What should I base my customisation on?
Friday, February 19, 2010 by Hypnotic_wj | Discussion: OS Customization
Is it best to pick a background I like and then choose icons, cursors & everything else to go with it or do I start of by choosing something else? I am using Windows 7 if that matters, I know I can change background, windows blinds??, cursors, icons on object dock and log in screen, is there anything else I can change? This is my first time customizing, thanks.
Reply #2 Friday, February 19, 2010 11:28 PM
Object Desktop was the way I went. It offers the most options and flexibility. You'll have "more ways to go" and cobbling the software piecemeal is more expensive.
That raises the uncomfortable question, "How much do you want to invest?" and practically, "How much can/should you be investing?"
Only you can answer those....and do talk to Stardock sales...you never know what they can do and what deal you might luck into.
Be patient, read as much as you can about the software, and the sys reqs. Don't be ashamed to ask questions before you take the plunge.
Oh yes...welcome to this addiction. You're officially doomed. Welcome to the Island of the Damned. 
Reply #3 Saturday, February 20, 2010 3:43 PM
Is Object Desktop fully compatable with Windows 7?
Reply #4 Saturday, February 20, 2010 3:56 PM
I don't think iconpackager is, but logonstudio and wb work with 7, I'm using them both.
This will tell you which works with what, most is 7 compatible.
Reply #5 Saturday, February 20, 2010 3:56 PM
Yes, mostly. All 32 and most 64 bit. See bebi's linked page.
Reply #7 Saturday, February 20, 2010 4:24 PM
Thanks I don't think I'm going to buy Object Desktop. I have the free versions of CursorFX, ObjectDock and Logon Studio, then I can just get a nice wallpaper and screen saver and maybe get a few icons. I was going to download the free version of Windows Blinds but then I noticed that its only for 30 days so I take it that my Windows Blinds would dissapear after that time?
Reply #8 Saturday, February 20, 2010 4:35 PM
Typically I watch the galleries and when i find a killer skin i want to use no mater what app it is for ,WB or IP or winamp,xion DX etc.. I then find skins that I think go well with it for the rest of the applications I use...
Reply #9 Saturday, February 20, 2010 4:39 PM
Yes. Since I upgraded to 7 I find myself using a modified version of Aero to match whatever wallpaper I'm using more often than a WB skin and it's fine for me, although I do have ODNT. I'm waiting for more skins to be updated to make use of all the new 7 features (like the taskbar button glow effects).
Reply #10 Saturday, February 20, 2010 5:57 PM
I'd recommend trying out the free versions of Stardock skinning programs before you decide to not buy anything. Once you see what your computer looks like when everything is skinned, you may get hooked, as the doctor says. That's what happened to me. I started out with the free ObjectDock, found out about the rest, and ended up buying ObjectDesktop. Here's a link where you can find all the trial versions: https://www.stardock.com/downloads/
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Reply #1 Friday, February 19, 2010 11:05 PM
Welcome to the world of skinning. Most people pick the WindowBlind first, and build from there because that's what you see the most. However, you could easily start from a wallpaper that you like, and find matching skins and icons, etc. There is also DesktopX which is a program for making gadgets like weather, meters and a lot of other things. There is also Sysmetrix and Rainlendar which a lot of people skin. Click on Gallery at the top of the page and look through the libraries.