Pirate Gadgets
Wednesday, May 30, 2007 by bobbyhundreds | Discussion: Theme Manager
Yesterday I bought the Pirate suite.
It looks great but I can't get the gadgets to work.How do I install the gadgets (theme manager does not apply them).
They are in individual folders in a separate goodies folder.Do I need to put these folders(containing the gadgets) somewhere in particular?Are they standalone??
I have tried just double clicking the gadget exe.'s ,they appear on my desktop but as soon as I go into their settings and set them to start at system startup they disappear.Whem I start them again and click on them I get a message which says'this shortcut is no longer available.
It's frustrating as I have this brand new premium suite and I can't use any of the gadgets.
Also in theme manager the thumbnail previews against the suite is missing.
How about including instructions with these things in future releases.At the moment there seems to be an asumption by Stardock that all of their customers are computer wizzkids who know how to install anything that is thrown at them,when in reality most customers,myself included are just hobby level users who just want to jazz up our pc's.
Can anyone assist please?
Thanks
It looks great but I can't get the gadgets to work.How do I install the gadgets (theme manager does not apply them).
They are in individual folders in a separate goodies folder.Do I need to put these folders(containing the gadgets) somewhere in particular?Are they standalone??
I have tried just double clicking the gadget exe.'s ,they appear on my desktop but as soon as I go into their settings and set them to start at system startup they disappear.Whem I start them again and click on them I get a message which says'this shortcut is no longer available.
It's frustrating as I have this brand new premium suite and I can't use any of the gadgets.
Also in theme manager the thumbnail previews against the suite is missing.
How about including instructions with these things in future releases.At the moment there seems to be an asumption by Stardock that all of their customers are computer wizzkids who know how to install anything that is thrown at them,when in reality most customers,myself included are just hobby level users who just want to jazz up our pc's.
Can anyone assist please?
Thanks
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bobbyhundreds
Reply #2 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 12:57 PM
Reply #2 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 12:57 PM
Also,the thumbnail preview in Theme Manager shows a totally different suite!
Hippie
Reply #3 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 1:13 PM
Reply #3 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 1:13 PM
This is one reason I quit buying these things. I bought "Pirates", because I thought it looked cool. I can't even get the WB to work. I've contacted whoever it was that put it out, and I bought it a day or two after it came out, and I still haven't heard anything from hin. Next time I'll listen to my self, an not but it. There is a page somewhere in here that tells how to use Pirates. It is no help.
bobbyhundreds
Reply #4 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 1:34 PM
I have to agree with you Hippie,and thanks for the moral support.I have so many support issues being dealt with (alegedly) by Stardock that I am losing count.Seems that unless you are heaping praise on them they aren't interested.If it was a product bought from a shop I would have taken it back,slung it on the counter and asked them to fix it or give me my money back.
Can't they see that most folk just want something they can download,install and use without having to spend hours and hours scouring forums for solutions.
Too much back slapping and not enough customer care if you ask me.
All I want to know is how to install the gadgets!! but in the individual folders of the gadgets there are other folders for sd/plugins and App data.With absolutely no explanation of where these go.Shabby!
Reply #4 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 1:34 PM
This is one reason I quit buying these things. I bought "Pirates", because I thought it looked cool. I can't even get the WB to work. I've contacted whoever it was that put it out, and I bought it a day or two after it came out, and I still haven't heard anything from hin. Next time I'll listen to my self, an not but it. There is a page somewhere in here that tells how to use Pirates. It is no help.
I have to agree with you Hippie,and thanks for the moral support.I have so many support issues being dealt with (alegedly) by Stardock that I am losing count.Seems that unless you are heaping praise on them they aren't interested.If it was a product bought from a shop I would have taken it back,slung it on the counter and asked them to fix it or give me my money back.
Can't they see that most folk just want something they can download,install and use without having to spend hours and hours scouring forums for solutions.
Too much back slapping and not enough customer care if you ask me.
All I want to know is how to install the gadgets!! but in the individual folders of the gadgets there are other folders for sd/plugins and App data.With absolutely no explanation of where these go.Shabby!
DorkCoffeez
Reply #5 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 2:15 PM
Reply #5 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 2:15 PM
Hi,
We are aware of the technical issues with the Pirate theme. Please rest assured that it is of the highest priority that we have this fixed as soon as possible. Please look to Wincustomize.com for further updates in the near future. My apologies for the wait.
Cheers
bobbyhundreds
Reply #6 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 2:18 PM
Do you mean the Gadgets issue? Or the missing thumbnails issue?
