SSR does pretty much just what it says it does: It will randomize the startup screen you see when you startup your mac. If you put the nifty little applescript (which you can edit if you want, btw) in the ShutDown Items folder in your system folder, then whenever you shut down a new startup screen will be chosen. alternatively, you could put it in the Startup Items folder and it would have the same effect. Because of the way the algorithm works, you will NEVER get the same startup screen twice in a row, although it is possible to switch back and forth between two of them. That scenerio is likely if you restart your computer several times in a short period of time because then the randomizer gets a nearly-the-same value for the seed and so will probably pick the same number that it did just a minute ago. One thing is that you won't get a progress bar when using these startup screens...another is that if you crash and have the option checked to "warn if shutdown improperly," (in the General Controls panel) then you will only get to see the screen until the "verifying hard drive" message pops up...after which the startup screen disappears and doesn't come back. Just warning you. Also if you put it in the ShutDown Items folder (as opposed to the startup items folder) then if you crash-restart you'll get the same startup screen you just had because the script didn't get run. In fact, it's probably better to put it in the startup items folder so that doesn't happen. But it just makes more sense to me to put it in the shutdown items because it needs to be run before shutdown to have effect...but they both work so I guess it's your call. oh yeah, i got most of the startup screens from "http://www.resexcellence.com/user_moss.shtml" its a great source so you should check it out.
Note:
In case you can't see/didn't get the instructions in the window, to install SSR you need to move the following files to their respective destinations:
• The applescript "Startup Screen Randomizer" goes to the ShutDown Items or Startup Items folder in your system folder.
• the file "StartupScreen" goes inside your system folder
• the folder "Startup Screens" goes inside your system folder.
Customizing SSR:
To add more startup screens to the mix, just rename them to "StartupScreenX", where "X" is the number one greater than the current greatest number in the "Startup Screens" folder. For example, it comes with 7 in the folder, so if you want to add another one you name it "StartupScreen8" and then put it in the folder with the rest of them. if you want any more info on startup screens or hacking your mac in general, you should check out http://www.resexcellence.com/
***WARNING***
Do NOT change the name of the folder "Startup Screens" or any items inside, OR the startup screen which starts in your system folder. if you do, the applescript will return an error. Then again, you can edit the applescript if the names "StartupScreen" and "Startup Screens" are too boring for you. but if you do, I take no responsibility for the effect it has on your system.
***WARNING***
Contact Info:
kresmoi@mac.com
ICQ #13870369
http://homepage.mac.com/kresmoi/
feel free to drop a line.
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This software is provided "as is" and as such the auther is not responsible for any loss of data or harm to your computer that may occur through the use, knowledge of, or hearsay therefrom.
