What's my best option...over my head...
Help
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 by EmanH | Discussion: Beginners
Hi,
I'm new here and am wanting to improve the look of my desktop but have been floundering with all the different programs and options (and terms). I really don't care to get into the whole design side. There are plenty of skins or desktops (it appears) that I can use. I'd just like to get rid of the ugly Win Taskbar (maybe improve and put it on top) and maybe add some tabs or sidebar. Along with a nice wallpaper (that, I have figured out) and I should be good to go.
Can anyone help me out or just point me in the right direction to improve my desktop.
What are the easiest programs that I should look into that might 'fit' my needs?
(I'm testing WindowsBlinds and DesktopX but I'm not real clear about the difference and it seems difficult to modify existing skins/themes--for example adding my programs to existing tabs or sidebars created by others).
Any comments are greatly appreciated! I'm lost and spinning my wheels.
MySecret
Reply #2 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 8:42 PM
Reply #2 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 8:42 PM
https://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=143433#1132458 skinning your Pc
The above Link will give you all overall understanding of what each program does
It is much better to get Object Desktop and then learn each program slowly.
It's My Secret
The above Link will give you all overall understanding of what each program does
It is much better to get Object Desktop and then learn each program slowly.
It's My Secret
Hankers
Reply #3 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 8:46 PM
Reply #3 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 8:46 PM
It is much better to get Object Desktop and then learn each program slowly
I agree.
MySecret
Reply #4 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 8:49 PM
Reply #4 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 8:49 PM
Could someone fix the link Please?...what a mess 
, I am unable to edit my post
, I am unable to edit my post 
EmanH
Reply #6 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 8:55 PM
Reply #6 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 8:55 PM
Thanks for the comments so far. That is pretty much what I assumed.
So I guess my basic question is: Is it going to (realistically) take me hours to learn some new software just to get my desktop the way I want it? If so, I'm not sure it is that important to me. It would be nice but I've already spent more time on this than I had hoped too (I had hoped to just use one, of the many, that was already created).
Sign, oh well.
So I guess my basic question is: Is it going to (realistically) take me hours to learn some new software just to get my desktop the way I want it? If so, I'm not sure it is that important to me. It would be nice but I've already spent more time on this than I had hoped too (I had hoped to just use one, of the many, that was already created).
Sign, oh well.
Lantec
Reply #8 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 9:00 PM
Reply #8 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 9:00 PM
Customization is a sickness, a disease, a passion.........it will take you years, not hours to get your desktop the way you want it. However you can get started in just a few minutes. Install Windowblinds > reboot > apply a theme and your there. Next install Iconpackager > reboot > apply a theme your a little farther on.
In the beginning I think I spent weeks just going thru the library trying a the different skins out so you might want to put aside a little time.
In the beginning I think I spent weeks just going thru the library trying a the different skins out so you might want to put aside a little time.
Hankers
Reply #9 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 9:02 PM
Reply #9 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 9:02 PM
Could someone fix the link Please?...what a mess , I am unable to edit my post
also fixed
WebGizmos
Reply #11 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 11:32 PM
Reply #11 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 11:32 PM
My 
Even though right now you think you just want to change your taskbar and a few other things...you can pretty much bet that soon down the line your going to wish you had gotten ObjectDesktop. The first time I saw what WindowBlinds could do I went through the screenshots library to see what other people were doing and what they used...then the answer was simple. And even though I don't use everything that comes with ObjectDock...I know I will sooner or later...but even if I don't it was worth every penny.
