Heroes of the skinning
Sunday, August 19, 2001 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Many of you reading this have been around since the beginning.
Which skinners, past or present, would you say were instrumental to making skinning evolve from being a technogeek hobby into something that is done by millions of people?
I'm going to name a few people from the really old days that I think were absolutely crucial. This is by no means a complete list, please add your own.
DAK. (Dimitry). He made the WBMania series of skins and they were amongst the first skins to really show why you might want to use a GUI changer.
Luche. He made the "Simple" series of skins. His "Simple" skin was the first UIS2 skin that I saw that made me go, "Wow, this is why we're spending all this time making this software!" (simple v.02 is here).
Decoder. He was the FIRST real skin author for WindowBlinds. He somehow managed to get the primitive original UIS1 language to do neat stuff. We don't even support UIS1 anymore. I really miss Decoder. I haven't seen him around in a long time and he really had a good eye for things.
John Folden. He was the OS master. And the thing I think that helped WindowBlinds beat out say Chroma and eFX is that WindowBlinds could do OS skins better and that's what many of the early adopters used it for (to make Windows look like a Mac or OS/2 or NeXT). John Folden, who went on to help launch NeXTStart, created much of the early OS ports.
Ed Deans. Ed Deans and I have known each other since 1995. He was the Stardock icon guy. He has done every major Stardock product's icon since 1996. Starting on OS/2 and continuing forward on Windows. He's an OS guru. He's made some of the best and most popular WindowBlinds skins (Liquid), some of the best icon collections, and has done Kaleidoscope themes. Lots of people talk about the "skin community", Ed Deans is arguably one of the founders of it.
Allen Bond. He created skins that were useful and just incredibly unique. Ampulla, which I noticed is queued to be highlighted soon, was one of many skins he created. I miss his presence online a great deal.
Mercury. He hasn't been really active recently but he started making skins in early 1999 and continued a steady release of increasingly impressive skins. No skin author yet has created more technologically advanced skins. Some of his skins have done things we weren't aware were possible. He was the first to have animated scrollbars for instance in his skins.
Dangeruss. No list woudl be complete without Dangeruss. Russ was particularly crucial because he helped put a mainstream face on skinning. The responsible adult with a regular job who also liked creating skins was highlighted in a Wired magazine article on the growing movement. Russ also created skins that were particularly..polished. SOmething many skinners of the time failed to do. And he also created the first quality Aqua based skin which really put the world on notice that skinnign wasn't just a bunch of hacker crap. The Aqua skin on WindowBlinds was authentic enough to scare the crap out of Apple and sent their lawyers on a frenzy to remove that skin from every site they could.
Now this is just a partial list. But these and many others are what have made it possible for us all to enjoy such complete customization of our systems.
It is with some irony that Microsoft shoudl be thankful to them as well. One has to wonder how many people might have been tempted to go to Linux for its customization if skinning on Windows hadn't exploded into popularity when it did.
Which skinners, past or present, would you say were instrumental to making skinning evolve from being a technogeek hobby into something that is done by millions of people?
I'm going to name a few people from the really old days that I think were absolutely crucial. This is by no means a complete list, please add your own.
DAK. (Dimitry). He made the WBMania series of skins and they were amongst the first skins to really show why you might want to use a GUI changer.
Luche. He made the "Simple" series of skins. His "Simple" skin was the first UIS2 skin that I saw that made me go, "Wow, this is why we're spending all this time making this software!" (simple v.02 is here).
Decoder. He was the FIRST real skin author for WindowBlinds. He somehow managed to get the primitive original UIS1 language to do neat stuff. We don't even support UIS1 anymore. I really miss Decoder. I haven't seen him around in a long time and he really had a good eye for things.
John Folden. He was the OS master. And the thing I think that helped WindowBlinds beat out say Chroma and eFX is that WindowBlinds could do OS skins better and that's what many of the early adopters used it for (to make Windows look like a Mac or OS/2 or NeXT). John Folden, who went on to help launch NeXTStart, created much of the early OS ports.
