Tips for new users!
Tuesday, February 22, 2005 by Koasati | Discussion: New Users
What I hope happens in this thread is that the people I see helping others in the forums, will help me put together tips for the new folks.
This stuff can be confusing at first, and we see a lot of the same questions being asked often. So, we should be able to answer them in this thread, where they'll be easy to find.
The Problem:
Auto-installing Skin/Theme files are downloaded as zip files.
The Cause:
SP2 appears to be common factor here, but some people report no change after SP2.
What's happening is this... self installing file extension for most skinning programs are simply renamed ZIP archives. For some reason after SP2 is installed on XP, the extensions are renamed back to .zip when downloaded.
But it's easily fixed.
The Solution:
Step 1. File extension must not be hidden. If you're unsure what that means, open Control Panel > Folder Options > View tab > "Hide extensions for known file types" should be un-checked.
Step 2. Right-click the file and select Rename. Change the zip part of the name to the proper extenion. Example; skin1.zip = skin1.wba (for a WindowBlind skin)
DesktopX Themes = .dxtheme
DesktopX Objects = .dxpack
WindowBlinds = .wba
LogonStudio = .logonxp
BootSkin = .bootskin
CursorXP = .CurXPTheme
IconPackager = .ip
If you get a warning about changing the extention, click OK
Step 3. Double-click the renamed file.
Lantec pointed out that if you use Firefox (or Opera), this file extension won't be renamed when you download.
Monday, January 03, 2005
Just a note;
I was having this problem constantly until I switched browsers.
Since I started using firefox all downloads autoinstall correctly and those that don't auto install have the right extension. There are a whole bunch of other advantages, but this one item makes it worth the trouble. SP2 has been a real pain.....
Jason Carver suggested this work around......... rename the files when you download.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Heres a shorter shortcut ( well shorter in my opinion )
First write down the file extensions listed here. Next pick something to download. In this case , ill download a Window Blind file. When you click download. It shows the save as dialog. Below it , you have two choices from a drop down menu. "Zip files" and All files. Select all files , and add .wba to the end of the file name. When its done saving , you click open and TADA! its installed.
**UPDATE**
So, you like Internet Explorer....you don't want to switch browsers?
It appears that the problem can be fixed by installing a 3rd party archive program [WinZip, ZipCentral, IZArc, etc.] The problem seems to be caused by XP's built-in zip program.
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Reply #242 Tuesday, August 9, 2005 1:46 PM
Reply #243 Tuesday, August 9, 2005 2:36 PM
How can I get them working????
Reply #244 Tuesday, August 9, 2005 4:07 PM
1 – Bootskins are basically an image that is displayed during the loading of the Operating System (where you usually see the black screen with Windows XP displayed and a series of progress lights running underneath). This program is a bit fickle about what BIOS versions it is compatible with – so it may or may not work on your system. I would recommend leaving this program until last to try out.
2 – DesktopX is a program that supports Objects on your desktop. An object can be anything from a simple shortcut using a high quality image displayed at a large size, to an intricate combination of graphics and text making up say something like a control panel, or an alternative taskbar, etc.
These objects can be combined to create a complete desktop, which can be used as an alternative desktop environment. Objects can also be exported as widgets (or gadgets if you have the professional version of DesktopX), and these widgets are actually mini programs, which can be run as stand-alone programs if you have DesktopX installed on the computer.
Gadgets can be run without DesktopX installed.
Common widgets do anything from display weather or time, to having live news headlines displayed on your desktop. Again, they originate as objects, which consist of graphic images, text if needed, and a program script.
A couple of examples for alternative desktops would be here Link, and here Link
th3 lon3r,
You will need WindowBlinds installed to start with Link
Note – the shareware version will work with Windows XP and 2000, not with 9x.
After installing the program, try reading my mini tutorial on downloading Link and get a couple of files downloaded, then double-click the file to install it to the proper directory.
Start the WindowBlinds program, select any skin displayed in the main pane, and then click the “Apply this skin now” option on the right side of the panel.
Wait a few seconds and the Taskbar, Start Menu, and Explorer shell should be skinned.
I hope this helps.
Reply #245 Wednesday, August 10, 2005 11:08 AM
and to me widgets and objects look like allmost the same thing?
Reply #246 Wednesday, August 10, 2005 12:20 PM
Sorry, the WindowBlinds link was for comment #243 by "th3 lon3r".
You will need DesktopX Link for any DesktopX themes.
Objects and Widgets are basically the same, with the exception that Objects require DesktopX to be running, and Widgets only require that DesktopX be installed on the computer to work.
The free "shareware" version of DesktopX will give you an idea of what the program can do, and the ability to run Objects, Widgets, and Themes. Unless there has been a change, the shareware version is limited in the ability to modify any of these Objects, Widgets, and Themes - so you will be able to run them, but you won't be able to add new items to say a menu in a DesktopX theme.
I have had Object Desktop for some time now, and have not used the current shareware versions to test all the limitations, so you will have to play around with it.
As a side note:
WindowBlinds is for the skins downloaded from the WindowBlinds library, which will skin the "explorer" part of the operating system - Taskbar, Start Menu, and Window Frame. The free "shareware" version is limited in some ways, but will skin these items and give anyone a chance to see if they like it.
The enhanced (purchased) version of WindowBlinds will also skin the Internet Explorer toolbar icons, scroll bar buttons and bars, as well as other parts.
I apologize for any confusion there.
Reply #247 Wednesday, August 10, 2005 1:45 PM
Reply #248 Wednesday, August 10, 2005 6:29 PM
by Melchior Moos (Version 1.21).... Does anyone know about a newer version, an alternative option or at least (and most important to me) a docklet that lets me to securely eject usb drives?
