What is it that makes us different?

It is the same with my and my buddies

People's taste vary so wildly

imagination
example:
some people read a scifi and go "you know that would be possible except..." and then they try to figure it out.
other people read a scifi an go "alien space mutants! cool!"

some people look at a computer and wonder about the inner workings
other people look at a computer and wonder why it can't look like the one in the Heinlein, or the movies

maybe not so much as 'taste' but... what do you see when you dream

The people I know who do not have an interest in customization fall into two categories:

1 - users who do not use the computer enough to want a change in the look of the GUI

2 - system administrators who are more interested in working with command prompts, network directories (Active directory, Domains, Forests, etc.), and desktop support where simple is better (from a troubleshooting viewpoint) - most of these guys see enough of computers for 8 - 10 hours a day working to maintain systems not belonging to themselves.

I think customizers generally have an interest in either producing GUI art themselves, or at least have a true appreciation for artistic GUI creations and their applications.

Speaking of DavidK I need to call him - see what he is up to.

Speaking of DavidK I need to call him - see what he is up to.

When you do, see if we might be treated to another skin. I use Alien Technology quite often.

I think that those not interested are aliens. Period.

imagination example: some people read a scifi and go "you know that would be possible except..." and then they try to figure it out. other people read a scifi an go "alien space mutants! cool!"

You know, I think that may be a big part of it. I also love sci fi, and computers are one of the major themes of science fiction. One of my favorite stories is "The Two Faces of Tommorow" by James P. Hogan (if you're into stories about A.I. I suggest you give it a read).

Customization, especially DX themes, allow themers to imagine what the computer of the future could be; which may explain the popularity of alternative OS themes like LCARS.

We look at a computer and imagine the future despite the Windows underpinings.

Maybe we're also--at least a little--nonconformist. Why settle for ho-hum when you can get yo-wow!

I have to say it saddens me for the ones who're missing out.

I think that those not interested are aliens. Period.

Well then we must taken to our leader. Has anyone seen Brad?

I get the same reaction...... I don't know anyone that doesn't think I'm nutz for spending so much time with skinning. They don't get it. I think they may the ones who are nutz.
But me...... from the moment I first sat down in front of my first computer, I thought "why does this have to be so ugly?" When I discovered skinning, I was instantly hooked.

Yes...it's all because Wizop Koasati is nuts....

I bought my first pc in early May 1999... weeks later I had an early version of WB running on it. My logitec mouse caused the darned thing to blue screen every five minutes, but I was still hooked.

Those were the days. There was such a newness and fascination for the whole thing. I remember how excited I got when WB added support for scroll bars...

I cannot understand anyone who isn't interested. My IT collegue at work thinks skinning is 'sad'. But then as an A/S400 guy, anything beyond a black screen with green text is probably a bit much for him...

anything beyond a black screen with green text is probably a bit much for him...

I used to 'skin' my command prompt in Dos.....now THAT'S 'sad'....

I met someone the other day who had actually heard of DesktopX... it was spooky... our conversation just kinda ended. Normally I have to explain it all....

I met someone the other day who had actually heard of DesktopX... it was spooky... our conversation just kinda ended.

My first puter experience was a bit over 2 years ago....the MS walls were sad so I began with changing them...switching to 'classic style to change the colour scheme from the sad XP Blue.

Then I discovered Desktop Architect to change icons, cursors and more....but it still wasn't enough. Wouldn't apply the startup and logons in XP. I needed more!

StyleXP was the next step...but what was the point of it when applying alternative boot screens messed up my system. More, more, more....without hacking my rig.

Enter Objectdesktop and Wincustomize....finally, the tools to satisfy my addiction....the tools, also, to draw criticism from other PC users among family and friends: "wot u want that rubbish for?" In one ear and out the other, and I continue on my merry way....oblivious to the nuts who criticise and don't or won't experiment with GUI customisation.

I'm nuts....don't think so! Who in their right mind wants the sad XP blues Not I.

I think Mr. Troll is spot on. Imagination is key. Non-conformism not quite so, since a lot of people are into OS skins. Perhaps also being willing to spend some time tweaking things. The majority of computer users don't even change their background.

The majority of computer users don't even change their background

Alot of people I know only have a different wallpaper because their kids changed it for them. Otherwise it would be bliss all the way.

"bliss"......far from it....2 days of that WP had me climbing the walls and on the net searching for something more aesthetically pleasing. Another day of "bliss" and I'd have been doing a Spiderman on the ceiling, ha, ha.

What makes us different? Well we're not thick skinned (thus requiring more skins to compensate ) and are prepared to travel outside normal desktop boundaries to be individuals. It's near on a sure bet that no two OD/WC users have identical desktops, but it's not about non-conformity or rebellion, rather it's to please ones personal tastes.

None of my pals or my wife give a hoot in hell about desktop customization. My wife thinks I'm an addict and a bit insane. I opened the topic of addiction. My buddies say it's cool but then change the subject. My kids get into it more so but even they are not as crazed about it as I.

It is an art but I am not an artist and I the love art so I collect the art and display it on my desktop. My collection is growing very large. I can't stop nor do I want to stop.

Ah ha! proof that there are parallel universes with versions of ourselves. Starkers is the exact duplicate of myself.

I followed that same exact path, except I started out on Win95. Once I found out I could change the color of that horrible desktop it was all over, the fat lady began to sing.

When I mention non-conformity, I refer more to a desire to have something beyond the status quo. I think--and I could be wrong--that customizers, skinners, and tweakers are all trying to find something pleasing that is also a little different. People in genral want to express a sense of individuality which is as Brad has mentioned in the past people choose different colors for cell phones, cars, and other things.

When I showed my wife all the cool things that I had found and she said, "Oh, that's nice." I wasn't surprised at all, because she sees the computer as a tool for an intended purpose and then you shut it off. I was just stunned that my buddy Ruben who is so into computers wasn't excited about this aspect of computing. Guess he just ain't got what it takes.

I am fundamentally an organized person. When I see a clean skin with sharp lines, good color, and good design, I download it. I think that skinning is an expression of personality. Below are a list of my favorite WB skins. Consider it a biography of sorts.

X-FHL by J.J. Ying
Royal Inspirat SE by Stefanka
iBar 4 Brushed iTunes theme by Dartbra (painfull visual image)
BBX Mercury X by Ian Black
System 5 by Andy Morum
Vector Cell by Ross Harvey
Thunderstorm by Pixtudio