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Today's News by Cletus™ I am back! A very relaxing little break. I needed that. When I got back, my package from Apple containing Mac OS X was waiting for me. It is loaded on my iBook and playing has begun. I use this little extension and I love it! Disk First Aid Doubler 1.1. It allows you to shorten or eliminate the delay you face after Disk First Aid is run. Left unattended, you face at least a minute, maybe more before the machine begins start up after DFA runs. With this extension the "OK" button is automatically clicked so startup can continue. If DFA finds a problem, you can control the length of the delay.  MacPowerUser.com announces the release of MenuStrip 2.0 for Mac OS X! MenuStrip is a multi-purpose utility for Mac OS X that allows quick access to frequently used settings, such as the computer volume, monitor resolution, and color depth - right from the OS X menu bar, or in a floating window similar to the OS 9 control strip. New in version 2 is:
- MenuStrip can exist either in the menu bar or in its own floating window anywhere on the screen.
- Pressing cmd-ctrl-s will hide/show MenuStrip.
- AppSwitcher menu item which can switch between applications (similar to the OS 9 application menu).
- Now all plugins can be arranged in any position (including the clock).
- When running in Single App mode, certain user designated applications will not cause others to hide.
- Volume control updates with the keyboard volume keys.
Quit Anything by Colin Foster has been updated to version 1.6.0. There is also a version for Mac OS X, for which the script is slightly different. It is freeware and full AppleScript source is included. A version of the script for OS X is available, but there are quite a few problems (see documentation) with quite events in OS X so it strongly advised that your read the included documentation if you would like to run this script.
WindowShade X 1.0 adds this familiar feature to Mac OS X. WindowShade X will give you the choice of 3 different window minimize styles: WindowShade, Make Transparent Window, and Hide Application.
We haven't heard from Marc Moini in a while concerning Smart Scroll. That has now changed with the release of version 3.7.2. It is a maintenance release to add support for Mac OS 9.2.1.
The Kaleidoscope Scheme Archive has updated with 4 new and one updated scheme. New schemes included: IZAPIX, Patriot 2 (which is really nice) Metallic Shark, and Matrix. Check them out at NAUS.
Have a Press Release? Software or General News? Submit it here: Suggestions!
 Tools of the Trade. by Michael Coyle
A great Japanese GUI site, Desktopper.net has posted a new Theme for MacOS X titled "xenogenesis". It has also been added to the ResEx theme archive. If anyone can translate Desktopper and provide more info in the author, please email me.
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day is a beautiful rendition of what it would look like from the surface of Pluto.
Adium is a new AIM Clone for MacOS X. What's interesting is the single paned layout of chat windows. This will greatly reduce desktop clutter for my daughter, who often has a dozen windows open at once!
For users of KDE 2, Vadim Plessky has created more themes. Called Mini-Themes, these simpler versions of his previous releases do not use pixmaps, so they're fast!
It's conceivable the next music CD you purchase will not play in your computer. It's all part of the new copy protection scheme from the RIAA. There is a list of CD's encoded with this protection. Before your next purchase, you may want to give it a look.
User Contributed Splash Screens. by Michael Coyle
Win a PowerMax gift certificate worth $50 by having the most popular contribution in the selected category! (How?)
- Usually the side-kick on Space Ghost, Brak finally takes the front stage in this MOSS by Jeff Drake.
- A very cool Interarchy Interface called Purple Gel was sent by Shane Leaman.
- While they're small, these little replacement arrows by Chris McGhee will look great in your control strip modules.
- An anonymous artist sent a new memorial MOSS of a weeping Uncle Sam.
Calendar & Appointment Scheduler for Mac OS X
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Friday’s snapshot selections have been chosen: - Jade Barton submits this OS X screenshot sporting the “Blue Vortex” desktop picture. iTunes is churning out songs in the center, and icons from Xicons and our Icon Archive are scattered throughout.
- This OS X snapshot from Chris sports a modified “Fallout 2” desktop picture. iTunes is shuffling music in the lower right, and a variety of icons available from Xicons roam the desktop.
- A custom desktop picture and DragonTongue’s Steel-Sharpwords K-Scheme debut in this tribute to New York from Chris George. Nicely done.