Why are there folders for sd plugins and App info? there weren't these with the pantheon gadgets.
Keep in mind that I also have IconX which destroys my desktop right click menu and won't autostart if DesktopX is loaded aswell.Also I have icon packager which won't istall icon packages from WC.com directly (I have to use SDC to download and install them).So if I sound pissed off it's because I am.
Stop selling stuff that doesn't work properly!
Reply #6 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 2:18 PM
Hi,
We are aware of the technical issues with the Pirate theme. Please rest assured that it is of the highest priority that we have this fixed as soon as possible. Please look to Wincustomize.com for further updates in the near future. My apologies for the wait.
Cheers
Do you mean the Gadgets issue? Or the missing thumbnails issue?
Why are there folders for sd plugins and App info? there weren't these with the pantheon gadgets.
Keep in mind that I also have IconX which destroys my desktop right click menu and won't autostart if DesktopX is loaded aswell.Also I have icon packager which won't istall icon packages from WC.com directly (I have to use SDC to download and install them).So if I sound pissed off it's because I am.
Stop selling stuff that doesn't work properly!
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #7 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 8:37 PM
Hi Bobby. I too bought the Pirates premium suite yesterday and I downloaded it last night without any problems at all. It also installed in Theme Manager on my machine without any problems. I don't have any missing thumbnails issue. Of course Theme Manager auto updated sometime Friday night and this may be why you are having Theme Manager related issues - I'm not really sure.
As to the gadgets issue, you're right they are a little more complicated to install than the Pantheon gadgets. Why each gadget has separate App and plugin folders I don't know either - seems unnecessary to me - unless it has something to do with a Vista tweak. In any case, they are all fully usable in XP as is, you just have to manually extract them with their subfolders to a directory of your choosing.
To do this (from explorer) double click on the download (Pirate_download) and double click on the Pirate_Booty.zip. Then single click on the Gadgets\ line to highlight it. Then right click on the Gadgets\ line and select Extract simply navigate to your desired directory and make sure Selected Files only and use Folder Names are checked and the gadgets will fully extract with all needed sub-folders in the directory you indicated. When using your new Gadgets you will have to navigate to each gadgets folder or do as I did and create shortcuts and place the shorcuts in a handy folder or program launcher(Object Dock, Object Bar or DesktopX are all up to the task). This choice of customization is the part that is up to you. Good luck.
Reply #7 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 8:37 PM
I have tried just double clicking the gadget exe.'s ,they appear on my desktop but as soon as I go into their settings and set them to start at system startup they disappear.Whem I start them again and click on them I get a message which says'this shortcut is no longer available.
It's frustrating as I have this brand new premium suite and I can't use any of the gadgets.
It's frustrating as I have this brand new premium suite and I can't use any of the gadgets.
Hi Bobby. I too bought the Pirates premium suite yesterday and I downloaded it last night without any problems at all. It also installed in Theme Manager on my machine without any problems. I don't have any missing thumbnails issue. Of course Theme Manager auto updated sometime Friday night and this may be why you are having Theme Manager related issues - I'm not really sure.
As to the gadgets issue, you're right they are a little more complicated to install than the Pantheon gadgets. Why each gadget has separate App and plugin folders I don't know either - seems unnecessary to me - unless it has something to do with a Vista tweak. In any case, they are all fully usable in XP as is, you just have to manually extract them with their subfolders to a directory of your choosing.
To do this (from explorer) double click on the download (Pirate_download) and double click on the Pirate_Booty.zip. Then single click on the Gadgets\ line to highlight it. Then right click on the Gadgets\ line and select Extract simply navigate to your desired directory and make sure Selected Files only and use Folder Names are checked and the gadgets will fully extract with all needed sub-folders in the directory you indicated. When using your new Gadgets you will have to navigate to each gadgets folder or do as I did and create shortcuts and place the shorcuts in a handy folder or program launcher(Object Dock, Object Bar or DesktopX are all up to the task). This choice of customization is the part that is up to you. Good luck.
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #8 Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:00 AM
I've examined this a little further. Other users say they are able to install their gadgets by double clicking the relevant exe files. I wasn't able to, hence the manual extract method. The manual extract method when selecting Use Folder Names will install an added bonus. Stardock went out of their way to include the graphics images used in the gadgets. That is what is in the App folder. This is a very nice bonus for those who want to make additional customized content such as an Object Bar theme or a DesktopX theme. The Pirate Suite is sweet!
