Will WinStyles 1.2 change the way Windows customization is looked at?
Tuesday, June 25, 2002 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
WinStyles has been a major project at Stardock for over 2 years now. Originally dubbed "Convergence", this program was designed to put it all together. In the upcoming Object Desktop 2002, it's installed with the label "Object Desktop Theme Manager (WinStyles)". The new version of WinStyles that comes with Object Desktop 2002 will shortly be available on its own as WinStyles 1.2. It's a pretty significant update providing a heavily revamped user interface that will make it much more appealing to users than previous versions:
Screenshot: https://www.stardock.com/temp/wcmag4.jpg
WinStyles is designed to try to hide the complexity of Windows customization and instead deal with it as a single unified whole. Casual users who found it difficult to wonder what exactly the difference is between WindowBlinds and IconPackager and Beatnik and DesktopX no longer have to even worry about what these programs are and do. And that, along with its distributed file format called .SUITE which allows a user to apply a theme in which the parts are downloaded from various locations on the fly, has made WinStyles somewhat controversal. And with some reason.
A typical WinStyles theme might include a WindowBlinds skin, an icon package (IconPackager), a DesktopX theme, an ObjectBar bar, a Winamp skin, and an ICQPlus skin. But the casual user won't know that necessarily. They simply download a theme that, for example, makes Windows look like the user interface of their favorite video game. WinStyles talks to the various programs for the user and applies their individual parts. And if the user is missing a program it needs, it will ask them if it wants it to download and install it for them. The result is that the user may be totally unaware of what goes into actually making a theme. Considering the amount of work that went into creating things like DesktopX and WindowBlinds and Winamp, you can see how some users, particularly skin authors, may see WinStyles as something that makes skinning just a little too accessible.
The other side of the argument actually agrees -- that's the whole point of WinStyles, to make Windows customization friendly and available to casual users. A casual user doesn't want to have to fish around the net looking for a half dozen programs to download, install, configure and then to go out and download and install a half dozen skins for that half dozen programs to make their desktop look different. With WinStyles, they download one program and one theme and apply it and it takes care of the rest.
What are your thoughts on the matter?
Screenshot: https://www.stardock.com/temp/wcmag4.jpg
WinStyles is designed to try to hide the complexity of Windows customization and instead deal with it as a single unified whole. Casual users who found it difficult to wonder what exactly the difference is between WindowBlinds and IconPackager and Beatnik and DesktopX no longer have to even worry about what these programs are and do. And that, along with its distributed file format called .SUITE which allows a user to apply a theme in which the parts are downloaded from various locations on the fly, has made WinStyles somewhat controversal. And with some reason.
A typical WinStyles theme might include a WindowBlinds skin, an icon package (IconPackager), a DesktopX theme, an ObjectBar bar, a Winamp skin, and an ICQPlus skin. But the casual user won't know that necessarily. They simply download a theme that, for example, makes Windows look like the user interface of their favorite video game. WinStyles talks to the various programs for the user and applies their individual parts. And if the user is missing a program it needs, it will ask them if it wants it to download and install it for them. The result is that the user may be totally unaware of what goes into actually making a theme. Considering the amount of work that went into creating things like DesktopX and WindowBlinds and Winamp, you can see how some users, particularly skin authors, may see WinStyles as something that makes skinning just a little too accessible.
The other side of the argument actually agrees -- that's the whole point of WinStyles, to make Windows customization friendly and available to casual users. A casual user doesn't want to have to fish around the net looking for a half dozen programs to download, install, configure and then to go out and download and install a half dozen skins for that half dozen programs to make their desktop look different. With WinStyles, they download one program and one theme and apply it and it takes care of the rest.
What are your thoughts on the matter?
elvee
Reply #2 Tuesday, June 25, 2002 7:14 PM
Reply #2 Tuesday, June 25, 2002 7:14 PM
I love WinStyes be cause it serves as my "skinning hub" , meaning i can use WinStyles to handle all of my skins.(well the ones that are supported 
) I don't have to go to the various programs to change my skins.
