Where should downloads be unzipped to?
Friday, September 24, 2004 by AmberEyes | Discussion: Stardock Software
I've noticed quite a few message threads asking where to unzip the various programs' downloads.
Maybe one of the admins could make a list of the locations where they would normally go. I'm a newbie myself and I'm not always sure that the location I'm extracting the files to is the correct place for them to work. I've been having problems with the wallpapers showing up until I saw one of the responses to one of the message threads I referred to above.
Oh, and how about making the list a dreaded sticky so that it would always be near the top of the list?
Thanks.
Maybe one of the admins could make a list of the locations where they would normally go. I'm a newbie myself and I'm not always sure that the location I'm extracting the files to is the correct place for them to work. I've been having problems with the wallpapers showing up until I saw one of the responses to one of the message threads I referred to above.
Oh, and how about making the list a dreaded sticky so that it would always be near the top of the list?
Thanks.
AmberEyes
Reply #2 Friday, September 24, 2004 12:02 PM
Reply #2 Friday, September 24, 2004 12:02 PM
Thanks Essencay, that's what I've been doing. I was just having problems with where to put the wallpapers. I save all of my downloads as zip files to copy over to my other harddrive as a backup rather than letting them install themselves. I do let SDC upate the programs though.
Koasati
Reply #3 Friday, September 24, 2004 12:18 PM
Reply #3 Friday, September 24, 2004 12:18 PM
Wallpapers can actually go anywere you please. It's really up to the individual's preference. Some folks place them in the Windows folders, some in Windows\Web\Wallpaper, some in the My Pictures folder. I have them in various folders, depending on what type of wall it is. It's totally up to you. 
AmberEyes
Reply #4 Friday, September 24, 2004 12:28 PM
Reply #4 Friday, September 24, 2004 12:28 PM
Thanks Koasati. I don't use My Documents or any of its sub-folders. I prefer to make my own default folders for the usual Office docs, downloads, etc. However, I do let programs create their folders in their default locations (it avoids a lot of headaches later).
SelfExiled
Reply #5 Friday, September 24, 2004 12:49 PM
Reply #5 Friday, September 24, 2004 12:49 PM
You can also attach any wallpaper to any wb skin so that the wall will load with the skin. 
AmberEyes
Reply #6 Friday, September 24, 2004 1:30 PM
Reply #6 Friday, September 24, 2004 1:30 PM
Thanks ChasUGC. I was just reading about that in the tutorial. I have several jpg wallpapers from the old Desktop Architect themes that I want to use on my computer - especially my Lord of the Rings stuff. (I was still using DA until I discovered this whole addictive WC universe). I'm still reading about how to do things with the different components.
Koasati
Reply #7 Friday, September 24, 2004 1:32 PM
Reply #7 Friday, September 24, 2004 1:32 PM
| You can also attach any wallpaper to any wb skin so that the wall will load with the skin. |
Must be a bmp, or WindowBlinds won't see it.
AmberEyes
Reply #8 Friday, September 24, 2004 1:37 PM
Reply #8 Friday, September 24, 2004 1:37 PM
Now I'm confused. Does DX use jpg and WB use bmp?
Also, I have some photos I took that I think might make some nice wallpapers (they are jpg). Do they need to be jpg or bmp?
Also, I have some photos I took that I think might make some nice wallpapers (they are jpg). Do they need to be jpg or bmp?
Koasati
Reply #9 Friday, September 24, 2004 1:51 PM
Reply #9 Friday, September 24, 2004 1:51 PM
| Do they need to be jpg or bmp? |
Depends on how you want to apply them.
AmberEyes
Reply #10 Friday, September 24, 2004 1:57 PM
Reply #10 Friday, September 24, 2004 1:57 PM
So, if I want to use them as part of WB I need to convert them to bmp? They load just fine as jpg with DX.
Also, if I wanted to upload them for consideration as wallpapers for others to use, what would I need to do about their format, size, etc?
Also, if I wanted to upload them for consideration as wallpapers for others to use, what would I need to do about their format, size, etc?
Koasati
Reply #11 Friday, September 24, 2004 2:51 PM
Reply #11 Friday, September 24, 2004 2:51 PM
If you want them to load with WB skins, yes they must be saved as bmp. To upload as wallpapers here, I would keep them as jpg, because of file size. Sizes.... we prefer a minimum res of 1024x768. You can also try resizing them up to 1280x1024, 1600x1200, and include those in the zip as well.
