Reflections (thinking) about skinning
Monday, August 26, 2002 by Carlitus | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I don't like to make allways the same thing (only icons, only wallpapers, only desktopx objects), and i released only icons in two months! I need to vary, and surelly i will try to make more variated skins. This is a personal reflection, but the MOST IMPORTANT reflections are about SKINNING in general:
-I readed lots of disappointing threads/messages/comments about 'skinning'. Some of these about Wincustomize, some about 'bad ratings', some about 'rips' and 'immoral' wallpapers. Customization are FEEDOM to make their own desktop. Why this disappointing messages?
Are some people making rips to get more downloads? Are these people artists that don't understand part of this FREEDOM?
Aren't the DEVELOPERS on a 'stopped innovation'?
Wath need 'really' the 'skinning' to reach the 'top level' of satisfaction to 99% of users?
-Why are lots of disapointing comments -not only here- about the skinning?
-I readed lots of disappointing threads/messages/comments about 'skinning'. Some of these about Wincustomize, some about 'bad ratings', some about 'rips' and 'immoral' wallpapers. Customization are FEEDOM to make their own desktop. Why this disappointing messages?
Are some people making rips to get more downloads? Are these people artists that don't understand part of this FREEDOM?
Aren't the DEVELOPERS on a 'stopped innovation'?
Wath need 'really' the 'skinning' to reach the 'top level' of satisfaction to 99% of users?
-Why are lots of disapointing comments -not only here- about the skinning?
bakerstreet
Reply #2 Monday, August 26, 2002 8:30 AM
Reply #2 Monday, August 26, 2002 8:30 AM
We have the misfortune of enjoying a hobby that falls into the category of 'personal decoration', no different that interior decorating or fashoin consulting. Just think of the pain that people who decorate other people's homes go through. "I want that there, and I want it colored pink... No wait, I want it blue and on the other side..." No matter what, they know more than you and they won't make up their mind until it is already done... Ask Jafo, I bet he knows a bit about that. 
We are no different. We are decorating the desktops of people who much of the time would proabably rather not be setting at a computer. There are so many skins, people can be picky and over critical without stopping for a snack, and still have new ones every hour. You have to just be an artist and care about the art. If the criticism is contructive I take it, and if it isn't, I act like an arTEE'st.
Anyhow, Carlitus, you are doing great, with tons of skins making tons of people happy. (not saying that the people you make happy are large... there are just a lot of them... you know what I mean...) No need to reflect on your part.
Immoral wallpapers and rips go hand in hand. I don't morally judge anything that is honestly made, and T&A wallpapers rarely are. Many rips are innocent, as well. There are only so many materials, etc. I use the wood-based skin for this site, and i would SWEAR i had seen something like it before 
. There is nothing new under the sun.
Keep up the good work, it is appreciated.
We are no different. We are decorating the desktops of people who much of the time would proabably rather not be setting at a computer. There are so many skins, people can be picky and over critical without stopping for a snack, and still have new ones every hour. You have to just be an artist and care about the art. If the criticism is contructive I take it, and if it isn't, I act like an arTEE'st
.Anyhow, Carlitus, you are doing great, with tons of skins making tons of people happy. (not saying that the people you make happy are large... there are just a lot of them... you know what I mean...) No need to reflect on your part.
Immoral wallpapers and rips go hand in hand. I don't morally judge anything that is honestly made, and T&A wallpapers rarely are. Many rips are innocent, as well. There are only so many materials, etc. I use the wood-based skin for this site, and i would SWEAR i had seen something like it before
. There is nothing new under the sun.Keep up the good work, it is appreciated.
Carlitus
Reply #3 Monday, August 26, 2002 10:20 AM
Reply #3 Monday, August 26, 2002 10:20 AM
Thanks bakerstreet, i talked about me, but i really talking about skinning in general.
The apps are allways the same. Yes, i can change the skin of Sonique or Winamp or WMP. Winamp and Sonique are using FINALLY the alphablends masks, but this is not new (Audion for Mac are using by long time this kind of masks. I wish to make my new theme for Desktopx, but i have created some themes for it and i don't know how to make new functional theme. There's lots of skins for WindowBlinds, with very diverse styles. There's lots of icons, of 'Welcome to your incredible Computer' screens. There's a lot of skins for the same programs.
What's new?? I think 'nothing'. Ok, ok, some programs have new functions, but are allways more of the 'same'. Is for this reason that the people are making more efforts to say 'i'm not according with this site' or 'i'm boring with customization'. Where are Essorant wich have a incredible creativity? Where are other 'Verona Desktop Enhancement' surprise?
Of course, there's a lot of new and veteran good skinners, but are allways the 'same'. Where is the innovation?
How many time is needed to see real 3d objects on my desktop?
I'm running too faster awaiting 3d (Apple's first attemp for OSX are a real 3d desktop, but the results are shadows and the dock)? Wy are always Apple created the 'way to go', not us (the Windows skinners)?
The apps are allways the same. Yes, i can change the skin of Sonique or Winamp or WMP. Winamp and Sonique are using FINALLY the alphablends masks, but this is not new (Audion for Mac are using by long time this kind of masks. I wish to make my new theme for Desktopx, but i have created some themes for it and i don't know how to make new functional theme. There's lots of skins for WindowBlinds, with very diverse styles. There's lots of icons, of 'Welcome to your incredible Computer' screens. There's a lot of skins for the same programs.
What's new?? I think 'nothing'. Ok, ok, some programs have new functions, but are allways more of the 'same'. Is for this reason that the people are making more efforts to say 'i'm not according with this site' or 'i'm boring with customization'. Where are Essorant wich have a incredible creativity? Where are other 'Verona Desktop Enhancement' surprise?
Of course, there's a lot of new and veteran good skinners, but are allways the 'same'. Where is the innovation?
How many time is needed to see real 3d objects on my desktop?
I'm running too faster awaiting 3d (Apple's first attemp for OSX are a real 3d desktop, but the results are shadows and the dock)? Wy are always Apple created the 'way to go', not us (the Windows skinners)?
Lecrayon
Reply #4 Tuesday, August 27, 2002 4:38 PM
Reply #4 Tuesday, August 27, 2002 4:38 PM
Well, to be honest, being innovative in skinning is difficult. You have to take into consideration rules you have to live with. Rectangular screen..Borders of windows...Pick colours that soothe the eye...The screen with content should have the biggest area...So, your freedom is limited. I liked the bluephlame theme where the transparant button worked well together with the wallpaper. So many times you see a wallpaper that complements the WB in colours, here there was a try to mingle WB + WP. Unlike painting on canvas, where you have all the freedom in the world, with skinning you bump into barriers you cannot pass by. Unless perhaps flat screens get different forms....
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Reply #1 Monday, August 26, 2002 6:47 AM
IMHO this will never be possible, because skins (as music, art etc.) are foremost a matter of taste.
I think You should just do what You like or need. If others like it, too that's fine, if
they don't like it, well...
And for the rips : It is simply not nice to use other peoples hard work and claim it as Yours.
This is the only thing that upsets me personally.
(Although I was guilty myself of ripping when I started my first homepage.
I stole Thredz' old pipe-design, not knowing what I was doing there. After that and a mail conversation
later I knew, what a 'rip' is.
that design some more mails later...)