Forums > Social Discussion > Bored Of The Same Old Microsoft Windows Look?
Login/Join to ParticipateBRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
During the past few weeks i have been fully customizing my OS, some times it just looks and feels boring, if like me and you are always at your PC then it can be tedious and frustrating to be looking at the same dull microsoft system.
So today i did some thing about it
and brushed the cobwebs off of my new copy of photoshopCS and DesktopX and got busy designing and coding.
Having sat and thought about what i actualy want from my desktop i jotted some notes on paper and did a little delving around on the web for some samples and spent the last 6 hours solid running lefthanded keyboard shortcuts and tablet to the right hand!.. eekkk and only 3 coffee's during this whole period.
Well this is my first skin, and looking at some of what others have created, i think i have found some thing else that i can be good at.
So for your eyes only here she is!
Closed Menu System.
Non-Https Image Link
Main Menu Open.
Non-Https Image Link
Program Options Open.
Non-Https Image Link
Task Bar And System Tray + System Vitals.
Non-Https Image Link
HDD Short Cuts Open
Non-Https Image Link
Website Launchers.
Non-Https Image Link
Desktop Fully Open With All Menus.
Non-Https Image Link
Desktop image is from Windows Longhorn with this whole theme based on the Longhorn OS.
Longhorn as an OS is nice but i do not like the desktop structure or the clones based around it.
This desktop i based on longhorn with features from media center edition, i may yet add a photo frame on there some where that is openable when the PC is left in standby.
Weather Mod will display 5 different location that you can preset as default but you can tell it to display weather from where ever you want.
good if like me you like to travel around a lot, you can keep your eye on the weather there leading up to your trip or vacation.
Im thinking of releasing this desktop on the net, but i wanted to throw it up here amongst friends and get some feedback first before i throw it out there at the expert themers.
erm your comments are very much required tell me if its [censored] or not?
During the past few weeks i have been fully customizing my OS, some times it just looks and feels boring, if like me and you are always at your PC then it can be tedious and frustrating to be looking at the same dull microsoft system.
So today i did some thing about it
and brushed the cobwebs off of my new copy of photoshopCS and DesktopX and got busy designing and coding.Having sat and thought about what i actualy want from my desktop i jotted some notes on paper and did a little delving around on the web for some samples and spent the last 6 hours solid running lefthanded keyboard shortcuts and tablet to the right hand!.. eekkk and only 3 coffee's during this whole period.
Well this is my first skin, and looking at some of what others have created, i think i have found some thing else that i can be good at.
So for your eyes only here she is!
Closed Menu System.
Non-Https Image Link
Main Menu Open.
Non-Https Image Link
Program Options Open.
Non-Https Image Link
Task Bar And System Tray + System Vitals.
Non-Https Image Link
HDD Short Cuts Open
Non-Https Image Link
Website Launchers.
Non-Https Image Link
Desktop Fully Open With All Menus.
Non-Https Image Link
Desktop image is from Windows Longhorn with this whole theme based on the Longhorn OS.
Longhorn as an OS is nice but i do not like the desktop structure or the clones based around it.
This desktop i based on longhorn with features from media center edition, i may yet add a photo frame on there some where that is openable when the PC is left in standby.
Weather Mod will display 5 different location that you can preset as default but you can tell it to display weather from where ever you want.
good if like me you like to travel around a lot, you can keep your eye on the weather there leading up to your trip or vacation.Im thinking of releasing this desktop on the net, but i wanted to throw it up here amongst friends and get some feedback first before i throw it out there at the expert themers.
erm your comments are very much required tell me if its [censored] or not?
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
That is [censored] mad! Absolutely fantastic! Send this to MS and get a job within the evil corporate machine!!
That is [censored] mad! Absolutely fantastic! Send this to MS and get a job within the evil corporate machine!!
What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
BRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
id rather not be condemed as a criminal 
Written by: nearly_all_gone
That ismad! Absolutely fantastic! Send this to MS and get a job within the evil corporate machine!!
id rather not be condemed as a criminal BRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Posted:
That looks fantastic!
That looks fantastic!
