Apple TIL articles: Generic icons in Launcher; Desktop Picture lost; Jittery USB mouse movement; PB G3 display marks

Generic icons in Launcher (and a tip) A TIL article (#60455) on the Launcher explains what to do, if after dragging folders with custom icons onto the Launcher, the Launcher buttons have generic folder icons. Essentially, you need to locate the alias for the folders in the Launcher Items subfolder and select Get Info for them - to get the Finder to update them. In the course of this, Apple cited a trick that we did not know about: "Option-click on a Launcher category button to open the related Launcher Items subfolder."

Desktop Picture lost after a OS custom install TIL article #60456 notes that, on iMac and Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White) computers, when the Mac OS 8.5.x Installer is run, a subcomponent of the Installer is run in the background to install CPU-specific software support for these computers. During this part of the install process, the Mac OS Preferences file is replaced. One result of this is any Desktop Picture preference setting will be lost.

Jittery mouse movement when copying files from Zip drive on a G3/BW TIL article #60457 states: "When you are using your computer, it constantly updates the mouse position, regardless of what other tasks the computer is performing. ADB signals generally have a high priority over other tasks, which means you can always move the mouse even if your computer is busy. With this particular issue, the Zip driver is taking more of the CPU time than the USB mouse driver. The cursor position is updated less frequently, resulting in the jumpy cursor movement. Apple is aware of this issue and is investigating possible solutions.

The behavior is most apparent when the Finder Copy window is the active window. To minimize the behavior during file copies to and from the Zip drive, click in another window to make it active instead of the Finder Copy window.

PowerBook G3: marks at base of display TIL article #24961 asks: "When looking at the display on my PowerBook G3 Series (Bronze keyboard), I notice a row of small marks on the display. What causes these marks, and are they permanent? Answer: These marks are the result of the edges of the keycaps on the keyboard touching the glass that covers the display. These marks are not permanent and can be removed by gently wiping off the display with a clean cloth. Periodically wiping off the keyboard and display will reduce the visibility of any marks on the display." The article explains more details.