RandomBeep is a control panel that allows your Macintosh to change its alert sound each time it needs to alert you. Instead of hearing the sound selected in the Sound control panel, you’ll hear one of any number of sounds selected in RandomBeep.
What is RandomBeep compatible with?
A Mac Plus or newer is required running System 6 or 7. RandomBeep has been tested with System 6.0.7 through 7.1. It may not work properly with other control panels or system extensions that affect the alert sound (such as SoundMaster). It is compatible with 32-bit addressing and virtual memory. RandomBeep was made to be as robust as possible, but there’s bound to be some combination of things that cause it to misbehave. If it doesn’t work for you, use the process of elimination to discover the incompatibilities, then contact me. My e-mail addresses are listed below.
How much memory does RandomBeep use?
RandomBeep itself occupies less than 5K of memory. Each selected sound requires an additional 2 bytes. When a sound is played, it is also in memory. For best results, avoid using sounds larger than about 12K. Big sounds shouldn’t cause your Macintosh to crash but may cause memory fragmentation.
How do I install RandomBeep?
Drag RandomBeep onto your closed system folder. If your are running System 7, it will find its way to the “Control Panels” folder inside the system folder.
How do I use RandomBeep?
If you are running System 7, select “Control Panels” from the Apple menu. Then locate RandomBeep and double-click on it. With System 6, select “Control Panel” from the Apple menu. Then scroll down until RandomBeep appears in the window and click on it. The RandomBeep control panel appears:
Alert Sounds - This shows the sounds currently available in your system. Choose which sounds you want RandomBeep to play by clicking on them.
Random - The alert sound will be selected randomly if this is selected.
Sequential - The alert sound to be selected alphabetically if this option is on.
Try It - This allows you to test run the current settings.
About - This shows the version number and other information.
Show Startup Icon - When checked, this will cause an icon to be displayed while your Macintosh is starting. Note that RandomBeep can be active whether this option is on or off. To disable RandomBeep, remove it from the System Folder and restart your Macintosh. You can temporarily disable RandomBeep without restarting by deselecting all of the sounds.
Does RandomBeep have any side-effects?
Yes, it has one that I know of, but it’s pretty minor: if RandomBeep is active, the Sound control panel will not play the selected sound when you click on one in the list or on the volume control. This anomaly cannot be avoided; the Sound control panel unknowingly calls RandomBeep. But don’t throw away your Sound control panel just yet! RandomBeep does not allow you to add or delete sounds or adjust the speaker volume.
How do I add or delete sounds?
RandomBeep uses the sounds installed in your system file so you’ll need to add or delete sounds from your system file. With System 7, you can drag sound files in or out of the system file. With System 6, you will need to use ResEdit or some other utility to add or delete sound resources.
What about the legal stuff?
RandomBeep is freeware but it is not in the public domain. You can use it and give it away, just don’t charge anything for it. RandomBeep is not to be distributed if altered in any way. Permission is required for distribution on CD-ROM. This document must be included with any distribution. RandomBeep is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind.
