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Whoever started the trend of making UI elements look flat (especially icons) should pull their mac out of their ass. I want 3d icons, like the icon-a-day project... http://www.wincustomize.com/ex...
Those flat greyscale icons and themes look so SJW.

The only word processor Corel had was WordPerfect, and it did NOT do what the Ribbon does. The fact that you can't actually point out any specific thing, just vague hand waving is evidence enough that you're talking out of your ass.

Regarding COM, you seem to be confusing when a product shipped with when it was created. OS/2 2.0 and OS/2 1.3 were done by IBM yes, and COM was released as a product in 1993 (OLE 2 in 1992), but the actual technology was created by Microsoft in 1987, with white papers written in 1998 and 1990.

COM was not originally a product, but was the basis of OLE 2. It existed for several years before OLE did, and the basic concepts were drawn from whitepapers by Antony Williams in 1998 and 1990.

All of this predated OS/2 2.0 by a great deal, and while betas of OS/2 2.0 were in existence in 1990, the workplace shell and SOM were not.

WPS didn't even appear in betas until sometime around late 1991 (after Windows 3.1 and OLE 2 betas were already shipping)

It's relatively easy to know this because SOM is based on CORBA, and COM and CORBA came out about the same time. CORBA was an RPC based technology while COM was a function dispatch based technology. COM and CORBA came at the same problem from opposite sides, and eventually met in the middle with CORBA moving from distributed objects towards component objects and COM moving from component to distributed.

I point you to this article:

http://www.wincustomize.com/article/81265

In which, it says quite clearly that the reason for OS/2's delay from late 1991 to 1993 was WPS.

This message seems to indicate the first beta that included PWS was late 1991.

http://www.rusbasan.com/Humor/OS2_Dream.html

This infoworld article from July 1991 says that it didn't exist in the beta.

Mwahaha, that's nothing. Check THIS out...

http://www.wincustomize.com/zoom.aspx?skinid=6732&libid=1

The Skin

The program.

Its a pay program though, but ya know.

The real reason they charge $20 for all their programs is so people will look at the $50 price on their full Object Desktop suite for a year, and say "Hey, I get about twelve dozen more programs for just over twice as much; that's a good deal!"

The people they con into buying the one program for $20 are just easier money than they're used to; they still want those people to upgrade to the full suite.

I was a subscriber for a long time. It's not a bad little suite, but every program has its quirks, and I finally found it less trouble to just use the default interface. I still use WindowBlinds, though (Velvet Waves forever!).

Stardock is fat bloated and heavy

Only if you use a fat bloated and heavy skin, in which case you deserve what you get. Some skins are very, very easy on resources and performance. (They usually correspond to the ones that are easy on the eyes, too.)

Technically on the previous build, but the problems remained in the following one. ATI did finally release drivers to fix the worst of it. In their press release they say "ATI's latest drivers . . . improve on the leading stability and performance found in previous versions". Now, I will admit they perform better than NVIDIA's, but I don't count failure to resume from suspend as very stable. :-)

Yup. Linked right from the official ColumnsUI site. There's also a lot of stuff on the forums, like this thread. Azrael is my current favourite.

Sparkle is a new way to deal with winforms that allows custom UI design without coders running into the traditional limitations of development platforms. Think of it as a flash front-end to a full Win32 API and data-access.

Wow is that ever ripe for abuse. People complain about Linux and X applications for their disparity in loo and feel - but that's simply because of a few different toolkits, we're talking about letting GUI designers loose with a vector drawing program to draw whatever "cool" GUI they feel like.

The fear I have is that Windows programs have always had a "consistant" look at feel.

Well, not really, even Microsoft has used a variety of different looks and feel for their own applications (Office compared to IE and notepad etc.) sure, they're all the same shade of gray with roughly similar looking buttons, but in practice they were actually quite different.

These days more and more applications are starting to forego Microsoft UI guidelines for their own 3l33t designs which can be a pain to learn and a pain to script to. I hope it doesn't happen here but I would certainly

I would deeply fear the insane inconsistency of third party Windows applications in the future if this thing does all they claim. If designing the new GUI is a matter of sitting the designer in front of something like Illustrator and then having the coder fill in the back end you can be sure there will be plenty of wild and wacky and otherwise unskinnable application GUIs arriving.

Sure the really major applications will probably hew pretty close to the current look and feel, but then the major applications on Linux do that to. Expect every little third party shareware app to have it's own unique GUI style, some of the designed by the sort of people who make themes like this.

Jedidiah

Stardock's stuff (both games and apps) is amazing. Check out http://www.wincustomize.com/ for all their customization stuff as well as skins for their competitors and other programs. Right now I'm running skinplant 2005 with its associated firefox theme.

Sure, you just use the iTunes SDK. I added iTunes support to the DXPlayer media player plugin with that.

Wtf? Where are all the Litestep comments?