- This OS X contribution from Edward O’Rourke features the Classic, OS X, and X-Windows environments. Audion is sitting in as digital DJ in the lower left. The windowshade effect is accomplished using the script shown in the Script Editor window.
Feel the joy of submitting! Give us a gander of your desktop.
Icon & Desktop News: by Dan  Icons - Desktops: We've got (6) Brand New Desktops, updated "News From Around the Web" and (1) fun new OSX Icon Set to decorate your desktop. All on display for today's update!
- "New PiXels" is the second cute as a bugs ear set of pixel creature Icons for OSX created by Hein Mevissen. This grouping of 17 new critters is bound to put a smile on any desktop. In case you didn't adopt the first set of PiXels, click Here to find them.
- When I first looked at this OSX desktop titled "Evil Desktop", for the life of me I couldn't figure out what was so evil about it? Perhaps, if I turned it upside down and played some old Beatles music backwards I would discover it's dark secret. In desperation, I finally opened the read me file (smart eh?) and discovered that it's not the desktop at all, but the author who calls himself EvilDan, and this-is-one-of-his -creations. Kinda silly, but I think you'll like the desktop anyway, which comes in 1600x resolution.
- "Water" by Aquaman, gives you that illusion of floating on an aqua sea across your desktop. This nicely done Macintosh desktop comes in 1024x and 800x resolutions.
- Dean Fusaro sent me a preview of the newest desktop featured on Dean's Designs titled "Penguins". Dean collaborated on the artwork with his girlfriend Denyse who lives in Montreal and is a Mac user (thank God). Visit Dean's Designs for the download, and scope out all the other great desktops to be found there.
- Long time ResExcellence fan and obvious Van Halen freak, Midnyte (aka Dustin Driscoll) conjures up some heavy metal " Midnyte Magic" with a set of three rockin desktops. These come in 1024x resolution.
- John Rose sends in 3 original creations honoring the little known or talked about but exceptional pin-up artist Edward Runci. This set of saucy little numbers all come in 1280x resolution.
- The new OSX theme collides with Apple's Classic colors in "Old Meets New" desktop, submitted by Chris Clarke. While the preview doesn't do it justice, download the desktop in 1024x resolution and take a look for yourself.
Ethereal Creations has updated with five new Abstract, Inspirational and Plasma Series desktop pictures. Flax Creations updates with a pile of new and exciting desktops. Check out the series of 16 beautiful Fractals. MacMonkies.com announces Phase II of the Monkie Madness Giveaway. Up for grabs are 2 copies of "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" on DVD! Why the Mac is so great.com has released three new desktop images. Colheres updates with a new icon set: Gertrude Elliott (by Lu=EDsa). Macuserx.com has been updated with 4 new icon sets and 10 new desktops. Some for Halloween. Gridface has just posted six new desktop pictures, called Railyard Desktops 2. Rampant Mac has updated with (4) new desktops The Headfactory has moved to a proper site. They open the doors on the 1st of
November with a flood of new stuff including software, desktops, music and plenty of other nifty stuff. Take a look at Glitschka.com for a great example of what you can do with Flash and have a ton of giggles at the same time. Icika opens a new website with desktop artwork. Check out Live Pencil's new updates: ICONS: More animals by Sergio and a series of Chrome Masks. IT IS YOU: a new section where he makes funny animations out of your personal pictures, and much much more. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
Visit the Mac Experts!
REALbasic Buzzword Machine by Erick Tejkowski Ever feel like your bosses are making things up as they go along? Well, they probably are! Today's project is a simple one, but it evens the score. Now you can produce all sorts of buzzword-filled phrases and impress that boss with your knowledge. Only you will know that its complete nonsense! (Continued...)
 Cletus is taking today off to spend a little time with his lovely wife. Which reminds me, twenty years ago today I met my own lovely wife! So everyone help me celebrate by hugging my wife. No wait, I mean hug your own wife! - Michael
Tools of the Trade. by Michael Coyle
He's baaaack! One of the happiest little pieces of email I have received came from Bowie Poag, the creator of all the excellent Propaganda Desktop Tiles. He has opened a new site (a great satirical read) and wants ResEx readers to know he will be releasing a new set of tiles within the next two weeks. (Woo-Hoo!)
