Aero-Soft Launches
Tuesday, September 7, 2004 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
Four years ago Aqua-Soft.org was launched, a site that gave Windows users access, tutorials, and content to help transform their Windows PCs to appear more similar to MacOS X. It is a site that has since become a cornerstone in the customization community. OSX revolutionized the way each of looked at the graphical user interface, raising our standards of quality for skins and icons.
Four years later, the community is older and more experienced. We've seen glimpses of Microsoft's answer to OSX, Longhorn. With revolutionary features added to what we expect from the user interface, it's time to once again look to the future.
Aero-Soft will focus on Longhorn and Microsoft based themes, skins and features. Anything next-gen is welcome here, provided in a friendly, easy to use forum. Like the Aero Glass look? Enjoy the smoothness of Jade, or have an idea for window manipulation? Aero-Soft is the site for you, to experience those innovations today. Together, this new community can turn this new future into a reality.
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d3adz0mbie
Reply #2 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 2:36 AM
Reply #2 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 2:36 AM
Thanks DPG. I hope that with a little time we can earn the right to become strong WinCusto affiliates. 
c242
Reply #3 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 3:35 AM
Reply #3 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 3:35 AM
Never understood why I should let my Windows look like a forthcoming or present standard OS. But hey, nevertheless, good luck with the site. 
Alexan
Reply #4 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 4:53 AM
Reply #4 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 4:53 AM
Hehe - Well deadzombie, I can't see any reason why Aero-Soft won't end a strong affiliate
Unless you rip up your shirt, tie it round your forehead rambo-style, and lead a rioting mob into Stardock HQ
But then, who hasn't done that?
Unless you rip up your shirt, tie it round your forehead rambo-style, and lead a rioting mob into Stardock HQ
But then, who hasn't done that?
Alderaic
Reply #5 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 7:11 AM
Reply #5 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 7:11 AM
very nice site,
another standard, it will change us of the aqua look, which isnt bad
another standard, it will change us of the aqua look, which isnt bad
JeffBDVS
Reply #7 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 10:36 AM
Reply #7 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 10:36 AM
Warning: A Differing Opinion. Maybe.
What is it with Microsoft? Mr. Gates has the resources to hire the very best (fill in the blank with your favorite job) and yet we get stuff that is NQR (Not Quite Right) out of the box. I looked at the Longhorn Slate skin by Voodoo_Freak and I just shook my head. I am not in any way criticizing his skill, talent or enthusiasm for skinning, so please don't even go there. On the contrary, I expect that he is quite talented and did a phenomenal job duplicating Longhorn. I am assuming the LS skin is a close approximation to what Longhorn looks like (at present), and if I am correct, then it is Microsoft that has disappointed me. It has some nice improvements in eye-candy over WinXP, but it just doesn't have the "je ne sais qois" that an OSX release does. Something about it is lacking. One of my problems is that I don't exactly know what it is that's lacking. The scrollbars are OK but ho-hum the system buttons are a bit more ho-hum the taskbar doesn't seem to fit very well with the rest of the theme.
I know that I couldn't do any better. In fact, I would do a lot worse. But there are folks that contribute to this site that can and do make stuff that is head-and-shoulders above what we see from MS.
So if you can, please help me see what it is that makes even MS's best and highly-touted efforts seem to be...NQR. I simply don't get it.
Jeff
What is it with Microsoft? Mr. Gates has the resources to hire the very best (fill in the blank with your favorite job) and yet we get stuff that is NQR (Not Quite Right) out of the box. I looked at the Longhorn Slate skin by Voodoo_Freak and I just shook my head. I am not in any way criticizing his skill, talent or enthusiasm for skinning, so please don't even go there. On the contrary, I expect that he is quite talented and did a phenomenal job duplicating Longhorn. I am assuming the LS skin is a close approximation to what Longhorn looks like (at present), and if I am correct, then it is Microsoft that has disappointed me. It has some nice improvements in eye-candy over WinXP, but it just doesn't have the "je ne sais qois" that an OSX release does. Something about it is lacking. One of my problems is that I don't exactly know what it is that's lacking. The scrollbars are OK but ho-hum the system buttons are a bit more ho-hum the taskbar doesn't seem to fit very well with the rest of the theme.