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
BRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
should i do a custom PINK version too?
should i do a custom PINK version too?
BRONZE Member
ummmmmmm.............
724 posts
Location: Rotherham, UK
ummmmmmm.............
724 posts
Location: Rotherham, UK
Posted:
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH! PINK, MMMMMMMMMM But i have to say this is absolutely amazing bruv, nice one
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH! PINK, MMMMMMMMMM But i have to say this is absolutely amazing bruv, nice one
Only when the last tree has died
and the last river has been poisoned
and the last fish has been caught
will we realise that we
cannot eat money.
Cree Indian, 1909
BRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Posted:
I think a pink one would look even more fantastic
I think a pink one would look even more fantastic
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
GOLD Member
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Posted:
Oh man...can you do one in navy blue silver and white??
That's sweet.
Oh man...can you do one in navy blue silver and white??
That's sweet.
Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.
BRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
FOR MISS PINK!
Non-Https Image Link
For Miss Spitfire.
Non-Https Image Link
thanks for the comments guys.
i have emailed the guy that inspired me with this with a link to this thread so he can check out the screen shots and maybe give me some advice or comments.
FOR MISS PINK!
Non-Https Image Link
For Miss Spitfire.
Non-Https Image Link
thanks for the comments guys.
i have emailed the guy that inspired me with this with a link to this thread so he can check out the screen shots and maybe give me some advice or comments.
BRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Posted:
Oh the Pink one is amazing
Oh the Pink one is amazing
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
GOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted:
Nice work, PK.
However, shouldn't you be busy...I dunno...getting laid or something?
Nice work, PK.
However, shouldn't you be busy...I dunno...getting laid or something?
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
BRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
there are 3000 miles of stars between me and my good lady! only 19 days to wait..
there are 3000 miles of stars between me and my good lady! only 19 days to wait..
SILVER Member
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Posted:
That is the coolest desktop I have ever seen...puts my simple classic black screen and standard windows to shame and then some.
/me wishes he could be as cool as PK.
That is the coolest desktop I have ever seen...puts my simple classic black screen and standard windows to shame and then some.
/me wishes he could be as cool as PK.
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> STAY SAFE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug.gif" alt="" />
GOLD Member
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Posted:
Nice, pk! The blue works quite well, as does the original!
Ta!
Nice, pk! The blue works quite well, as does the original!
Ta!
Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.
BRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
also if people want to use this they can download desktopX for free from wincustomize.com.
Then from my gallery you can download this theme ho-mono.deviantart also people can look at my other works in my gallery as i dont post links to it from hop.
also if people want to use this they can download desktopX for free from wincustomize.com.
Then from my gallery you can download this theme ho-mono.deviantart
also people can look at my other works in my gallery as i dont post links to it from hop. DIAMOND Member
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Posted:
cool
Pk thats reall sweet
**hugs**
drew
cool
Pk thats reall sweet
**hugs**
drew
SILVER Member
old hand
768 posts
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
old hand
768 posts
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Posted:
very, very nice.
very, very nice.
taken out of context i must seem so strange
~ ani di franco
BRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
2,084 posts
Location: melbourne, victoria, australia
Pooh-Bah
2,084 posts
Location: melbourne, victoria, australia
Posted:
tres groovy. me like
tres groovy. me like
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,136 posts
Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,136 posts
Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
if it works for you and you really like it, that's great
personally having used lots of windowing systems in the past (through force as well as choice) and taking an interface design course at uni I know that theres a *lot* of thought that goes into their design (both asthetics and usability), which borders more on human psychology than prettiness/wow factor. A perfect example for me is apple pro keyboards. I got one because they look awesome. After typing one essay it went on ebay, the feel of it was horrible.
There's tonnes of simular window managers/themes for X, but despite having a linux/unix dev job I'm currently running plan standard windows xp on my main desktop. Other than proper inbuilt multiple desktop support it's my current favourite for useability. It's not suprising, MS have spent a *lot* of money and time on getting their interface just right for the average person to use efficiently
Yours does look nice, but can't really vote/comment till i'd used it for a good few hours.
if it works for you and you really like it, that's great
personally having used lots of windowing systems in the past (through force as well as choice) and taking an interface design course at uni I know that theres a *lot* of thought that goes into their design (both asthetics and usability), which borders more on human psychology than prettiness/wow factor. A perfect example for me is apple pro keyboards. I got one because they look awesome. After typing one essay it went on ebay, the feel of it was horrible.
