1. You are buying the software that applies the skins that are free or paid for. Some of the skin authors are Masters, who are entitled to charge for their work.

2. Most of the Theme Manager suites do not include the skins themselves, only the links to the skins, which must be downloaded. That's because the person who assembled the theme is not the author, and does not have the right to upload the skin.

3. No recommendations from me. Mouse over Explore near the top left of this page; go down to WindowBlinds, and look through the gallery. Sometimes, there are matching skins for things like docks, DesktopX, Sysmetrix, and so on, so do a search if you find a WB skin that you like.

4. Try here:  http://wiki.wincustomize.com/wiki/Main_Page

Welcome to WC ian8.

     You got a really good deal with Object Desktop...all those programs. I play with them so much I drive me crazy. Anyway.....willistuder's suggestion is a good one. Explore the galleries and get an idea as to what you like and compare them. There's nothing like opening the door to see what's inside. Have fun.

Thanks guys.  Appreciate that artists should be compensated, but $10 or more for a theme seemed a bit much.  I would have been happy with a dollar or two.

Anyway - I'll read through the Wiki link - thank you - and I have explored the gallery in depth and been loving it.

I'm with you ian...I did the same exact thing. Purchased Object Desktop because I thought it included most of the things I would need to have the beautiful pages I've seen.There isn't anything resembling an instructional manual. I'm not sure what to do and where to start. I you or anyone else has any tips or tricks, Please post them?

That would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

Joey

P.S.-When I clicked on the link in the, I believe, in the first response to your post ian it says it's been removed? Weird...

Another thing I just noticed in the "explore" section, almost everything I moved my cursor over had a "purchase" link to the right. What is up with that? Just paid $60 for Object Desktop and something else that was $9.99. Just found out we have to pay MORE $$...I can't help feeling I've been taken. Maybe it's just that I'm such a beginner with it, I don't know. Someone offer a little help? Please?

Thanks...

Joey

2 year old thread........in WC years, definitely classified as a necro-thread.

If you have the software installed you don't need to purchase it....that link is for those browsing that haven't already purchased the software.

Click on the categories on the left side to get to the respective galleries for each program.

That's just standard website links.  You don't have to pay for anything else if you already have it.

definitely classified as a necro-thread

Please-pardon my stupidity...But what is a necro-thread? 

joehandy2, look at the date on reply #3 and then look at your reply #4.  A necro-thread is one that the last reply was a long time ago (a dead thread) and then someone posts to it.  

I've been a member for four years and I feel the value far exceeds the cost. Aside from the aesthetic qualities you can choose widgets or desktops that enhance productivity, making it easier to get to things. You don't have to purchase a premium skin. I've collected more than 100 skins and am still discovering new ones.

You can learn a lot about Win internals if you're into that. Customizing and getting the right balance (sometimes) will teach you color theory too. The more you learn the more you'll be able to tailor the interface to your work-style, and that can offset the expenditure. I'm not always doing everything I like on my system, so anything that stimulates my imagination and boosts my mood is welcome.

If you're searching for a passive income stream (and these days who isn't) creating premium themes is a nice way to do it. My progress to skinning is a slow one given the many priorities I have to juggle, but I plan to get there.

After the first year, the membership fee will drop which will increase the ROI even more.

I agree with the proposition "design is what it does." Just be patient and let yourself explore.

And thanks for the ebook idea...there are probably others out there but one more "get to know WB" couldn't hoit!