Explain the program, please!

DA has the functionality to change the basic look of windows, but it dosen't add any new features. all it does is get all the options already in windows and it combines them into one program.

(1) Window Blinds is able to change the entire look of the UI, for a bit of a look at what it can do, just look at a screenshot on this page, or go to https://www.stardock.com and there's a few good screenshots there.

Desktop X can change how your desktop looks and functions; you can put real objects on your desktop, instead of just normal icons.

Object Bar can change how your start menu works; eg. if you have Windows 98, you can make your taskbar look and work like the taskbar from XP, if you have XP, you can change it to look like the tasskbar from 98 (you can do that anyway, but that's just a demonstration), or you can turn it into Mac OS, Linux, BeOS, every other OS existing, or something completely original.

those are the main programs that i use, so i can't really comment on what other programs can do.

(2) Window Blinds can change how the entire thing looks, not just whether the buttons are normal or inverted, and it dosen't just give you a choice of 2 colours to use in the title bars (which is a basic windows function anyway)

(3) I'm pretty sure there's good instructions somewhere, but i wouldn't have a clue, because the program is pretty much self-explainatory, and the things you don't understand, you can ask for help on this message board and you'll get help, as long as the question makes sense.

(4) Window Blinds dosen't change the icons (but there's other programs on this site that do), and it dosen't change the background, screensavers or anything like that.

WB isn't really anything like DA, the only thing the same is how it can change the look of windows, but it does it in a completely different way.

I have used both programs, and DA didn't really do anything i couldn't already do with my computer, while WB can make your computer look like anything at all.

When it's used with other Stardock apps, you can make your entire computer look like a Mac, Linux, BeOS, Win XP, Win 3.11 (don't ask me why you'd want to, but like i've said, anything is possible), you can make it look like people's interpretations of the upcoming windows version (blackcomb i think it's called), or you can make it look like anything you want it to.

i think that about does it. and no, i'm not a stardock employee, but i love the programs they make.

i hope this helps you.

wow, that was a lot longer than i expected. and i haven't really got into it yet. but i won't be able to get into it, because my fingers are killing me, because this keyboard sucks so much that i have to push the keys down three times as hard as i would for a normal keyboard.

Just Jane....if this is your first foray into the concept of 'skinning' your Windows/desktop and genuine shell enhancement/replacement then you're in for one heck of a ride...

DA is comparatively 'child's-play' when compared with the true potential that proggies here provide.

Take your time, and look around....particularly at various screenshots of people's desktops.

It's a lot more than just a new wall and an icon or two....

I just got into object desktop myself and I'm hooked. Desktop Architect is a joke now. its like comparing the wright brothers plane to a modern aircraft.

Thanks to Ryan8024, Jafo and Zachary B. You have all helped me decide that the Window Blinds, Object Desktop, etc. will be well worth it. I look forward to changing the look on all three of my XP Prof machines. Most of all thanks for sharing your experiences and expertise. It is wonderful to know that there are people like you out there to help. It makes this wonderful little machine (computer) easier to master. I will post a note latter in the week or weekend to let you know how it all worked out. Thanks again for your help.

It is nice to see someone who knows what she wants and can express herself in an orderly manner, and is also polite. I had to read this thread twice.

This is what a thread should be like. Knowlegeable, precise, and polite.

That's great to know Jane, I hope you like the programs.

Just a bit of advice, when you do install the programs, install one of them first, work out what it does and dosen't do (don't worry about the scroll bars in WB, only the registered version skins them), then install one of the other programs, disable the first program you installed, then work out what it does, etc.

I showed a friend my computer and he liked the fact that you could do anything with it, so I told him where to get the programs, anyway, he did them all at once (WB, DesktopX and OB) and he got confused and he couldn't tell the difference between what they did. He wasn't exactly the most computer literate of all people, so don't be surprised if you get it all worked out as soon as you've installed them.