Window Tamer 2.1 requires a PowerPC-based computer running Mac OS 8.1 or later. Window Tamer 2.1 takes advantage of new features in Mac OS 8.5, 8.6 and 9.0. If you are using Mac OS 8.0, you can upgrade to Mac OS 8.1 for free at Apple's Mac OS 8.1 Update page. I also encourage users of Mac OS 8.5 to upgrade to Mac OS 8.6 for free at Apple's Mac OS 8.6 Update page.
For Mac OS 8.1 users, you will need to make sure that an additional library, which is not installed during a default Mac OS 8.1 installation, is present in your Extensions folder. Open your startup disk, find and open the System Folder, and finally locate the Extensions folder and open it. If you don't see a library named SOMobjects for Mac OS, do the following:
- Insert your Mac OS 8.1 installation CD into your CD-ROM drive.
- Locate and open the folder named Full Install Pieces. This folder can be found in the main window of the CD, but you may have to scroll around a bit to find it.
- Scroll down and open the folder named Software Installers.
- Locate and open the folder named OpenDoc.
- Double-click on the Installer icon in the OpenDoc folder.
- From the pop-up menu in the installation window, choose Custom Install.
- In the list of available installation parts, click the checkbox next to the item named SOMobjects for Mac OS. You do not need to install OpenDoc itself.
- Click the Install button. After the installation has completed, proceed with the instructions given below for installing Window Tamer 2.1.
The extension you've just installed allows Mac OS 8.1 to use Contextual Menu plugins, such as the one included with Window Tamer. Mac OS 8.5 and later automatically installs this extension so you don't have to go through the hassle of doing it manually.
When you download and decompress Window Tamer 2.1, you will get a folder called Window Tamer 2.1. In the future, this folder will be referred to as your Window Tamer distribution folder. Presumably you have already done this since you are reading this file.
The simplest method of installation is to use the provided installation script. Simply double-click on Install Window Tamer 2.1, located in your Window Tamer distribution folder, and follow the instructions. Any previous version of Window Tamer will be moved to the trash. If the script should fail (or if you want to know exactly what is installed and where) see the Manual Installation Instructions.
You can easily remove Window Tamer 2.1 by double-clicking on the script Remove Window Tamer located in your Window Tamer distribution folder. Simply follow the prompts presented by the script. All of Window Tamer's files will be moved to the trash. Please note that you will need to restart before you can delete Window Tamer Extension.
Window Tamer 2.1 consists of three files which reside in a folder called Install Pieces within your Window Tamer distribution folder. To manually install, open the Install Pieces folder, select the three files shown below.
Drop these files on top of your closed System Folder on your startup disk. You will be presented with a dialog similar to the following:
Press the OK button and installation is complete. You must restart for Window Tamer 2.1 to load. If you see any errors, please refer to the section on Installation Problems.
Problem
When I try to install, I get an error message saying, "You cannot replace the system extension 'Window Tamer Extension' because it is in use."
Remedy
Open the System Folder on your startup disk, then locate and open the Extensions Folder. Find the item named Window Tamer Extension and drag it to the trash. You will not be able to empty the trash until you have restarted your computer. Now locate the new version of Window Tamer Extension in the Install Pieces folder of your Window Tamer distribution folder and copy it into your Extensions Folder.
Problem
I'm running Mac OS 8.1 and Window Tamer does not show up when I open the contextual menu.
Remedy
Unless you have installed OpenDoc, the Mac OS 8.1 installer does not install a library needed for Contextual Menu plugins. See the instructions for installing SOMobjects for Mac OS.