Praying for a new Theme Manager release soon!

Please don't reduce me to groveling while I wait!

from WinCustomize Forums

I've spent countless hours over the last couple months downloading and assembling various skins into combinations I like.  Now that I am finally ready to start turning them into suite files, I find that all the latest releases of Object Desktop are no longer recognized by Theme Manager. Is Theme Manager going to be the next great release for Object Desktop 2008?  Ideally, it would be nice if it were updated and as each new version of an Object Dock program is released.  At the moment, I feel crippled by the loss of functionality in this program.

Assuming that Stardock is actually in the process of issuing a new version of Theme Manager, I would like to make at least one feature request...  make it possible for the program to silently run and install a suite from a command line or batch file.  This would do wonders to help me automate changing suites.  I hope to have twelve suites that will automatically change at the start of each month without my having to click a single button.  It would save me from alot of pains from my repetitive strain injuries. 

18,592 views 27 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I'm not sure what the status is on Theme Manager but I will make a note of your request for you. Thank you for the input!
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's Here! Dl'ing now :CONGRAT:  :CONGRAT:  :CONGRAT: 
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Shows up now as recently installed. Good Job Stardock! and Thanks.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's Here! Dl'ing now      
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Ummm... please tell us what you are smoking? I have the checkbox for "Show prerelease versions" checked (other apps show beta versions), and the latest update on ThemeManager is 2.50c.046, dated 10/4/2007. There ARE no updates!!
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Impulse or SDC?
ThemeManager or MyColors ThemeManager?

so many choices these days.  :D
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Apparently ,better stuff than you've got. I installed 2.50c.049 last night through Impulse and have been test driving it all day. Light one up,and don't be a Bogart!
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ThemeManager or MyColors ThemeManager?
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Not sure at all it's a good thing ...  :( 
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Impulse or SDC?ThemeManager or MyColors ThemeManager?so many choices these days. 
End of quote


SDC, as I still cannot get Impulse to run/connect/login/display any kind of window other than the splash screen.

Regular ThemeManager. Didn't know there was any other kind; as MyColors is a different paid-for product than ObjectDesktop.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Unless you have some sort of firewall issue or so other block I'd give Impulse another shot, OpusCroakus. That update has been showing on Impulse for weeks. It wasn't available(no update button) but was listed.I'm sticking with Impulse from now on, bugs and all. 3/30/2008 was the date of the update, I posted the # already. I hadn't used TM much before so I can't tell you what's new.Oddly enough, My Colors themes DO appear in TM, but not the other way around.  :p 
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Since the update MyColors and the Object Desktop software play well together. Some updates need to be tweaked but previous to that they did not.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Unless you have some sort of firewall issue or so other block I'd give Impulse another shot, OpusCroakus. That update has been showing on Impulse for weeks. It wasn't available(no update button) but was listed.I'm sticking with Impulse from now on, bugs and all. 3/30/2008 was the date of the update, I posted the # already. I hadn't used TM much before so I can't tell you what's new.Oddly enough, My Colors themes DO appear in TM, but not the other way around.   
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Sorry, Wizard, but I've already been working with T-Man on this issue. It is definitely a proxy issue communicating with the new-fangled Web Service which Impulse is using. And the fixed code for dealing with the proxies has NOT YET made it into Impulse. Please refer to https://forums.wincustomize.com/308978 and https://forums.wincustomize.com/307304 threads for details if you'd like.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I hope that a solution will be found soon for you. Impulse really is better imo. Please forgive my dumb question but in the meantime, why can't the more "overdue" updates be forced to show in SDC, which still works for almost everyone? At least 'til all the kinks are worked out. Good Luck to you,OpusCroakus
Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top
Impulse is still being worked out. Stardock knows where they want to go with it but all of this is info that is shaping it into what the customer wants out of it. While we can call this a working release, a beta test, or a production release it is, and will be, an updating project for years to come. In these early stages you can bet that the developers are giving the forums rapt attention. On top of that you have monkeys like me combing in here for more info.

I will pass these concerns on and provide any extra info for current troubles I can in here.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm not seeeing the new Theme Manager in either Impulse or Stardock Central, and I have beta option set, too. What gives?
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
For me, the latest update on SDC for ThemeManager is 2.50c.046, dated 10/4/2007. Show pre release checked/unchecked = no different
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
and the last 3 digits of the version of programs (the .046 here) will vary between impulse and SDC and can be ignored. This thread, particularly the last post, did a fine job of clearing all this up for me:

WWW Link

My over-simplified interpretation: Choose your weapon (Impulse or SDC) to watch for updates, and don't worry about the last 3 digit variation. :) 
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

We'll be doing a public article on our thinking of the future of Theme Manager.

MyColors is NOT a replacement for Theme Manager. MyColors is a specialized delivery platform for suites.  Theme Manager is designed to let people make and trade their own desktop themes and manage individual pieces of their GUI.

Only reason why TM hasn't already been updated is just time.  Finite resources.  IconPackager 4 has been getting the focus of that team lately.

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Frogboy,

Once installed by My Colors, will we be able to use Object Desktop to make color and font changes, recombine icon, cursor, object dock, and other packages into a customized version of the theme in Theme Manager?
Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

MyColor packages are non adjustable. They are set and complete packages that cannot be altered at all.

There has been some discussion about releasing MyColor suites as Premium Suites to do what you are asking for. However even if this was implemented it would be sometime before it was completed. As I said though this is not a "for sure" thing.

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
MyColor packages are non adjustable. They are set and complete packages that cannot be altered at all.
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Seabass, once you install a theme via MyColors, aren't the component displayed in the unique apps (if you have them)?  So you can alter each part *some*.

For example, when I installed the UofM theme, it showed up in Windowblinds config and I was able to recolor.

I was not able to make a ThemeManager 2007 suite of mixed elements though.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I actually did a follow up after posting that with the developers today.

In the advanced settings of MyColors you can install individual components of skins. If you want to mix and match portions of MyColors suites you can (Icons, WindowBlinds... etc).

So should you be an Object Desktop subscriber you can load just the Icons of your MyColors suite and then use Icon packager and developer* to tweak them further.

However due to encryption you will never be able to save out a MyColors suite, or permanently change the look of the graphics. As much as the school rivalry in me wanted to do certain things to certain teams that is the exact reason why it isn't allowed. Millions (and I mean millions) in licensing fees go into these packages and those licenses are protected carefully.

Sorry if there was any confusion in my 'half right' post above. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
As much as the school rivalry in me wanted to do certain things to certain teams that is the exact reason why it isn't allowed. 
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You could always make yourself a few DTX layers to, uh, "enhance" some of them if it'd make you feel better  ;) 
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Should it be possible to adjust Theme Manager correctly for applying .ini (located in X:\My Documents Documents\ObjectDock Library\Backed Up Themes\ and not a .zip file from C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Themes when building a theme ?
Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top
I'm 99% sure that Object Dock will not interface with a .ini file alone. Just run it as part of the system. I will double check that info though and post if I am wrong or if something like that would work.