Betanews takes first look at WindowBlinds 5

Vista-like user experience on Windows XP

Tuesday, November 29, 2005 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News

Betanews has taken a first look at WindowBlinds 5.  One of the most obvious new features in WindowBlinds 5 is its ability to do per-pixel alpha blending on nearly all of your Windows GUI controls including the title bar and borders of your windows.  This allows for all kinds of new skinning effects (not to mention making it much easier to create cool looking themes).  One popular effect that we're seeing are people making skins that make Windows XP appear similar to Microsoft's upcoming Windows Vista OS. 

Windows Vista is a huge step forward for Windows.  Its experience is delivered through a composited 3D accelerated surface.  Or put another way, the Windows Vista environment will have the same capabilities that a modern PC game would have and all the effects there-in. 

Needless to say, Windows XP lacks this, but in terms of user interface, Stardock was able to develop a technique that allows WindowBlinds to leverage the advancements in video cards over the past few years so that Windows XP could superficially look similar to Windows Vista.  It should be pointed out that Windows Vista is much much more than just a visual overhaul. It really is a next-generation OS that Stardock will be encouraging users to move to as soon as it's available.

Hopefully WindowBlinds 5 will help users get a taste of the kinds of cool things one can expect in the future in Windows itself.

21 Reply 17 Referrals
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Jafo
Reply #1 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 5:39 PM
There always seems to be uninformed comments from someone, somewhere...

TurkishSquirrel
Reply #2 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 6:41 PM
I can't get different skins to load on WB5. Any help?

internetworld7
Reply #3 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 6:43 PM
I purchased WindowBlinds after September but how do I upgrade to it? When I submitted my email at stardock it sent me a link to download WindowBlinds 4.6 enhanced? Shouldn't it say version 5?

-DarkPhoeniX-
Reply #4 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 7:41 PM
There always seems to be uninformed comments from someone, somewhere...

Yeah, did you see the screenie of that guy's desktop? I think he's still living in '95

Lantec
Reply #5 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 7:42 PM
There always seems to be uninformed comments from someone, somewhere


The word "doofus" comes to mind.

[email protected]
Reply #6 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 11:01 PM
internetworld7, the emails for free upgrades to 5.x (if you purchased on/after Sept 1 2005) are going out now. You should have it by tomorrow. If not, please email [email protected] and I'll check into it for you.

Lotherius
Reply #7 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 2:40 AM
I've a question... with this new activation system that WB5 is using, what happens when my OD subscription runs out? In the past I could still install an archived version that I'd downloaded while the subscription was active. With the new activation method, will installing from the archive copy after the subscription runs out still be possible?

wrecklass
Reply #8 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 5:10 AM
I keep hearing people refer to Windows Vista as a "Next Generation" Operating System. Yet none of the features I have read about are revolutionary. In fact all of the features are already available in other OS's currently on the market. Some of the original features for Longhorn sounded promising, but they were all dropped.

Can someone enlighten me about what makes Vista "Next Generation?" Or is this merely another example of the Tech news media all buying into Microsoft's hype machine?

Neil Banfield
Reply #9 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 6:04 AM
Lotherius: an interesting question.  I will check for you what happens.

Kevison
Reply #10 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 7:45 AM
Or is this merely another example of the Tech news media all buying into Microsoft's hype machine



Its like trailer trash breeding more trailer trash except that every other generation breeds a little better trailer trash. Who knows... it may be more hype but then the final product isn't out yet. M$ may get it right someday. However till then I think Ill rely on ODNT to keep me happy.

Kevison
Reply #11 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 8:32 AM
Anyone notice any wierd interaction between WB5 and DOTNET? Whenever I minimize VS.NET and then restore it it looks like the default window frame shows for a split second then the WB skin shows. ALmost as if the WB image is overlayed onto the default windows diaglog frame. It was more noticable with transparent skins such as the VISTA-LIKE skin(WB)

chicolocopr
Reply #12 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 10:06 AM
YES!!!!

When im using VB.net, sometimes in Design View, i try to move an object and it won't let me. It will show a border of the object sticked to the cursor, and when i release it doesn't move and the border is still bonded to the cursor lol.

chicolocopr
Reply #13 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 10:07 AM
YES!!!!

When im using VB.net, sometimes in Design View, i try to move an object and it won't let me. It will show a border of the object sticked to the cursor, and when i release it doesn't move and the border is still bonded to the cursor lol.

chicolocopr
Reply #14 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 10:11 AM
Sorry! Crappy connection made me double post.

Dipuchandok
Reply #15 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 11:58 AM
Hats off to these Stradock guys for this wonderful program called WindowBlinds.

Urgo
Reply #16 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 12:31 PM
its the next step in windows evolution you can say in that point microsoft is right.

oh and wb 5 is working much more smoth than 4.x nice work guys and girls

Rahn
Reply #17 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 3:12 PM
The article is unfortunate in effectively characterising WB5 as an application that allows WinXP to have Vista Glass. For my two cents I wonder if Stardock makes screen shots available to reviewers like those I see in Large Preview mode -which point out the extent of the customisation - glow, animations, custom toolbars.
I like Mike B's Arrow, Aura and Cyclops skins but wouldn't a shot of say, Copper Deck II including Icons, make the point about the extent to which the desktop can be changed with a non Glass skin? Z71's Optimal 2 elegantly shows a solid colour with a matte feel, whilst Michael Brandts recent skin Reduce is a nice sharp dark skin. Side by side screenshots like these would display the wide choice of styles available in addition to "glass" skins.
All users know that WindowBlinds is more than a Vista wanna be but thats the message that needs to be communicated.

WB5 is humming for me and I thank all those responsible yet again.

Jafo
Reply #18 Wednesday, November 30, 2005 5:20 PM
Citizen Rahn ...Betanews would be well aware of what the previous vers of WB could do, and the diversity of 'normal' skins, but as with anything updated/new is going to want to focus on the improvements/added features, hence the pre-occupation with per-pixel alpha skins in deference to the older ones...

DALAXIA
Reply #19 Thursday, December 1, 2005 12:15 AM
I have installed the program, but when I attempt to apply a skin or change anything... nothing happens at all

Any help is appreciated...

BoBOsCaR
Reply #20 Thursday, December 1, 2005 6:55 AM
WB5 don't works well with powerDVD 5, takes away the picture when playing a movie.

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