Melissa has added three news sites to the ResExcellence Links page. Give them a gander and suggest your own additions using the form at the bottom of the page.
Mac OS X User Pictures by Forrest Walter
I've converted a lot of Gort's Icons Volume 4 and 5 to Mac OS X User Pictures (These are the pictures shown in the login panel next to the user names in Mac OS X). They're smaller than the ones that Apple provides (32x32 vs. 60x56), but they make up for it with...um...flavor. I've also included the Photoshop Action I made that makes it easy (mostly for icon-makers that use PhotoShop to create their 32-bit icons) to convert icons to user pictures. (Continued...)
User Contributed Splash Screens. by Michael Coyle
Win a PowerMax gift certificate worth $50 by having the most popular contribution in the selected category! (How?)
- A Patriotic/Religiuos MOSS in memory of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks was created by Ken Messick.
- A while back, Ed Dyer sent a '50s retro MacOS X Boot Panel. Today he updates with two Giant versions.
- Here are Forrest Walter's Login Picts that are mentioned in the news item above. The set of 58 Gort's icons have been converted to TIFs.
- Three more lovely ladies are featured in this final Pin Up MOSS series from John Rose.
Click here to learn more about Toast 6 Titanium
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly It’s time for another mid-week snapshot refueling: - Mac Axonz’s “Blue Cubes” desktop picture and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme debut in this contribution from Dave. SoundJam is pumping out tunes in the lower left. Chilly Day’s Another Plate Vitro icons are situated along the right edge.
- Jon Martin returns with this OS X submission featuring the custom “NoDozXP” desktop picture. iTunes is cranking out songs in the lower left.
- Mix in a little OS X with a pinch of Windows 2000 combined with open-source Unix, and you’ve got this submission from Hes Nikke. XDarwin provides the X-Window environment for Gnome which is configured with the Sawfish window manager. Virtual PC is emulating Windows 2000 Professional.
- This OS X screenshot from Derek Parris touts a desktop picture of the New York City skyline prior to Sept. 11th’s attacks. A spinoff of the MasterCard commercials is featured in the lower right.
Feel the joy of submitting! Give us a gander of your desktop.
Icon & Desktop News: by Dan  Icons - Desktops: We've got (6) Great New Desktops, updated "News From Around the Web" and (1) great new OSX Icon Set to beautify your Mac. All on display for today's update!
- When our Webmaster Michael Coyle submitted his "Blue Folder Icons" for OSX, he included a Photoshop template for anyone to expand on the concept. Well, I took him seriously and got totally carried away with "Coyle's X Folders Vol.4". This is the fourth and final set of 29 brightly colored and patterned OSX folders out of over 100. These differ from volumes one and two with the folders being oriented in the opposite direction, as you would find the default folders using OSX.
- Add a little fusion power to your desktop with Derek Gorden's "Mac Atom" desktop. This nicely done Apple powered desktop comes in 1024x resolution.
- Enter the weird and wonderful three dimesional "Land of Alice" created by Bradford J. Wiles, Webmaster of the popular Macmonkies website. One of many fine desktops from the author, this one comes in 1024x and 800x resolutions.
- Manuel B. Velazquez incorporates personal spiritual philosophy into colorful and unique digital artwork with two new entries to his Metaphysical series. "Tachbol" and "X-TachyonBolide" feature a bit of esoteric teaching from Sara Lyara Estes, and both come in 1024x resolution.
- "X Spectrum" is a new desktop on display from Christopher Clarke. Inspired by the release of OSX 10.1, this one comes in 1024x resolution.
- Several weeks ago Webmaster Mike suggested that many of Nasa's Satellite pictures of Earth and other celestial bodies (no, not THAT kind) might make cool desktops, and to send them on in. John Engler found an interesting one, and submitted an "Earth Map" for your educational enjoyment. Comes in 1024x and 800x resolutions.
- "Mac Hall GigaPet" desktops, submitted by Twist were made from the Mac Hall web comic strips and their web site interface. The artist is Ian McConville and writer is Matt Boyd. Twist was surprised to see that there were not very many desktops on their site so like a good fan boy he made some. Visit Twisted Technology's website for the complete set of four desktops, or download this one in 5 different resolutions here.
