Extra AOL Features is an America Online resource file. It contains rewritten resources that, when installed, cause the AOL software to behave a little differently. Extra AOL Features has been tested with, and requires, version 2.5.1 or later of the America Online software.
Extra AOL Features has not been tested with version 3.0 of the America Online software and is not guaranteed to work with it.
Here are the features Extra AOL Features will give you:
1. The best feature of Extra AOL Features is that, when downloading art or otherwise updating the Online Database, the "Update" window is no longer a non-movable model dialog. YAY! Now whenever you're assaulted by the Update dialog, you can switch to other applications, or even switch it to the back and continue your work (switching the dialog to the back requires the use of the public domain "SendBackWindow FKEY").
2. The annoying "Reminder: AOL staff will never ask you for your password..." message will be gone from Instant Message and New Mail windows. Remember, once Extra AOL Features is installed, you'll no longer see his message so remember, nobody will ask you for your password or billing information (well, if someone does… then improvise).
3. The "Chat" menu is gone. Why? I decided to remove it because I was running out of menu bar real estate whenever the Chat menu was enabled (I have a 14" moniter). Also, the Chat Preferences are accessible via the Member Preferences. And I never access the Chat menu to use the Chat Sounds command, and when I did, all I had to do was type "{S Sound.Name}".
4. The Command-L keyboard shortcut has been removed from the Go To menu's "Lobby" command. I found myself booted into the Lobby far too many times when all I wanted to do was go to a Keyword (the K and L keys are too close to eachother, I think)
5. There is a very, very cool feature found in Extra AOL Features, but only registered users are allowed to access it. See how to register below.
How to install and Extra AOL Features:
Extra AOL Features is "transparently used" once it is installed. There is no user interface and there are no ways to customize it (well, there is, actually - see the For the power-users section below).
You can install Extra AOL Features in one of two ways (but not both):
1. If you want to use Extra AOL Features only once, without permanently installing it, just double-click it in the Finder - or open Extra AOL Features in the AOL software's Open dialog box.
2. If you want to permanently install Extra AOL Features - you can remove it later - change the name of Extra AOL Features to "Online One" and place it in your Online Files folder, which is in your America Online folder. Relaunch the AOL software and Extra AOL Features will be installed automatically.
If you already have an Online One file, then you can rename Extra AOL Features "Online Two" instead. And yes, if you have an Online Two file already, follow the pattern and rename Extra AOL Features "Online Three", etc.
How to install and use the SendBackWindow FKEY:
To install, drop the "SendBackWindow FKEY 9" font suitcase into your Fonts folder, which should be - unless something very strange has happened to your Mac -in your System Folder.
One fairly unknown fact about the Mac OS is that you can store and successfully execute FKEYs if they are stored in a font stuitcase. As long as the this font suitcase is in your Fonts folder, of course.
This copy of SendBackWindow FKEY has been set to ID=9. In other words, it is configured to execute when you press Command-Shift-9.
For the power-users out there:
If you enjoy using Extra AOL Features but there is a feature in it that you don't really like, you can easily remove the undesired resources in the Extra AOL Features file with a resource editor, such as ResEdit. I've made it pretty clear (in the Resource Set Info) which resources do what.
Shareware information:
Extra AOL Features is shareware. If you enjoy using it, please send me a dollar. Really! I'd feel a lot better if a dozen people send me one dollar than having one peron send me $12.
You know, it would feel darn good if a lot more than 12 people sent in a dollar. Please do me a favor and tell your friends about Extra AOL Features. :)
The benefits of sending in a dollar:
Once you've registered, you will gain access to Mystery Feature Number 5 (see the Extra AOL Features Features section above). Also, if there is a feature of Extra AOL Features that you don't like and you're hesitant to use ResEdit to customize it, I will prepare a custom patch that will remove the undesired features for you.
Contact information:
If you have any questions or comments about Extra AOL Features feel free to send me an email. The first address listed is prefered - it's my new home on the Internet - but if for some reason it doesn't work, try the second address (which is hopefully going to change the Winter of 96-97).
mailto:stefan@college.antioch.edu
mailto:stefana3@aol.com
And if you're an honest Net-izen, you can send one dollar to:
snailmail:Stefan Anthony,
snailmail:Stellaris Illustration and Design.
snailmail:924 Talus Drive
snailmail:Yellow Springs, OH, 45387
snailmail:USA
And one last thing…
Thank you for using Extra AOL Features!
- Stefan Anthony.
If you would like to bundle Extra AOL Features with any books or magazines or if you want to include it on any commercial CD-ROMs, you must contact the author at one of the above addresses.
Of course, all non-profit user groups may distribute Extra AOL Features to their members at no charge.
All company names and software titles in this document are owned by their respective owners. This software is provided “AS IS” and without warranty of any kind. Failure to abide by these rules can result in 15 years in prison and $10,000 in fines, per offense.