Ed Deans. Ed Deans and I have known each other since 1995. He was the Stardock icon guy. He has done every major Stardock product's icon since 1996. Starting on OS/2 and continuing forward on Windows. He's an OS guru. He's made some of the best and most popular WindowBlinds skins (Liquid), some of the best icon collections, and has done Kaleidoscope themes. Lots of people talk about the "skin community", Ed Deans is arguably one of the founders of it.
Allen Bond. He created skins that were useful and just incredibly unique. Ampulla, which I noticed is queued to be highlighted soon, was one of many skins he created. I miss his presence online a great deal.
Mercury. He hasn't been really active recently but he started making skins in early 1999 and continued a steady release of increasingly impressive skins. No skin author yet has created more technologically advanced skins. Some of his skins have done things we weren't aware were possible. He was the first to have animated scrollbars for instance in his skins.
Dangeruss. No list woudl be complete without Dangeruss. Russ was particularly crucial because he helped put a mainstream face on skinning. The responsible adult with a regular job who also liked creating skins was highlighted in a Wired magazine article on the growing movement. Russ also created skins that were particularly..polished. SOmething many skinners of the time failed to do. And he also created the first quality Aqua based skin which really put the world on notice that skinnign wasn't just a bunch of hacker crap. The Aqua skin on WindowBlinds was authentic enough to scare the crap out of Apple and sent their lawyers on a frenzy to remove that skin from every site they could.
Now this is just a partial list. But these and many others are what have made it possible for us all to enjoy such complete customization of our systems.
It is with some irony that Microsoft shoudl be thankful to them as well. One has to wonder how many people might have been tempted to go to Linux for its customization if skinning on Windows hadn't exploded into popularity when it did.
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pjpowell
Reply #22 Monday, August 20, 2001 11:49 AM
Reply #22 Monday, August 20, 2001 11:49 AM
There are so many that I'm not going to re-list them. But like Buzz I would put MadIce up there. His WBAmp plugin was what got me into skinning. I did my first skin purely as a way to test his plugin. The skin is a nightmare but the plugin was/is great. He was so helpful in my first days of skinning and gave me a lot of advice on various things. Without his help then I probably would not be posting on this site now. He then updated his plugin and I was forced to do another WB skin (after promising myself I was never gonna do another one after the first). I think that one turned out better (Light Wood).
Now as a result of testing his DXPlayer plugin my latest WB skin (and hopefully DX and OB theme to come) popped into my head and is getting close to release.
Now as a result of testing his DXPlayer plugin my latest WB skin (and hopefully DX and OB theme to come) popped into my head and is getting close to release.
oinky
Reply #23 Monday, August 20, 2001 12:15 PM
Reply #23 Monday, August 20, 2001 12:15 PM
The old skins for K-jofol were always my favorites. Roman and Vendicator, among others, had some of the most original skins anywhere. They always went as freeform as they could and never seemed to rehash an idea and try to use it over again in their next skin. It's this kind of imagination that I appreciate the most of all, and is the number one influence in anything that I make.
jtfolden
Reply #24 Monday, August 20, 2001 12:40 PM
Reply #24 Monday, August 20, 2001 12:40 PM
Thanks for the mention Brad, Elwin. 
Quite a few people look down on OS ports despite the fact that a lot of people are into skinning utils for that very reason.
I'd have to say that I don't use a lot of other people's themes very often but on my personal list of faves, I'd put Kyte and Essorant right at the top. Kyte, who unfortunately hasn't released anything in ages, probably inspired me more than anyone.
Quite a few people look down on OS ports despite the fact that a lot of people are into skinning utils for that very reason.I'd have to say that I don't use a lot of other people's themes very often but on my personal list of faves, I'd put Kyte and Essorant right at the top. Kyte, who unfortunately hasn't released anything in ages, probably inspired me more than anyone.
MadIce
Reply #25 Monday, August 20, 2001 12:49 PM
Reply #25 Monday, August 20, 2001 12:49 PM
In the time I have been around there were some great people I have met. You will recognize a lot of them. Not all of them are skinners. Most of them are active here and on the newsgroup to help people out. It is no coincidence that these people also helped me to test/develop the plugins. Thanks.
