One of the strongest aspects of the Mac platform is that it is great for kids. Apple has proven their leadership in the educational marketplace with quality hardware and software. Kids love their Macs because Apple empowers them. They can name their Macs and give them a personality by customizing sounds, desktop patterns, games, images, icons and more. The Kidcon‚Ñ¢ Icon Collection is meant as a reminder that kids use and love computers just as much as us "adults". The entire collection was created in just a few days in a blitz of creativity that seemed to come from deep in the kids in us. Brainstorming this set was a blast as it brought memories from our childhood flooding back to the surface. We hope you enjoy Kidcons enough to decorate your Mac with the collection even if you're a grown-up!
The enclosed folder contains over 60 custom Kidcon icons for children of all ages. This fun and playful set was drawn by hand utilizing bold lines and striking colors to bring out the kid in everyone. There are Kidcon replacements for the standard Mas OS items like blank folders and the trash can as well as scores of toys and objects that are sure to loosen up any Macintosh. Whether your eight or eighty, we're sure you'll enjoy the Kidcon Icon Collection as long as you're young at heart!
Although a shareware fee is not required to make use of these files, contributions are encouraged and can be sent to:
The Iconfactory
c/o Gedeon Maheux
5251-F Fox Hunt Dr.
Greensboro, NC 27407
How To make Use of Kidcons as Mac Icons:
1. You need system 7 or higher.
2. Do a "Get Info" (File menu) on the original Kidcon icon file that you want to use.
3. Click on the icon in the window; choose "Copy" (Edit menu).
4. Close the window, then "Get Info" on destination file/disk.
5. Click on the icon, choose "Paste" (Edit menu).
6. Don't forget to e-mail us and let us know what you think!
On replacing the trash icon:
Many people ask us how to go about replacing their Mac's trash icon with a custom one such as those that come with this set. There are several ways to go about replacing the trash icon, but we don't recommend messing around with system resources unless you are fairly versed with ResEdit. If you're not sure you want to mess with the guts of your Mac's system files then may we recommend a program called Zonkers! from Nova Development. Zonkers provides users with a safe, fast and easy way to customize ALL system level icons with the click of a mouse. If you'd like to learn more about Zonkers! for the Mac and all the neat things it can do then head for: <http://www.novadevcorp.com>
Contact The Author:
Gedeon Maheux - gedeonM@aol.com
The Iconfactory - icnfactory@aol.com
More Stuff for your Mac:
For the ultimate collection of kick butt icons for the Macintosh, we've created a place called The Iconfactory. The Iconfactory has quickly established itself as the premiere web page for Macintosh icons. If your tired of looking for quality icons for your Mac, but only finding junk, then The Iconfactory is for you! We would love to have you add The Iconfactory to your list of bookmarks. The URL is:
http://www.iconfactory.com
If desktop patterns are more your cup of tea, then you'll want to visit The DeskStop: 3D Desktop Patterns for your Mac. Mindy Weaver & Gedeon Maheux have started the site as a one-stop source for cool, dimensional textures for use on the web, with 3D modeling software or just on your Mac's desktop. Drop by The DeskStop today at:
http://members.aol.com/deskstop/index.html
Thanks:
This set could not have been created without the creative support of my girlfriend Mindy (of Deskstop fame) and my roomate Talos Tsui. Ideas for all of the icons in this set flowed out of our brains like water, and creating the icons themselves was almost as fast. This set was just plain fun to create and I couldn't have done it without Min & Talos. - Ged
