57 blank icons. They can be combined like building blocks, in many different ways to make from 1 to 16 applications, documents, or folders function in the space of one icon. They can be left blank, Finder Labels could be used to distinguish them by color, or they could be modified with an icon editor. Since on a single monitor setup there is usually only room for one column of icons between disk icons and the Trash, they may save precious screen real estate and eliminate a little bit of extra maneuvering.
To set them up, paste the icons onto files as needed using Finder's Get Info. With Views control panel set to “Always snap to grid,” choose Clean Up Desktop or Clean Up Window from Finder’s Special menu. Then position the icons, and finally, reset Views control panel if necessary.
I drew them for two reasons. First, Aladdin Systems’ StuffIt Expander and DropStuff can now occupy one space on my Desktop. Even a half–square is easier for me to hit than Aladdin’s Rube Goldberg–like icons (which I think were derived from Yves Lempereur’s 1985 BinHex app icon, but I am not sure*). Also, multiple copies of Chris K. Thomas’ FileBejeezus type/creator changer can fit into one spot. A whole collection of graphics or word–processing programs can also fit into one convenient place. Thank you to Rob Kouwenberg, whose small icon file proved to be the inspiration to finish this project.
Please do not distribute these icons in whole or in part without this documentation. The icons are free for non–commercial use. Hope you have fun with them!
Version 2.0: Added 24 more icons for completeness’ sake, though I think the larger ones are easier targets.
Version 2.1: Doc is now in SimpleText.
* I would love to hear from anybody who knows the true origin of the Aladdin/Mainstay/Lempereur icons.
