Who rules ? TGTSoft or WindowBlinds ?
Saturday, October 12, 2002 by Mukul Varma | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Hi Everybody,
I must admit Wincustomize is the best site around with its cool design and sheer treasure of quality skins,wallpapers etc. Kudos to all the contributors!
Friends,
I've been pondering over for sometime whether to keep WindowBlinds or TGTSoft's ThemeXP on my computer. I tell you the Visual Styles available from ThemeXP.org look better and native on XP than WB Skins. Though WB is great on 9x/2000, on XP, I personally think ThemeXP looks smoother on XP. themes like ForeverBlue Final are really awesome. So what i want to know is that what to use and what not. Though WB and ThemeXP do coexist comfortably, why should I use WindowBlinds or TGTSoft's ThemeXP for that matter? Can you guys spell out the differences and draw a parallel between the two. I'd love to know the facts and the public opinion.
God Bless You !
Carry on The Good Work!
Wincustomize Fan,
[email protected]
I must admit Wincustomize is the best site around with its cool design and sheer treasure of quality skins,wallpapers etc. Kudos to all the contributors!
Friends,
I've been pondering over for sometime whether to keep WindowBlinds or TGTSoft's ThemeXP on my computer. I tell you the Visual Styles available from ThemeXP.org look better and native on XP than WB Skins. Though WB is great on 9x/2000, on XP, I personally think ThemeXP looks smoother on XP. themes like ForeverBlue Final are really awesome. So what i want to know is that what to use and what not. Though WB and ThemeXP do coexist comfortably, why should I use WindowBlinds or TGTSoft's ThemeXP for that matter? Can you guys spell out the differences and draw a parallel between the two. I'd love to know the facts and the public opinion.
God Bless You !
Carry on The Good Work!
Wincustomize Fan,
[email protected]
 |
|
Page 1 of 2 | |
|
|---|
Jafo
Reply #2 Saturday, October 12, 2002 2:15 AM
Reply #2 Saturday, October 12, 2002 2:15 AM
Windowblinds gives the designer/skinner far more scope to be creative and original with even simple things such as radical button placement.
That, and the knowledge that as a legitimate proggy and not simply a 'modified' module enabler which may be 'broken' with subsequent XP Service packs, makes WB the 'goer'...
That, and the knowledge that as a legitimate proggy and not simply a 'modified' module enabler which may be 'broken' with subsequent XP Service packs, makes WB the 'goer'...
wombat_1
Reply #3 Saturday, October 12, 2002 2:22 AM
Reply #3 Saturday, October 12, 2002 2:22 AM
TGTSoft is OK if you want everything skinned the same way .... but that's boring!
And you have no control over individual apps.
And you have no control over individual apps.
migellito
Reply #4 Sunday, October 13, 2002 12:11 AM
Reply #4 Sunday, October 13, 2002 12:11 AM
who rules?
i do.
i rule a small latin american country named parador.
i do.
i rule a small latin american country named parador.
sig101
Reply #5 Sunday, October 13, 2002 12:55 AM
So how's the moon over Parador, Migellito?
Back on topic, just curious: then is the TGTSoft program still based on "hacking" an MS file?
Reply #5 Sunday, October 13, 2002 12:55 AM
So how's the moon over Parador, Migellito? Back on topic, just curious: then is the TGTSoft program still based on "hacking" an MS file?
Carlitus
Reply #6 Sunday, October 13, 2002 6:57 AM
Reply #6 Sunday, October 13, 2002 6:57 AM
Mukul Varma, this site is created and maintained by Stardock, the creators of WindowBlinds.
If you wish more impartial opinion, go to another forum.
I don't wish to opine about windowsblinds/tgtsoft, becuase i don't use a lot this kind of skinning programs (the booth programs makes to crash the creation softwares i use). And i don't like to activate/deactivate anytime this skinning features, when i wish to use Internet or to create graphics.
If you request the opinion: 'Wich is better, Desktopx or .....?' I have no dudes to recommend Desktopx.
