Criterion taskbar not wide enough

from Stardock Forums

Ok so I purchased ObjectDesktop, installed Impulse, and bought the Criterion theme and installed it.

Much to my dismay the taskbar isn't as wide as the desktop - so there is a GAP to the left of the start button.

Anyone know why or how to fix it?

 

If not - I want my $4.99 back.

If the problem is that it's not compatible with Windows7 - I want my money back anyway - I saw NO warning saying "NOT COMPATIBLE WITH WIN7".

 

Well so far - I don't like what I'm seeing for my $60.

Here's your chance to make it right and make me a happy customer instead of a pissed off geek.  LOL

 

/D

windowblinds
14,373 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Much to my dismay the taskbar isn't as wide as the desktop - so there is a GAP to the left of the start button.

That is the way that skin is designed.

If the problem is that it's not compatible with Windows7 - I want my money back anyway - I saw NO warning saying "NOT COMPATIBLE WITH WIN7".

You need to careful read the skin descriptions, those that are Win7 ready will state that, if they are not for Win7 there is no warning of that.

From Criterion description

Criterion is a smooth classy skin which is great for every day use and comes in XP and Vista styles. All the usual features are here - shell styles, progress animations, toolbar icons, Vista compatibility, 'loading' animation, start button animation and start panel animation.

For this skin it is clear it has XP and Vista ready styles only.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

I appreciate your reply - but I've seen & tested out MANY skins that are Win7 compatible just haven't had the descriptions updated.

Specifying XP/Vista does NOT equate to "WILL NOT WORK RIGHT ON WIN7" - but again - I appreciate the reply.  Just wish you didn't feel the need to imply I hadn't read the description.  

 

PS: I will however admit that had I zoomed in on the screenshot I would have SEEN that even on XP/Vista - there is the gap there.  WHY?  I can't say, It's a VERY poor design decision IMHO.  Docked on the sides - it's 100%.  Top or bottom - it has the gap.   So I'll consider my $4.95 a cost for learning how the community works here.  LOL

ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Just wish you didn't feel the need to imply I hadn't read the description.

I was not meaning to imply anything.

Specifying XP/Vista does NOT equate to "WILL NOT WORK RIGHT ON WIN7"

This is correct, WB7 does what it can to make XP/Vista skin work well on Win7, by Win7 ready I meant skins made for Win7 with all the extra Win7 images skinned.

WHY? I can't say, It's a VERY poor design decision IMHO.

There are more and more skins being designed like this, some even have space at both ends of the taskbar. There are many Master skins like this so be sure to check the screenshots carefully if this style is not to your liking.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

There are more and more skins being designed like this, some even have space at both ends of the taskbar.

This is true, I'm running one now, on Win 7, and it's nice!!!  Tinted for 7 by Mirsguy. And it looks awesome!!

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks for the reply - SORRY if I misread or overreacted.  You'd think that after being on the internet back when arpanet/bitnet were the only game - I might have learned not to make that mistake LOL - my apologies (bad week).

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

If you learn to use SKS, you might be able to figure a way to modify the skin the way you want...

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DAnthrope, reply 5
Thanks for the reply - SORRY if I misread or overreacted.  You'd think that after being on the internet back when arpanet/bitnet were the only game - I might have learned not to make that mistake LOL - my apologies (bad week).

Go check your other thread, I posted something that may help.  :grin:

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

If you learn to use SKS, you might be able to figure a way to modify the skin the way you want...

The taskbar image would need to be edited in Photoshop or PSP etc.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

ALL these replies are helping me TREMENDOUSLY - THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!!

I'm working on trying to learn how to tweak a skin myself - complicated shit for some old guy like me (I've been doing software development for 26 years but it's that boring business shit LOL nothing cool like this!).

So I'm working on it - and again - THANK YOU ALL for helping out with links and comments.

Peace

/D

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

DAnthrope.

 

Hi. Criterion is a skin I designed, and like almost all my current skins, I like to leave a gap at the left hand end of the taskbar. It's just a design choice.

However, if you drop me an email I can very quickly create you a 'gapless' version of the horizontal taskbar (tim 'at' essorant dot com).

As mentioned above, most skins designed for Vista will work happily on Win7. Considering a skin as "not Windows 7 compatible" is not an accurate description - it just means that new sections which have been added to the Win7 WindowBlinds spec are catered for by using existing 'Vista' elements, rather having the designer creating specific images for the Win7 version (e.g. the Win7 start panel shutdown button uses the Vista image with the icon on, instead of having it's own blank one which uses text). Since Criterion was made before Win7 was released it doesn't have these extra images, but work fine, as seen in the snapshot below.

(And I should also say thank you very much for your purchase! )

Tim.

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Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

^ Now that's just plain nice, Tim. Vitamin K for it too!

DAnthrope....Cavan1 is right...and so are you when you sat Ps and PsP are complicated. I've found that you have to rethink the way you look at things...sort of like with cameras. You have to look at something the way the camera does, not the way you want to see it...probably not explaining myself well. At any rate, essorant is being very nice!

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Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

WOW! :-)   Hey Tim - mate if I could send along a beer with that email I certainly would! LOL

I hope none of my comments were felt derogatory in any way - you clearly have incredible skills!  And as we all know things like this are as subjective as blondes vs. brunettes LOL :-)   But I will say this, I tested out a boatload of other skins, FREE and commercial, before I bought yours and yours was the only one I've purchased thus far.  So, seriously mate, mad props to you.  And THANKS for the reply.

As opposed to asking you to make mods to your work for me, I would like to talk to you about paying you for your work to do some mods for me, either here or off-line.  You'd keep the rights of course, and hopefully :-) LOL sell it as a variation of your other skins!!!  And if I learn a little bit about tweaking skins along the way - all the better for me!   I have actually already managed to get the taskbar to 100% of the width believe it or not! LOL  But if you are not against making a few bucks here and there <grin> I can PayPal you over a few bucks to make some other tweaks that I'd love to get done! :-)  

If this seems crazy - well - I guess I am LOL however, I do software design & development 12-16 hours a day so it's not just about "fun" for me, it's about making my work environment as comfortable as i can - I'm sure you'll understand.

 

I don't know what the rules are here about sending out private emails or whatever - but if you're interested in my offer I promise to make it worth your time (and then some).  

 

Peace - and respect

/D

 

PS: THANKS ALSO to all the people giving advice and quick responses - I've been on a lot of forums, but this is way freaking cool - THANK YOU ALL