I'm a new skinner hoping to gain apprentice status

Hi everyone, my name is Glen Bland. I recently renewed my subscription and started working on some DesktopX widgets and WindowBlinds themes. I plan to become an active member of the message forum, both helping others and occasionally asking for help. I will also be uploading a lot of skins. My previous subscription was back in 2006 and I didn't do much on the site then. As I said in the title, I am hoping to gain the status of apprentice, and eventually work up to journeyman, etc. I would love to become a master, but I will have to prove myself and I don't expect that to happen over night. So, for now I look forward to getting to know the community here and hopefully make some friends who share my passion for skinning.

90,206 views 25 replies
Reply #1 Top

Welcome Glenn!  :grin: For future reference...the Skinners Anonymous meetings are held here every day. We don't have just a few days out of a week for meetings because we're all to busy skinning. :P Now...get started!  ;)

Reply #2 Top

Welcome Glenn. :sun:    I'm not a skinner but I do what I can in the community.  I do my best to keep up with the Themes that the skinners make and pull all of the themed skins together for Theme Manager Suites.  I'll be looking forward to the opportunity to work with you. :grin:

 

Reply #3 Top

Welcome Glenn, into the world of skinning! I loo forward to seeing your work! :sun:

Reply #4 Top

Welcome Glen.  Looking forward to your submissions to our galleries.

Keep in mind that you skin for your own pleasure and sometimes comments on skins can both be complimentary and not so complimentary.  Be prepared for both and don't get discouraged by someone posting a negative comment.  Most skinners will be giving positive feedback and constructive criticism if requested.

All in all the WC community is a great place to be.  Some do get their foot nipped now and then.

Reply #5 Top

I'm just a user, and a happy one at that. I use just about everything, including DesktopX, which I think is a marvellous program. A whole lot of DesktopX skinners have left, so it will be great to get some new blood. No doubt RedneckDude will be along to encourage you to skin DesktopX as well.

Reply #6 Top

Welcome (back) to WinCustomize.

I wish you success in your endeavor and if I can be of assistance, PM me.

My specialty is animated wallpaper (Dreams).

Reply #7 Top

looking forward to seeing yr future work and watching you evolve and progress over time xxx<3

Reply #8 Top

Welcome [back] to Wincustomize.com.

Enjoy the ride...;)

Reply #9 Top

Quoting willistuder, reply 5
I'm just a user, and a happy one at that. I use just about everything, including DesktopX, which I think is a marvellous program. A whole lot of DesktopX skinners have left, so it will be great to get some new blood. No doubt RedneckDude will be along to encourage you to skin DesktopX as well.

 

I would be glad to help in any way I can.

I look forward to your skins, and your presence here at WinCustomize, a place where we all "Win" because you "Customize"!

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Reply #10 Top

Quoting Hankers, reply 4
Welcome Glen.  Looking forward to your submissions to our galleries.

Keep in mind that you skin for your own pleasure and sometimes comments on skins can both be complimentary and not so complimentary.  Be prepared for both and don't get discouraged by someone posting a negative comment.  Most skinners will be giving positive feedback and constructive criticism if requested.

All in all the WC community is a great place to be.  Some do get their foot nipped now and then.

Well said old man!  :grin:

Reply #11 Top

Thank you all for such a great welcome. I was not expecting such a response. I can't wait to start getting feedback from some of my projects.

I just uploaded my first DesktopX theme. It's at: https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/desktopx_themes/4536/

It's called: Sims3 toolbar with music player.

I was going to add a lot more to it before uploading, but I have some questions and could use a little feedback as this project grows.

First of all- Is it frowned upon to upload un-finished themes?

Also- the next feature I am working on in this theme is getting it to load the currently playing mp3's album art in the square area immediately right of the player. I currently have no idea how to do this.

Reply #12 Top

First of all- Is it frowned upon to upload un-finished themes?

Would suggest creating a WIP thread to get testers and feedback before uploading the finished product.

Reply #13 Top

okay, thanks :-) I'll do that.

