How much is to much, in a DX theme.
Wednesday, September 17, 2003 by mormegil | Discussion: Skinning
I am working on a new theme in DX to play with some of the cool new stuff in DX 2. And I am trying to come up with a balance between utility and beauty. This got me thinking. How much is to much.
For those of you who are using DX you will know that most themes are bloated and slow, or minimalist to a point of being unusable by the average user.
I you could have your dream theme. What would it do? I am open to suggestions at this point.
Any Ideas....
Any Ideas....
joetheblow
Reply #2 Wednesday, September 17, 2003 8:43 PM
Reply #2 Wednesday, September 17, 2003 8:43 PM
I think the best theme is one that has 2 or 3 desktops inside of it. By using DX scripts or just plain old away/hide you can make a them that is complex and if its too slow, click a button and it changes to a minimal theme.
One theme can take up desktop space while another can hide beyond the screen. Then the third can have a combination of the two with something sitting in the middle of the desktop.
I try to do that sometimes in my themes. "Thoth" DX is one example, "Stay" is another (DesktopX 1.3)
If you look at the comments you'll see it is appreciated.
=========================
Hey!!! Where are those answers to my questions about Toon XP???
[Message Edited]
One theme can take up desktop space while another can hide beyond the screen. Then the third can have a combination of the two with something sitting in the middle of the desktop.
I try to do that sometimes in my themes. "Thoth" DX is one example, "Stay" is another (DesktopX 1.3)
If you look at the comments you'll see it is appreciated.
=========================
Hey!!! Where are those answers to my questions about Toon XP???
[Message Edited]
Hus
Reply #3 Friday, September 19, 2003 8:27 PM
Reply #3 Friday, September 19, 2003 8:27 PM
The perfect DX theme would have to enhance the already-perfect Windows interface with WB loaded ofcourse. I can't think of a way to improve on the Taskbar+Start menu. If you do, all the better, but a dream DX theme would definately have to run along side XP and not replace it. As far as how it should work...perhaps just a very organized and easy to configure launching system (skinned ofcourse). What else can you do with it?
goodmorphing
Reply #4 Saturday, September 20, 2003 12:12 AM
I'm just starting with DX and I see a lot of potential. What would I dream of? Right now I am extremely short on privacy (I am trying to help out a very paranoid, very nosy older sister). I would like to have the ability to switch instantly to a blank screen, leaving my work running and somehow lock it so only I could open it again. It could have the same wall and everything, just a simple selection of applications (no access to anything except the icons I put on that desk). I should be able to switch back and forth instantly and often.
Reply #4 Saturday, September 20, 2003 12:12 AM
I'm just starting with DX and I see a lot of potential. What would I dream of? Right now I am extremely short on privacy (I am trying to help out a very paranoid, very nosy older sister). I would like to have the ability to switch instantly to a blank screen, leaving my work running and somehow lock it so only I could open it again. It could have the same wall and everything, just a simple selection of applications (no access to anything except the icons I put on that desk). I should be able to switch back and forth instantly and often.
joetheblow
Reply #5 Saturday, September 20, 2003 8:59 AM
Reply #5 Saturday, September 20, 2003 8:59 AM
nosey sister huh??? that is why I will have 3 jobs so I can move out of my nosey sisters house.
can't wait for the stress to begin.
anyway, I am sure DX can do that but it sounds more like scripting than images.
that is why I will have 3 jobs so I can move out of my nosey sisters house.can't wait for the stress to begin.
anyway, I am sure DX can do that but it sounds more like scripting than images.
IPlural
Reply #6 Sunday, September 21, 2003 8:11 PM
Reply #6 Sunday, September 21, 2003 8:11 PM
dunno how much too much might be for most, but on my desktop nothing, on my laptop almost everyone 
still haven't figured out why yet...
900mhz
512 meg ram
10 gig free space
hell I remember when that would have been a monster server!
oh well, mmm, most of my problems come about when loading DTX with OBar for some reason.
DTX with WB works very well.
that includes, icons, cursors and such...
maybe a Full Blown desktop package and then a Lite version for Laptop, and maybe PocketBlinds to round it out for a consistent grove across all computing products?
not much huh?
still haven't figured out why yet...
900mhz
512 meg ram
10 gig free space
hell I remember when that would have been a monster server!
oh well, mmm, most of my problems come about when loading DTX with OBar for some reason.
DTX with WB works very well.
that includes, icons, cursors and such...
maybe a Full Blown desktop package and then a Lite version for Laptop, and maybe PocketBlinds to round it out for a consistent grove across all computing products?
not much huh?
j dott
Reply #9 Thursday, September 25, 2003 12:37 AM
Reply #9 Thursday, September 25, 2003 12:37 AM
goodmorping, you can just make a new object, change object type to system, then choose start screensaver. Configure your screensaver to blank screen and make it require a password when resuming. That way, you can click a button to start it right away, plus it will start on its own if you walk away and forget -- thus thwarting the nosey little sister in all her attempts.
