Why customize your PC?
Thursday, September 11, 2003 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
"I don't get it, why would you want to do that?" says someone who has never applied a skin or a theme or even changed an icon on their system.
I've written a brief article on my blog site (joeuser.com) on what motivates me and I suspect others to do this customizing thang! 
Grfx Guru
Reply #2 Friday, September 12, 2003 12:34 AM
Reply #2 Friday, September 12, 2003 12:34 AM
I think skinning anything is important to give your computer a bit of your identity and make you feel comfortable. I like many I'm sure spend more hours than I should in front of my computers, but I'd go nuts if I couldn't have it looking the way I wanted! Imagine if we all drove blue cars or had cellphones with little aqua buttons on them.........sheesh what a world 
And as so many will point out, skinning can also improve productivity when done right! For me it's the smaller side of the skinnable things that make all the difference, and whilst it is not directly skinning things like WindowsFX (and other apps out there) that allow me to put shadows on my windows and make then stand out just that little bit more really makes a difference to seeing the active window from across my office.
Now in defence, if I only spent a couple of hours a day in front of a computer then I probably wouldn't be that bothered how it looked!
But keep that creativity coming and spread the love
And as so many will point out, skinning can also improve productivity when done right! For me it's the smaller side of the skinnable things that make all the difference, and whilst it is not directly skinning things like WindowsFX (and other apps out there) that allow me to put shadows on my windows and make then stand out just that little bit more really makes a difference to seeing the active window from across my office.
Now in defence, if I only spent a couple of hours a day in front of a computer then I probably wouldn't be that bothered how it looked!
But keep that creativity coming and spread the love
Aleatoric
Reply #3 Friday, September 12, 2003 1:15 AM
Reply #3 Friday, September 12, 2003 1:15 AM
This reminds me of an article I read on osopinions about a week ago. While the ostensible focus of the article was KDE, it applies to the question you pose.
The gist of the article was that not only was it bad to theme your computer interface, it was bad for the system to even allow the possibility.
The author was yet another of those 'human interface experts' with the concomitant 'one size should fit all' philosophy.
I agree with the principle that the basal system should conform to a consistent set of rules and conventions, but the idea that you should not be able to modify the interface to suit what works best for you (practically or aesthetically) smacks a bit much of arrogance, the idea that 'we know what's best for you ... now shut up'.
I guess the average user just doesn't really think about their computer, beyond having to use it. I have my PC at work fairly completely customized (and it changes pretty frequently), and while they comment about it favorably, they still show no interest in doing so themselves. I have managed to get a couple of people interested in customization, but it does seem that a large number of people really don't care. And some of them are as proficient as I am at using computers, and spend about as much time on them as well. I do occasionally get some comments about how I'm probably wasting time with customizing even after I demonstrate how it makes me more productive.
Some people appear to be hopelessly utilitarian. I'm glad there are a large number of us with the desire (and the tools) to give us the option. It's worth it
The gist of the article was that not only was it bad to theme your computer interface, it was bad for the system to even allow the possibility.
The author was yet another of those 'human interface experts' with the concomitant 'one size should fit all' philosophy.
I agree with the principle that the basal system should conform to a consistent set of rules and conventions, but the idea that you should not be able to modify the interface to suit what works best for you (practically or aesthetically) smacks a bit much of arrogance, the idea that 'we know what's best for you ... now shut up'.
I guess the average user just doesn't really think about their computer, beyond having to use it. I have my PC at work fairly completely customized (and it changes pretty frequently), and while they comment about it favorably, they still show no interest in doing so themselves. I have managed to get a couple of people interested in customization, but it does seem that a large number of people really don't care. And some of them are as proficient as I am at using computers, and spend about as much time on them as well. I do occasionally get some comments about how I'm probably wasting time with customizing even after I demonstrate how it makes me more productive.
Some people appear to be hopelessly utilitarian. I'm glad there are a large number of us with the desire (and the tools) to give us the option. It's worth it
craeonics
Reply #4 Friday, September 12, 2003 7:13 AM
Reply #4 Friday, September 12, 2003 7:13 AM
Most people find it a big step to simply change your wallpaper. They freak out when they see that I did something as simple as change my window colours, move my taskbar to the top and set it to auto-hide: "What's that you're running? Is that Linux?". And these are people _with_ some experience with computers.
If one sits behind the machine all day, one wishes to give it one's own personal spin.
Which reminds me, switch on "x-mouse behaviour" on someone's machine and watch how they react.
If one sits behind the machine all day, one wishes to give it one's own personal spin.
Which reminds me, switch on "x-mouse behaviour" on someone's machine and watch how they react.
TheD2JBug
Reply #5 Friday, September 12, 2003 7:59 AM
Reply #5 Friday, September 12, 2003 7:59 AM
The two comments I like getting when people see my desktop are
1. It's too cluttered . I mean like what the ... ? When I boot up my PC I have *nothing* on my desktop except the fish , a small clock in the upper right and a small tray object on the lower right. Compared to the multiple desktop icons and the XP start menu.
2. It must be really hard to use. That would be true if you didn't know to bring up my Dock on autohide and that right clicking on the titlebar of windows acts as a rollup. Aside from that it's functional as can be, and a sight more functional than Windows normally is.
Aside from that they all agree my desktop is the shiz.
And I do get the linux/mac comments too. I even had a Mac user say I had a cool Dock
1. It's too cluttered . I mean like what the ... ? When I boot up my PC I have *nothing* on my desktop except the fish , a small clock in the upper right and a small tray object on the lower right. Compared to the multiple desktop icons and the XP start menu.
2. It must be really hard to use. That would be true if you didn't know to bring up my Dock on autohide and that right clicking on the titlebar of windows acts as a rollup. Aside from that it's functional as can be, and a sight more functional than Windows normally is.
Aside from that they all agree my desktop is the shiz.
And I do get the linux/mac comments too. I even had a Mac user say I had a cool Dock
XX
Reply #6 Friday, September 12, 2003 1:53 PM
Reply #6 Friday, September 12, 2003 1:53 PM
I just want to windows to look like the way I like.
If you're curious, click on my name.
If you're curious, click on my name.
Phar0e
Reply #7 Friday, September 12, 2003 8:42 PM
Reply #7 Friday, September 12, 2003 8:42 PM
Good article Frogboy.
Where do you find time to write these things
Thanks for the Litestep plug too!
Where do you find time to write these things
Thanks for the Litestep plug too!
JuanBoy
Reply #8 Saturday, September 13, 2003 7:22 AM
Reply #8 Saturday, September 13, 2003 7:22 AM
Why decorate your house, why customize a car? it improves the way it looks and that makes a feel better. Mind you, some people will always drive a battered old banger regardless. The desktop is good fun to change and the BIG GREEN default start button wasn't my taste at all.
My Desktops!!
http://screenshots.haque.net/screenshots/user/juanboy/
My Desktops!!
http://screenshots.haque.net/screenshots/user/juanboy/
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Reply #1 Friday, September 12, 2003 12:02 AM