(I would highly recommend that, at very least, you read IMPORTANT, Description, and HOW IT WORKS; this will give you all the information you need to use this program to the fullest. If you have a custom icon for your hard drive now, or are upgrading from RandIcon 1.2 or before, you should also read the "If you already have an icon" file.)
IMPORTANT:
I put this ShareWare program in circulation in 1992. I have at least 200 hours of programming time invested in the various versions of RandIcon. If you use it, SEND ME SOMETHING. Period. No please. No begging. Just send something. Send $5. Send $2. If you don't have any money, send a postcard of where you live. Send flowers. Send frozen fish. Just SEND SOMETHING.
After registering RandIcon, I will be more than willing to send you new versions of RandIcon. If you have sent me the $5 that I requested, just send me a blank disk, and I'll happily send it back to you with a brand-spanking new version of RandIcon.
Description:
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RandIcon is a cdev that randomly changes the icons that represent your drives under System 7. Here are the basics:
To install, simply drop RandIcon into your System Folder (which will put it in the Control Panels folder). If you have a previous version (pre- 2.0) of RandIcon, you should read the accompanying "If you already have an iconﾉ" file. Also be sure to throw out your old RandIcon control panel.
After opening the RandIcon control panel, you will be confronted by a list of drives and buttons and nifty stuff like that. Select the drive that you wish to change the icon of (upon startup). Choose "Install" if it is available. This means that there is no custom icon file on it. Then, turn on "Change drive icon" (at the bottom of the dialog box) to "turn on" the randomization. That's all there is to it.
The "De-Install" button will remove the custom icon file. Changes will not be visible until you restart (the Finder only loads the information about the hard drive icons when it restarts).
The "Import" button allows you to add icons to the RandIcon icons list. You can import from any file with an ICN# resource (applications, games, resedit filesﾉ).
The "Export" button creates a new file, to which it adds all of RandIcon's icons. Also, if you choose an existing file, ignore the "Replace this file" dialog box - that's from the system. Your old file will not be deleted - the icons from RandIcon will simply be added.
The "Re-Scan" button re-scans for new volumes that might have been mounted after the control panel was opened.
HOW IT WORKS (and installing on floppies):
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RandIcon's install feature creates an invisible file (called "icon") on the drive that you select and places a random icon in that file. This enables System 7 to display a custom icon for that drive. When "Change drive icon" is chosen for that drive, the init simply swaps the icon for another that it chooses by a unique scientific principle called "pot luck".
So, what does this mean? It means that you can install "random" icons on floppies and other removable media. However, the icon will not change unless the disk is in the drive when the RandIcon init loads.
Here's another vital piece of information: RandIcon remembers what drives to randomize by drive number, not by drive name. If you insert the disk "Games" into your internal floppy drive and install an icon on it, restart, and put the disk into your EXTERNAL floppy drive while the init loads, the icon will not change. The disk will still have the icon installed on it. If you choose "Change drive icon" for "Games" in your internal drive and have the disk "MacWrite" in the internal drive while starting up, RandIcon will try to change the icon on "MacWrite" (because it has the same drive number). Nothing will happen if "MacWrite" does not have a custom icon installed; if it does, the icon will change.
(So, like, if you have a problem with disks in one drive being randomized and disks in another not, pop two floppies in and make sure they have the same settings, 'kay?)
Advanced Users:
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If you want to add (or remove) icons to RandIcon, you can also use ResEdit. Just open the control panel with ResEdit and paste in your favorite icon families. You can also delete icons using the same method (just be sure to add or delete the entire icon family).
Bug notice:
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I did have a problem with this init with Cleaning Lady. I'm not sure what the problem was, but it corrupted the RandIcon control panel. This was with version 1.2, and should be ok with version 2.0 and later.
DISCLAMER:
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I have tested this control panel and installer with various systemsﾉ however, if there is any problem with this cdev on your computer, IT IS NOT MY FAULT!!! Please, don't blame me. I don't think anything bad could happenﾉ BUT, if anything does, please write me and tell me.
Any mass redistribution of RandIcon (ie CD-ROM publishing companies and the like) is prohibited, except with the WRITTEN CONSENT of the author. Any other redistribution of RandIcon is encouraged, but MUST be accompanied by this file, UNALTERED.
Any questions or comments? You can send your donation (or at least write a postcard) toﾉ
Jorj Bauer
Internet: gbauer@eniac.seas.upenn.edu
CompuServe: 75050,345
247 S. Juniper St. #1000
Philadelphia, Pa 19107
/** THANKS SECTION **/
Thanks to all of RandIcon's beta testers:
E. Sparks
Anita j Michel
Rob Bunting
Troy A. Miller
Many thanks to extra-special contributors to RandIcon:
Scott Harker, for those nifty list routines
And many thanks to Skatemaus, for watching over my shoulder and saying, "No! Don't reinitialize the seed!"
