Modify "Computer Name" screen saver .saver file

Question

Modify "Computer Name" screen saver .saver file

I would like to modify the "Computer Name" screen saver application with a new logo and add one or more lines. What application will allow me to modify the "Computer Name" .saver file?

Intel MacPro, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Dec 27, 2010 4:57 PM

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Answer 1

red_menace

Level 6

17,066 points

Dec 27, 2010 7:00 PM in response to Michael Foley1

You can't modify the screen saver executable, you would have to recompile the project from the original source. The existing screen saver already has the ability to use one or more lines of your own text, which just leaves the graphic - this can be changed by hacking on a copy of the *Computer Name.saver*, but it may be a bit complicated depending on your level of knowledge (e.g. changing several .plist files in the saver bundle and creating a .tiff file with a transparency mask). There may also be copyright issues if this is something you want to distribute.

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Answer 2

Dec 28, 2010 7:33 AM in response to red_menace

Thanks - Knowledge of programming level just above none - I am more of a hacker type not a software engineer - I want to change the Apple logo to a DoD one and add, besides the computer name, the classification of the workstations/servers with the appropriate classification color. The screen saver will only be on closed/restricted LANs within the company space - now the 64 hundred dollar question: on how to modify the .saver file or should I just change the extention to something else and use ICEBERG etc to recompile the code? - I did have an Apple SE in here and he thought that maybe QUARTZ COMPOSER might help - if I have too, I will learn that program and try to make one - and hopefully have it done before December 2012.

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Answer 3

red_menace

Level 6

17,066 points

Dec 28, 2010 6:40 PM in response to Michael Foley1

A screen saver can be created using Xcode or *Quartz Composer*. You can double-click on a QC file to play with it, but the *Computer Name* screen saver would need to be recompiled from source. The screen saver graphic can be changed without modifying the screen saver code, but the background color is set to black. Is your classification color going to be a part of the graphic (that makes it easier)?

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Answer 4

Jan 2, 2011 8:12 AM in response to red_menace

thank you
the background can remain black, but i would like to have the text shown with the right classification colors (i.e. green for unclassify, red for secret etc)

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Answer 5

red_menace

Level 6

17,066 points

Jan 2, 2011 10:56 AM in response to Michael Foley1

There isn't that much you can do with an existing screensaver other than what is provided in its settings. The *Computer Name* screensaver has a black background, with gray text and an image. There is already an option to change the text, and the image can be changed by hacking a few .plist items (since it is defined in the bundle). You are looking at changing things in this screensaver that there is no access to though, so you will probably need to write your own screensaver or perhaps modify an existing Quartz composition.

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Answer 6

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jan 2, 2011 11:25 AM in response to Michael Foley1

Start with a google search for *login banner mac*. You should be able to find something that will meet your needs. Additionally, download and peruse the Mac OS X 10.6 Security Guide. Whether or not you can use the classification color scheme is left as an exercise.

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