Modding Mac OS X, Basic Moves and Grooves
by Scott Chitwood, January 18, 2005
I've noticed a growing number of new readers in recent months that haven't boned up on some of our very basic fundamentals when it comes to modding Mac OS X and as you might expect, the results of their experimentations have often been disastorous. So, while the ResEx oldtimers club isn't in need of any reminders, bear with us as we lay the ground rules for the new kids :)
#1 Always Work On A Copy!
This is our most important point to make and is included with the instructions for most of our Mac OS X Mods. We can mess up as many copies of our software as we like and we'll always have the original in its pristine state as a backup. Mess up the original and at the very least the software will need to be reinstalled from CD/DVD, at worst it will have to be downloaded from it's originating source — for dial up users that could be anywhere from a couple of minutes to several hours depending on file size. Ouch! Make a copy! Thank us later.
#2 Operating System/Application Version Compatibility.
If a file download is noted for compatibility with a specific operating system or application version don't try to use the file with another version. This is especially true for iTunes Skins and Login Panels. System and application resources can change with every update; using a skin that was built for iTunes 3.0 on iTunes 4.7 will render the app unlauchable; Login panel nib files (we'll discuss nibs a little further down) for Mac OS X 10.3 should never be applied to any other earlier or later version of Mac OS X. Compatibility is important, ignore it, pay the price!
#3 Examining Package Contents.
Most Mac OS X applications are special folders that you can open by Control-clicking on the app and selecting "Show Package Contents" from the contextual menu. One known exception to this rule is Microsoft Office 2004, there may be others. A good portion of our mods use this method to locate splash screens, icons and various System related items; Boot Panels, Dock Poofs nib files and more. As noted above, you always want to work on a copy, in the case of Package Contents you can copy the indivual items within the package instead of the entire application. Once we're inside the package most of our work will be within it Resources folder. Some apps may have a secondary set of Package Contents to examine.
#4 Nib Files.
As noted above, you'll find nibs buried within the Resources folder of the Package Contents. But what exactly is a nib file? Nibs are any custom window you see within the user environment, you'll need to have a copy of Apple's Xcode Developer Tools installed to work with nibs. Our Build a Carbon Theme Preview Application article shows how to build a nib from scratch (with minimal coding). Cédrik Favre-Dub's instuctions for Modifications Of Log Out And Shut Down Windows is another good read that will help you get a grip on working with nib files.
#5 Ask Questions.
As the saying goes; "There are no stupid questions, just stupid answers." If you're not sure about how to approach any of our Mac OS X Mods and the instructions are leaving you befuddled feel free to post your question in our User's Forum. There are lots of good people there with an abundance of knowledge, we're always happy to help others along the way in the quest for gui perfection!