One more question; how can I upload a user image/icon/avatar?

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Reply #14 Top

Quoting Glen, reply 11
Thank you all for such a great welcome. I was not expecting such a response. I can't wait to start getting feedback from some of my projects.

I just uploaded my first DesktopX theme. It's at: https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/desktopx_themes/4536/

It's called: Sims3 toolbar with music player.

I was going to add a lot more to it before uploading, but I have some questions and could use a little feedback as this project grows.

First of all- Is it frowned upon to upload un-finished themes?

Also- the next feature I am working on in this theme is getting it to load the currently playing mp3's album art in the square area immediately right of the player. I currently have no idea how to do this.

 

Cool start. And, yes, definitely create a thread where you can ask questions and get answers.

 

Oh, and welcome back to WC. :)

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Reply #15 Top

One more question; how can I upload a user image/icon/avatar?

In the forums, go to the "Account" tab, then to the "Images" tab and upload your images.

Oh, and welcome!

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Reply #16 Top

Quoting Bebi, reply 12

First of all- Is it frowned upon to upload un-finished themes?


Would suggest creating a WIP thread to get testers and feedback before uploading the finished product.

I agree. The only reason I see to upload an unfinished theme is if you don't plan to finish it and want someone else to finish it for you.

Reply #17 Top

Quoting Mirsguy, reply 15

One more question; how can I upload a user image/icon/avatar?


In the forums, go to the "Account" tab, then to the "Images" tab and upload your images.

Oh, and welcome!

And, if that gives problems, do the same only at JoeUser.com.

Reply #18 Top

an active member of the message forum, both helping others and occasionally asking for help.
That's me in a nutshell. I only skin things when I fall down. X(     I do however, test DX for a certain Redneck who shall remain nameless. If you need anything in that department, I'd be glad to help out. I run Win7/64 and Vista/64 and DX 3.5(4.0 isn't ready for prime time just yet) I will be looking forward to seeing your work in the galleries.Welcome back to WC, have fun and best of luck to you.:thumbsup:

Reply #19 Top

Glen--try some of these articles. I don't know if there is an answer to your media player question here, but there is bound to be some useful information for you.

sViz's Tutorial Index:  https://forums.wincustomize.com/162744

DesktopX Tutorials:    https://forums.wincustomize.com/forum/156

Reply #20 Top

Here is the DesktopX wiki page: http://wiki.wincustomize.com/wiki/DesktopX

Here is the Main Page of the WinCustomize Wiki:  http://wiki.wincustomize.com/wiki/Main_Page

Here is (I think) the newest WindowBlinds skinning guide:  http://wiki.wincustomize.com/wiki/Skin_Studio_7:_The_Tutorial

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Reply #21 Top

Quoting Mirsguy, reply 15

One more question; how can I upload a user image/icon/avatar?
In the forums, go to the "Account" tab, then to the "Images" tab and upload your images.

Oh, and welcome!

Thanks :-D

Reply #22 Top

Quoting willistuder, reply 19
Glen--try some of these articles. I don't know if there is an answer to your media player question here, but there is bound to be some useful information for you.

sViz's Tutorial Index:  https://forums.wincustomize.com/162744

DesktopX Tutorials:    https://forums.wincustomize.com/forum/156

Thanks for the links. I think I found something that might actually help. It's for a picture slideshow, but combined with the dx player, maybe. I'll see.

Reply #24 Top

Quoting Bebi, reply 12

First of all- Is it frowned upon to upload un-finished themes?
Would suggest creating a WIP thread to get testers and feedback before uploading the finished product.

 

I guess the best category to do this in is "Sneak Peaks" So I made a WIP thread under that.

Here it is: https://forums.wincustomize.com/393666

I really appreciate everyone's welcome and help.

Reply #25 Top

Quoting sViz, reply 23
For album art, you might try cracking open some of the DX widgets here: https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/all/search/album+art

I was sure Skarnivorous used to have an album art object, but some of his stuff seems to be gone.

WOW That's -exactly- what I needed! You rock. I should have this working in no time now :-D