LogonStudio (Newbies 7)
Cordelia's Corner for the Complete Newbie: Part 7
Tuesday, January 11, 2005 by Cordelia | Discussion: OS Customization
Merriam-Webster online defines Obsession and Compulsion thusly:
Main Entry: ob·ses·sion
Pronunciation: äb-'se-sh&n, &b-
1 : a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling; broadly : compelling motivation
2 : something that causes an obsession
Main Entry: com·pul·sion
Pronunciation: k&m-'p&l-sh&n
1 a : an act of compelling : the state of being compelled b : a force that compels
2 : an irresistible impulse to perform an irrational act
Put the two words together and you get LogonStudio. OK, actually you get Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, but it's a very thin line between the two, right?
LogonStudio is a free program that allows you to change your logon screen. You can get it here. (Note: LogonStudio is no longer a supported program. *weeps quietly*).
A logon screen is the screen where you type in your password in order to gain access to your computer, always assuming you can remember your password. Oh, wait, you use the same password for everything you have to log in to and everything you've ever signed up for on the Internet, right? Here's a brief note about personal computing security: stop that. Also change your passwords on occasion.
Anyway, the unskinned screen looks something like this:
Are you obsessed? Are you compulsed? Want to change your logon screen to match your current skin, or just change it to something different because you are sick of looking at the same thing for ten whole seconds out of your day? Well here's how:
1.) Download and open LogonStudio. It looks like this:
2.) Download a logon from WinCustomize's Logon Gallery. There are also some nice standard logons that come with the program. If you download a logon you will be required again to save it someplace you will remember, and then extract the zipped files as we discussed in yesterday's article on wallpapers. (See the daily hint at the bottom for a faster way to do this).
3.) Click Load and find the skin you just downloaded and then click Apply. I am trying out both Azure by adni18 and SkinPlant 102 by Mike Bryant. They are both so pretty I can't decide, I can't decide!!!
4) Once you click apply it will take you right back to your logon screen to show you what it looks like now. Sometimes I just log off and log back on just so I can stare at the pretty logon screen. See definitions at top of page.
Here are the two new screens:
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Daily hint for the newb: Have LogonStudio open. Download your files and when the download dialog box tells you it's been downloaded you can click on open. This action will load the new logon into the program library. No more extracting files! Save precious mouse clicks!
Tomorrow's Article: CursorXP
Translate this article into Gaelic and win a Garden Cthulu !!!
(Offer not valid for carnivores or herbivores or carnivorous herbivores or vegetarian carnivores)
Check out the other Newbie Tutorials here: #1: Intro., #2: WindowBlinds, Part 1, #3: WindowBlinds, Part 2, #4: Screenshots, #5: IconPackager, #6: Wallpaper Basics
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Reply #2 Tuesday, January 11, 2005 7:47 PM
Reply #3 Tuesday, January 11, 2005 9:09 PM
I downloaded it into my documents, opened logonstudio, hit load, loaded it... but it never appeared on my list of logons in the program! Anyone know whats wrong?
(ps I tried reinstalling logonstudio and it still didnt work)
Reply #4 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 9:25 AM
Reply #5 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 9:35 AM
and it seams to work for me, perhaps you got a curputed downlaod, I would try and re-download it. And make sure you have the latest build of Logonstudio.
If that dose not work try contacting support@stardock.com.
Reply #6 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:07 PM
Reply #7 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 6:35 PM
Also be sure you are not running ANY PROGRAMS while downloading and installing the new software....just in case.
This would have saved me some time!!! Hope it helps.
OH...and by the way...wanted to say thanks for all the articles so far...and to come!!! They do a great service to those of us interested in developing our skills...and maybe someday some of us might grow-up to be a Mormegil, Jr. (highly doubtful but it's nice to dream)
Reply #8 Thursday, January 13, 2005 9:02 AM
Reply #10 Wednesday, January 19, 2005 8:18 PM
Reply #11 Tuesday, January 25, 2005 12:41 PM
Reply #12 Tuesday, January 25, 2005 4:36 PM
I am having the same problem i have had logon studio running for some 4 months fine, but now when i download a logon on file they come out as logonxp files. i have tryed uninstalling reinstalling etc but still the same, i have tryed to load the file but nothing comes out on the logon preview window and on searching in the prog files, logon studio theres no file of the name i downloaded. help please i'm pulling my hair out here..near bald ahhhhh some beauties out there but i cant have them
Reply #13 Wednesday, January 26, 2005 6:56 AM
| I have not had problems downloading, but I would like to know if there is a way to have the "Welcome" and "Windows is shutting down" on the screen like in the default one. Thanks |
yeah, ive posted a message about this a few days ago, and noones said anything, so it seems like it doesnt show
Reply #14 Friday, January 28, 2005 11:27 AM
Hi all, sorry for the late response to your postings, but I have been out of town all this week.
Mr. Archangel Douglas: do you mean you posted a message on the forums and no one has responded? I am sorry to hear that. Sometimes it's quicker to contact support@stardock.com for help when no one is responding to a message on the forums. In fact, for you and citizen guardian 1962 I'll have to direct you to support since I don't know the answer to your questions! Sorry! 
clwoods: I also don't know the answer to your question, but I may be able to find out. You can contact support@stardock.com for immediate assistance, or check back later today and hopefully I'll have an answer.
This is the problem with being a newb: I don't know all the answers! But don't tear any more hair out please! And let me know if you find the answers to your problems; I'm be interested in the answers too, and you can probably bet that others are having the same problems. Good luck! 
Reply #15 Friday, January 28, 2005 12:22 PM
Reply #17 Monday, January 31, 2005 3:38 PM
Awww! Too bad. 
Well, I'm glad at least you got an answer. Thanks for sharing.
Reply #18 Wednesday, February 2, 2005 6:23 PM
ive worked out why the "Welcome" text doesnt show on any logons, and its a bit strange:
by default, Logon Studio sets the width of the Welcome text to be 0 pixels wide:
<element layout=filllayout() width=0rp>
<element id=atom(welcomeshadow) content=rcstr(7)/>
<element id=atom(welcome) content=rcstr(7)/>
</element>
i modified the width to 100, and i actually saw the last two letters of 'welcome'..
but i find it strange that, by default, the welcome text is 'hidden'...
havent worked out how to get the text that tells you what windows is doing when it shuts down though..
Reply #19 Thursday, February 17, 2005 10:07 AM
Reply #20 Monday, March 7, 2005 12:17 AM
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Reply #1 Tuesday, January 11, 2005 11:49 AM