There's tonnes of simular window managers/themes for X, but despite having a linux/unix dev job I'm currently running plan standard windows xp on my main desktop. Other than proper inbuilt multiple desktop support it's my current favourite for useability. It's not suprising, MS have spent a *lot* of money and time on getting their interface just right for the average person to use efficiently
Yours does look nice, but can't really vote/comment till i'd used it for a good few hours.
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
Thanks for that!
Written by: pk ....:™
also if people want to use this they can download desktopX for free from wincustomize.com.
Thanks for that!
What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
BRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Posted:
flid, it sounds like you know loads more about this than I do, but I’ll carry on anyway...!
I’ve never found windows nice to use. The whole windows management thing has never worked for me. I don’t think it’s just me though. I have had a few jobs working in different areas of computing over the last 6 years or so. From web design, graphic design, web programming to tech support. Most people I’ve talked to don’t like the design of windows and can think of at least one way to make it better.
PK, your design _looks_ nice. I can’t vote as I’ve not used it, but I suspect I would have the same issues with it because you’re stuck with the same core windows manager. (Unless you’ve programmed some sort of exposé into it as well)
I’ve tried out a few themes in the past with out liking them, but everyone used their computer in different ways and if you like to use it with that theme then good on you! To a Pro computer user (using a GUI) interface can be very important. I know I don’t like using other windows computers other than my own.
..wow I got though all that without saying the ‘A’ word! Aren’t I good?!
flid, it sounds like you know loads more about this than I do, but I’ll carry on anyway...!
I’ve never found windows nice to use. The whole windows management thing has never worked for me. I don’t think it’s just me though. I have had a few jobs working in different areas of computing over the last 6 years or so. From web design, graphic design, web programming to tech support. Most people I’ve talked to don’t like the design of windows and can think of at least one way to make it better.
PK, your design _looks_ nice. I can’t vote as I’ve not used it, but I suspect I would have the same issues with it because you’re stuck with the same core windows manager. (Unless you’ve programmed some sort of exposé into it as well)
I’ve tried out a few themes in the past with out liking them, but everyone used their computer in different ways and if you like to use it with that theme then good on you! To a Pro computer user (using a GUI) interface can be very important. I know I don’t like using other windows computers other than my own.
..wow I got though all that without saying the ‘A’ word! Aren’t I good?!
There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,136 posts
Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,136 posts
Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
Exactly. I've got an SGI Octane as part of my collection which I hardly ever use (except as a heater in winter) because I can't stand IRIX's window manager. But it must work for some people, anyone who'se seen recent CGI in films like Lord of the Rings will know the sort of stuff people can do with them! Personally i hate it.
I'm currently running Rat Poison on my HTPC. It's incredibly featureless, but for the application is perfect - fast, runs everything fullscreen by default and uses no mouse (just keyboard, which is great as I've mapped a remote control to all the keys I need).
Going back on topic thou (sorry) to PK's original question. Art is totally subjective, and if you like it/find it useful then someone else probably will too, so it's worth submitting. However, make sure it's complete. There's nothing worse than a skin which works great for some applications and doesn't at all/has missing parts in other areas. You need to think about what your target audience is going to use, not just the apps and uses you do.
Written by:
To a Pro computer user (using a GUI) interface can be very important
Exactly. I've got an SGI Octane as part of my collection which I hardly ever use (except as a heater in winter) because I can't stand IRIX's window manager. But it must work for some people, anyone who'se seen recent CGI in films like Lord of the Rings will know the sort of stuff people can do with them! Personally i hate it.
I'm currently running Rat Poison on my HTPC. It's incredibly featureless, but for the application is perfect - fast, runs everything fullscreen by default and uses no mouse (just keyboard, which is great as I've mapped a remote control to all the keys I need).
