge paid advertisement? Read this article by Alexander Seropian from when he ran Bungie (makers of Marathon!). It outlines the business practices of these companies.

All the large computer catalog resellers make software/hardware manufacturers purchase all those little product descriptions! And I'll tell you another dirty little secret; MacMall, MacWarehouse, and the other large catalog companies will not sponsor any Macintosh web sites. Instead, they will let any site display their banners and then pay a very small percentage of any sales to the webmaster. Believe me, unless everyone and their brother purchases a G4 tower, you don't make enough to buy a cup of coffee.

My recommendation is to purchase from companies that support the web sites you visit everyday (gosh, we have a few of them right here at ResExcellence!), and thumb your nose at the large catalog companies that stick it to both the Macintosh software/hardware companies and the community of Mac sites!

Almost everyone agrees that MacOS X 10.2 is the first release worth installing. (Then why the heck did I purchase the previous releases!). If you still run Classic will 10.2 be the release to make you upgrade? If you run 10.1.5 are you holding off on the upgrade because of cost? This week's Polling Place asks, "With the release of 10.2..."

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Complete Cable Management For The Home & Office.

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