Instructions on installing replacement color trashcans for System 7
Trashcans and Documentation by Doug Quinn
◊Introduction
This folder contains two collections of replacement color trashcans for use on Macs running System 7.0 or later. In order to use these icons, you need a working knowledge of ResEdit 2.1 or later and some experience with editing System resources. WARNING! Do NOT attempt to edit an open (in use) System file! Always make a copy of your System file and edit that one; when you are through, you can rename the files and restart your Mac to take advantage of your new trashcan.
◊The Basic How To
1) Make a copy of your System file (not your System folder). Drag it out of your System folder (the desktop works fine).
2) Launch ResEdit.
3) Open the copy of your System file (the one you wish to edit).
4) Open a color trashcan replacement file.
5) There are three resources in the color trashcan file: an icl8, icl4, and ICN# resource. You will need to select each resources individually, copy that resource using the Copy command under the Edit menu, and paste that resource into your System file. You need to copy all three resources! When you paste the new resource into the System file, you will see a dialog box asking if you want to overwrite the existing icon resources or enter a unique id number. You want to override the default selection and press the YES button, replacing the existing System trashcan. Note: this is a permanent change to your System file! Do this only to a copy of your System file; always have a backup of the original on a floppy in case you need to revert to your original System.
6) Close all open files and save changes.
7) Drag your existing System file out of your System folder; place the edited file into the System folder and restart your Mac. When the desktop appears, you should have your new trashcan, all set and ready to go.
◊Deeper Things and Ethical Considerations
The above, step-by-step instructions are very basic. I recommend that if you don't have much experience with ResEdit and editing resources, you pick up one of the several very good books on the subject before you attempt to hack your System file. Your System file is perhaps the most delicate thing on your hard disk; blindly going in and changing things can result in unpredictable and dangerous System problems. I assume that most people who will come into contact with these files already have a fair amount of knowledge about such things; all I can say is, enjoy!
Doug’s Original Trashcans collection: Several of these color trashcans originated as black and white icons by yours truly as far back as '85; if some of them appear familiar, it is because you have been using a Mac for quite a while! All of the color versions were done in late February/early March, 1992, when I should have been studying but instead was playing with my new LC.
Doug’s Pop Culture Trashcans collection: These files were put together during my novitiate year at Mount Paul, Oak Ridge, New Jersey. Being out in the middle of the woods in a monastery gives you lots of free time. The trashcans were drawn (with the exception of the dinosaur, which I pilfered from another icon collection and modified) while I was playing with my new Mac IIcx in the early days of June, 1993.
All trashcans are free and released into the public domain. If you have questions, comments, or want to send me holiday greetings come December, I can be reached on CIS at 76330,350; on AOL at XENOPHON1; and on DELPHI at XENOPHON.