Flax Creations updates with a pile of new and exciting desktops. Check out the series of 16 beautiful Fractals. MacMonkies.com announces Phase II of the Monkie Madness Giveaway. Up for grabs are 2 copies of "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" on DVD! Why the Mac is so great.com has released three new desktop images. Ethereal Creations updates with one new Bryce5 desktop picture in the Christian and Inspirational section entitled "Solitude". More updates are planned for the Abstract and Surreal Section later this week. Colheres updates with a new icon set: Gertrude Elliott (by Lu=EDsa). Macuserx.com has been updated with 4 new icon sets and 10 new desktops. Some for Halloween. Gridface has just posted six new desktop pictures, called Railyard Desktops 2. Rampant Mac has updated with (4) new desktops The Headfactory has moved to a proper site. They open the doors on the 1st of
November with a flood of new stuff including software, desktops, music and plenty of other nifty stuff. Take a look at Glitschka.com for a great example of what you can do with Flash and have a ton of giggles at the same time. Icika opens a new website with desktop artwork. Check out Live Pencil's new updates: ICONS: More animals by Sergio and a series of Chrome Masks. IT IS YOU: a new section where he makes funny animations out of your personal pictures, and much much more. So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
REALbasic News by Erick Tejkowski - REALbasic 3.5.2b2
- MovieStuffExtensions
- New URL Button
- TBFinder Update
- SoundShip plugin
- 'plst' Editor
- iScreenSaver
Find this and more in today's REALbasic News. (Continued...)
Calendar & Appointment Scheduler for Mac OS X
Today's News by Cletus™ The results of the first ResExcellence contest featuring a game, iTarget were excellent. Everyone concerned with the contest are very pleased. Drew Hamlin, President of Vizspring Software and ResExcellence wish to thank all that entered contest. Drew also mentioned this: "Wow, and the best I could get was around 5500. Those are some very fast-fingered ResEx readers!!! Congratulations to all of them." The five winners are listed below (with winning scores) and their free registration information will arrive this week sometime: - Eric Holtam: 9204 pts.
- Dustin MacDonald: 8199 pts.
- John Burr: 8190 pts.
- Matt Coley: 7915 pts.
- David Zuhoski: 7423 pts.
Clipboard Edit 2.0b1 is a simple application which allows to edit the content of the clipboard (both text and graphic clipboards). You can save it as a clipping file or as a SimpleText file. Moreover, you can use several filters to clean up and convert text clipboard.
 Unsupported UtilityX 2.0b4 will help install Mac OS X, Darwin and Mac OS X Server on some unsupported systems (the 7300 - 9600 series, and equivalent clones). Installation requires only 3 more clicks than a supported install. It now works with Mac OS X 10.1. This update fixes problems that affected some users with SCSI cards and IDE cards, especially in 6-slot machines.
HexEditor 1.2.1 is a Mac OS X application that allows viewing/manipulating raw data inside files. It can show data using various encodings as integers (hex or decimal), floating points, binary, character strings. This update is for Mac OS X 10.1 compatibility.
I was notified of a broken link leading to Gerry's ICQ from our archive. Actually it went to an undesirable site. Was the site hacked? If anyone has information on what the new link is, please let me know.
I will be taking a few days off and will return Friday.
Have a Press Release? Software or General News? Submit it here: Suggestions!
Polling Place. by Michael Coyle
 Over 70% of readers can still tie a neck tie. The comments on this poll were particularly funny with one gent saying he didn't need to know how to tie a tie as long as his Mom did! I'm glad my job allows my to dress casual (jeans and a shirt with a collar). I pity my friends who have to wear suits everyday and all the hassles associated with that!
Rumor has it that new Powerbooks will be released next week. If true, I may finally move up to a Titanium. I plan many of my purchases on what rumor sites report, even though they are almost always wrong with their predictions. Macintosh email lists often ask the question, "Should I buy now or wait for the next rumored machine/OS/next big thing?". Apple has argued that rumor sites can affect sales by causing a large number of consumers to delay purchases hoping to get newer hardware that is just around the corner. (Anyone have an LCD iMac they'd like to sell?)