I am not a Skinner and i had no way to contribute until the .SUITE format came along. Sure i contribute by interacting on the site and subscribing to WinCustomize.com, but i want to give back for people to use and enjoy! With WinStyles i can do that
) I don't have to go to the various programs to change my skins.I am not a Skinner and i had no way to contribute until the .SUITE format came along. Sure i contribute by interacting on the site and subscribing to WinCustomize.com, but i want to give back for people to use and enjoy! With WinStyles i can do that
werewolf
Reply #3 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 12:33 PM
Reply #3 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 12:33 PM
I love being able to change themes all at once, without having to go to each individual program and change the skin. I changes themes frequently and this program is absolutely the best!! Look forward to the new update.
joetheblow
Reply #4 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 1:48 PM
Reply #4 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 1:48 PM
I guess I can understand the skinners piont of view. Allot of hard work has been put into the design of thier work. But on the other hand a casual user without winstyles might not have eevn seen the work because it was on a program or downloadable somewhere on the internet but couldn't find it.
So over all I think it means more exposure for the skinner. There are those who will abuse the system but for the most part allot of people just want to change thier desktop. They are not skinners.
So winstlyes actually is good for both skinners and the casual user alike
So over all I think it means more exposure for the skinner. There are those who will abuse the system but for the most part allot of people just want to change thier desktop. They are not skinners.
So winstlyes actually is good for both skinners and the casual user alike
craeonics
Reply #5 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 2:52 PM
Reply #5 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 2:52 PM
Benificial to the user mostly. Seriously doubt it'll have much impact on the skinner, unless he or she is a diehard user as well.
Chef Garry
Reply #6 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 5:21 PM
Reply #6 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 5:21 PM
I didn't care for Convergence as I found it made life more complicated than changing stuff on a per-app basis (change icon package, change WB etc). Winstyles is much easier.
One thing that would make it perfect would be a preview screen in the build section. I want to create a new theme for myself (I'm still not sure about suites and uploading a suite of other peoples' work). I pick the WB skin, the Icon Package, the Cursor X etc. from the list on the left. I have a ridiculously large list of skins - I mean I've gone nuts here. As I can't always remember how they look, it would be handy if WinStyles would somehow show a small thumb of the blind or wall or whatever. Sometimes I change things the old way and use the current desktop button before saving 'cause I don't remember how things look. (Getting old means new stuff every day).
BTW, Beatnik doesn't automatically change when I change themes, even though it's in the theme.
One thing that would make it perfect would be a preview screen in the build section. I want to create a new theme for myself (I'm still not sure about suites and uploading a suite of other peoples' work). I pick the WB skin, the Icon Package, the Cursor X etc. from the list on the left. I have a ridiculously large list of skins - I mean I've gone nuts here. As I can't always remember how they look, it would be handy if WinStyles would somehow show a small thumb of the blind or wall or whatever. Sometimes I change things the old way and use the current desktop button before saving 'cause I don't remember how things look. (Getting old means new stuff every day).
BTW, Beatnik doesn't automatically change when I change themes, even though it's in the theme.
joetheblow
Reply #7 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 5:38 PM
Reply #7 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 5:38 PM
hey!!! I was thinking about uploading a winstlye siute too but it is all other peoples work. So I thought it would not be wise.
One siute, though, I really liked so I thought I would ask the designers if I could upload it. Just as long as they get the credit. I think I will give it a shot and ask.
One siute, though, I really liked so I thought I would ask the designers if I could upload it. Just as long as they get the credit. I think I will give it a shot and ask.
Jafo
Reply #8 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 6:15 PM
Reply #8 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 6:15 PM
Non-skinners will get the most benefit/enjoyment from it. I think skinners are a bit more 'nuts and bolts' and will prefer to apply/add/modify their selection of skins-used individually.
Though, I must say that configuring Windowblinds to change automatically with a change of LiteSTEP theme is a 'buzz'...just looks so much more 'complete'...
Though, I must say that configuring Windowblinds to change automatically with a change of LiteSTEP theme is a 'buzz'...just looks so much more 'complete'...
elvee
Reply #9 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 6:28 PM
Reply #9 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 6:28 PM
I was told that you don't need permission because you are basicly uploading a screen shot with links. Just make sure you give credit in the theme description
joetheblow
Reply #10 Thursday, June 27, 2002 1:25 AM
Reply #10 Thursday, June 27, 2002 1:25 AM
YES!!!! Then it looks like I will be making a few uploads in the coming days!!!
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
Reply #1 Tuesday, June 25, 2002 6:57 PM
Most people don't know about it, but if they will, it is going to have a lot of success!
Also, the new name is better than the current one!