MyColors Featured on Download.com!

Very interesting and good for the community.

Not sure but I think, or at least feel, the most folks out there look at Download.com as one of the safer places to look for and download software.

I look at it this way, it can't hurt Stardock by showing up there.  

Hm. It does look like good exposure for the software and for Stardock, but much of the feedback up to this point has been negative. Obviously, some percentage of internet posters are people who don't really have anything better to do than complain, but one of the criticisms of the MyColors client seems to be that only Diamond comes with the installer.

I'm not personally complaining, because I'm an ODNT subscriber, but for the newbies who download this client through a third-party link and have no idea what Stardock is (or that it makes customization software), I think it would make good marketing sense for Stardock to include one to three more themes as freebies with it. The perception from the internet community at large seems to be that this is some kind of "bait-and-switch" or "your first hit is free" operation. Of course, some people don't want to pay for anything, but maybe another "inspired" theme and one of the holiday themes could be packaged with it. Just a thought.

Not a bad idea warreni.  

Hmm I see the Diamond theme comes with Apogee icons (presumably updated for Vista with live folders) yet there is still no update for previous purchasers of the IP. MyColors is cool though!   

Here's what I find insane about the kind of criticism on Download.com (and it's typical of the free beer crowd):

IF MyColors only supported the Diamond theme and there was nothing else. If it were called "XP to Vista" (for intance) to give XP the Vista look, users would be celebrating it.

But the mere existence of non-free options gets people in a tizzy.

I've seen this over and over with things like ObjectDock and CursorFX. The mere existence of premium versions somehow means the free version isn't truly "free" even though they're fully featured.

It should include directions for people that aren't happy with it to unload the skins before you uninstall it. I've seen a lot of people that uninstall with the theme loaded and they can't get their icons back or windows going back to default classic. And I agree with warreni 3 themes would be nice.

OK, pardon my ignorance if this is a silly thing to ask, but what exactly is the difference between Windowblinds and MyColors? It seems to me that they both do pretty much the same thing except that MyColors seems to be geared more toward "buying" the skins rather than downloading them for free off the website. I'm also guessing that MyColors probably doesn't have all the skin-tweaking options available? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Your assessment is correct.  The MyColors engine applies pre-packaged themes (Windows skin, icons, wallpaper, etc).  There is no adjustment available (unless you also have WB installed).

GhostMale you got it. MyColors are for the one button changes all crowd. If you have ObjectDesktop you mix and match and tweak to your hearts content.  

very nice but I like the quest theme better here is a link to a screeni WWW Link ]

Along with what Zubaz said, MyColors could be described as an "all in one" skinning solution.  You don't have to worry about which software to install for each theme component, just pick the theme you like and you have a new desktop. 

We're working on it.  Paul lost his mind and added more colors along with the Vista update.  We're now trying to get substyles working in the new IP with the bazillion substyles that it has.  So, it's coming...very soon.

Just dl'd Diamond,even though I already had the WB,to give Quest some company.I've had great results at c|net,even their newsletter is good. but they do have a flaw. If you set a search filter to "free" they often lump shareware,crippleware, and timed demo's into the same catagory.Some people, myself excluded, may often feel that they have been mislead. I've read it in many reveiws on the site, it's a major gripe. Google "free software" and download .com will be at the top of the list.That's how I discovered ObjectDock and started on my downloading road to ruin here at WC.;) So,imo,I'd say the exposure is a generally good thing,most users don't mind investing money in their systems if the product deliver. I would be interested in knowing if these whiners are going without anti-virus or spyware protection because the free version isn't as good as the paid one? What do they think DEMO means? I may never upgrade to the paid version of OD or buy any themes,but I have control of that choice.Informed ,intelligent people don't post reveiws like the ones I just read at c|net.They try out products and vote with their wallets.Thanks,my two cents worth.

Congrats on the Feature ,, Is good to see SD and skinning in general getting some press..       

I have to snicker at who some of the commenters are that are suggesting more free themes over at download.com.  

I do like the idea behind My Colors. Much better than crippled or timed out shareware.

You'll have to see what the response is. I'm thinking a total of 4 free themes 1 for each flag to whet their appetites. Noone could reasonably complain about a fully functioning free software that started you out that well. Give them something more to play with for free.

It's interesting that by and large the reviews are polarized.... either 'great' or 'crap'.  Next to none say 'it's OK'.

The nay-sayers [not just the supporters] have familiar nicks [to me] - once disgruntled [with Stardock/Wincustomize] always gruntle-less...;)

I guess, as with most comment/poll opportunities the 'it's OK'-brigade are too ambivalent to bother to comment, whereas the polarized want to be heard....;)

The installer prompts me to uninstall MyColors instead of just installing the new theme as I currently have MyColors installed with the Qwest theme. Appears that they must work on the installer further.

We ran into that yesterday.  I think it's because the CNet version is trying to install over the installed one instead of recognizing it and just installing the theme.  We're aware of the issue and are looking into it.

 

be nice if I can have quest back as it was before. Once you sorted the problem. thanks.

Hmmm . . looks like the encrypted images.  Did you try to edit in SKS?

no that was after DL from Download.com this is on PC XP. On the lap Vista it wiped quest out of my colours left it showing in WB but crashed the program as soon as selected it so had to remove the Quest folder on the Laptop. On XP the preview shows up as the encrypted images and loads as per screenshot

You can almost bet a nice % of the detractors are and were already Stardock-haters.

Congrats on the feature.   

What version of WB are you using?  I have a feeling that it needs to be ugraded.  MyColors will use WB when installed, but it doesn't see if it is older than what MyColors needs (which is something we are building into it).

WB up to date via Impulse
WindowBlinds version : WindowBlinds 6.1 (build 52 x86)

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC
WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC
Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.
                                                             '
(SONY SDM-S76D_F) 1 is attached to ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series  
                                                  '
Wblind.dll         2008/04/08 14:21:20
Wbsrv.dll         2008/03/11 07:56:10
Wbconfig.exe         2008/04/12 17:53:33
Wbload.exe         2008/02/14 12:05:14
Wbhelp.dll         2007/08/27 12:54:07
Wbui.dll         2007/12/01 17:43:05
Tray.dll              2007/09/12 18:58:21
Screen.exe         2008/01/11 13:14:18
                                       '
thats PC Laptop is also up to date via Impulse