Vista versus WindowBlinds

and a section for Vista Themes

from WinCustomize Forums
I was wondering what the effect of Vista having the inherent visual styles capability is going to have on the WindowBlinds product. Also I was wondering if there are plans in place to have a section dedicated to these Vista "skins".
13,050 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I was wondering what the effect of Vista having the inherent visual styles capability is going to have on the WindowBlinds product

XP has 'inherent visual styles capacity' too, you know....

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ah yes, the ability to choose a color scheme and change your wallpaper. How foolish of me to forget. I think I need another cup of coffee!
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Errr, no. MsStyles format is the current skinning engine in XP which is hosted by the Theming service. It has about the same capabilities of Windowblinds 4 (1st release), just not as free form.

Sarcasm when you don't know what you are on about, good call!
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I suppose it'll be the same as when XP came out. The OS got some theming capabilities and WindowBlinds takes it even further.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Setpimus, I was just trying to be funny, not so much sarcastic. I am familiar with XP themes, and collected a number of them. My point was that MS Styles aren't a whole lot more than changing the color theme and wallpaper. I know... a few icons and cursors can be changed too.

I guess the wider question that I hoped might arise, is that with a more robust visual styles capability in Vista does the general public become addicted to changing the overall look of their OS, like many of us addicts here at WC? (How's that for a run-on sentence:))

The second part of that is with the skill set of the skinners here at WC, they are poised to start creating quality Vista themes ahead of the general market. As with Asus, Terminator 3, and Alienware wanting official "skins", will there be a larger commercial market, since the capability is built into the new operating system. Wouldn't it be easy to imagine Coca-cola wanting a Vista skin with their colors, logos, and the polar bears. Or Budwieser wanting a skin with the frogs, and let's not forget the Gieco gekko. It just seems there is a lot of potential with a much wider user base out there.

I didn't mean to introduce so many questions in a single thread, but maybe it will expand the scope of the discussion.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My point was that MS Styles aren't a whole lot more than changing the color theme and wallpaper.

Again, your 'point' was erroneous.

If you shutdown the themeing service in XP you'll end up with 'classic' or in other words the Windows 98 'look'.  That 'default' XP appearance [Luna] is actual skinning, and quite a bit more than a wallpaper or a colour, but, as mentioned elsewhere, its capabilities are still somewhat less than what Windowblinds can do, hence the latter's popularity...

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So what do you guys think colud be expanded upon? 98 got WinXP style skins. WinXP got Vista style skins. What could come next after transparacy? I keep thinking 3D >_>.

I have always wanted an effect to "turn" things to reveal other skins or pages. Like a WinFX effect to turn a window to the next one in the taskbar, in real time 3D.

Or load up 3 or 4 constantly used WB skins and have a button to rotate the taskbar between a few skins >_>.

Vista will be fun for skinners !
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
(How's that for a run-on sentence:))


A spot of e.e cummings?