Since apparently no one's heard of or uses it, Litestep is like fluxbox on Windows and precludes the need for explorer.exe to be running.

Here's an installer.
Here's a module site.
Here and here are some themes for it.

Seriously people. If only the lightweight Linux desktop environments were half as pretty as Litestep.

This is very similar to desktopX. Which already has tons of free and paying widgest/objects/themes.

From the weather report to translucent fishies swimming over your applications, it's all there. Quite fun for some time!

Have both, Mac OS X interface running on Windows.

Click here for screenshot

running on Windows XP SP2

using:
Stardock's ObjectDock Plus on the bottom to replicate Mac OS X's application bar
Starock's WindowBlinds using the OSXP NG skin to replicate the Mac OS X Aqua window interface
Stardock's WindowFX to replicate the shadows and minimize/maximize animations on Mac OS X
Stardock's IconPackager to replicate some of the system icons from Mac OS X, such as the Trash icon and the default blue folder icon.

You mean like all of these designs?

You mean like all of these designs?

You mean like all of these designs?

You mean like all of these designs?

You mean like all of these designs?

Nice to see stardock finally doing something besides inspiring bad UI design.

Plastik! Seriously, it's the best skin I've ever used. Slick, curvy, professional. It is nice to look at, but stays out of the way. You can even use it on Windows, albeit with some bugs.

Personally, I've recently installed the free version of Stardock's Desktop X, using one of the many weather objects available at WinCustomize.

So far, I've gotten alot out of it, and there are alot of other useful and sleek looking objects (plugins) and themes available, if that's your sort of thing. Just some minimalist weather reports and system stats, for me, though.

Personally, I've recently installed the free version of Stardock's Desktop X, using one of the many weather objects available at WinCustomize.

So far, I've gotten alot out of it, and there are alot of other useful and sleek looking objects (plugins) and themes available, if that's your sort of thing. Just some minimalist weather reports and system stats, for me, though.

Personally, I've recently installed the free version of Stardock's Desktop X, using one of the many weather objects available at WinCustomize.

So far, I've gotten alot out of it, and there are alot of other useful and sleek looking objects (plugins) and themes available, if that's your sort of thing. Just some minimalist weather reports and system stats, for me, though.

Customization you speak of is done through applications, not OSes

If my task is CPU/memory intensive (graphics), I choose a very simple window manager

Tho you really can't change Window's window manager, you could shut off all the crap that slows it down (animations, active desktop, etc)...with modern day computers, I've never had a speed issue with my machines related to windowing

Do I have to repeat a task? All it takes for me is a simple two liner script to do it, while on Windows I almost always end up having to install Cygwin to do my tasks (do not give me the batch file crap, batch does not do regex or any of that stuff, nor can I pipe my outputs and inputs)

Now this one I'll give you. Piping/regexing/etc are infinestimally easier on linux, as is most anything that requires a command line.

if I do not like the messages during bootup, I can change that

TweakUI lets you configure alot of things involving bootup. Or you could manually edit the boot.ini file. Though you may not get the "bare metal" control you seem to desire, how often have you changed anything so trivial in your kernel? I certainly haven't on any of my UNIX boxen.

And another thing that pisses me off to no end in Windows is permissions. I have to be logged in as administrator to install the simplest of applications.

Name a few? I know many people that regularly run in non-privledged mode on Windows.

Anyways, overall I think you suffer from the same bias as alot of UNIX users. You seem to think Windows isn't customizable at all, thus leading you to not even spend time researching all the stuff that Windows can in fact be tweaked to do.

Just look over at WinCustomize and tell me if you still think you can't make Windows to look and behave how you wish it to.

Windowblinds is the most popular Windows skinning app, and Stardock has created a pretty strong skinning/customization community for Windows users.

I think they'll be ready for Longhorn.

You can find themes for both LiteStep and DesktopX at DeviantArt and WinCustomize.

For an example of how the depth of customization you can get for Shell Enhancers, check out my DesktopX screenshot --ScottKin

You mean like this?

Jaysyn

I use ObjectBar, a little taskbar reskinning program by Stardock. Its part of a greater suit of programs called ObjectDesktop, that basically includes a whole bunch of Windows-skinning programs. I don't use them though, they're kind of resource intensive. Object Bar is bad enough, but the functionality it gives me is irreplacable.