This week's Polling Place asks, "Are rumor sites hurting Apple?"
Tools of the Trade. by Michael Coyle
MacInstruct has posted a new tutorial, Interactive Unix by Bert Altenburg. It teaches readers how to use Unix and the terminal program in Mac OS X. Unlike previous tutorials by Bert, this tutorial is really interactive. You'll have to see it to believe it.
Absolutely everything you ever wanted to know about the Macintosh Color Classic can be found by perusing the Colo(u)r Classic Upgrade Mega-FAQ!
Changing iTunes Playlist Highlight Colors by Chris X
With the growing number of submissions of iTunes Skins, I'd like to offer this how-to for editing the iTunes highlight and background colors in the playlist/ browse lists.
These colors cannot be edited directly in ResEdit, because the color resources are "hidden" in the Data Fork, not the resource fork; so you'll need a hex editor. With the addition of the extension "Forker", ResEdit can read and edit data forks. (Continuied...)
User Contributed Splash Screens. by Michael Coyle
Win a PowerMax gift certificate worth $50 by having the most popular contribution in the selected category! (How?)
- A matching MOSS and ATM combo set was sent by TAPPI featuring a lovely young lady.
- Left in the ftp drop box without a READ ME, this MacOS X Boot Panel shows Uncle Sam wants to dish out a little justice.
- Colorful cursors titled Bumble Bee were crearted by brenda vonahsen.
- Jeff Kelly sends a Giant MOSS called Red Flag!
Complete Cable Management For The Home & Office.
Snapshots by Jeremy Hoesly Monday’s snapshots are here for your viewing pleasure: - This OS X snapshot from Entica sports Misery in Motion’s “The Wired” desktop picture. Audion, retooled with the X Metal face, is shuffling soundtracks in the center. Flax Creations’ AtmoSpheres icon collection is nestled along the bottom edge.
- Ben Klocek sends this screenshot touting the custom “Burning Man” desktop picture. iTunes is rounding up songs in the lower left. Nicolas Cardot’s Fablue #10 icons line the right edge.
- A desktop picture from The Apple Collection and Maury McCown’s AquaX III K-Scheme debut in this submission from Henrique Scaff. Intriguing.
- A custom “Phoenix” desktop picture from his “In Memoriam” series coupled with Michael Rabe’s Glass Theme is showcased in this OS X contribution from Manuel Velazquez. Audion, equipped with the ESSS01 face, is dishing out tunes in the lower left.
Feel the joy of submitting! Give us a gander of your desktop.
Icon & Desktop News: by Dan Icons - Desktops: We've got (6) Great New Desktops, updated "News From Around the Web" and (1) great new OSX Icon Set to beautify your Mac. All on display for today's update!
Flax Creations updates with 7 new exciting desktops. MacMonkies.com announces Phase II of the Monkie Madness Giveaway. Up for grabs are 2 copies of "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" on DVD! Colheres updates with a new icon set: Gertrude Elliott (by Lu=EDsa). Macuserx.com has been updated with 4 new icon sets and 10 new desktops. Some for Halloween. Gridface has just posted six new desktop pictures, called Railyard Desktops 2. Rampant Mac has updated with (4) new desktops The Headfactory has moved to a proper site. They open the doors on the 1st of
November with a flood of new stuff including software, desktops, music and plenty of other nifty stuff. Take a look at Glitschka.com for a great example of what you can do with Flash and have a ton of giggles at the same time. Icika opens a new website with desktop artwork. A new desktop picture "Aquatic Traffic Lights" is available for download at http://www.whythemacissogreat.com ("Why the Mac is so great.com"). Check out Live Pencil's new updates: ICONS: More animals by Sergio and a series of Chrome Masks. IT IS YOU: a new section where he makes funny animations out of your personal pictures, and much much more.
Mac Axonz updates with a new desktop picture that celebrates ENTERPRISE, the newest installment in the world of star trek. Also a little teaser of the new iconz set: TriTanium Squared!!!! So what's up WWW? Icons? Desktop pictures? News? Inform us! We'll post it!
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