The three most popular skinning platforms

OVERALL, not just Stardock or WC

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 by Frogboy | Discussion: Skinning

If you were to name the 3 most popular skinning platforms -- that is, applications and/or skinning formats in terms of number of people using and number of people making skins for, what would they be?

My 3 would be WindowBlinds, uxtheme (msstyles), and Winamp. What would yours be?

17 Reply 18 Referrals
Snowman
Reply #1 Thursday, April 19, 2007 8:56 AM
Though I've quit skinning, my favs still are WB, WinAmp (classic) and Hoverdesk.
What more would you need for a full Windows conversion?

c242
Reply #2 Thursday, April 19, 2007 9:55 AM
WB, IconPackager (does that count ?) and DesktopX.

Been a while since I saw a good Winamp skin... Also is Hoverdesk alive again ?

Frogboy
Reply #3 Thursday, April 19, 2007 10:09 AM
IconPackager and DesktopX wouldn't count as skinning in this sense.  We're talking about where there's an existing UI of some sort that is being skinned.

Jafo
Reply #4 Thursday, April 19, 2007 10:14 AM

My 3 would be WindowBlinds, uxtheme (msstyles), and Winamp.

Probably would be mine, too....


Island Dog
Reply #5 Thursday, April 19, 2007 10:44 AM
I agree with your three picks as well.  Although I don't think skinning Winamp is as popular as it used to be.



Snowman
Reply #6 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:22 AM

Also is Hoverdesk alive again ?

Nope, havent heard a word from Thibaud in very long time.

Although I don't think skinning Winamp is as popular as it used to be

I totally agree ID. Though... from my point of view, skinning in general is going downhill.
Compared to just a couple of years ago, only a handfull of skinnable applications are still 'alive'.


Lantec
Reply #7 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:39 AM
Winamp, WMP & Windowblinds

vStyler
Reply #8 Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:48 AM
WB, WB\Vista WMP

Frogboy
Reply #9 Thursday, April 19, 2007 1:43 PM

I totally agree ID. Though... from my point of view, skinning in general is going downhill.
Compared to just a couple of years ago, only a handfull of skinnable applications are still 'alive'.

I agree. I think widgets have eaten things up.

What I think is needed is something that combines widgets and skinning together.


c242
Reply #10 Thursday, April 19, 2007 1:51 PM
What I think is needed is something that combines widgets and skinning together.


Well, there were attempts...

GreenReaper
Reply #11 Thursday, April 19, 2007 1:54 PM
What I think is needed is something that combines widgets and skinning together.

Swidgets?

c242
Reply #12 Thursday, April 19, 2007 1:56 PM
Didn't let me edit... It's hard to do with the existing tools (yet).

Lantec
Reply #13 Thursday, April 19, 2007 2:15 PM
something that combines widgets and skinning together.


Swidgets?


How about Skidgets? Might want copyright/trademark one or both while you have the chance.

ZubaZ
Reply #14 Thursday, April 19, 2007 2:44 PM
Three of my four:


ArileenDesign
Reply #15 Thursday, April 19, 2007 3:11 PM
Zubaz as always (anyway glad to meet them )

Snowman
Reply #16 Thursday, April 19, 2007 3:15 PM

I agree. I think widgets have eaten things up.

Perhaps, Brad, but then again.... when skinning was still in the cradle people hadn't "settled down" with their fav applications. We saw new applications jump out of the woods, so to speak, all the time. New and better applications and perhaps more challenging. 
People have now found the applications they wanna use + are leaving the skinning to the hard core of artists.

I believe that is what has caused the slowdown in skinning.

We never see any new applications emerging anymore, that have the abbility to challenge what is already available on the market.


Frogboy
Reply #17 Thursday, April 19, 2007 3:27 PM

Perhaps, Brad, but then again.... when skinning was still in the cradle people hadn't "settled down" with their fav applications. We saw new applications jump out of the woods, so to speak, all the time. New and better applications and perhaps more challenging.
People have now found the applications they wanna use + are leaving the skinning to the hard core of artists.
I believe that is what has caused the slowdown in skinning.
We never see any new applications emerging anymore, that have the abbility to challenge what is already available on the market.

I think it's because widgets have eaten up lots of other categories.  A skinnable clock? A skinnable calendar? A skinnable weather monitor? Widgets have taken over those things.

I mean what were the really popular skinnable programs of old that have died out in terms of skinners? The shell themers have definitely taken a beating over the years (Aston, ObjectBar, WinStep, Hoverdesk) but in terms of other programs like Winamp and Media Player, I think one thing that has hurt is that iTunes isn't skinnable and so many people use that now or just make widgets for controlling media players instead.

 


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