Andrew Buzzo
Cartier Hung
Craig
CyCoPaTh
d
Dan Boldon
David D'Antonio
DavidK
dbqp
Douglas Quebbeman
Ge0ph
Jafo
Jason Haag
jef
Martin Conroy
Morphh
Mercury
Niek Albers
Philip Powell
Salvador R. Manzo
scratch
The GreenReaper
Andrew Buzzo
Cartier Hung
Craig
CyCoPaTh
d
Dan Boldon
David D'Antonio
DavidK
dbqp
Douglas Quebbeman
Ge0ph
Jafo
Jason Haag
jef
Martin Conroy
Morphh
Mercury
Niek Albers
Philip Powell
Salvador R. Manzo
scratch
The GreenReaper
plainsong
Reply #27 Monday, August 20, 2001 1:22 PM
Reply #27 Monday, August 20, 2001 1:22 PM
I'll say Juni. He always tries to be different from everyone else, even in his KDE days. Even if we won't do that theme I've been pestering him for.. or add any winamp skins, he's my skinning hero. 
*bats eyelashes*
*bats eyelashes*
Elwin
Reply #28 Monday, August 20, 2001 2:22 PM
Reply #28 Monday, August 20, 2001 2:22 PM
Good grief, I almost forgot John "Tierne" Allen. Looking at his WPs and Nextstart themes, he still stands the test of time.
Doreen
Reply #29 Monday, August 20, 2001 3:53 PM
Reply #29 Monday, August 20, 2001 3:53 PM
Which skinners, past or present, would you say were instrumental to making skinning evolve from being a technogeek hobby into something that is done by millions of people?
by Admin Frogboy - 8/19/2001 10:25:36 PM
okay lemme get serious on this question...
Dangerous of course!
Mercury (style all his own)
Crumbut (sytle all his own)
Morphh - "outstanding" for ani windowblinds!! wowza!!!!!!
DavidK (classy skinner)
Allen Bond (I'm still waiting for my Rainbow jellyblind)
those are the ones I think of & not in any particular order...
by Admin Frogboy - 8/19/2001 10:25:36 PM
okay lemme get serious on this question...
Dangerous of course!
Mercury (style all his own)
Crumbut (sytle all his own)
Morphh - "outstanding" for ani windowblinds!! wowza!!!!!!
DavidK (classy skinner)
Allen Bond (I'm still waiting for my Rainbow jellyblind)
those are the ones I think of & not in any particular order...
Doreen
Reply #30 Monday, August 20, 2001 3:57 PM
Reply #30 Monday, August 20, 2001 3:57 PM
son of a gun! see I did not wanna answer this question cuz I just KNEW I'd forget a few...
Paxx (IWIN my default WB's)
Jafo (when I feel in a sexy trans mood)
and I know there is more! but I gotta get back to work and stop playing...
Paxx (IWIN my default WB's)
Jafo (when I feel in a sexy trans mood)
and I know there is more! but I gotta get back to work and stop playing...
BoXXi
Reply #31 Monday, August 20, 2001 6:10 PM
Reply #31 Monday, August 20, 2001 6:10 PM
The two people I admire most are two whose work I came across when I first became interested in desktop customization. They are:
Bob Starck-Higgins, who mainly makes Talisman themes.
Layne Karkruff, who works mostly on Mac stuff. His "Desktop Consoles", and Kaleidoscope stuff are magnificent. Check him out here:
http://www.blueskyheart.com
Most other skinners impress me, simply because I am useless at it!
You're ALL cool, guys.
Bob Starck-Higgins, who mainly makes Talisman themes.
Layne Karkruff, who works mostly on Mac stuff. His "Desktop Consoles", and Kaleidoscope stuff are magnificent. Check him out here:
http://www.blueskyheart.com
Most other skinners impress me, simply because I am useless at it!
You're ALL cool, guys.
Dork
Reply #32 Monday, August 20, 2001 6:22 PM
Reply #32 Monday, August 20, 2001 6:22 PM
Dork is currently inspired by, in NO particular order;
treetog: artistic ability + sense of humility,
Dangeruss: technical ablility + overall activity within the 'community'
Nuvem: artistic ability + marvelous creativity + did i say artistic ability?
