BBWindow is a simple but handy utility for the following kind of Macintosh users who are:
• Using large monitors.
• Playing CD-ROM/game programs.
On such occasions, have you ever felt annoying still you could see alias files or trash in your desktop?
I have a 16 inch color monitor. It’s wide and convenient. However, most of multimedia type programs/games, say the famous Spaceship Warlock, are designed for the standard 12" or 13" monitors. I couldn’t concentrate on those programs while seeing a lot of alias icons on my desktop.
Then I decided to write a program hides the desktop. That’s the BBWindow.
I first named it “Black Background Window” but it is too long to say. So I abbreviated it into “BBWindow” later.
BBWindow is not only a program that simply covers the screen with black color but it also produces a dramatic effect to your programs. You will see how it works in the following chapters.
BBWindow is safe because it’s not an “Extension” but an “Application” program. It doesn’t patch any traps onto your system.
BBWindow requires System 7.0 or later and 32 bit Color QuickDraw.
2. How to use it
There may be a couple of procedures. Choose one of them according to your preferences.
Every usage has a common idea that you let BBWindow know your favorite application and call the application from the BBWindow.
2.1. At first, install BBWindow
Locate BBWindow at any place you like. The desktop maybe the best place.
Otherwise, make an alias of BBWindow and locate it to your desktop.
Now you finish the install.
2.2. Usage 1: Drag and drop
Drag and drop your application you want to use onto the BBWindow icon.
Then BBWindow will be launched and it will start count down. When the count reaches to zero, then BBWindow launch the designated application.
2.3. Usage 2: Double click
Launch BBWindow by double-clicking its icon.
Then you choose your target application using the following ways.
Select “Open Application...” item of the File menu. Then choose your target application in the file select dialog. After the count down, the application will be launched.
Otherwise, after the count down, you will see two buttons in the upper-left corner of the main screen. Click the right icon of [?] mark. Then the “file select” dialog will appear. You can choose your target application and it will be launched immediately.
2.4. Usage 3: Drag and drop directly into the BBWindow.
The version 1.2 newly features Macintosh Drag and Drop capability. It requires System 7.5 or greater.
Bring Finder using the BBWindow's Finder button, drag any file you like to launch and drop into the BBWindow.
2.5. Switching applications
The black background window is the substance of BBWindow. When you bring this window in front-most, you will see the two buttons in the upper-left corner. Using those buttons, you can switch back and forth the application.
From version 1.1, it features a function that always pushes the application in front-most and stay itself in behind to reduce the inconvenience when playing an arcade-game-type busy application and click outside the game screen and bring the BBWindow unexpectedly. Refer to "3.2.2." below.
2.5.1. Left button: Bring Finder
It brings the Finder. You can also do it using “Bring Finder” item of the File menu.
2.5.2. Right button: Bring the application once you launched.
You can bring the application once you launched using this button. Once the application was launched, it was temporarily registered in BBWindow and its icon appeared in the right button. Then you can bring it any times using the right button. The registration will be cleared once you quit BBWindow.
2.6. Bring the background window (BBWindow) manually
Choose “Bring BBWinodow” item of the BBWindow menu. Then BBWindow immediately appears at any time.
2.7. Hide the background window (BBWindow) manually
Choose “Hide BBWinodow” item of the BBWindow menu. Then BBWindow immediately disappears. Then the count down will start and the after that BBWindow will appear again.
3. Are there any options
The very basic functions are all above. BBWindow has, however, several options. Please use them as your preferences.
3.1. Change color of the background window (BBWindow)
Select “Set Window Color...” of BBWindow menu. Then the color customizing dialog will appear.
In this dialog, click BBWindow icon. If you keep on pressing the mouse, then the color table window will appear.
While pressing your mouse, choose any color you like and then release the mouse button. Content color of the BBWindow Icon then changes to your choice.
Hit OK button if you confirm it’s the color you want. Then whole the BBWindow color will change.
Hit cancel button when you dislike it.
3.1. Change setting of count down
Select “Set Countdown...” of BBWindow menu.