I know that I couldn't do any better. In fact, I would do a lot worse. But there are folks that contribute to this site that can and do make stuff that is head-and-shoulders above what we see from MS.
So if you can, please help me see what it is that makes even MS's best and highly-touted efforts seem to be...NQR. I simply don't get it.
Jeff
JeffBDVS
Reply #8 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 10:37 AM
Reply #8 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 10:37 AM
PS - I really like the idea behind the Aero-Soft site. Great work, Timan and DZ!!
Sorry I forgot to mention that in my first post.
Jeff
Sorry I forgot to mention that in my first post.
Jeff
GhoS
Reply #9 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 12:53 PM
Reply #9 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 12:53 PM
One thing to remember JeffBDVS is that the slate skin effort from MS is really only a placeholder. It may give indications of where the new interface is heading, but is not how Longhorn will eventually look.
I do agree with you that Slate is a relatively poor looking skin from MS. But then again the one that came with XP was far too big and ugly as well. So yes MS needs help in that area, and even a placeholder skin should be interesting or cool to use, etc.
I wish this site well. As before XP, people have an interest in mimicking a possible future release and so it is welcome to have one site for all things Aero/Longhorn.
I do agree with you that Slate is a relatively poor looking skin from MS. But then again the one that came with XP was far too big and ugly as well. So yes MS needs help in that area, and even a placeholder skin should be interesting or cool to use, etc.
I wish this site well. As before XP, people have an interest in mimicking a possible future release and so it is welcome to have one site for all things Aero/Longhorn.
d3adz0mbie
Reply #10 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 1:14 PM
Reply #10 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 1:14 PM
JeffBDVS: Good reply, let me lay out what Aero-Soft is about, short term and long term.
Aero-Soft is starting with a focus on the different looks available in Longhorn, but it won't stop there. As beta releases of Longhorn hit next summer, the site will slowly shift it's focus from emulating Longhorn themes on WindowsXP towards manipulating and skinning Longhorn. I wanted a site with an established user base, an interest in the new OS and years of customization experience to be ready to rip this new OS apart and utilize it's new features to their utmost ability.
So for the next few months we'll jump all over the slate and glass looks, tweaking those for XP and releasing tons of skins from the community (along with all the imaginative variations people will come up with). But when Longhorn actually draws near, expect to see the site completely ramped up to rip the new OS apart.
Aero-Soft is starting with a focus on the different looks available in Longhorn, but it won't stop there. As beta releases of Longhorn hit next summer, the site will slowly shift it's focus from emulating Longhorn themes on WindowsXP towards manipulating and skinning Longhorn. I wanted a site with an established user base, an interest in the new OS and years of customization experience to be ready to rip this new OS apart and utilize it's new features to their utmost ability.
So for the next few months we'll jump all over the slate and glass looks, tweaking those for XP and releasing tons of skins from the community (along with all the imaginative variations people will come up with). But when Longhorn actually draws near, expect to see the site completely ramped up to rip the new OS apart.
smoke-tetsu
Reply #11 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 1:57 PM
Reply #11 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 1:57 PM
Whenever there is a news post like this there always seems to be someone who doesn't understand theming in the style of the subject. I say if you don't understand then that style is not for you. But others enjoy it so I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed to. Theming is all about making things the way you want them and some might like to theme their OS to look like other OS' or forthcoming OS'. While the Longhorn look isn't entirely my thing, or other looks I don't go around saying, "I don't understand why anyone would like this". Get my drift?
Frogboy
Reply #12 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 7:07 PM
Reply #12 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 7:07 PM
I think the way Longhorn will look will evolve over the coming months.
For one thing, I think you can assume semi-transparencies in the Longhorn GUI the final one (which is good news because that is something that could be implemented into WindowBlinds if there's demand on Windows XP).
