Why do YOU do it.....?

Skin, that is.

from WinCustomize Forums

The other day I was leafing through old 'bytes' in a dusty corner of a forgotten harddrive, and came across some ancient skins I did for a forgotten proggy or two...

Got me thinking....

What got me into this?...that's easy...was shells - messing with the GUI the 'brutal' way....but that's not what has me here still....around 10 years later.

So that reminded me of a 'feeling' I had at that old skinz.org site..... when I realised that skinning was nothing more than a new artform, like painting, or sculpting, except for one small detail.....People doing 'it' in the mid/late '90s were at the DAWN of the emergence of this new 'artform', and THAT was something no painter or sculptor could lay claim to....[at least none still living].

It meant that even as an 'observer' what was being done was genuinely fresh, new and exciting....and if you also happened to 'dabble in it' yourself then the fun was even more acute.

So....a decade later...the world has changed, skinning is far better-known now than it was then, and a lot of 'new' faces have been attracted to it all.  [skinz.org membership probably just made it into 4 figures...Wincustomize is in 7]

Question is.....WHY...?

Casual time-killer or outlet for expression?

 

The 'sad' part is knowing the people who have moved on, departed the scene...over the years.  People you think of...often....of whom many now are oblivious.  The 'happy' part is those who come after...to swell the ranks, even though skinning is now more complex [harder]...and maybe quite less divergent [fewer skinnable apps].

[I digress]

So....

Why are you here?

community
17,606 views 82 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes, they come and go. Skinning is harder and more time consumming. And thats from what I've seen in just 5 years. I do miss some of the old skinners. One comes to mind (not sure if I should bring up names) but what the hell, APB is one. Sure glad my other favorite skinner is still here. I guess a trip down memory lane is good, sad, but good.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I do it because I like seeing what I've created being used by others. I like the sharing, and I enjoy being able to create something that others enjoy using.
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Like most, I suppose, I got to this site when wanting to change the look of my computer. That is all I did for a long time. Then one day I decided to make some comments on some of the skins I was using and on the screenshots. Before I knew it I had made some friends. I always wanted to make my own walls and now I had help and an idea of the progs I would need to do it. That branched out to Rainys, Sysmetrix and Screensavers. I do it because I enjoy it very much and it is good therapy. I also like sharing it with others who enjoy it. It's a good feeling.

but what the hell, APB is one

You can find Ana at DA!

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think that people that have computers but do not have a use for them other than the web find a good use of it by customizing them.   
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Why are you here?

Dunno, must have a masochistic streak or something...

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Why are you here?


Free beer & peanuts.....

no wait....

that's somewhere else......gotta go!
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Why are you here?


I got lost in cyberspace ending up here and can't find my way out. Everytime I try to I only find myself dressed up in a new awesome looking skin...
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In the early and mid 90's I was engrossed with DOOM and started creating levels for it (WAD files if you'll recall). From there is was Duke Nukem. I even managed to get some of them published in some books and CD's that are out there. Skinning Windows kind of remined me of those days, but I never got as good at it as I was with level creating. Time is not as free as it used to be...
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reasons:

1 - No better site for PC customization (not really an answer to the question).

2 - Found that the ability to change the GUI appearance to suit personal taste is a form of freedom.

3 - No reason to leave (the door has not presented itself, either).
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's artistic expression and a creative outlet for me. I can't paint, sculpt or carve (tried 'em all and failed miserably) so pushing pixels around is what I've chosen to express myself.

And I think it is art, I mean, you normally have all the necessary elements (shading, shadowing, lighting, coloring, shaping, layering, etc.) using them all to try and convey an idea, thought, inspiration, etc. just the same as any "traditional" art form. Your chosen tool is a mouse though rather than brush, chistle, etc. I don't necessarily refer to all blinds, visual styles, etc. as "themes" though, especially if they're so minimalistic they have no personality whatsoever. Guess that's where my definition of "skin" begins.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Why am I here ?

Good question. I honestly didn't come here of my own free will. I was dragged here by a friend, kicking and fighting and thinking this is the stupidest ( skinning ) thing I've ever seen. Its a computer why on earth do I care what it looks like as long as I get where I click to. After being dragged here so often I decided I might as well bite the bullet and look around. First week I was here I had a little run in with this Aussie guy that I don't recall his name at the moment but I think he corrected my spelling or something annoying like that.....
Next thing I know...I started to come here and take a look by myself. One reason I still enjoy the screen shot section is so many start out in that area just dabbling about modding others work but in the process learning....
I may never skin a windowsblind. But thats ok. I have fun doing what I do. I enjoy watching others start off with little ' things ' and progress to making top notch windowblinds etc. In the process I've met some nice people here...thats a plus and its free.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
For me it all started when I was searching the web for Star Wars icons. I remember while searching I was surprised that there were so many icons out there that people were creating that were 1000 times cooler than the xp icons. Soon, it didn't matter if they were Star Wars, I was just searching for cool icons, then "BAM!" I came upon Wincustomize. "You can change the graphics on the whole windows shell?" "Holy S@#T!!" And the rest is history.

I started commenting on things, and meeting some people, and making some friends. Wincustomize became my homepage, and I visited everytime I sat down at my computer. I was always excited to see what amazing new things it would offer.

