The Skin Browser beta is available...
Wednesday, May 15, 2002 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
If you subscribe to WinCustomize for a year, you get access to the beta of the Skin browser immediately. Though the first beta only works on XP/2K (we expect to resolve that in a few days), it's already pretty darn cool.
Here are some screenshots:
https://www.stardock.com/products/skinbrowser/sb-2.jpg
https://www.stardock.com/products/skinbrowser/sb-3.jpg
https://www.stardock.com/products/skinbrowser/sb-4.jpg
I honestly think that after having used the skin browser that it really changes the way you use customization software.
Here's why:
1) It knows how to apply the skins directly. You can literally look at a WinAmp skin or a DesktopX object or a wallpaper and click "Apply" as if it was on yoru hard drive and the browser will literally download and apply it for you (putting the file in the proper directory for you too - even if the file is inside a zip file!)
2) It treats comments like looking at Outlook Express or something. This may greatly increase the amount of comments people see on skins.
3) It is incredibly fast. It's downright freaky.
4) If you don't have the program it needs, it'll download it for you or at least take you to the page (this is not yet fully implemented - works for OUR apps ).
If you want to get it, here's where to go:
https://store.stardock.com/addproduct.asp?PRODUCT_ID=ESD-SDS-W052
Here are some screenshots:
https://www.stardock.com/products/skinbrowser/sb-2.jpg
https://www.stardock.com/products/skinbrowser/sb-3.jpg
https://www.stardock.com/products/skinbrowser/sb-4.jpg
I honestly think that after having used the skin browser that it really changes the way you use customization software.
Here's why:
1) It knows how to apply the skins directly. You can literally look at a WinAmp skin or a DesktopX object or a wallpaper and click "Apply" as if it was on yoru hard drive and the browser will literally download and apply it for you (putting the file in the proper directory for you too - even if the file is inside a zip file!)
2) It treats comments like looking at Outlook Express or something. This may greatly increase the amount of comments people see on skins.
3) It is incredibly fast. It's downright freaky.
4) If you don't have the program it needs, it'll download it for you or at least take you to the page (this is not yet fully implemented - works for OUR apps ).
If you want to get it, here's where to go:
https://store.stardock.com/addproduct.asp?PRODUCT_ID=ESD-SDS-W052
Woodbridge
Reply #2 Thursday, May 16, 2002 3:03 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, May 16, 2002 3:03 PM
I just thought of an idea that maybe you could add to future versions....Favourites.
Add the option to mark a skin/wallpaper as a favourite (similar to DevArt) the favourites could be store in a list on the client PC and viewed/backed up. Perhaps it could replace the ratings....
Not really sure if that is a good idea or not, but I just thought I'd mention it.
Add the option to mark a skin/wallpaper as a favourite (similar to DevArt) the favourites could be store in a list on the client PC and viewed/backed up. Perhaps it could replace the ratings....
Not really sure if that is a good idea or not, but I just thought I'd mention it.
MichaelO
Reply #3 Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:06 PM
Reply #3 Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:06 PM
Is there a way to search for all elements of a suite with the browser? 
pjpowell
Reply #5 Friday, May 17, 2002 3:12 AM
Reply #5 Friday, May 17, 2002 3:12 AM
You can search for all items by clicking on Library on the left and then putting the search text in teh box at the top withoput clicking any libraries. Just did this for Sputnik. This is something I have wished was possible for ages. Great job T-Man and Alexandrie!
pjpowell
Reply #6 Friday, May 17, 2002 3:13 AM
Reply #6 Friday, May 17, 2002 3:13 AM
Sorry for the typos. Wish we could edit our old messages. 
MichaelO
Reply #7 Friday, May 17, 2002 9:44 AM
Reply #7 Friday, May 17, 2002 9:44 AM
Sorry, what I meant to say was is there a way to search all the libraries by a theme name in the new SkinBrowser.
T-Man
Reply #8 Friday, May 17, 2002 10:04 AM
Reply #8 Friday, May 17, 2002 10:04 AM
Right now there is not a way to search globally through all libraries but I am sure thats a change we can make.
MichaelO
Reply #9 Friday, May 17, 2002 11:16 AM
Reply #9 Friday, May 17, 2002 11:16 AM
Thanks! Both earlier messages Browser powered as well. 
coffeegrinder
Reply #10 Friday, May 17, 2002 11:58 AM
Reply #10 Friday, May 17, 2002 11:58 AM
Being an ME user do I subscribe now or wait for ME compatability?
GreenReaper
Reply #11 Friday, May 17, 2002 12:25 PM
Reply #11 Friday, May 17, 2002 12:25 PM
Well, personally I'd wait until support was in - if Stardock want your money, then they'll work to get it in quickly. But it's up to you. Probably will only be a few days in any case, so it doesn't particularly matter.
DavidJH
Reply #13 Friday, May 17, 2002 5:47 PM
Reply #13 Friday, May 17, 2002 5:47 PM
The skin browser is cool, however I notice there are new windowblind skins on the wincustomize site which haven't made it to the browser yet. Should it update automatically? Also the drop down menu for windowblinds in the browser is pretty slow on my computer, I know xp and other skins have been grouped together, I think they should be seperated for quicker accessing. Overall it's great!
Risky1
Reply #14 Friday, May 17, 2002 7:19 PM
Reply #14 Friday, May 17, 2002 7:19 PM
Question..........Why would anyone pay money for a beta release? Comments please.....
elvee
Reply #15 Friday, May 17, 2002 7:47 PM
Reply #15 Friday, May 17, 2002 7:47 PM
I would assume that you are paying for a year subscription and any updates to Skinbrowser come with it?
I love it by the way
I love it by the way
starone
Reply #17 Friday, May 17, 2002 7:52 PM
Reply #17 Friday, May 17, 2002 7:52 PM
Do we have a definative date on the 98,ME version yet?
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Reply #1 Thursday, May 16, 2002 2:41 PM
I love the fact that I can click apply and it downloads and applys in one go with out me having to trawl through my downloads folder.
Thumbs up
(I'm even writting this in SkinBrowser