Understanding SUITES

from WinCustomize Forums

Hi Gang,

There seems to be some misunderstanding in the suites section here on WinCustomize. So let me try to go over this briefly:

What is a Suite?

A .suite file contains skins, themes, icons, wallpapers, etc. Basically a suite is a snapshot of someone's desktop.

What are the file formats of a suite?

The first program to create suites was called WinStyles. It has gone through its share of file extensions. But mainly there were two: .suite files and .xptheme files.

The two formats had very different purposes. You can't redistribute the skins, themes, icons, etc. of others without their permission. So we created the .suite file which was designed to allow users to LINK to the skin, theme, etc. A .suite file might be less than 1K in size for instance if it just linked to everything else.  A .xptheme file, by contrast, actually included inside the file all  the skins and themes needed to apply.

By contrast, when a .suite file was applied, it would look at the links and download automatically the skins and themes it needed. This way, the original author's work is protected and even gets a higher download count.

But more recently, Theme Manager, which is currently only on Object Desktop, combines the two into the .suite format.  Now, a .suite might contain the wallpaper or icons in the file and also might link to a skin or theme on the Internet it needs.

How they should be used

It's fairly straight forward: IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE THE SKIN, THEME, ICON PACKAGE, ETC. YOU CANNOT INCLUDE IT WITH YOUR SUBMISSION WITHOUT PERMISSION.  Many people are uploading .suite files that contain within them the skins and themes of others. This is not allowed. LINK to it instead. I'll be making a video of this shortly.

4,584 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Will the past suites be re-moderated (the ones who don't have permission) or will they be moderated from this day on?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Interesting wiew of so called copyrights: If " Use Current Desktop " is pressed it seems like the program is picking up the original files in the computer, PLUS it needs download-links.
The original files are never edited anyway, but there semm to be a border: If the files have been inside a computer, the authors permission is needed....no matter if it's untouched.

Is the right thing to do NOT to use current desktop / set the desktop as wanted for a suite FIRST, but only pick up the DL links ? Take a screenshot and then save it ?

Thanx for clearing this up

Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Copyright comes into play when you're trying to distribute your desktop.


On WC, we don't really take a position with what you do on your own computer with regards to suites. But when you upload your desktop, you have to either have permission from the content makers or link to it.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You say that 'if you didn't make the skin and you don't have permission that you cannot include it with your submission'. So why are DXthemes like 'Radioactive' allowed. Do these conditions only apply for suites?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ahhh thanks for the article. Turns out that I totally misunderstood what the suite files are for.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Individual DX objects uploaded are a bit different. It is implied that when you upload a single object (not a DX theme), you agree to let others include your object(s) in any theme.


Exerpt from the The Rules paragraph in the About page:


"DesktopX objects are designed to be used in other people's themes. It is assumed that when you upload a DesktopX object that you are giving permission to others to use them in their themes and they can therefore upload a theme that includes your DesktopX object without permission."
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Why is the "Daily shot" not required to be a .suite? More then once I have wanted something similar find out that it is just a screenshot without much explanation and no associated .suite. It one of the few things that bother me about this site. Well that and ratings but "Lets not go there".
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Doh! Please "only to" or "is" at the spots that cause head scratching and mumbles about grammar.

I need more sleep.