Even though right now you think you just want to change your taskbar and a few other things...you can pretty much bet that soon down the line your going to wish you had gotten ObjectDesktop. The first time I saw what WindowBlinds could do I went through the screenshots library to see what other people were doing and what they used...then the answer was simple. And even though I don't use everything that comes with ObjectDock...I know I will sooner or later...but even if I don't it was worth every penny.
scorpNZ
Reply #12 Wednesday, February 28, 2007 12:17 AM
Reply #12 Wednesday, February 28, 2007 12:17 AM
Yes don't ponce about with just windowblinds get the whole kit and kaboodle that is objectdesktop then it's a matter of grabbing some webblinds,wallpapers,icons and mix n match,it's all one button clik and ya don't need a diploma in computer science ,the only draw back is there's not enough time in a day to try diff combo's ,it'll be bed time before you know it..lol..,a simple thing i do is make folders for webblinds,iconpackages etc,since i lump all wb's into one folder & ip's into another,before downloading i take a jpg snap shot of the preview and include it in the jumbled folder so i can clik thru to see what blind or ip looks like without having to unpack & install
EDIT: Checkout this place for wallpapers of High quality photography & generated images,it's free to join & free to download tho you can donate if you so wish,it's as good as if not better than webshots ,if you think it aint i'll eat edible underware...lol... there's a link at the bottom of this page (no pun intended )hehehe
ps: when i said i'd eat the underware i meant ones still in the wrapper not usedWWW Link
EDIT: Checkout this place for wallpapers of High quality photography & generated images,it's free to join & free to download tho you can donate if you so wish,it's as good as if not better than webshots ,if you think it aint i'll eat edible underware...lol... there's a link at the bottom of this page (no pun intended )hehehe
ps: when i said i'd eat the underware i meant ones still in the wrapper not used
WWW Link
Bichur
Reply #13 Wednesday, February 28, 2007 1:16 AM
Reply #13 Wednesday, February 28, 2007 1:16 AM
Using the skins and themes provided as is isn't hard. What's hard is, once you start using it, you'll want to 'tweak it' to fit you.
You can't really tweak a skin or theme in a user mode. For Windowblinds - you can change options like the toolbar icons, color, start/taskbar in the configuration window. If you start thinking... this needs to be wider or narrower or thinner, then you will want Skin Studio.
I don't know what comes with the trial DesktopX in regards to client mode/builder mode.
Unless the DTX theme was created with user modifications in mind, then you'll have to switch to builder mode to get to all the options.
Seems most people start with Windowblinds and CursorXP. Maybe add ObjectDock, then move up to Object Dock Plus. And just keep wanting to add from there.
Here's a download list
Here's a list of what comes with Object Desktop
Try out the stuff in the download list. Then look at the Object Desktop list. If you find at 3 in the Object Desktop list you like, then you should consider buying the package instead of 3 separate program.
You can't really tweak a skin or theme in a user mode. For Windowblinds - you can change options like the toolbar icons, color, start/taskbar in the configuration window. If you start thinking... this needs to be wider or narrower or thinner, then you will want Skin Studio.
I don't know what comes with the trial DesktopX in regards to client mode/builder mode.
Unless the DTX theme was created with user modifications in mind, then you'll have to switch to builder mode to get to all the options.
Seems most people start with Windowblinds and CursorXP. Maybe add ObjectDock, then move up to Object Dock Plus. And just keep wanting to add from there.
Here's a download list
Here's a list of what comes with Object Desktop
Try out the stuff in the download list. Then look at the Object Desktop list. If you find at 3 in the Object Desktop list you like, then you should consider buying the package instead of 3 separate program.
Uvah
Reply #14 Wednesday, February 28, 2007 1:53 AM
Reply #14 Wednesday, February 28, 2007 1:53 AM
The whole point in a nutshell...Once bitten by the OD bug you're hooked forever and three days
...and speaking of walls...check this one out.
[image removed my Admin]
Please don't post walls or images in the forums that are not yours.
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Reply #1 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 8:29 PM
Windowblinds will "replace" the normal Windows, menus, dialogs, taskbar etc. with modified themes that act just like normal windows.
DesktopX is a "replacement to your desktop which can operate pretty much any way you want. It requires a good deal of scripting to create one but very little knowledge to use them.
As far as what I would consider the minimum Windowblinds, RightClick & Iconpackager. Ask 3 people and you'll probably get 3 different answers.