Rainbow Folders

FAQ

Thislist of Frequently Asked Questions and answers.

Q: What for do you need those postcards (see License) ?
A: First of all because I don't want to demand money for this program, because probably noone will pay it in that case. But writing this program took some of my time, and it cost me a lot of work so I think that postcard is a fair price. If you want comparison, a comercial program with smaller possibilities than mine costs 20$, so postcard isn't to much that way ? Also only one postcard (probably cost is lower then 0,5$)can make a lot of fun - it's a phisical proof that someone is using my software. I can't boat for mail with thanks, but postcard - yes, I can :). Secondly when I get more postcards (I have few for my other Postcardware distributed software) I'll start to officialy collect them :)). Thirdly because I know from my experience that sometimes software I paid for (even a symbolic price) is more respected then truely free one.

Q: Is it hard to write such program ?
A : Generaly very easy, but in this case I was very pissed off by the undocumented fact that every icon that replaces orginal icon of folder must have unique name (best with lots of numbers). After a week of tries and very annoying self decolorizing of colorized folders I found the fact. That not very good part of making this program, which almost driven me crazy :))). Most of the informations about modifying shell because this is the proper name for it) I've found on Microsoft Developer Network (well, at least they have big detailed documention for their software :).

Q: Why colorized folder have a little different color then the one I have chosen ?
A: Because system doesn't support using True Color icons as the folder icon, so before saving the icon have colort depth decreased to 16 bit (High Color). Because in the High Color there aren't all colors, maybe there isn't the color which you have selected, but there is very very close to it, so you won't see the difference.

Q: Can I send you also e-mail (not only postcard) ?
A: Of course you can. You should also write your e-mail on the postcard you are sending me, or you will never know if it's lost or something, and I won't know where should I send thanks.

Q: Can I change the folder icon manualy ?
A: You can, but you must: have a good know about INI files, colorize your icon in graphic program, decrease the color depth, set good palette in icon editor, name it unique, and know few strange system numbers (called CLSIDs), also you must know how to use dos command ATTR. But what for ? RF does it all in a few seconds.

Q: What programming language you have used ?
A: This program is written in Delphi, just like my others programms. Are you interested in Delphi or you don't know which programming language choose for the start ? Visit producer site: www.borland.com.

Q: In the colorized folder I've found two strange hidden files. May I just delete them ?
A: No !!! This two files are needed to colorize folder. If they are annoying you, just turn off option 'Show hidden and system files' in Explorer's options but don't delete them !!!

Q: Are you going to chase unregistered users using this program after one week ?
A: No, I can't do this in any way. If someone thinks that the postcard is too expensive, he doesn't have to send it to me. But I have one question then - where did he get his computer from ? Was it cheaper than one postcard, hmmm ?

Q: Why there is another help file in Polish if whole program is in English ?
A: Because the program detects the language of the system and if it's not Polish, it switch itself to English mode. Normaly it's in the Polish mode, so the Polish help file is needed.

Q: Why the values of hue and saturation can be in ranage 0 - 240 ?
A: Because it's how the HSL (Hue, Saturation, Light) color system is constructed. By setting hue and saturation chosen by user and the light that was originaly to every pixel of the image you get the colorized like effect. This is how it works.

Q: Why there's no help in Italian & German ?
A: Sorry, I only know Polish & English, translation of interface to Italian & German was made by someone else (see Thanks section in the help file).

Q: I see a typical unknown file icon instead of colorized folder icon. What should I do ?
A: Delete the file called ShellIconCache located in the C:\WINDOWS directory. It should help.

Q: Under Windows 2000 after colorizeing, the folder icon looks totaly 'broken'. Can you do something with this ?
A: I'm sorry but I can't. It seems that there's a strange incompatibilty between Rainbow Folders and few editions of Windows 2000.

Q: I can't see colorized folders in Windows (Total) Commander. Why ?
A: Go to Windows Commander configuration dialog and check the option called 'Show system & hidden files' or similiar.

Ifyou didn't find answer to your question: Writeto me.