Six Icons for DOS Applications


After downloading Len Gray's PBIcon (Version 1.0), I spent an afternoon
playing with icons for standard DOS apps that I launch from Windows 3.  The
enclosed icons are the result.

These files are in the *.ICN format that Len's program generates.  However,
I have also enclosed a .BMP file with the originals so that anyone may
clean them up or add color.  I suppose that isn't necessary since PBIcon
also brings icons back to Paintbrush for editing.  (These are black and
white icons because I have a grey scale VGA monitor.)

You'll find enclosed in the original .ZIP file:

  -  An icon for Lotus 1-2-3 (Release 2.2).  This one is a little ragged
     but it's the best I could do.  Any suggestions for alternates would be
     appreciated.

  -  An icon for WordPerfect that is as close as I could get to copying
     their own icon for the Mac environment.  I'm torn between this and the
     blue butterfly icon, BFLY.ZIP, which was uploaded to CIS by another
     author.

  -  The Microsoft Works icon is derived from that company's icon for the
     Mac version of Works.  I used artistic license to vary it slightly.

  -  For Procomm's icon I struggled quite a while.  Datastorm Technology
     uses a lightening bolt in their logo.  For the life of me I couldn't
     get it right.  I gave up.  You'll see soon enough how I interpreted
     "data storm."

  -  Two icons that I developed to represent Lotus Freelance Plus.  This is
     a drawing program, so I wanted something representing the tools or
     process of drawing.  One of the icons is a chubby pencil.  Cute--but
     not what I wanted.  Then I made a drawing compass.  For now, that's
     what I'm using for Freelance.  Both of these are generic enough that
     they could be used for many different programs.

To use these icons, have the Program Manager of Windows 3 showing and then:
  1  Highlight\click the generic DOS icon that you want to replace.
  2  From the File Menu of Program Manager choose Properties...
  3  From the Program Properties dialogue box choose Change Icon...
  4  Type in the name of the new icon (for example, lotus.icn).
  5  You may choose the View Next button but I don't believe it's
     necessary.  Then click the OK buttons to leave both dialogue boxes. 
     The icon should now be in place.

You can preview the icons by opening the .bmp file in Paintbrush.  You can
change the icons by downloading Len Gray's fine program, PBIC10.ZIP from
CompuServe.

This little effort is dedicated to 
  Bill Gates because I find Windows 3 to be so much fun, 
  to Len Gray because his nifty program filled a spot in my library, 
  and to the Capital Area Microcomputer Society of Albany, NY.


Brien G. Muller (CIS 73010,31)                                 July 1, 1990