Windows Vista skinning comes of age

from WinCustomize Forums

The release of WindowBlinds 6 represents the coming of age of Windows Vista skinning.  Certainly Windows XP users get a lot of benefits from WindowBlinds 6 but as pointed out in "Playing with Magic", a world without WindowBlinds 6 is a world in which Windows Vista customization is extremely limited.

I am always amazed when I hear someone say "Why would anyone want to skin their computers?" as they adjust their custom cell phone case.  People trick their rides in every way shape and form. We're stuck in front of computers all day so it's not surprising that people would want to personalize it.

As I type this, only around 10% of the PC market has migrated to Windows Vista.  But on WinCustomize.com, it's over 22%.  So far this month, around 700,000 unique Windows Vista users have come to WinCustomize.com to download skins, themes, wallpapers, etc.  A year from now, it'll probably be mostly Windows Vista users.

What's ironic is that Windows Vista is a better platform to customize because it's got many small buglets that were in Windows XP cleaned up. But it's a harder platform to customize because of the demands it makes on skinners.  Everything from 256x256 sized icons (which are practically clipart unto themselves) to the differences in the myriad of editions of Windows Vista (Basic vs. Home Premium vs. Ultimate) combine to make Windows Vista a challenge for skinners.

If you're still running Windows XP and you're happy with it, then stick with it. The amount of cool stuff for Windows XP continues to grow.  But if you're a Windows Vista user, the good news is, the future looks bright. In the coming months, you will see more and more easy to use tools released that will let you customize your OS in ways that are breathtaking.

10,045 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
it's got many small buglets
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Yeah,its got its own new set of buglets   Love XP over Vista but I gotta get into it someday.    


Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I like that word buglet...not a skin killer,just annoyances to be worked around.  
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
As I type this, only around 10% of the PC market has migrated to Windows Vista. But on WinCustomize.com, it's over 22%.
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Interesting numbers for sure, but I wonder what percentage of the PC market customize their computers. Because there are several ways to customize that figure maybe hard to come up with. Hard to imagine people going to other places for their customizing tools.  
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I wish we could make the explorer background transparent SOMEHOW. Grr....
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Because there are several ways to customize that figure maybe hard to come up with.
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Agreed! Customization for one person may just involved a new background on their desktop or a new mouse pad or the other extreme where every visual, sound and odor of the OS and desktop is modified and every known skinnable gadget, widget, gizmo, docklet, etc. is up and running.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I would tend to define "skinning" at the very least someone who changes the default explorer graphical interface with something other than the choices offered by the operating system. And changing wallpaper I think would not count unless the user changes the wallpaper to fit the explorer style (other than default). My mother changes the wallpaper on her computer at work to pictures of my children and would have to say she is far from skinning her computer. And adding widgets to ones computer should be considered simply because it just an accesory to the computer. Skinning should simply be considered as changing the explorer interface anything less or more than that does not constitute anything more or less.

Well, thats my opinion and you know opinions are like "$%^%oles". Everyone has one and I have shown you mine.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i got use to windows vista, i dont even want to go back to xp
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
just another reason for me to upgrade to vista i guess...  
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Love my Vista; love my Object Desktop; WOULD (and will) love my WindowBlinds 6 when it becomes usable for Vista 64 bit....
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Love my Vista; love my Object Desktop; WOULD (and will) love my WindowBlinds 6 when it becomes usable for Vista 64 bit....
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It's been usable since the release, im using it right now w/Turbo.