As far as skinning, I've always been an artist, but never really did anything on the computer until I found that you could change the way all these programs looked. I started learning Coreldraw by creating some wallpapers, then I started doing some Sysmetrix skins. I finally mastered Coreldraw, and tech style walls became my calling card. Eventually I started doing Rainy's, then cursors, and a handful of dock icons. I've always wanted to do a Windowblind, but it's just never happened. I've got maybe 3 unfinished ones on my hard drive, but I doubt they'll ever see the light of day. When I started this, I had no kids, and tons of free time... now, I have a 3 year old son and another son on the way this coming February... so time is getting more and more precious. But even if I never make another skin, I'll always come here to see the amazing artwork that gets uploaded everyday!
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bloody hell Jafo, if no one else is going to say it I will, I came here to get spelling lessons I got started by my wife making walls then ended up at Skinnalicious as a Webmaster and Cliff got me started skinning, also Fairry and starone helped me alot and if I can ever get the time I WILL FINISH A WB!!!!!   Also I will have my own skinning site going live in the near future and all are welcome to come....it will be called Skinz Corner so look for it on a block near you  
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Why do YOU do it.....?


A true question for the ages.....hummmmm






Why are you here?


That one's easy.......entertainment
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't skin at all.

I came to WC back in 2001 looking for WB skins.
My first forum reply was in July 2004
My first original forum post was October 2005
I have two objects in my gallery
ZubaZ stats

I'd like to think I help out folks who make the skins.

I am here for the community. I've made friends that have become family.

Thanks for the post Jafo.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WHY ARE YOU HERE??

1. Because my english is bad. you know that.
2. I like customize my pc, and i like share my skins with you.
3. I like the art...painting:oil, airbrush, etc. some draws on paper, tattoo, in one word "the art".
4. Because there are talent in Mexico, y lo mejor de todo es para demostrarme a mi mismo que puedo ser tan bueno como cualquiera en el mundo, o quizá mejor. Demostrarme a mi mismo es como demostrarles a las personas racistas que piensan que en Mexico andamos a caballo y con pistolas y somos totalmente incultos y salvajes...bueno asi nos etiquetan muchas personas...but that is the point...demostrar y saber que soy mejor que muchos. yes i know, es mi ego.
5. Wincustomize is the best skinnig site.

Se me olvida algo ??

That is my answer
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I do it because I like seeing what I've created being used by others. I like the sharing, and I enjoy being able to create something that others enjoy using.


Ditto!

it is good therapy.


And ditto!
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think it all started after watching the matrix, everyone wanted to have that screensaver installed and from there customization just never stopped.... walls, icons, fonts, skins and system hacks. Does it ever end?
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is my first year. It's been fun. Looking forward to my second year. Why do I do it? Although I don't skin, I do enjoy making screen shots and a few little things here and there. So ya, why am I here? it's fun. Later all.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
when i creat D'Chrome., i didn't made it becouse of a request or for a WB skin.., it was more like a necessity' (  )...
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I came here out of sheer frustration.....to save pulling out the rest of my hair over a proggy that hacked system files n' linked me to a site that bundled all its themes with adware & 8 legged gremlins; popup rodents and reptiles; spyware n' brainwashing greebies; maggots n' gerbils; malware and insects that hummed so loudly I thought my PC had a 10 billion kilowatt nuclear reactor inside.

Then it applied a bootscreen that just went CLONK n' refused to start up my PC..... so is that good enough reason to change/come here, eh?

Anyhow, I was stumbling around the net when I tripped over this place...which in one respect is a great thing, but then it's much like booking into the Hotel California .....can check in but can never leave. So why would I wanna leave? I hear you ask....well cos I like to keep abreast of current affairs/world events sometimes, and don't cos I spend so much time here. I mean, didn't even know Maggie Thatcher was no longer U.K. PM, not until someone dragged me away from WC long enough yesterday to tell me.

Okay, so I don't actually skin myself (got four thumbs and two left hands, then I go cross-eyed when trying to concentrate on it ) but there's so many top-notch skinners and members here, and daily visits here are a must/essential to maintaining my sanity. Err, maybe not....many say I lost it ages ago, but at least WC'll help keep those nice young men in their clean white coats at bay for a while longer.

So who is my fav skinner? Best way to answer that is: pull any two or three letters between A - Z and you'd have their initials....each is excellent in their chosen field so there can be no fav'rites. In short, WC has the best collection of skinners and members on the net, so it's a natural and obvious choice to be a WC subscriber.

First week I was here I had a little run in with this Aussie guy


Me too!! Had this forum debate and he asked why I'd wanna "lock horns" with a site admin in just my first week....given his horns were much bigger than mine.
Now that got me rather curious....how'd he know my horns were smaller, I thought to meself. Could it be further proof Stardock has IconPackager-Cam.....the political filter technology TheGuyPC so kindly informed us of?
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
TAWoods:also Fairry and starone helped me alot


2 r's and NO squiggle ? You trying to kill me here Troy



Starkers:Me too!! Had this forum debate and he asked why I'd wanna "lock horns" with a site admin in just my first week....given his horns were much bigger than mine


Its funny Starkers , but I have found the people I like/respect more are the ones I had fights/debates with.

One thing that bugs me a bit is that so many of the "older Skinners" stopped uploading here. I'm not sure if it was a personal decision/reason or the fact they felt their type of skinning was not wanted anymore after WB 5 came into play.
WB 5 did make skinning blinds a lot more intensive and I give all who do it a lot of credit...but just good old windowblinds pre wb 5 are still wanted and used by a lot of us.

There is room in the skinning world for both.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
2 r's and NO squiggle ? You trying to kill me here Troy


OMG!!!!! Goddess of the squiggle please forgive me...Everyone, it is spelled Fairyy~
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Why are you here?


well ...

"Once upon a time, when mommy and daddy were still talking to each other, they went out for a night at the pub...

...it must have been a good night, because th...."

Oh



...you mean WinCustomize

because its WinCustomize and that's my addiction.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks Troy, my Squiggle is happy once again