WindowBlinds have TWO big advantages (surelly there's others, i'm not a expert):
-a extense community of great creators, just browse their downloads section
-you can purchase Object Desktop that contains WindowBlinds and lots of other programs, such the BEST Desktopx and the amazing WIndowFX2. This is not free propaganda, these programs are very incredible!
If you wish more impartial opinion, go to another forum.
I don't wish to opine about windowsblinds/tgtsoft, becuase i don't use a lot this kind of skinning programs (the booth programs makes to crash the creation softwares i use). And i don't like to activate/deactivate anytime this skinning features, when i wish to use Internet or to create graphics.
If you request the opinion: 'Wich is better, Desktopx or .....?' I have no dudes to recommend Desktopx.
WindowBlinds have TWO big advantages (surelly there's others, i'm not a expert):
-a extense community of great creators, just browse their downloads section
-you can purchase Object Desktop that contains WindowBlinds and lots of other programs, such the BEST Desktopx and the amazing WIndowFX2. This is not free propaganda, these programs are very incredible!
st_nick
Reply #7 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 1:05 AM
Reply #7 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 1:05 AM
I find just about all of the ThemeXP skins to be "painting" rather than skinning, since they look so much like recolors of the original Luna theme that comes with XP. WindowBlinds allows for more creative skinning of the window, re: window shape and button location.
Of course sometimes looking at the WB section you wouldn't know that...but that's a different story...
Of course sometimes looking at the WB section you wouldn't know that...but that's a different story...
Declan
Reply #8 Thursday, October 17, 2002 9:21 PM
Reply #8 Thursday, October 17, 2002 9:21 PM
ThemeXP skins are quicker and less resource hungrey. And look more proffesionally done.
bmetelsky
Reply #9 Friday, October 18, 2002 12:33 AM
Reply #9 Friday, October 18, 2002 12:33 AM
Declan,
I have not found that to be the case. Just browse through the 1946 windowblinds selections here. Then go to another site and look at what is available for the other method of changing the windows look. I have seen a few really good themes for the TGTSoft program or patch, but the vast majority, in my opinion, are inferior in style and function. I do still have the ability to use either on my computer, but find that most of the time I have a windowblinds skin loaded. I have not noticed any issues with resources at all.
I have not found that to be the case. Just browse through the 1946 windowblinds selections here. Then go to another site and look at what is available for the other method of changing the windows look. I have seen a few really good themes for the TGTSoft program or patch, but the vast majority, in my opinion, are inferior in style and function. I do still have the ability to use either on my computer, but find that most of the time I have a windowblinds skin loaded. I have not noticed any issues with resources at all.
Caylynn
Reply #10 Friday, October 18, 2002 8:27 AM
Reply #10 Friday, October 18, 2002 8:27 AM
Isn't ThemeXP just a hack? As such, doesn't Microsoft frown on it, while supporting and promoting WindowBlinds?
I'd rather use software that doesn't involve hacking my system.
I'd rather use software that doesn't involve hacking my system.
JeremyG
Reply #11 Friday, October 18, 2002 12:02 PM
Reply #11 Friday, October 18, 2002 12:02 PM
Try the Subterfuge WindowBlinds skin. I think it'll make your descision clear, as it uses alot of GREAT functionality.
When you load it, use the sub-style Subterfuge Pro and check out all the buttons.
When you load it, use the sub-style Subterfuge Pro and check out all the buttons.
Frogboy
Reply #12 Friday, October 18, 2002 3:56 PM
Reply #12 Friday, October 18, 2002 3:56 PM
I've always noticed that when someone claims msstyles skins look "better" or more "professional" they never actually name one.
This has come up countless times on Neowin and I've always asked "Could you give an example?" and I never get a response. Most msstyles I've seen wouldn't make it past moderation. We quite regularly reject the "It's Luna but now it's darker hued!" which makes up the majority of msstyles I've seen.