Reply #8 Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:00 AM
As to the gadgets issue, you're right they are a little more complicated to install than the Pantheon gadgets. Why each gadget has separate App and plugin folders I don't know either - seems unnecessary to me - unless it has something to do with a Vista tweak. In any case, they are all fully usable in XP as is, you just have to manually extract them with their subfolders to a directory of your choosing.
I've examined this a little further. Other users say they are able to install their gadgets by double clicking the relevant exe files. I wasn't able to, hence the manual extract method. The manual extract method when selecting Use Folder Names will install an added bonus. Stardock went out of their way to include the graphics images used in the gadgets. That is what is in the App folder. This is a very nice bonus for those who want to make additional customized content such as an Object Bar theme or a DesktopX theme. The Pirate Suite is sweet!
seldomseen
Reply #10 Thursday, May 31, 2007 1:01 AM
Reply #10 Thursday, May 31, 2007 1:01 AM
Just for the record, I DLed the Pirate Suite to my Downloads folder I have on my DT, as usual. I then right-clicked the resulting .zip file, and got a collection of well-organized folders: a .suite file, which opened with the latest version of Theme Mgr seamlessly, a .bootskin and logonxp, which installed and ran perfectly, a gadgets folder with all the cool gadgets in it, which each ran just as they should have, and extra folders to work with and create any matching parts I wished. There are also a number of up-to-date items available here at WC that match the suite well in addition to the Pirates Suite as purchased. All in all, a great deal for me and a welcome addition to my library. Hope all the glitches and problems get worked out for those of you having difficulties.
neophil78
Reply #11 Thursday, May 31, 2007 1:18 AM
Reply #11 Thursday, May 31, 2007 1:18 AM
bobbyhundreds, you'r not alone with troubles (and with handly installation for my part which installed correctly different things as mentioned above 
). BUT:
- Gadget Pirate guy non talking (even by clicking him, yes the mouth moves .. but no sounds)
- Media Player gadget after choosing once "Winamp" as default program reader, does not want anymore to permit me to choose back another Media player
- Both bootskins a little corrupted
(on a XP machine where i did'nt get any other trouble with ant other gadgets or bootskins from other premium suites or standalone skins ... )
). BUT:- Gadget Pirate guy non talking (even by clicking him, yes the mouth moves .. but no sounds)
- Media Player gadget after choosing once "Winamp" as default program reader, does not want anymore to permit me to choose back another Media player
- Both bootskins a little corrupted
(on a XP machine where i did'nt get any other trouble with ant other gadgets or bootskins from other premium suites or standalone skins ... )
bobbyhundreds
Reply #12 Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:40 AM
Reply #12 Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:40 AM
Firstly,sorry for my grumpy posts yesterday,I'm putting it down to my age 
and secondly thanks for your replies folks;BigDogFeat can I check a couple of things please?.....
To do this (from explorer) double click on the download (Pirate_download) and double click on the Pirate_Booty.zip. Then single click on the Gadgets\ line to highlight it. Then right click on the Gadgets\ line and select Extract simply navigate to your desired directory and make sure Selected Files only and use Folder Names are checked and the gadgets will fully extract with all needed sub-folders in the directory you indicated. When using your new Gadgets you will have to navigate to each gadgets folder or do as I did and create shortcuts and place the shorcuts in a handy folder or program launcher(Object Dock, Object Bar or DesktopX are all up to the task). This choice of customization is the part that is up to you. Good luck.
I extracted the gadgets folder to my documents folder.It contains the individual gadgets folders which in turn contain the gadget exe,the apps folder and the sd plugins folders.
OK so I created a shortcut to one of the widgets(the calendar) to my desktop then dragged this onto ODock.I clicked on the shortcut and the calendar opened on my desktop.I went into the settings to select run at system startup and poof the calendar closes.So,I open it again using the shortcut,I right click on the calendar to set to run at system startup and again I get the message 'this shortcut is no longer available',then is vanishes again.
I'm completely stumped here.
On a positive note,this suite is a thing of beauty and the attention to detail (in all areas of the gui) is incredible.So thanks Stardock.
and secondly thanks for your replies folks;BigDogFeat can I check a couple of things please?.....To do this (from explorer) double click on the download (Pirate_download) and double click on the Pirate_Booty.zip. Then single click on the Gadgets\ line to highlight it. Then right click on the Gadgets\ line and select Extract simply navigate to your desired directory and make sure Selected Files only and use Folder Names are checked and the gadgets will fully extract with all needed sub-folders in the directory you indicated. When using your new Gadgets you will have to navigate to each gadgets folder or do as I did and create shortcuts and place the shorcuts in a handy folder or program launcher(Object Dock, Object Bar or DesktopX are all up to the task). This choice of customization is the part that is up to you. Good luck.
