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The Phillips Files #4 --
Playing around with
ResEdit
by R.P.
Phillips
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Just the thought of editing the base code of any of my programs scares me. Well, it use to. Now, I find myself editing everything I can. No!! I'm not rewriting my programs to make them better. I won't know where to start. What I am doing is playing around with the appearance of specific aspects of some programs. It is easy and fun.
What can be easily changed? Well, I'll start with a common program that's available to all - and it's free, Netscape Communicator.
First, and always, remember to work on a second or back-up copy of everything you adjust - just in case of a fatal error; you won't want to destroy your only copy of any bit of software.
Now that you have your backup copy of your software set aside in its own specific folder [I call mine "The ResEdit Cocoon"], you'll need to launch ResEdit. Once launched, use the File-Open drop down menu to bring up another separate menu window that you direct until you've opened your back-up application. If you have never done this before, you're about to become overwhelmed with a lot of "stuff" you've never seen before. Don't be frightened; remember, it is a back-up application [Right, first time I did this - I did a "File-Quit" so fast I think I sprained my mouse].
OK. Now that we've got it open, where should we start. I prefer going to the section labeled "ppat" and double clicking on it. This will open another screen that will show you all the specific "ppat"s that are included with your application. No problem. It's easy and you haven't altered your program in the least. Now, pick one and double click it - it won't hurt or change a thing. To specifically mirror what I did to make my explanations make more sense, lets use ResEdit to open Netscape Communicator 4.6 - "ppat" - ok! Please!!
Ok! Shall we now double click on "6000", it is the first item in the "ppat" section. You still haven't changed a thing. So far, you've just been "investigating". That is all about to change; this is the point where you must decide whether to continue or quit. For those quitting - this is where you can return to to re-attempt this somewhat frightening program "editing". For those continuing; you'll see a simple "palette" with a "pencil" highlighted; you'll notice a simple picture of what you'll be working on in the grid box; a black rectangle by itself below the "palette" and a black rectangle upon a white rectangle at the bottom of the screen and a picture that represents what the "finished" "ppat" will look like. Ok! Let's start changing stuff!
Click on the black rectangle that's upon the white rectangle and pick a color you want to work with - I'll use the red. Now you can use the "pencil" and change one square at a time - or click on the "paint bucket" to change entire "same colored" grid squares at once. I prefer the "paint bucket" in this instance. With the "paint bucket" highlighted, go to the "darker" stripes within the "grid" section and click on them once [once for each section that is not separated by the lighter striped sections] - they should be red [or the color you selected] now. Go back and change your color selection to what you'd like the lighter colored stripes to be - I'll use the lightest green. Then go back to the "grid" section and change those other stripes. [Don't forget that lonely, single square in the upper right hand corner]
Pretty, isn't it! A definite improvement! Ok, you're almost done with this "ppat"; all you need to do now is the "File - Save" and after "saving", close this screen and move on to the next one - "ppat" # "8604". You can do this one and the remaining "ppat"s on your own.
There are other sections besides the "ppat" that are easy and fun where you can do "minor" alterations; PAT#, cicn, curs, ic14, ic18, ics4 and ics8 are the ones included within the viable options in Netscape Communicator 4.6. Personally speaking, I "avoid" opening most of the rest of them. Some of these items can cause problems just by opening them when you don't know what they're for and how to "fully" use ResEdit. I really don't know how to explain these things, nor do I know how to recover from them - I'd just prefer you'd leave them along until you contact someone who can explain them better and/or find web sites or books that can "self-help" you through them. Excellent places to start looking for ResEdit "help" on line would be ResExcellence and/or BobbyMacBrains.
Now that we're done "customizing" our Netscape, saving everything as you "File - Quit" ResEdit, shall we now launch this new and improved browser. Give it a try and check out your "beautifications". Now, eMail everyone you know about your "wonderful" accomplishments [Don't forget the screen shots]; yell for family, friends and neighbors to gaze in amazement over your talents and finally sit proudly, knowing you've taken a wondrous first step into the world of programing manipulation for the purposes of customization and personalization. OK!!!
Deep breath and "attack" the rest of you software - "NOT". Deep breath and a break, it is time to gloat at feel perfectly pleased with yourself before attempting any further programs.
For the bold and the brave, this customization might have taken less than a couple of hours; for those of us who aren't that daring and/or have a small child [2 year old in my case] this operation might take a couple months; but either way, aren't you glad we're done.
Thanks for stopping by the "Phillips Files" and I hope you enjoyed your visit and return really soon.
R.P.
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