Such is the nature of an Alpha....

January 30, 2003 9:18 PM from

I have been noticing with some of the latest skins designed for WB4, (including my own) that as each new alpha build is released, something changes in the skin. Usually it is one of the margin parameters and I have to open the skin up and adjust them until the skin looks right again. Sometimes the transparency gets switched off on some bitmaps and I have to go into SS and switch it back on.

All I can suggest to others who might be experiecing similar problems is to be patient. Once the WB4 is in final release then the skins in question can be fixed and uploaded again.

Such is the nature of an alpha.

10,731 views 30 replies

Reply #1 January 30, 2003 9:21 PM from

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We've noticed that also.

Reply #2 January 30, 2003 9:24 PM from

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I've also have noticed it.

Reply #3 January 30, 2003 9:48 PM from

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I updated DnePR and didn't see a problem with it, but then I tried to update Gold'NSilver and noticed the transparency issue you mentioned. Also, can't seem to get my start panel as I originally had it too. I'm sure the final will have these going smoothly again.

Reply #4 January 30, 2003 10:11 PM from

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I know. I had Odeon running smoothly on alpha 3.90 and 3.90a, then I installed 3.90b and found a number of transparencies switched off as well as the margins on the toolbar background changed to the point that the toolbar was showing a large black area through the centre. I've fixed it so it works on 3.90b but don't really see the point in uploading the new version until the final is out and I'm sure the skin will work properly on it.

For now, I think I'll keep new skins on hold until WB4 is in final release.

Reply #5 January 30, 2003 10:36 PM from

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We are privileged, being 'within' the skinning industry to get hold of 'alphas' and 'betas' prior to public, commercial release, but we must also remember that these can be 'broken' or at least quite 'brittle', so it may be informative to delve into what is different, or what needs 'adjusting', but ultimately before you get into wild updating it'd be clever to wait for a genuine release 'candidate'...

[saves a bit of repetition]...

Reply #6 January 30, 2003 10:41 PM from

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That is my thinking exactly. New skins with WB4 support and WB4 updates to older skins should, and in my case, will be kept on hold until the first good RC.

Reply #7 January 30, 2003 11:11 PM from

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Same here as for updating. The graphics can still be done though (just a note). Installed the "b" and I didn't notice any of the mentioned issues (but then I de-installed and then re-installed), but my user icon has definitely shifted to the left in Frosted.

Reply #8 January 31, 2003 3:46 AM from

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Sooo....WB 4. Ok, we're at 3.90b that means we need 3.90CtoZ, then 3.91 a-z, then 3.92 a-z, then 3.93 a-z, then 3.94 a-z, then 3.95 a-z, then 3.96 a-z, then 3.97 a-z, then 3.98 a-z, then 3.99 a-z, then.........WB 4.0. Let the countdown begin.

Reply #9 January 31, 2003 4:56 AM from

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Starone, I noticed the user pic moved to the middle. I don't mind it though, my user pic in the middle and a nice design on the left. However I have not downloaded 3.9b as yet. All in all works for me. Oh and Frosted is a great skin.

Reply #10 January 31, 2003 5:57 AM from

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I have WB 3.9b too, but the blue left panel is gone and all the icons shift to the left...So, I am not even capable of checking whether I skinned the XP shell correctly

Maybe the drivers of my graphics card need to be changed?

Reply #11 January 31, 2003 7:20 AM from

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Old Crab, you forgot about the double letters. For example 3.90aa, 3.90bb, 3.90cc, etc.

Reply #12 January 31, 2003 7:22 AM from

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starone. I've not noticed the problems with Frosted that you do. It works great on my system under 3.90b.

Once again, I'm sure it has something to do with the alpha. Until a final release, I think we'll be seeing a lot of this kind of thing.

But it is a great learning experience.

Reply #13 January 31, 2003 7:28 AM from

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What's the point of Double letters and the numbers? I haven't read the one article that I have on how the numbers are figured out. Like version. But the letters I'm confused. Unless A=Alpha, B=Beta, C=Wait, I have never heard C

And motion confused me more with the doubles which I don't recall seeing either.

/me slaps hisself in head to wake up.

Reply #14 January 31, 2003 7:33 AM from

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I was just joking Weaksid. I've never seen double letters either when it comes to software testing.

Now, government forms and paperwork are a different matter. Double letter, triple letters....etc.

Reply #15 January 31, 2003 7:37 AM from

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And symbols.. §ǼΔΣΨΞ

Reply #16 January 31, 2003 8:36 AM from

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Alpha's are definitely interesting. It is a good way to work out all the kinks. (By the way guys, not plugging my skins, just mentioning what I've encountered as I was working with whatever.) By the way, I've discovered you can choose whether to show a user icon or not in one of the properties settings.

Reply #17 January 31, 2003 8:51 AM from

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that will make some people happy

Reply #18 January 31, 2003 12:24 PM from

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Anyone has an idea why I can't get the XP-shell displayed? All that happens on my puter is the loss of the panel and the icons move to the left where once the blue panel was. Do I have settings wrong?

Reply #19 January 31, 2003 12:25 PM from

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It happens to all the WB that included WB4 features

Reply #20 January 31, 2003 1:32 PM from

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Lecrayon, there are two places you might want to check. If you click the Advanced button on the Appearance tab, there is a checkbox labeled 'Always use shellstyles defined in ...' The old blue one could be selected in there.

The other place to look is in the WindowBlinds Advanced Configuration. Click on the WindowBlinds button on the Appearance tab, and go to the Settings section. Near the bottom of the options, make sure 'Use Windows XP style explorer bars' is checked. I had that one turned off myself because the classic style looked better with most skins before WB could skin shellstyles.

Reply #21 January 31, 2003 2:13 PM from

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We've gone up to double letters before. WB 2.14zf comes to mind.

Reply #22 January 31, 2003 5:06 PM from

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Mike, thanks for your reply. Unfortunately it didn't work.

There is no shellstyle displayed at all.

I am really drooling but so far I can only look at screenshots

Reply #23 January 31, 2003 5:24 PM from

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Strange Lecrayon. It seems that different things happen on different computers. My user icon is in the right place and the shellstyle is working.

Reply #24 January 31, 2003 5:33 PM from

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At least you have got a shell! Good to hear from you again WOM. Hope all is ok

Maybe the geforce2 drivers I have muck things up, dunno

Reply #25 January 31, 2003 5:36 PM from

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I wouldn't want to guess. It moves the user icon to the left on the other computer. Go figure.

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