This has come up countless times on Neowin and I've always asked "Could you give an example?" and I never get a response. Most msstyles I've seen wouldn't make it past moderation. We quite regularly reject the "It's Luna but now it's darker hued!" which makes up the majority of msstyles I've seen.
messybuu
Reply #13 Friday, October 18, 2002 6:17 PM
Reply #13 Friday, October 18, 2002 6:17 PM
I do have to admit that msstyles do look more professional, but that's simply because msstyles are usually recolored versions of Luna and Aqua.
moshi
Reply #14 Friday, October 18, 2002 6:34 PM
Reply #14 Friday, October 18, 2002 6:34 PM
when people are talking about professional looking msstyles they are usually talking about ported Duality themes for OSX. original, good looking skins are very rare, but of course they also exist: anything by Arhra and Chaninja or Ivorance are examples. didn´t you port a skin/style called Metallized or so yourself? that is a good one also.
but when we speak about "professional" looking skins, in my opinion nothing comes close to Essorant´s latest creations.
but when we speak about "professional" looking skins, in my opinion nothing comes close to Essorant´s latest creations.
Koasati
Reply #15 Friday, October 18, 2002 8:54 PM
Reply #15 Friday, October 18, 2002 8:54 PM
I fail to see anything professional looking about Fisher Price, oops, I mean Luna.
Xymantix
Reply #16 Saturday, October 19, 2002 1:29 PM
Reply #16 Saturday, October 19, 2002 1:29 PM
Fisher Price - heh! I've also heard it referred to as the "Winnie the Pooh" theme, which I must say isn't at all deserved. Winnie the Pooh is far above that.
Lord Vimal
Reply #17 Saturday, October 19, 2002 1:48 PM
Reply #17 Saturday, October 19, 2002 1:48 PM
well, let me tell you one thing. windowblinds rulz.
tgtsoft ..blah blah ..doesnt REALLY SKIN the windows etc. they just bypass the uxtheme.dll 's security feature which does not allow non-microsoft signed themes to be displayed. thats it.
windowblinds works on win98. does StyleXP work on 98? 
just think..windowblinds is THE best
tgtsoft ..blah blah ..doesnt REALLY SKIN the windows etc. they just bypass the uxtheme.dll 's security feature which does not allow non-microsoft signed themes to be displayed. thats it.
windowblinds works on win98. does StyleXP work on 98?
just think..windowblinds is THE best
Frogboy
Reply #18 Saturday, October 19, 2002 3:49 PM
Reply #18 Saturday, October 19, 2002 3:49 PM
moshi: That's precisely my point - the handful of original good msstyles I've seen have been ported. Metallized, for instance, looks the same on WB but also gains colorizing (i.e. 16.8 million color versions of it).
Usually what gets compared is WindowBlinds shareware to msstyles and since the shareware version of WB lacks a lot of features it doesn't look as nice.
In my view, the only "Advantage" of an msstyle is that it's "free" if you're willing to patch out your digital signing security on Windows XP (that is what the uxtheme.dll patch does - patches cryptverifysignature() ).
People on Windows 95 could patch their video drivers and change the title bar stuff too (I remember trying it on Windows 3.0 in fact). It just seems to me, if you actually care about how the GUI looks and feels, $20 for WB just doesn't seem like a big deal. Pizza delivery costs $20.
Usually what gets compared is WindowBlinds shareware to msstyles and since the shareware version of WB lacks a lot of features it doesn't look as nice.
In my view, the only "Advantage" of an msstyle is that it's "free" if you're willing to patch out your digital signing security on Windows XP (that is what the uxtheme.dll patch does - patches cryptverifysignature() ).
People on Windows 95 could patch their video drivers and change the title bar stuff too (I remember trying it on Windows 3.0 in fact). It just seems to me, if you actually care about how the GUI looks and feels, $20 for WB just doesn't seem like a big deal. Pizza delivery costs $20.
Peff
Reply #19 Saturday, October 19, 2002 4:56 PM
Reply #19 Saturday, October 19, 2002 4:56 PM
...and that's for a medium 2 topping....
I don't use XP so I can't compare the two - but WB is constantly evolving and I think it's great!
I don't use XP so I can't compare the two - but WB is constantly evolving and I think it's great!
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!
|
|
Page 1 of 2 | |
|
|---|
Reply #1 Saturday, October 12, 2002 1:50 AM
And having used all the msstyles of Corona floating on dA and themexp I haven't seen anything that compared to Alexandrie's XP Corona.
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=1&SkinID=2850