I'm currently using Windows XP SP2 and the latest version of Objectdock (1.20)...
Reply #249 Sunday, September 18, 2005 9:54 AM
Thank you for a grreat post!Reply #250 Sunday, September 18, 2005 10:47 AM
Essex lad,
It sounds like you are ending up with a ".zip" file after download, and some are supposed to be the ".wba" file (the ones with a lot of images, and files).
Try following my mini tutorial on downloading content here http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?SID=5463&AID=82563
The idea, is that you want to maintain the original file type after download is complete (for WindowBlinds it should be ".wba" file type).
After a successful download of a ".wba" file, you simply double-click the file > start WindowBlinds > select the skin in My Skins category > click the "Apply this skin now" option on the right side of the WindowBlinds configuration panel.
Note - the other option is to change the ".zip" file extension to ".wba", then install.
Reply #251 Sunday, September 18, 2005 10:51 AM
drdaniel,
I am not familiar with any updated Docklet, or alternative docklets, for that particular function.
ObjectDock Plus offers the option to have the System Tray shown as a dock, and will function as such - thus, allowing the "Safely disconnect" option by clicking on the icon.
Otherwise, you will have to hope for someone to drop by who knows of a better docklet.
Reply #252 Sunday, October 9, 2005 2:51 AM
in just a few short paragraphs you solved my problem..of installing these stupid cursor xp themes.iv'e had stardock object desktop! for 2 years & could not figure it out.thankyou.
i wonder how many other people out ther threw in the towel along time ago like me!.
the company should hear about this.thanks again.
ps. i got lucky finding this forum site.
cw inc.
Reply #254 Monday, October 31, 2005 3:22 PM
and after that a little help required;
I have purchased a new P 4 fully equiped I mean a gaming machine so I wanted it to look different so I tried to find Windows Blinds in stores but couldnt find (I live in Pakistan just to let you now for some reason) so I tried to search the net but found the trial versions only still it was worth it so It was still not enough after that i wanted my icons to look cools i tried to change them manually but as windows restarted the were restored so i god iconpackeger and then icon x but icon x isnt much cool so i stuck only with icon packager after that i wanted some thing real more realistick i wanted my desktop to be alive so i got desktop x and other utilities after getting them i started to increase my gallery but i realised that the download limit was decreasing now i think its about 13 mb left but any way i certainly realised that there was an option build our own obj , widj and themes etc so i started editing some downloaded themes and deskx files, and got introduced to the builder but the problem arrises i am not 18 yet I am going to be this december so i cant fully take part in the gadget crazze programm and second problem is have no idea about software programming i.e. Visual C++ etc and i have no idea about scripting i.e. even the definition.
So if there is any pro imean really who has been in this field for some time please give some info on visuall c ++ and some links to guide urls and some scripting help and give some idea on how to start with my first desktop and some rematerial rescources.
Any Help would be very very very higly regarded and appreciated.
in case my mail is needed to reply here it is [email protected]
Reply #255 Tuesday, November 1, 2005 10:54 AM
Guys I m waiting for ur reply
Reply #256 Tuesday, November 1, 2005 5:03 PM
I'm sure you can find lots of info on scripting by doing a google search.
Reply #257 Thursday, November 3, 2005 10:44 PM
I'm new to the skinning world and just fell in love with this community.Some of my coworkers like what I was able to do with my desktop, and have added some of there own flavors!!!!!Many have questions and I have directed them to the site
,again there amazed.My only problem is that I know nothing about how to create my own skins 
.I have some ideas for themes, objects and widgets, but dont know where to start. I'm willing to learn!!!!!thanks to all of you and your hard work.I hope to soon be a subscriber and meet some of my favorite skinners, as well as contribute!!!!!!Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Reply #258 Friday, November 4, 2005 2:50 PM
Reply #259 Friday, November 4, 2005 5:41 PM
rychian,
You will need 3 basic items to start skinning (other than your imagination):
1 - A graphics editing program (i.e., Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Paint Shop Pro, etc. - you could use Paint, but that would be limiting in many ways due to the lack of support for transparency)
2 - A program to combine your images into a skin (DesktopX for DX themes, objects, widgets, SkinStudio for creating a WindowBlind skin, IconDeveloper, or another icon editor for creating icons, etc.)
3 - If you intend to make advanced DesktopX items (themes, objects, widgets, and gadgets), you will need either "VB Script" or "Java Script" skills - as well as some XML knowledge.
You can find some documentation on DesktopX here https://www.stardock.com/products/desktopx/documentation/index.html
You can find a series of tutorials on creating icons here http://mormegil.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?SID=83&AID=64104
If you download and install SkinStudio, there is a tutorial offered (though a bit out-dated) via the Help menu.
There is also a large amount of support available here at WC if you have questions on particular procedures while working with these programs.
I hope this helps.
Reply #260 Friday, November 4, 2005 5:50 PM
Kiltul,
For CursorXP (free version), you put the cursor theme file in "C:\Program Files\Stardock\CursorXP\Themes" folder.
An easier way to procede, would be to read this mini tutorial http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?SID=5463&AID=82563 - and after a successful download of the CursorXP theme file - simply double-click to install. The files will be written to the correct location, and are then available for application.
If you are running CursorXP Plus, you would put the files in "C:\Program Files\CursorXP\Themes" folder.
For a better understanding of the file structures, you can read my mini tutorial concerning backing-up skins and themes, which illustrates the locations and folders used by the core programs of Object Desktop. This should help point you in the correct direction - read here http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?SID=5463&AID=82928
If you have any questions after that, please post again.
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Reply #241 Tuesday, August 9, 2005 1:29 PM