Crumbut: activity + 'community' spirit + exceptional use of contrasting color,
Jafo: i dunno, can't really see much, + keeps everyone honest,
Essorant: master of simplicity + color management,
mormegil: made the 'zoomer' the default object style of DX,
Mercury: pioneer of WB capabilities,
Doreen: a beautiful wall that made it through skinz + coffee, the stuff of life,
China: them sexy lil' fonts,,
and all the others who i have failed to mention here, nonetheless have affected and do effect my every day...
:::thank you all:::
sumdumdork
treetog: artistic ability + sense of humility,
Dangeruss: technical ablility + overall activity within the 'community'
Nuvem: artistic ability + marvelous creativity + did i say artistic ability?
Crumbut: activity + 'community' spirit + exceptional use of contrasting color,
Jafo: i dunno, can't really see much,
+ keeps everyone honest,Essorant: master of simplicity + color management,
mormegil: made the 'zoomer' the default object style of DX,
Mercury: pioneer of WB capabilities,
Doreen: a beautiful wall that made it through skinz + coffee, the stuff of life,
China: them sexy lil' fonts,
,and all the others who i have failed to mention here, nonetheless have affected and do effect my every day...
:::thank you all:::
sumdumdork
rmiles7721
Reply #33 Monday, August 20, 2001 7:10 PM
Reply #33 Monday, August 20, 2001 7:10 PM
Douglas Quebbeman, Ge0ph, Allen Bond, Bob Starck-Higgins, Dangeruss. All have been mentioned before, but they are my favorites. One that has not been mentioned is Tin_Omen. He doesn't release very much as compared to other theme authors, but in the early days of Litestep he was a very big influence. I came upon the skinning community around the time of LS b23 and knew what my desktop had been missing for so long. I was very involved in BBS customization, and very much missed that kind of stuff.
Elwin
Reply #35 Monday, August 20, 2001 7:55 PM
Reply #35 Monday, August 20, 2001 7:55 PM
Good grief, yes! Tin did the Brom2 eFX skin - flat out blew me away...
craeonics
Reply #36 Monday, August 20, 2001 8:52 PM
Reply #36 Monday, August 20, 2001 8:52 PM
Alright, grandpa's Jafo and Elwin, enough nostalgia. Time for your afternoon nap.
Elwin
Reply #38 Monday, August 20, 2001 9:21 PM
Reply #38 Monday, August 20, 2001 9:21 PM
Crae: wipe your nose, and go outside and play in the street - grandpa needs his sleep...
Doreen
Reply #40 Monday, August 20, 2001 9:33 PM
Reply #40 Monday, August 20, 2001 9:33 PM
okay lemme get somewhat serious "again" yes...
craeonics is my "true hero of skinning" he always keeps things "Real"
(yeah I know he is he king of off topic stuff)
but he knows the "root" of skinning better than anyone I know
(juss look at "skinning words" over at skinz.org)
well nevermind they are a distant memory now but...
who else knows the how to make words like that from the "spirit" of skinning?
hehe
XXXOOOXXX
(I wuvvvvvv my Dutchy!!!!)
and.....
well he is my hero!!!!!!! hehe
craeonics is my "true hero of skinning" he always keeps things "Real"
(yeah I know he is he king of off topic stuff)
but he knows the "root" of skinning better than anyone I know
(juss look at "skinning words" over at skinz.org)
well nevermind they are a distant memory now but...
who else knows the how to make words like that from the "spirit" of skinning?
hehe
XXXOOOXXX
(I wuvvvvvv my Dutchy!!!!)
and.....
well he is my hero!!!!!!! hehe
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Reply #21 Monday, August 20, 2001 11:13 AM
Having spent some time online with John Folden, I'm glad you've included him. That was an extremely good call...
And I've been conversing with Allen Bond for about a month now, and I assure you, he misses the skinning scene too. But school is keeping him from being an active member at the moment.
And as a matter of fact, I've been developing a series of skins based on his Ironhorse WB skin, with his permission, and support.