Going back on topic thou (sorry) to PK's original question. Art is totally subjective, and if you like it/find it useful then someone else probably will too, so it's worth submitting. However, make sure it's complete. There's nothing worse than a skin which works great for some applications and doesn't at all/has missing parts in other areas. You need to think about what your target audience is going to use, not just the apps and uses you do.
SILVER Member
slack rating - 9.5
2,216 posts
Location: Suburbiton, Yoo-Kay, United Kingdom
slack rating - 9.5
2,216 posts
Location: Suburbiton, Yoo-Kay, United Kingdom
Posted:
i know nothing about computers but dude... that looks baaad! even better than the descriptions you were trying to tell me...
i know nothing about computers but dude... that looks baaad! even better than the descriptions you were trying to tell me... It is our fantasies that make us real. Without our fantasies we're just a blank monkey' - Terry Pratchett
BRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
thanks flid, some interesting points you raise... no oppologies please.
last night i posted it on devart in my gallery, i just checked it a few mins agon and 329 downloads over night. eeeek
quite shocking... boosted my gallery stats up though hehe.
thanks flid, some interesting points you raise... no oppologies please.
last night i posted it on devart in my gallery, i just checked it a few mins agon and 329 downloads over night. eeeek
quite shocking... boosted my gallery stats up though hehe.
BRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
now running on 522 windows desktops accross the globe.... OMG. all in 3 days.
now running on 522 windows desktops accross the globe.... OMG. all in 3 days.
GOLD Member
Self-Flagellation Expert
3,414 posts
Location: Bogged at CG, Australia
Self-Flagellation Expert
3,414 posts
Location: Bogged at CG, Australia
Posted:
and its running on mine too, now. brilliantly done, though i prefer to still have a start bar. A little more network metering functionality would be cool too, like a bytes/sec meter, or a network device utilisation meter or something, but i think i can add that later.
I deleted the websites up in the top right, and i need to fiddle with the shortcuts to stuff like the movies on the 'center' horn. If you set it to 'current user' somehow, instead of administrator?
All in all though, a hell of a lot better than every other theme pack/desktop/stuff like that i've tried. Well done
and its running on mine too, now. brilliantly done, though i prefer to still have a start bar. A little more network metering functionality would be cool too, like a bytes/sec meter, or a network device utilisation meter or something, but i think i can add that later.
I deleted the websites up in the top right, and i need to fiddle with the shortcuts to stuff like the movies on the 'center' horn. If you set it to 'current user' somehow, instead of administrator?
All in all though, a hell of a lot better than every other theme pack/desktop/stuff like that i've tried. Well done
"beg beg grovel beg grovel"
"master"
--FSA
"There was an arse there, i couldn't help myself"
--Rougie
BRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
it is customized for my pc... so you will have to change a few things, but that is simple to do, glad you got it running and that you enjoy it.
Im going to add more to it i think, like an away mode where it will display a folder of images when every menu is closed!...
I also have an awsome WMP skin to go with this theme.
also you can still have the normal task bar and system tray .. just uncheck the boxes in the program and they will display... task bar shows if you alt tab too!.
more ideas on this skin to come i think!.... must to find a job first though! hehe
it is customized for my pc... so you will have to change a few things, but that is simple to do, glad you got it running and that you enjoy it.
Im going to add more to it i think, like an away mode where it will display a folder of images when every menu is closed!...
I also have an awsome WMP skin to go with this theme.
also you can still have the normal task bar and system tray .. just uncheck the boxes in the program and they will display... task bar shows if you alt tab too!.
more ideas on this skin to come i think!.... must to find a job first though! hehe
GOLD Member
Self-Flagellation Expert
3,414 posts
Location: Bogged at CG, Australia
Self-Flagellation Expert
3,414 posts
Location: Bogged at CG, Australia
Posted:
yeah, i got most of it sorted out the way im used to it. Thanks again.
yeah, i got most of it sorted out the way im used to it. Thanks again.
"beg beg grovel beg grovel"
"master"
--FSA
"There was an arse there, i couldn't help myself"
--Rougie
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