Is Kaleidoscope compatible with Mac OS 9?
Yes, Kaleidoscope is compatible with Mac OS 9, as well as with all prior system versions as far back as System 7.0.

Will Kaleidoscope support Mac OS X?
It is too early to say. We intend to make a version of Kaleidoscope for Mac OS X. However, Mac OS X is not yet far enough along for us to start working on it.

Where can I get more schemes?
There are several thousand third party schemes available on the Kaleidoscope Scheme Archive (KSA): <http://www.kaleidoscope.net/schemes/>.

How do I install the schemes from the KSA?
The schemes on the KSA are stored as StuffIt archives and need to be decompressed with StuffIt Expander. After you download the scheme package, drag and drop the “.sit” file on the StuffIt Expander icon. Please note that your browser may not automatically expand these files, which is why you need to drag and drop them onto StuffIt Expander yourself. StuffIt Expander will create a folder containing the scheme, in most cases a read me document, and sometimes additional supporting files, such as desktop or startup pictures. You do not need to put the scheme file or folder in any particular place, although we do suggest keeping your favorite schemes in the Kaleidoscope Schemes folder under the Apple menu for easy access.

How do I switch schemes?
To activate a scheme, just open it in the Finder by double-clicking its icon, as if it were a normal document. (If you get a message saying that the application or translators could not be found, just rebuild the desktop, or open up the Extensions folder and double-click the Kaleidoscope Extension once.) If you put your schemes in the Apple Menu Items folder or a subfolder, you can switch schemes by choosing them from the Apple menu. You can also switch schemes directly from the Kaleidoscope control panel by pushing the Select Scheme... button or by dragging a scheme and dropping it on the open control panel window.

Is there an upgrade fee?
We do not require an upgrade fee, but we suggest an optional $5 contribution for registered users of Kaleidoscope 1.x. This is purely voluntary, and your old registration code will continue to work whether or not you pay. This upgrade is listed in on the Kagi Online Order Processing page and in the Register application.

How do I disable Kaleidoscope?
To disable Kaleidoscope, move the Kaleidoscope file out of the Control Panels folder, either by dragging it out manually or by disabling it with your Extensions Manager, and restart your Macintosh. If you drag Kaleidoscope to the trash, you must restart first before emptying the trash; otherwise the Finder will complain that the file is still in use. The scheme files and the Kaleidoscope Extension do nothing on their own without the Kaleidoscope control panel, so when you disable Kaleidoscope, it does not matter whether you remove them.

Is there a Windows version of Kaleidoscope?
No, we do not have a Windows version of Kaleidoscope.

How do I design my own schemes?
Yes. The scheme file format is designed to be easy to edit using ResEdit. See the accompanying documentation in the “Kaleidoscope Goodies” for more information on the scheme format. There are also several third party guides and utilities for creating schemes available on the KSA: <http://www.kaleidoscope.net/schemes/>.

Where can I get a Hi-Tech scheme?
Although Apple has apparently abandoned their Hi-Tech and Gizmo themes, their legal department still does not want anybody implementing them. So, we will not produce any such schemes ourselves, nor will we post such third party schemes on our Kaleidoscope Scheme Archive.

Why are some check boxes in the Scheme Settings pane disabled?
First, if the current scheme does not offer a feature, the corresponding check box is disabled. Second, the Finder Colors feature is supported only under Mac OS 8.x, so it is disabled under System 7. Third, the WindowShade Sounds and Finder Colors options may be overridden by settings in the General Options pane.

Can I use my old schemes?
Yes, this version of Kaleidoscope supports all schemes designed for Kaleidoscope 1.5 and later. This does not require any conversion or changes to the scheme files.

How do I make my software Kaleidoscope-savvy?
If you are a software developer, there are several ways that you can take advantage of Kaleidoscope. First, you should make your software Appearance-savvy for Mac OS 8. Kaleidoscope hooks into the Appearance Manager so any Appearance-savvy application automatically uses Kaleidoscope's colors. If you want your software to be Kaleidoscope-savvy under System 7, you can get the colors for window backgrounds, text, tinges, and dividers from the clut resources, as documented in the Creating K1 Schemes file. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact us at <support@kaleidoscope.net>.

How can I register if I don't have a credit card?
Kagi accepts payment by US check or by cash in various currencies, as well as by credit card. The Register application lists all of these payment methods, letting you create a customized registration form that you can mail or e-mail to Kagi (whose address is given on the form). For more information, see the How to Register document. Alternatively, you can register via credit card using the Kagi Online Order Processing service: <http://order.kagi.com/?GL&S>.

How do I remove the Annoying Shareware Message?
First you must register. Once Kagi processes your payment, which can take up to a week from when they receive it, they e-mail you a registration code in a message with subject: Thanks for your payment. The registration code is near the end of that message, so be sure to read the entire thing. To enter your registration code, open up the Kaleidoscope control panel, click the Register button at the bottom left, and type your code into the box it gives you. Sometimes your registration or Kagi's reply may get lost in the mail or fall through the cracks. If you do not hear back from Kagi, send them e-mail at <admin@kagi.com>. It might take Kagi a few days to respond, but they eventually sort everything out.

Can I beta test new versions of Kaleidoscope?
Thanks for offering, but we already have all the beta testers we need for Kaleidoscope. Please do not send e-mail asking to be a beta tester since the answer will always be no (no matter how well qualified you are or how nicely you ask).