The MacDirectory Column - May 12, 1999

Customizing Your Computer Part 3 - Dressing Up Those Windows

By: R.P. Phillips

Copy Editing by: Louise Masurat

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In Part 1 we saw how to alter the background. In Part 2 we learned all about how to use and change those dull, drab, and otherwise unwanted icons. Now in this installment we'll examine various programs that will allow you to change the appearance of your cursors and windows. You just cannot live with a dull and drab window now that you've started your customizations.

Imagine: color, style, characters, and easy-to-use added functionality dressing up your computer screen. Personalization reaches new heights with all the wonderful things you can do. I can think of no better place to start than with Kaleidoscope. A shareware demo is easily downloaded from their site, as well as an extensive archive of an almost endless number of "themes." Each theme offers you a different choice of color, style, and/or characters that let you change the appearance of all your windows and/or files; some even let you alter the appearance of your cursors and/or trash can. You can also find more Kaleidoscope themes in a variety of other locations, from MacPlaza to MacAddict, and with the use of RandomScope, you will find you can never have enough of these themes. If this seems too drastic or isn't enough, there are also many other programs out there that change specific areas of your screen.

From Menuette, which changes the look of your finder's menu, to Janet Parris's Left-Handed Custom Cursors, which does what it says, just about every aspect of the appearance of your computer can be altered to fit your specific wants and needs. The list below is just a sampling of what can be done to beautify and personalize your computer to make it more appealing to you as well as helping you to express your "style and class" to everyone else who visits it.

• 3D Rotating Cursor. A 3D animated cursor
• AirCursor 1.0.1. A Nike logo-shaped cursor.
• Andy's 3D Modern Cursor. A collection of 3D cursors.
• Apple Wizards Spin Cursor. Change your cursor and "spin cursor" to the Apple Wizards colors.
• BeView 1.1. Changes the entire appearance of your system so that it resembles the BeOs.
• Color Cursor Spin. Changes your spin cursor to a colorful spinning ball.
• Cool Cursor 3.1. More cursors.
• CoolViews 1.1.1. A program that lets the user completely alter the Finder's appearance and information content.
• CoplandCursor Chooser 0.7. Yep, another cursor collection
• CursorAnimator 2.0.1. Replace any or all of your different cursors with animated (or static) ones from this collection.
• Custom Cursors by Janet Parris. A wonderful collection of customized cursors.
• DoubleScroll 2.12p6. A great program that doubles up your scroll controls so you don't have to move your cursor from top to bottom or left to right to scroll. Doesn't work with OS 8.x; however, double scrolling is also a part of every Kaleidoscope scheme I've ever seen and Kaleidoscope does work with OS 8.x..
• DragAnyWindow 4.5 ( 8.5.x ). Moves the whole window image instead of just a dull-looking window outline. It can also move dialogs, alerts, game windows, and other normally immovable windows!
• Fat Cursors 1.2.2. Need or want a bigger cursor?
• The Grouch 2.5b1. An extension that makes Oscar come out and sing whenever you empty the trash. Not compatible with Mac OS 8 and higher; again, however, there has been a version released for systems OS 8.0 and 8.1 (2.5b3), but I've been unable to find out where to get it.
• Hand-Pointer 1.2. A BeOs hand-shaped cursor.
• Holiday Lights 3.1.2. A shareware application that allows you to surround your screen with a variety of festive lights and decorations and also play holiday-type music. It is not just for Christmas.
• iMac Cursor. An iMac mouse cursor.
• Kaleidoscope 2.1.2. Awesome! A shareware program that allows you to completely alter the way your computer looks. With an almost limitless number of themes to choose from, you're bound to find at least one you'll have to have. Simply a must!!!
• Left-Handed Custom Cursor by Janet Parris. A well-deserved second reference to her collection, the only one I've found that recognizes people who are left-handed. And, even though I'm right-handed, I find it to be great fun and a wonderful distraction. It is also fun to slip it onto someone else's computer and find out how long it takes them to notice the difference!
• Menuette. A program for changing the appearance of your finder menu.
• MyEyes 2.3.5. Eyes that follow your every cursor move from their perch in the Menu Bar".
• Niji 1.2.1. Gives your computer a NEXTSTEP appearance.
• QuickWindow 1.0. A utility program that installs a Windows menu and contextual menu.
• RandomScope 1.1.1. Randomly selects a different Kaleidoscope theme every time you restart. Perfect for those who simply can't decide which theme they like the most.
• WinMouse. Yep, another way to resemble a Windoze machine.
• Window Monkey 1.2.5. Window Monkey lets you choose a background pattern for your Finder window and adds a menu to help you as well.

And don't forget to consult MacDirectory Online links for more on what you can do to customize your computer's appearance. Part 4; the next and final part of this series, will examine some more frivolous things that can be done to personalize your computer. It's bound to be fun!

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R.P.Phillips' web site: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/4913/index.html