What section(s) should WinCustomize add next?

from WinCustomize Forums

For the past two weeks we've conducted a poll to see what you guys would like to see added to the site. Here are the result after over 2,000 votes cast:

#1 Boot Screens got 38% of the vote

#2 Toolbar icons got 22% of the vote

#3 Trillian skins got 15% of the vote

#4 Rainlendar got 13% of the vote

#5 "Something else" got 9% of the vote

#6 Samurize got 3% of the vote

With that in mind, next month we'll be adding a toolbar icon section. The toolbar icon format will be WindowBlinds 3.2's new toolbar icon feature due out at the beginning of next month (already in beta if you have Object Desktop).

For XP boot screens, the problem that has been discussed previously is that all boot screen programs currently out either require distributing the Windows XP kernel or running a program that patches the Windows XP kernel. In both instances, Microsoft has made it clear to us that they do not approve of such a thing and in fact when SP2 comes out there may be significant problems in applying it (not a problem for experts but for casual users that would be a problem).

To solve this Stardock is working on a freeware boot program that replaces the boot screen by installing a driver that gets loaded and can display a boot screen without touching the Windows XP kernel. The advantage of that is that in the long term other features (such as SVGA support, animations, etc.) can be added to them. We should hopefully have this available to download within a week (fingers crossed).

So there you have it. 2 new sections are planned for next month. We also will look at adding a Trillian section once we talk more with them.

10,633 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Will that Icon Toolbar feature work on WB 4? Does the beta of WB4 on OD already contain this functionality?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes.
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank You Frogboy/Stardock

You guys are just awesome!!!
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
jot-wee, i think you will be able to skin toolbars but you wont be able to use them
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i vote for icons beeter than bootscreen.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
definately #2 Toolbar icons
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just for those who may not know, there is a typo in the news above.... its version 4.2 of Windowblinds that has the toolbar support, not 3.2

Even though I haven't been too thrilled about boot screens, certainly if the program does as Stardock claims, it sounds like a easy thing to add and change just one more thing with windows.
I'm not so sure how much I'll use the toolbar icons since I use Firebird and AFAIK this is about IE/Explorer .
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
so what your say is this?
i have to buy a whole new licenece to get new products in november even though the one i bought doesn't expire till april next year?
i seem to recall it saying that it entitles me to /all/ upgrades during that one year.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Huh? No, that's not what is being said.  If you already have Object Desktop you are all set.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
thank you guys,toolbar icons
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yay! I'll be waiting for the toolbar icon section. (Hopefully Jairo will be making some toolbar icons!) As for boot screens, that doesn't interest me. I never watch my pc as it boots up. I couln't even tell you what shows up for the xp boot screen. It's nice to know that WinCustomize is always working on improving things AND adding completely new things AND always contributing to the betterment of the site.

I think my subscription ends in Jan. of 2004. I will be re-subscribing! I can't believe that people complain about having to pay for licenses on this site. Every once in awhile I see a complaint about the cost of something. (Or people jumping to conclusions without even reading the info.about what they have purchased.) Hellooooo! The cost is very minimal for the software that you receive, the help that is available everywhere on this site, the constructive criticism, the countless free "items" such as windowblinds designed by extremely competent persons who share it at no cost (even though they spent tens of hours designing it,) icons, beautifully inspired wallpapers, technically difficult objects to render, etc. There are even tutorials offered...do you know what it would cost to take a college course for one of these "tutorials"?! And believe me, the people on this site do a better job of explaining it :0)
Besides even that, if the answer in not described here, you are usually directed to a site that will provide the answer/detailed information for you.

I for one, feel that I get way more than I pay for. I check out the "other" websites from time to time and I always come back to WinCustomize because of the quality of the work, the constant updating, and the ease of site navigation (Sorry Deviant Art, but there is TOO MUCH HAPPENING on every page of yours that I navigate through...it's frustrating.) Not only does this site offer clean navigation, it offers "citizens" the oportunity to customize the way that you view the site. (I use the silver PIXTUDIO look.) I have never had trouble finding anything on this website and that says a lot!

Looking forward to the new additions...I'll shut up now before you jack up the subscription prices!

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am usually just a quiet subscriber who doesn't say too much, but I have to agree with chyleppr! I do enjoy all of the artists who contribute here and you guys at stardock do a fantastic job!!! I am really looking forward to the toolbar icons and all the eye candy that that will add to the desktop. Keep it up, and thanks!!!!
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't know about the rest of you... but the idea of boot screens just doesn't really sound all that needed. I mean, what we are trying to do is keep a computer up and running without rebooting as much as possible. Skinning a boot screen just sounds redundant if you ask me. You only see it for a couple seconds.... every time you boot. If you don't boot that often...
Anyway, just my opinion. Seems having this toy will keep hardware manufactures in business for a while cause everyone will want to boot their computer a bizillion times a day to see the screen.
I would have prefered... and voted on the lines of having trillian or rainlender skins catagorized instead.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I almost never see my bootscreen, but every time I do, I wish I had something other than the ugly WinXP boot displaying
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am totally shocked that there wasnt more votes for Rainlendar skins ...Leo the Lion, myself and others support Rainlendar skins and if you browse the Screenshot section you will see that alot of users are using Rainlendar skins. SS Goku is one of the talented people who make Rainlendar skins and im sure he would love to see a category for Rainlendars.

As for Boot Screens....i will tell you that they are a big problem because it messes with your Windows kernel and overrides the default boot screen. My computer has locked up twice due to this problem and i came close to losing all my data on my hard drive. I mean whats the point really in having a boot screen....most of us dont pay much attention to the pc when its rebooting and it only lasts like a minute so why mess with it. Just throwing my 10 cents worth in. Thanks!