Monitor Bit-depth is a control strip module which allows you to change the bit-depth or resolution of a monitor, or to move the menu bar to another monitor. To use it, drop it in the Control Strip Modules folder inside the system folder and restart.
FEATURES:
• The module's menu contains the list of bit-depths your monitor supports. Control-clicking brings up a list of resolutions for the monitor. Double-clicking sets the monitor to its maximum bit-depth.
• If there is more than one monitor attached to your computer:
- In the Show All Monitors mode, the module displays all the monitors, arranged according to their positions. Clicking on a monitor brings up the list of bit-depths for that monitor. Command-clicking on a monitor moves the menu bar to that monitor if your system has the Display Manager (system 7.1.1 or greater). Control-clicking on a monitor brings up a list of resolutions for that monitor. Double-clicking on a monitor sets that monitor to its maximum bit-depth.
- In the Show One Monitor mode, only one monitor is shown, and the menu includes a list of the monitors. Command-clicking brings up the menu which allows you to move the menu bar to a different monitor if your system has the Display Manager (system 7.1.1 or greater). Control-clicking brings up a list of resolutions for the selected monitor. Double-clicking sets the selected monitor to its maximum bit-depth.
- Shift-clicking toggles between the two modes.
• On PowerBooks that support Thousands at 640x400 and has the Display Manager (system 7.1.1 or greater), that option is also listed as an available bit-depth in the pop-up menu. Selecting that shrinks the screen and sets it to Thousands. Selecting a lower bit-depth expands the screen and sets it to that bit-depth.
• Use balloon help to get some of the above information.
ICONS:
- Black & White
- 4 Colors/Grays
- 16 Colors/Grays
- 256 Colors
- 256 Grays
- Thousands
- Millions
- Main monitor
- External monitor
- Show One Monitor mode
- Show All Monitors mode
FEE:
• Free.
LIMITATIONS:
• The module will cause a crash if invoked while the monitor is initializing, such as during the restart process, or after waking up from After Dark, before the Finder is completely redrawn.
• If a monitor is positioned on top of another, moving the menu bar using the module may mess up the monitors' positions.
- OK
- Not OK
• With Display Manager 1.0 (System 7.5.1 or earlier), changes do not get saved, and changing resolutions using the module then using the Monitors CP may cause some problems such as screens overlapping. It is best to change back to the original resolution before using the Monitors CP.
• Resolutions that are not recommended (which only appears in the Monitors CP when you option-click on the "Options" button) are also listed in the pop-up menu. The verification dialog will not appear.
• No longer periodically checks to see if a monitor has been attached or removed during sleep. This has been done to improve compatibility. So theoretically, the module doesn't do anything in the background unless its icon needs to be redrawn. If a monitor has been attached or removed, the module doesn't resize until you click on it.
Use at your own risk, and email problems/comments to me at
tho_ha@quickmail.apple.com
or Larry Rosenthal at
cball@apple.com.
VERSION HISTORY:
1.4.1 - Internal changes.
1.4 - Add resolution changing.
1.3.2 - Fixed some memory problems that occur on PowerMacs. Removed periodic activities. See Limitations.
1.3.1 - Changed method of getting current numbers of colors.
1.3 - Shows the current bit-depth in the monitor icon.
1.2 - Added feature to show all monitors.
1.1.1 - Fixed a bug with millions of colors.
1.1 - Added feature to move the menu bar.
1.0 - Initial release.
CREDITS:
Based on Control Strip sample code by Steve Christensen, and Display Manager sample code by Eric Anderson.
