I have customization ADHD

-or- a sickness

There is no other way to put it. I have ADHD when it comes to customizing my desktop.

I can't keep it the same way for more than a few days. Literally. I change my wallpaper, cursor, icons, WB, and OD+ settings at least 2-3 times a week. Even when I get a particularly sweet set up that I think I am going to like for at least a week, within a day or two it is changed. I need to take action and stop it. It bothers even me (hence I call it a disorder).

But there are just so many great themes out there. It is like I feel some intangible impetus pushing me forward. But I am really pleased with my current set up. I am determined to keep it longer than 3 days. I am going for a week. Then, maybe even more.

So am I the only one? I wonder. . .
23,841 views 19 replies
Reply #1 Top
The cure is to start skinning yourself. When I first found wincustomize, I was the exact same way. A week? pffft, you will never make it. Since I started making skins myself, I have shaked that bug.
Reply #2 Top

When I first started customizing I wanted to change the skin ever 5 minutes (literally). I thought about asking someone to make a skin changer widget that could be set to small time intervals. It has slowly worn off a little...but I still like to change my skin every week or two.

If only we could change our own skins for better looking ones like we can our computers!

Reply #3 Top
It sounds more like an addiction. Have you ever thought of a 12 step program?



I, too, change my desktop every couple of days, so if you find any kind of program like that, let me know!!
Reply #4 Top
I'll go a week or two with a single skin, then I'll just go crazy and switch to a new skin every 10min for a period of 3-4 days. This means I spend a lot of time on WC finding new ones.

Someday I hope someone makes an Enlightenment Link
like theme suite. It's my all-time favorite Window Manager because it's so minimalist. Sadly I can't build my own stuff due to a severe lack of artistic or coding talent, so I have to wait for someone else to come along with it.

Until then, it's time to change my skin again!
Reply #5 Top
I'm glad I am not the only one who does this. The other problem with custo ADHD is that I also have to spend time tweaking my foobar2000 config to match. Gets to be rather time consuming. Which is why I am sworn to keep this one for at least a week. Wallpaper changes are the extent of what I will allow myself to do!
Reply #6 Top
Not a problem here...Been using PixelPirates 'Ascension' a Queezendorf wall, a Rokey IP and one of my cursors for the past couple of months.

Never get tired of it.
Reply #7 Top
Ok, so the thread title was a bit misleading. Was hoping this was a newb that maybe had a ques already asked that I need answered. What program is it that I need to download in order to swap my boot screens and log on screens. I see alot of programs on the stardock control program but I dont know which one it is, or if I can just stick it in a file somewhere in windows and that makes it work.
Reply #8 Top
Walls I change about every 3-5 days. WB, I vary. Sometimes I just use windows classic
Reply #9 Top
For misnofiend - Logon changing via Logonstudio and Bootskins via the Bootskin program. Links to each are on their respective pages of downloads (skins). Its odd how many people seem to miss those links at the top of the page.
As for WB changing, I can relate to BlueDev at least a little. I have gone through periods of time where I change weekly if not daily. However currently I have been using the same WB for a month or so. Usually I change because I see a new one I like to use or the one I'm using isn't working well for me. Sometimes it isn't easy to tell if I like a skin or not until I've used it for awhile.
Backgrounds I only change if the one I'm using doesn't fit the skin. Cursors and Icons are rare for me to change as well. They don't matter too much to me.


Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #10 Top
I'm right there with you guys. I have what I call "spells" when I can't seem the leave my desktop alone. Then when I do actually leave a skin on for a week or more I wonder if maybe I'm cured...Then I visit WinCustomize and realize I was only in remission. I'm pretty content with what I have right now. So I'm going to try to stave off changing for awhile. Maybe we could set up a support forum for those of us who can't limit the amount of times we change our skins. How 'bout it, anyone?
Reply #11 Top
Changing a skin every few days thats nothing. From WC forums and some playing by myself, I edit my Logons by tweaking
UIFILE. To get logging off, saving settings, windows is shutting down and welcome when start computer in the best place for each logon, I have rebooted 5 or 6 times in 1/2 hour to see how logon looks. For WB's first time load new skin spend 1/2 hour in SkinStudio adjusting font size, type, colors to my liking, I run large taskbar so have to set content margin to double stack system tray icons. Set clock font size to 1, content margin right to -8, don't need to see it and BeatNik.
I change WB every day or two, cursors once or twice a week, icons every couple weeks, wallpaper everyday, bootskin and logonstudio set to random.
Reply #12 Top
Ok, so the thread title was a bit misleading.


Sorry you thought so. I am not seeing it, but at least someone pointed you in the right direction.

Maybe we could set up a support forum for those of us who can't limit the amount of times we change our skins. How 'bout it, anyone?


I like the idea. Now we need to come up with a catchy name for the group. Ideas anyone?
Reply #13 Top
The cure is to start skinning yourself.


Wish that were true!

I've spent a year now (in my "spare" time) tweaking and changing a set of skins that I uploaded to WC last April - of course, I'm never quite satisfied and every day something new occurs to me to change or add, and, of course, a change to any one GUI element inevitably has a domino effect, leading to even more changes. The thing is so bloated with unused/discarded graphics, I'll never get it sorted out!

And, of course, WB now provides features that didn't exist in April of 2004, requiring additional work to make the skins "full-featured," so God knows when the update will get to WC.

In other words, switching to skinning may not be the answer.

Cheers,
Daiwa
Reply #14 Top
Aarrggghhh. Switching to skinning is not the answer by all means. I spend every day of my life tweaking things to be 'perfect'.
Reply #15 Top
# 13 and #14, you just proved my point.

The initial thread is about customizing your desktop, not skinning. You 2 are so busy skinning your not changing desktop components.
Reply #16 Top
Night Train -

My point is/was that doing so just trades in "customization ADHD" for "skinning ADHD." But you're right, it would solve one problem.

Cheers,
Daiwa
Reply #17 Top

Jafo is still using the same Litestep theme after maybe 6 months or so.

Longest I've ever stuck with anyone of them...

Reply #18 Top
I've kept the BOB theme for 2 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Usually I have to change my themes every couple hours...
Reply #19 Top
Wow. I don't think I could do Bob. It just frightens me.