newbie curious about wb5 compatibility
Thursday, February 16, 2006 by leafdesigner | Discussion: WindowBlinds
I'm very interested in purchasing WindowBlinds, but being the cautious type I wanted to post this message on the forums first. First of all, I've never used this type of software before, so I'm hesitant to dive right in and try it (even the trial version). My OS works great and I don't like tinkering with it. However, the Windows xp GUI, although unoffensive, is about as exciting as Cream of Wheat without the sugar. So that led me on a search to improve its appearance and that led me to WindowBlinds 5. I am most concerned with potential conflicts with my graphics card and software I run on a daily basis. So I'm going to give a brief description of my system and software. If anyone knows of any "red flag" issues with WindowBlinds 5, I'd appreciate hearing about it.
System info:
OS: Windows xp SP2
CPU: Pentium IV @3.0 Ghz w/ HT
Memory: 1 GB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM
Graphics card: Radeon X300 SE, 128 MB
primary software:
Adobe Photoshop CS
Adobe Illustrator CS2
Adobe GoLive 6
Corel WordPerfect 11
Norton SystemWorks 2004
Norton Internet Security 2006
leafdesigner
System info:
OS: Windows xp SP2
CPU: Pentium IV @3.0 Ghz w/ HT
Memory: 1 GB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM
Graphics card: Radeon X300 SE, 128 MB
primary software:
Adobe Photoshop CS
Adobe Illustrator CS2
Adobe GoLive 6
Corel WordPerfect 11
Norton SystemWorks 2004
Norton Internet Security 2006
leafdesigner
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Adamness
Reply #2 Thursday, February 16, 2006 10:30 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, February 16, 2006 10:30 PM
I'd be surprised if you have any problems. I'd say go for it. 
leafdesigner
Reply #3 Friday, February 17, 2006 12:50 AM
Reply #3 Friday, February 17, 2006 12:50 AM
I appreciate your responses. One thing I forgot to mention: I also have an LCD display and use Clear type tuner- will I still be able to run that with Window Blinds? I really hate the jaggedy fonts when not using the tuner.
leafdesigner
Reply #4 Friday, February 17, 2006 12:51 AM
Reply #4 Friday, February 17, 2006 12:51 AM
I appreciate your responses. One thing I forgot to mention: I also have an LCD display and use Clear type tuner- will I still be able to run that with Window Blinds? I really hate the jaggedy fonts when not using the tuner.
leafdesigner
Reply #5 Friday, February 17, 2006 12:53 AM
Reply #5 Friday, February 17, 2006 12:53 AM
Woops- accidentally posted that last message twice! 
aimzzz
Reply #6 Friday, February 17, 2006 1:08 AM
Reply #6 Friday, February 17, 2006 1:08 AM
It works beautifully with LCD/Clear Type-- I'm using it now
aimzzz
Reply #7 Friday, February 17, 2006 1:15 AM
Reply #7 Friday, February 17, 2006 1:15 AM
Also, there are a few programs that do not want to be skinned (not many). If you have a program that does not perform as expected with WB5, there is a Per Application option that allows the you to exclude that program from being skinned by WB5. You can always check here in the forums to see if other people had to exclude that program or if there is a change in settings that allows it to be skinned. 
leafdesigner
Reply #8 Friday, February 17, 2006 1:18 AM
Reply #8 Friday, February 17, 2006 1:18 AM
I'm curious- if the program doesn't want to be skinned- will it default to Windows classic (yuk) or your previous xp settings (in my case the silver xp theme)? Off the subject- doncha love the clear type tuner?
Bichur
Reply #9 Friday, February 17, 2006 1:38 AM
if only it was that simple...they all react a little different...it may not open, menus may not show, etc... sometimes just skinning the taskbar will work on some programs
fortunately, that's not too many
Reply #9 Friday, February 17, 2006 1:38 AM
| I'm curious- if the program doesn't want to be skinned- will it default to Windows classic (yuk) |
if only it was that simple...they all react a little different...it may not open, menus may not show, etc... sometimes just skinning the taskbar will work on some programs
fortunately, that's not too many
leafdesigner
Reply #10 Friday, February 17, 2006 2:05 AM
Reply #10 Friday, February 17, 2006 2:05 AM
Right. What I meant was if you exclude the program from being skinned, will it default to classic?
leafdesigner
Reply #11 Friday, February 17, 2006 2:05 AM
Reply #11 Friday, February 17, 2006 2:05 AM
BTW- where is this frog coming from? I'm not putting it there.
ZubaZ
Reply #14 Friday, February 17, 2006 8:02 AM
When you submit via SDC the lizard-monkey image is atached. Bow down before the lizard-monkey.
