a color scheme created for Kaleidoscope 1.5 through 1.7.3 (as of this writing)
by Mihai Parparita
<mailto:mihai@mscape.com>
URL:<http://www.mscape.com/mihai/kaleidoscope/>
included files
Read Me -- this document
MetaGray -- the color scheme (with icons)
SubMetaGray -- the icon-less color scheme
introduction
MetaGray is a colour scheme created as a plug-in for the popular Kaleidoscope Mac OS human interface alteration device by Greg Landweber (greg@math.harvard.edu) and company.
If you donﾕt have the Kaleidoscope control panel installed, download the package from your local info-mac mirror or from Gregﾕs Web Site <URL:http://greg.math.harvard.edu>. When you have Kaleidoscope installed, drop the MetaGray colour scheme file into the ﾔKaleidoscope Color Schemesﾕ folder in the ﾔExtensionsﾕ folder of your ﾔSystem Folder,ﾕ open the Kaleidoscope control panel, and select the MetaGray scheme.
fees and retributions
MetaGray is freeware; share and enjoy! Though, an email would be nice.
design rationale
MetaGray is a scheme that I created as an experiment in the use of dark grays and bevels. It uses 5 shades of gray (including black) for most of its elements. Every elements appears to be pushed in when clicked. This is also the first scheme in which I drew every single interface element.
future plans
The scroll bars need a bit more work, but I can't think of a way to do them over and still fit in with the interface. All suggestions are welcome. I'm also thinking of adding accent colors (or color variants of the scheme). And 4 bit support should be added too (B&W is very unlikely).
suggested use
Hereﾕs how I use MetaGray. Only with this configuration will you be using MetaGray the way it was intended.
The system font is Tecton 12 (bundled with Kaleidoscope), the icon font is Geneva 9. I use the MetaGray version (with the icons) since they fit in much better than the standard Kaleidoscope/MacOS 8 icons. I also like to color my window backgrounds to the same shade of gray used in the finder headers (H: 0｡ S:0% V: 20% or R: 20% G: 20% B:20%). This is very vital if you want the folders to look as if they are a part of the window. The desktop pattern is the same color, because I want the disks and folders on the desktop to fit in. The included clipping shows the color & pattern you should be using.
notes on naming
Following the tradition of my previous scheme, UltraBlack, MetaGray uses its main color as its name.
credit where credit is due:
･ All the Kaleidoscope guides out there
･ Scheme Checker
･ Designer's Studio
feedback
I always welcome e-mail about the scheme, and would love to see any variants based on this one.
distribution and legal information
Distribution of MetaGray without SubMetaGray and this accompanying ﾔRead Meﾕ is prohibited. Modification of this colour scheme and distribution of modified schemes under the name of MetaGray is prohibited.
MetaGray is freeware, but is copyright and is not in the public domain. Permission is granted to include MetaGray on CD-ROMs and other media sold as goods, provided that Mihai Parparita, the author, is notified (a complementary copy is welcomed, but optional). This includes cover disks and cover CD-ROMs supplied with computer magazines.
