It's been said before, many times, many ways: Netscape is the best browser around these days. Sleek interface, kewl plug-ins, etc. But some say some details are just a mite too... corporate. The "shooting star" animation in the upper right hand corner for example. Ask yourself: is it really "Disney-esque" or is it just plain "Pansy City"? If you're like us, the answer is the latter: it's sissy-boy central. And what about that splash screen? I guess the ship's steering wheel could appeal to the "pirate" hacker in all of us, but more likely it brings to mind that weird guy in the raincoat on the fish sticks commercial: "Ahoy there, little Billy! Climb up the ladder ahead of me!" But how to fix this prob?
The answer is here. This patch will install into any copy of Netscape (2, 3 or Gold 3) an animation that not only doesn't look like an ad for an insurance co., it r0ck5! The main image is one we're all familiar with: the "Hackers Helper" skull (design not by us - if you are aware of who the artist is, please let us know so we can credit/thank them). Thanks to Luke, the skull's green eyes blink and the mouth spews flames. His animation consists of a shifting black/red background.
And it also installs a new splash screen. Based on the "memento mori" ("Remember, you will die") philosophy of living life to the fullest, it portrays a "lively" skull graphic w/text: "Netscape" (obviously). Finally, the patch installs some k001 icons in your browser's top buttons (Home, Back, etc.) and a few other minor changes.
How To
Uh, double-click the patch icon (patch created w/Michael Hecht's excellent ResCompare). If you can't figure it out from there, we don't wanna know ya. For Windoze users, first type Setup://A, then a bunch of arcane commands, then pray, look out the window a while, smoke a cig, then....get a clue, Get A Life, GET A MAC! If you think you may not dig H-Deluxe (why wouldn't you?) patch a copy of Netscape and check it out. The only way to un-install is to use ResEdit and manually delete all changes. Don't know what you'd paste IN to replace 'em, though...
Payment
James:: Hackscape Deluxe is phree! If you really dig it and feel really grateful..., I collect Oscar the Grouch stuff - I wouldn't mind anything to do with him (please don't send me "The Grouch" extension though - people have already done so numerous times). Also any other kewl Mac scamz/filez/linkz/sitez etc. would be apprec.
bubba@io.org or P.O. Box 366, Station "B", Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Roxtar : If you like and want to email me with sugg.s, thoughts or even want to buy me a Daystar Turbo601(hehe)...or art/paint programs, please do! Really just a big ditto on the filez/linkz/sitez request! That's all I ask for this cool visual which you'll be seeing everyday! So the flames burn and the skulls chatter, let the window fly open and in comes the world....
mpskow1@uic.edu
Feel free to redistribute HackScape Deluxe, as long as it is accompanied by this Read Me file (the um, one you're reading right now...). Also, we must be informed if it's being included on a CD-ROM/floppy (except for Info-Mac: permission given) of which we would appreciate a courtesy copy. Thank you.
Notes
1 You don't have to rebuild the desktop or any other such stuff to see the results. They'll be there next time you open Netscape.
Ver. History
If you really care, email one of us.
Lastly...
This prog is just a fun hack. While we hope you enjoy it, we have no responsibility for any probs/expenses/damages you may incur. We have no relation in any way to the fine people at Netscape. Netscape is a trademark of Netscape Communications.
