Any PORT in a storm.....

Monday, January 17, 2005 by Jafo | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk

Seems there's a sub-culture of 'skinners' who look down their noses at anything vaguely resembling a 'Port'....as if those who do them are second-class citizens.

Porting is an essential part of skinning.  Without ports there would be NO suites, as then there'd be 'just' a WB and no Winamp to match....or a DX theme and no WB, etc.  Anyone not understanding the importance of porting clearly is ignorant about both the history and actual 'meaning' of skinning.  Do a search for 'Heavy Equipment' in just about any gallery/skin proggy you can think of, and on any skin site you like....then you'll 'know'....

I think this vilification of those who 'port' should stop.

First Previous Page 1 of 5 Next Last
Essencay
Reply #1 Monday, January 17, 2005 7:55 PM
Well said...nothing more to add or say
-OZZY-
Reply #2 Monday, January 17, 2005 7:59 PM
i have to agree with you on that one jafo !!
Hankers
Reply #3 Monday, January 17, 2005 7:59 PM
Ditto
-OZZY-
Reply #4 Monday, January 17, 2005 8:00 PM
one other thing....did you recieve my e-mail jafo ??
MadDeez
Reply #5 Monday, January 17, 2005 8:21 PM
i guess pot has an effect on one's concept of ports
qrush
Reply #6 Monday, January 17, 2005 8:35 PM
Hear Hear! Porting is the first step into the skinning realm and definitely essential. And I agree...*cough* certain illegal substances (at least in the US! *cough*) may adversely affect one's ability to *cough* judge!
butch123
Reply #7 Monday, January 17, 2005 8:41 PM
Well said Admin Jafo ,right on target..
joeKnowledge
Reply #8 Monday, January 17, 2005 8:57 PM
Ooooooo... something must have happened somewhere on WC lately that I haven't noticed.
Jafo
Reply #9 Monday, January 17, 2005 10:13 PM

You never notice, Joe...

OZZY ... yes...I'll get back to you shortly...

butch123
Reply #10 Monday, January 17, 2005 10:31 PM
Admin Jafo I just found the following and wanted to get your imput on it...

This variation on the Deanach3 style by Sonus Kace has been
modified by me, Zsantz, in accordance with the Open Source
license under which he released Deanach3. You can do whatever
you want with the code and images. Enjoy! I enjoyed making it.
And I have more respect for the creators of visual styles than
ever before.
Thank You in advance and awaiting your reply.
Jafo
Reply #11 Monday, January 17, 2005 10:43 PM

Butch...the 'Open Source' or GNU licence is what Linux and other proggies are distributed under.

The licence is quite clear and specific about how you use and distribute the property.  Prime requisite is that the GNU licence itself is included and it is noted that distribution is under that licence.

I'll dig up a link...or Google can for you.....just read it and it will be clear...

Scarebear
Reply #12 Monday, January 17, 2005 11:00 PM
Heavy Equipment - those were the days! I'd love to see something like that happen again. I'd gladly do some more ports
Frogboy
Reply #13 Monday, January 17, 2005 11:55 PM
Well said, Jafo.
RadialFX
Reply #14 Tuesday, January 18, 2005 3:48 AM
Very well said Jafo. One of my favorite skinners on this site is an absolute master at porting. I got your back on this!
horiz0n
Reply #15 Tuesday, January 18, 2005 4:47 AM
I think many people often forget the difference between a "port" and what would qualify as a "rip", the difference is usually one little text file saying "you can".

I don't think I'd put porting as a neccesity, as some people like pixstudio seem to be able to make and apply an entire suite doing everything himself. Porting seems important to me when 1 person has a strength at one thing, and another has a strength at doing something else, OR likewise doesn't care to port it, but doesn't mind if it's done. Like a person making 200 system icons, but someone else is wanting to make it compatible with IconPackager. The original author might not want to make it for IconPackager, but if someone else wants to port it for them, they often either don't mind, or would be happy for you to.
-OZZY-
Reply #16 Tuesday, January 18, 2005 7:33 AM
ok great jafo....i'll be waiting
craeonics
Reply #17 Tuesday, January 18, 2005 3:02 PM
Pfft... [môt du jour]

I still value originality over imitation any day of the week. Especially in suites. Family members share a resemblance, they do not look identical (identical twins excluded). So if you have to port, be sure not to just clone things.
MarkMcQ
Reply #18 Tuesday, January 18, 2005 5:34 PM
"I still value originality over imitation any day of the week"

Amen to that. Even my dog can use marquee tools and copy/paste.

Fuzzy Logic
Reply #19 Tuesday, January 18, 2005 7:49 PM
Ports are fine if you wish to sacrifice integrity for cheap popularity. Can you honestly say five minutes spent in SkinStudio porting a skin is worth 40-60hrs creating a WB skin? At the end of the day the rating and popularity will be the same. I know what my conscience determines. At times I think people have lost sight of what skinning is all about
Sleeping Dragon
Reply #20 Tuesday, January 18, 2005 7:52 PM
...suddenly thirsty for a port. Maybe Anchor Steam.

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