I extracted the gadgets folder to my documents folder.It contains the individual gadgets folders which in turn contain the gadget exe,the apps folder and the sd plugins folders.
OK so I created a shortcut to one of the widgets(the calendar) to my desktop then dragged this onto ODock.I clicked on the shortcut and the calendar opened on my desktop.I went into the settings to select run at system startup and poof the calendar closes.So,I open it again using the shortcut,I right click on the calendar to set to run at system startup and again I get the message 'this shortcut is no longer available',then is vanishes again.
I'm completely stumped here.
On a positive note,this suite is a thing of beauty and the attention to detail (in all areas of the gui) is incredible.So thanks Stardock.
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #13 Thursday, May 31, 2007 11:12 AM
Reply #13 Thursday, May 31, 2007 11:12 AM
What operating system are you using? When was the last time you cleared the DesktopX cache? CorkyO has an excellent article on the topic. Clearing the DesktopX cache is absolutely necessary from time to time.
bobbyhundreds
Reply #14 Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:33 PM
Hi BDF,
I have XP sp2.I have cleared the DX cache.Although I have DX installed I don't use it.Does it need to be loaded to make these gadgets work?I thought they were standalone gadgets.Shouldn't they load with the suite like the gadgets in WC Select and Pantheon suites?
Does MCP need to be running?I have this turned off at present.
Reply #14 Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:33 PM
What operating system are you using? When was the last time you cleared the DesktopX cache? CorkyO has an excellent article on the topic. Clearing the DesktopX cache is absolutely necessary from time to time.
Hi BDF,
I have XP sp2.I have cleared the DX cache.Although I have DX installed I don't use it.Does it need to be loaded to make these gadgets work?I thought they were standalone gadgets.Shouldn't they load with the suite like the gadgets in WC Select and Pantheon suites?
Does MCP need to be running?I have this turned off at present.
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #15 Thursday, May 31, 2007 1:27 PM
Reply #15 Thursday, May 31, 2007 1:27 PM
XP sp2 is fine. You don't have to have DX running, the Pirate Gadgets are stand-alone. I haven't heard of MCP needing to be enabled for gadgets to work - only for having a DX system tray enabled. I'm stumped as to what can be causing the gadgets to close and be unstable. I would submit a work ticket with support. Sorry I couldn't help more.
bobbyhundreds
Reply #16 Thursday, May 31, 2007 2:07 PM
No problem BDF,thanks for your input.
I've mailed support so I'll post here if I get things fixed up.
Thanks
Reply #16 Thursday, May 31, 2007 2:07 PM
XP sp2 is fine. You don't have to have DX running, the Pirate Gadgets are stand-alone. I haven't heard of MCP needing to be enabled for gadgets to work - only for having a DX system tray enabled. I'm stumped as to what can be causing the gadgets to close and be unstable. I would submit a work ticket with support. Sorry I couldn't help more.
No problem BDF,thanks for your input.
I've mailed support so I'll post here if I get things fixed up.
Thanks
slagny
Reply #17 Friday, June 1, 2007 3:31 AM
Reply #17 Friday, June 1, 2007 3:31 AM
I have a problem with the talking pirate, like neophil said his mouth moves but no sound, but when I click on the audio file in the folder it will play in my default player which is Creative Media Player. Could this problem be because the audio files are MP3's and not wav's?
Nicholasworld
Reply #18 Friday, June 1, 2007 5:02 AM
Reply #18 Friday, June 1, 2007 5:02 AM
Majority of users take no heed which are running fine, modicum of users get mussed up by predilection per se.
You should have .MP3 played by default WMPlayer.
I have a problem with the talking pirate, like neophil said his mouth moves but no sound, but when I click on the audio file in the folder it will play in my default player which is Creative Media Player. Could this problem be because the audio files are MP3's and not wav's?
You should have .MP3 played by default WMPlayer.
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #19 Friday, June 1, 2007 6:24 AM
Hey slagny, I would try resetting your default media player to WMP or WinAmp and see if that makes any difference.
Reply #19 Friday, June 1, 2007 6:24 AM
I have a problem with the talking pirate, like neophil said his mouth moves but no sound, but when I click on the audio file in the folder it will play in my default player which is Creative Media Player. Could this problem be because the audio files are MP3's and not wav's?
Hey slagny, I would try resetting your default media player to WMP or WinAmp and see if that makes any difference.
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Reply #1 Wednesday, May 30, 2007 12:46 PM