But I like the concept of Aero-Soft. I think it's really clever and I think it's going to be a hit.
JeffBDVS
Reply #13 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 10:15 PM
Reply #13 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 10:15 PM
Maybe I'm being too harsh on Microsoft - I didn't really consider the possible changes between beta (now) and release (then). If the history of OSX on the AqS web site is accurate, then apparently the sneak previews of the first OSX beta were underwhelming when compared to the release. Maybe MS has something very special waiting in the wings.
@DZ - it sounds like a great plan and I look forward watching the site grow. If your work on AqS is any indicator, AeS will be terrific. Best of luck and thanks for making it available to us.
Jeff
@DZ - it sounds like a great plan and I look forward watching the site grow. If your work on AqS is any indicator, AeS will be terrific. Best of luck and thanks for making it available to us.
Jeff
smoke-tetsu
Reply #14 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 11:04 PM
Reply #14 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 11:04 PM
The first OSX betas looked like OS9 and the first DP's that included Aqua weren't as polished as the later builds even.
smoke-tetsu
Reply #15 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 11:07 PM
Reply #15 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 11:07 PM
Oh yeah, and Frogboy, does "I think you can assume semi-transparencies in the Longhorn GUI the final one (which is good news because that is something that could be implemented into WindowBlinds if there's demand on Windows XP."
mean possible 32-bit titlebars? Because I have tried to at least make 32-bit endcaps for the titlebar (to make the ends look antialiased) using 32-bit buttons but that didn't work.
mean possible 32-bit titlebars? Because I have tried to at least make 32-bit endcaps for the titlebar (to make the ends look antialiased) using 32-bit buttons but that didn't work.
d3adz0mbie
Reply #16 Thursday, September 9, 2004 1:17 AM
Reply #16 Thursday, September 9, 2004 1:17 AM
Frogboy: I can guarantee you'd have an entirely new community of WB users if it could be used for these trendy new "Aero Glass" & "Jade Glass" skins running aorund the net.
*hint-hint*
*hint-hint*
_Martin_
Reply #17 Thursday, September 9, 2004 8:05 AM
Reply #17 Thursday, September 9, 2004 8:05 AM
All the best guys - maybe a new focus for some DesktopX objects
Septimus
Reply #18 Thursday, September 9, 2004 1:43 PM
Reply #18 Thursday, September 9, 2004 1:43 PM
Frogboy: Another vote for the semi-transparency support in Windowblinds... it would be the icing on the cake 
I'm pretty sure everyone at aero-soft would agree.
I'm pretty sure everyone at aero-soft would agree.
monusen
Reply #19 Thursday, September 9, 2004 2:35 PM
Reply #19 Thursday, September 9, 2004 2:35 PM
Frogboy: and here's another vote. But please don't write "if there's demand"!
It must be made! There are a lot of ppl wants it (maybe some of them don't know they want it but i'm sure they need it).
And please could you write a short description why couldn't you implement it to WB before? There is a question in the WB FAQ on the StarDock website about the per-pixel transparency. Now what's the point? What has changed since then?
It must be made! There are a lot of ppl wants it (maybe some of them don't know they want it but i'm sure they need it).
And please could you write a short description why couldn't you implement it to WB before? There is a question in the WB FAQ on the StarDock website about the per-pixel transparency. Now what's the point? What has changed since then?
monusen
Reply #20 Saturday, September 11, 2004 8:11 AM
Reply #20 Saturday, September 11, 2004 8:11 AM
I'm afraid I misunderstood. It's not about per-pixel transparency to get windows look like this for instance: http://tinyurl.com/3m3db (it's a skin for the AveIconBook software made by StefanKa using 32bit PNGs). Would it be possible to apply this kind of skin for ALL windows with WB?
Or it's only about the ability for WB to set the skin semi-transparent?
Or it's only about the ability for WB to set the skin semi-transparent?
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Reply #1 Wednesday, September 8, 2004 1:20 AM
(Sarcasm - Lighten up people)
Thanx for the info, Brad. I hope the site does well.