3.1.1. Change countdown
Using Up/Down button, set count value from 0 to 5 seconds.
3.1.2. Stop count down
Set “Do Count Down” check box off. Then, BBWindow doesn’t do count down and background window (BBWindow) won’t appear automatically.
3.2. Change setting of application launching
Select “Set Auto Launch...” of BBWindow menu.
3.2.1. Make BBWindow memorize the lauched application
Check the “Remember the application” box. BBWindow will store the application info. and launch it when BBWindow will be double-clicked in next time.
3.2.2. Make BBWindow in behind at any time
Check the “Attempt to say in behind” box.
When BBWindow is brought in front, it recalls the launched application until it quits.
To cancel this feature temporarily, click BBWindow while pressing option key.
4. On what Macintosh does it work?
BBWindow requires the following environments:
• A Macintosh which employs 68020 or greater, or a PowerMacintosh.
• System 7.0 or later.
• 32 bit Color QuickDraw.
From the version 1.2, BBWindow become a Fat Application. It runs with native codes on PowerMacintosh.
BBWindow may not work on Macintosh Plus or PowerBook 100 since they don’t have 32 bit Color QuickDraw.
When you drag and drop files on the BBWindow, you need System 7.5 or greater. Otherwise, install Macintosh Drag and Drop system extention on the System 7.1.1.
5. How much should I pay for it?
BBWindow is a freeware program. You can use it without any charge.
You can also copy it and deliver it without permission of the author as far as you use it for your personal purposes.
Note that the author reserves all copyrights of the BBWindow. Under the copyright lows, the author prohibits the following manners.
• To use the BBWindow for commercial purposes such as selling and lending without the author‘s permission.
• To modify or revise the BBWindow without the author‘s permission.
The author’s request:
If you distribute the BBWindow through a commercial network, please inform the author either beforehand or afterwards.
If you wish to include the BBWindow into a CD-ROM disc for selling, please contact the auther beforehand. The author will basically agree with your request.
If you wish to include the BBWindow in your software package as a help utility, the author will agree with you as far as you are responsible to any kinds of problem from the market.
Attach always this document when you distribute the BBWindow.
The author does not require any compensations when you use the BBWindow. Any of returning thanks, however, will be appreciated. E-Mails, post cards or any tiny gifts will greatly encourage the author.
6. Where should I send requests or bug reports?
Please send your messages to the following address via E-Mail or traditional mail.
E-Mail Address:
Internet: rokkaku@roland.co.jp
NiftyServe: PXL01437@niftyserve.or.jp
Posting Address:
Fumio Rokkaku
1158-3-106, Hatsuoi-cho
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
JAPAN Postal Code 433
7. Known Problems
Q: When closing Count Down setting dialog or Window Color dialog, other dialogs go behind the BBWindow. Why?
A: I don’t know the reason. I don’t intend to program that changes priority of the windows but, in fact, the result is as you see. Please let me know if you have any suggestions that may solve this problem.
8. Other comments
Development Language: Metrowerks CodeWarrior C/C++ 68K and PPC 1.2.2
Development Environment: Macintosh IIvx with System 7.5.1 and Japanese Language Kit
9. Revision history
Version 1.0: September 15 1994
The first release
Version 1.0.1: September 20 1994
Applied to multi-screen environment.
Memorized Dialog positions.
Version 1.1: October 9 1994
Added a function that memorize launched application.
Added a function to force the application in front and make BBWindow in behind.
Version 1.1.1: October 15 1994
Fixed bug that does not launch a memorized application when the
settings are: do not count down and memorize launched application.
Version 1.2: July 22 1995
Applied PowerMacintosh (FAT)
Applied Macintosh Drag and Drop.
Memorized an alias of the launched application.
Version 1.2.1: July 23 1995
Fixed a bug that forgets the location of the color setting dialog.
Version 1.2.2: August 11 1995
Fixed a bug that consume memory unnecessarily when launching an application.
10. Special thanks
I would like to express my thanking to the following persons. They greatly helped me when developing the BBWindow.