AmberEyes
Reply #12 Friday, September 24, 2004 2:56 PM
Reply #12 Friday, September 24, 2004 2:56 PM
How do I resize without losing picture quality? How do I zip the multiple files? (I've only unzipped, not zipped.) I have winzip as well as the zip that comes with OD.
Koasati
Reply #13 Friday, September 24, 2004 3:10 PM
[Message Edited]
Reply #13 Friday, September 24, 2004 3:10 PM
| How do I resize without losing picture quality? |
Which graphics program will you be using? If you're using PSP I can help, but whatever you use, there should be info in the Help files.
| How do I zip the multiple files? |
I don't use WinZip, or ObjectZip, but most zip programs are somewhat similar..... again, try the help files. If you still have questions, ask.
[Message Edited]
AmberEyes
Reply #14 Friday, September 24, 2004 8:48 PM
Reply #14 Friday, September 24, 2004 8:48 PM
Thanks Koasati.
I have an old trial version of PSP7 which I have never installed. I have the PSP9 beta that I didn't get around to installing. I have Photoshop 6 (not installed), and I have CorelDraw 8 (not installed). None of these are installed because I'm cleaning up my computer to create a compressed backup image that won't be 3GB or more in size. Which of these would be the best to use?
I have an old trial version of PSP7 which I have never installed. I have the PSP9 beta that I didn't get around to installing. I have Photoshop 6 (not installed), and I have CorelDraw 8 (not installed). None of these are installed because I'm cleaning up my computer to create a compressed backup image that won't be 3GB or more in size. Which of these would be the best to use?
SelfExiled
Reply #15 Friday, September 24, 2004 11:34 PM
Reply #15 Friday, September 24, 2004 11:34 PM
I use PSP myself. But, the trial versions may not allow you to do certain things. If you open a jpg file, never save it as a jpg. You will lose quality with most programs including PSP.
Basically, you can't resize without losing some quality. You can save the image as a bmp using paint(save as), and use the option to stretch the walls in display properties. This way you don't have to alter the original picture.
If you want to improve the quality, you can try the options to sharpen the image in PSP.
With Winzip, you can select the multiple files by clicking one and holding the ctrl key down and select another. You can select all the files by clicking one and then holding the shift key down and click the last one.
Once your files are selected, then right click on one of the selected files and choose "add to zip".
A dialog will appear and you will need to pick a name for your zip and a location of where you want it to go.
Note: These must be wallpapers that you created yourself. To upload another artists work is a copyright violation unless you have written permission text, which you will need to include with the zip. Personal photos are your creation and no permission is needed. As Koasati said, they must be in jpg form. But, try to find a program where you won't lose quality.
| How do I resize without losing picture quality? |
Basically, you can't resize without losing some quality. You can save the image as a bmp using paint(save as), and use the option to stretch the walls in display properties. This way you don't have to alter the original picture.
If you want to improve the quality, you can try the options to sharpen the image in PSP.
| How do I zip the multiple files? |
With Winzip, you can select the multiple files by clicking one and holding the ctrl key down and select another. You can select all the files by clicking one and then holding the shift key down and click the last one.
Once your files are selected, then right click on one of the selected files and choose "add to zip".
A dialog will appear and you will need to pick a name for your zip and a location of where you want it to go.
| Also, if I wanted to upload them for consideration as wallpapers for others to use |
Note: These must be wallpapers that you created yourself. To upload another artists work is a copyright violation unless you have written permission text, which you will need to include with the zip. Personal photos are your creation and no permission is needed. As Koasati said, they must be in jpg form. But, try to find a program where you won't lose quality.
Koasati
Reply #16 Saturday, September 25, 2004 1:55 AM
Reply #16 Saturday, September 25, 2004 1:55 AM
I've had pretty good results resizing wallpapers with PSP. And I don't have a lot trouble with jpg. Sure you lose a little quality with jpg because it a compressed file. But if you can't see the loss, it really doesn't matter does it? The trick is not to compress too much..... the JPG Optimizer in PSP is really handy for adjusting the compression.
[Message Edited]
[Message Edited]
AmberEyes
Reply #17 Saturday, September 25, 2004 6:35 AM
Reply #17 Saturday, September 25, 2004 6:35 AM
Thanks to both of you. The photos are my own and I already knew about getting written permission about using someone else's work. Which is what I will have to do if I use any graphics because I'm not much of an artist.
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Reply #1 Friday, September 24, 2004 11:48 AM