Perfect theme to me. Get rid of all the icons -- I hate icons. I usually use keyboard launchpad to launch programs and groups of programs. You need a good clock and calendar. I like to replace the taskbar with about a 14 pixel bar, on which I include a couple mail checkers, another digital clock that is always visible, and controls and display for object media mp3 player. I also throw in a battery meter so I know when my laptop will be dying on me. I also like to include a start button. One unusual thing I do is to add a small shortcut on my little bar to an animation that acts as a photo slideshow -- I'm always away from home and miss my people. I usually make the system tray a pop up and use a transparent background and have the taskbar at the top border of the window. Start with a good Windowsblind skin, find or make a good wallpaper, and start from there. DX is only using about 12 megs of ram -- half as much as stardock central.
Perfect theme to me. Get rid of all the icons -- I hate icons. I usually use keyboard launchpad to launch programs and groups of programs. You need a good clock and calendar. I like to replace the taskbar with about a 14 pixel bar, on which I include a couple mail checkers, another digital clock that is always visible, and controls and display for object media mp3 player. I also throw in a battery meter so I know when my laptop will be dying on me. I also like to include a start button. One unusual thing I do is to add a small shortcut on my little bar to an animation that acts as a photo slideshow -- I'm always away from home and miss my people. I usually make the system tray a pop up and use a transparent background and have the taskbar at the top border of the window. Start with a good Windowsblind skin, find or make a good wallpaper, and start from there. DX is only using about 12 megs of ram -- half as much as stardock central.
joetheblow
Reply #10 Thursday, September 25, 2003 11:48 AM
I should Have guessed that.
[Message Edited]
Reply #10 Thursday, September 25, 2003 11:48 AM
| #7 by PowerUser joetheblow - 9/23/2003 4:59:40 AM DTX????what is that? #8 by IPlural - 9/23/2003 8:36:41 AM DeskTopX |
I should Have guessed that.
[Message Edited]
Raithe
Reply #11 Saturday, September 27, 2003 4:29 PM
Reply #11 Saturday, September 27, 2003 4:29 PM
Finally, someone who believes there should be balance! Most of the DX designers appear to either want to show off or don't know enough. I commend you on your decision mormegil. My advice would have to start here:
1. Work on your computer - but take note to what you do and where you go. This will aid in determing what you should be included for your DX.
2. Don't get side-tracked by things(that is tools) that would look cool - the key here is FUNCTIONAL. (Think in terms of what you would bring with you on a trip in a suitcase. You don't need a kitchen sink
) Don't be like that kid in the candy store, who wants it all!
3. Be as creative as you want! Yeah, you want it to be functional but don't sacrifice your work.
4. Do not add lists of programs the average person will not have on his/her computer. Remember, you have to be practical as well as functional. Don't have a list of 4 web browsers when you can just add one button that says internet, and let them tell it where to go.
Now having said all that, lets move on. One of the best things I think I have ever seen was a skin that was done for Winamp 3. It is called Invicta and was located on this website. If you want to get some good ideas on balance of functionality versus art, my advise would be to check it out.
1. Work on your computer - but take note to what you do and where you go. This will aid in determing what you should be included for your DX.
2. Don't get side-tracked by things(that is tools) that would look cool - the key here is FUNCTIONAL. (Think in terms of what you would bring with you on a trip in a suitcase. You don't need a kitchen sink
) Don't be like that kid in the candy store, who wants it all!3. Be as creative as you want! Yeah, you want it to be functional but don't sacrifice your work.
4. Do not add lists of programs the average person will not have on his/her computer. Remember, you have to be practical as well as functional. Don't have a list of 4 web browsers when you can just add one button that says internet, and let them tell it where to go.
Now having said all that, lets move on. One of the best things I think I have ever seen was a skin that was done for Winamp 3. It is called Invicta and was located on this website. If you want to get some good ideas on balance of functionality versus art, my advise would be to check it out.
Styl-X Design
Reply #13 Sunday, September 28, 2003 5:02 AM
Reply #13 Sunday, September 28, 2003 5:02 AM
Mormegil, just give us icons to match it, and it would be a killer theme 
goodmorphing
Reply #14 Monday, September 29, 2003 11:16 PM
Thank you! I shall try to do that. It would be a rellef....!!!
Reply #14 Monday, September 29, 2003 11:16 PM
| #9 by Citizen j dott - 9/25/2003 12:37:39 AM |
Thank you! I shall try to do that. It would be a rellef....!!!
goodmorphing
Reply #15 Monday, September 29, 2003 11:20 PM
Reply #15 Monday, September 29, 2003 11:20 PM
I kind of wish that DX calendars were more like rainlender... I have XP home, and not professional, and the reminder function on the DX calenders that I have found doesn't work.
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Reply #1 Wednesday, September 17, 2003 2:46 PM