{Some say that it's a chameleon, and represents the changing skin focus of the site [Take a look at the logo at the top of Wincustomize.com] but those that know, worship the lizard-monkey and are blessed with few crashes.}
Reply #14 Friday, February 17, 2006 8:02 AM
| BTW- where is this frog coming from? I'm not putting it there. |
When you submit via SDC the lizard-monkey image is atached. Bow down before the lizard-monkey.
{Some say that it's a chameleon, and represents the changing skin focus of the site [Take a look at the logo at the top of Wincustomize.com] but those that know, worship the lizard-monkey and are blessed with few crashes.}
Daiwa
Reply #15 Friday, February 17, 2006 11:54 AM
My experience is that unskinned apps are displayed with the Classic GUI (unless they are self-skinning) - Luna themes & WB can't run at the same time. I've found, however, that a substantial number of apps that were not self-skinning but had unique controls of some sort or were intolerant of skinning for some other reason prior to WB5, have little or no trouble being skinned now. Even some self-skinning apps like Quicken work fine. Some self-skinning apps like ZoneAlarm, most Norton apps, etc., are best excluded from skinning, but they won't use Classic anyway.
Reply #15 Friday, February 17, 2006 11:54 AM
| Right. What I meant was if you exclude the program from being skinned, will it default to classic? |
My experience is that unskinned apps are displayed with the Classic GUI (unless they are self-skinning) - Luna themes & WB can't run at the same time. I've found, however, that a substantial number of apps that were not self-skinning but had unique controls of some sort or were intolerant of skinning for some other reason prior to WB5, have little or no trouble being skinned now. Even some self-skinning apps like Quicken work fine. Some self-skinning apps like ZoneAlarm, most Norton apps, etc., are best excluded from skinning, but they won't use Classic anyway.
leafdesigner
Reply #16 Friday, February 17, 2006 12:50 PM
Reply #16 Friday, February 17, 2006 12:50 PM
Well I suppose my newest Adobe products will be fine...I don't care about Norton, I don't use the interface there very often. Mostly I work with Illustrator and Photoshop and I just wanted to be sure the new look would show up there, since that's what I'm using 90% of the time. Otherwise, why bother?
Also, thanks for clearing up the "lizard monkey" issue. Gee, and I thought it was a frog.
Also, thanks for clearing up the "lizard monkey" issue. Gee, and I thought it was a frog.
Daiwa
Reply #17 Friday, February 17, 2006 1:58 PM
Reply #17 Friday, February 17, 2006 1:58 PM
It pays to care about some apps like Norton, since the app's interface may be rendered unusable or may not show up at all (at the most inopportune time, of course) if you don't exclude it from skinning - that's happened to me with ZA.
I'd suggest you get the shareware version & see how Illustrator & Photoshop behave with WB, experimenting with the various per-application skinning options if you need to. Then, you'll know for sure. Scrollbars won't be skinned, along with a few other things, but the shareware is otherwise the same and should tell the tale. If it doesn't work out you can uninstall WB (be sure to switch back to Classic or Luna before you do) & be none the worse for wear.
I'd suggest you get the shareware version & see how Illustrator & Photoshop behave with WB, experimenting with the various per-application skinning options if you need to. Then, you'll know for sure. Scrollbars won't be skinned, along with a few other things, but the shareware is otherwise the same and should tell the tale. If it doesn't work out you can uninstall WB (be sure to switch back to Classic or Luna before you do) & be none the worse for wear.
leafdesigner
Reply #18 Friday, February 17, 2006 2:31 PM
Reply #18 Friday, February 17, 2006 2:31 PM
Right- I meant I don't care if Norton is skinned... but I do care about Norton itself! I would definitely exclude it from skinning. Anyway, if I try the trial version and want to uninstall it later, is it pretty easy to switch back to my current Luna settings before uninstalling? I've also read that WB5 will leave pieces of itself behind after uninstalling. 
aimzzz
Reply #19 Friday, February 17, 2006 3:56 PM
This issue will never be resolved. It's one of the most highly controversial subjects discussed on this site, making religion & politics pale by comparison. All I can say is: watch your back...
Reply #19 Friday, February 17, 2006 3:56 PM
| thanks for clearing up the "lizard monkey" issue. Gee, and I thought it was a frog. |
This issue will never be resolved. It's one of the most highly controversial subjects discussed on this site, making religion & politics pale by comparison. All I can say is: watch your back...
Daiwa
Reply #20 Friday, February 17, 2006 8:58 PM
Reply #20 Friday, February 17, 2006 8:58 PM
If you switch back to Luna, reboot, then uninstall, WB should be completely gone. I believe you can either use the Add/Remove Software Control Panel applet or the unwise.exe in the WB folder. On some systems, you may have to copy the unwise.exe file to the root folder for it work. You can then check with Explorer & delete leftover Stardock folders, if any. A restore point before you install the shareware might not hurt, either.
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Reply #1 Thursday, February 16, 2006 9:19 PM
Once you try a few skins, you will never look back. WB is the most extensive and safest way to change your GUI. No more cream of wheat!