What I did for myself was take an existing theme (Developer link and orignal shot), and rework it to what I liked. Its quite nice IMO Combined with sysmetrix (system data program), it gives me pretty much everything I need. I've got a thin bar at the bottom with Sysmetrix stacked ontop (and skinned to match seamlessly). On that bar, I've got 4 menus: System (Run, Find, Regedit, Console, Logoff, Reboot, Shutdown, etc), Settings (Win Update, Add/Remove progs, Display and System properties, Control panel shortcut, etc), Drives (HDs, CDs, floppies, MyDocs, etc, all with popup lists of their content), and LAN (network settings and access to other comps on the network). I've also got two shortcuts I use a lot (My Computer and Firebird), and the local time.
Of course, above this I have sysmetrix which i've tricked out to the nuts. It gives me CPU usage, CPU speed, RAM load, swap/virt mem loads, temperatures (CPU, CPU diode, case, outside), HD space, Network load (plus transfer rate and total data transfered), one click mail (checks for me every 10 min) and trash access, Win Uptime, and longformat date with three different timezones (GMT/EST/PST - i'm MST, which is on the bar below) and more!
Then i've got my popup sidebar, which shows pretty much everything else. Its got the systray and current applications (since its vertical, I can stack tons more programs into it. Plus, the width of the bar scales with program names, to a point). Then i've got a section with personalized shortcut menus, that I absolutely love. Its got primary menus (Games, Media, Utility, etc) that slide out into sub categories (Unreal Tournament, Media, Utilities, etc) that have drop down lists of commonly used programs. It gives me access to pretty much any program on my HD, but its sorted by program type rather than name, which is something I hate about the start menu. Speaking of which, the start menu popup sits above my own menus, just incase I ever need it (which isn't often). The best thing about the menu though, is that I can change anything I want. Sometimes, if i'm working on a project, i'll give it its own shortcut or side menu. I can drop in links to relevant programs, have popups to certain folders on my HD, etc. Very handy, and it only takes a few minutes to set up (templates are your friend!)

The thing I find lacking about traditional "Start" menus or other pre-defined ways of accessing a system is that they're made by someone else. The best system will always be one made by you, because you know what information you need at your fingertips. So all you really need to do is find a customizable way of organizing things (for your OS), and then go crazy. Yeah, it can take a while to get everything working just right, but the end result is so worth it. Not having to deal with the hassles and frustrations of finding a program or piece of info is priceless IMO, so I look at any time customizing my desktop as an investment. :)


That said, alternative interfaces would be pretty damned cool. I know it was mentioned in a previous post, but the way Minority Report worked (hand gestures) was very, very cool. I think adding more physical interfaces to our computers will be the next big step. Hell, i'm already addicted to mouse gestures in Fir

I use ObjectBar, a little taskbar reskinning program by Stardock. Its part of a greater suit of programs called ObjectDesktop, that basically includes a whole bunch of Windows-skinning programs. I don't use them though, they're kind of resource intensive. Object Bar is bad enough, but the functionality it gives me is irreplacable.

What I did for myself was take an existing theme (Developer link and orignal shot), and rework it to what I liked. Its quite nice IMO Combined with sysmetrix (system data program), it gives me pretty much everything I need. I've got a thin bar at the bottom with Sysmetrix stacked ontop (and skinned to match seamlessly). On that bar, I've got 4 menus: System (Run, Find, Regedit, Console, Logoff, Reboot, Shutdown, etc), Settings (Win Update, Add/Remove progs, Display and System properties, Control panel shortcut, etc), Drives (HDs, CDs, floppies, MyDocs, etc, all with popup lists of their content), and LAN (network settings and access to other comps on the network). I've also got two shortcuts I use a lot (My Computer and Firebird), and the local time.
Of course, above this I have sysmetrix which i've tricked out to the nuts. It gives me CPU usage, CPU speed, RAM load, swap/virt mem loads, temperatures (CPU, CPU diode, case, outside), HD space, Network load (plus transfer rate and total data transfered), one click mail (checks for me every 10 min) and trash access, Win Uptime, and longformat date with three different timezones (GMT/EST/PST - i'm MST, which is on the bar below) and more!
Then i've got my popup sidebar, which shows pretty much everything else. Its got the systray and current applications (since its vertical, I can stack tons more programs into it. Plus, the width of the bar scales with program names, to a point). Then i've got a section with personalized shortcut menus, that I absolutely love. Its got primary menus (Games, Media, Utility, etc) that slide out into sub categories (Unreal Tournament, Media, Utilities, etc) that have drop down lists of commonly used programs. It gives me access to pretty much any program on my HD, but its sorted by program type rather than name, which is something I hate about the start menu. Speaking of which, the start menu popup sits above my own menus, just incase I ever need it (which isn't often). The best thing about the menu though, is that I can change anything I want. Sometimes, if i'm working on a project, i'll give it its own shortcut or side menu. I can drop in links to relevant programs, have popups to certain folders on my HD, etc. Very handy, and it only takes a few minutes to set up (templates are your friend!)

The thing I find lacking about traditional "Start" menus or other pre-defined ways of accessing a system is that they're made by someone else. The best system will always be one made by you, because you know what information you need at your fingertips. So all you really need to do is find a customizable way of organizing things (for your OS), and then go crazy. Yeah, it can take a while to get everything working just right, but the end result is so worth it. Not having to deal with the hassles and frustrations of finding a program or piece of info is priceless IMO, so I look at any time customizing my desktop as an investment. :)


That said, alternative interfaces would be pretty damned cool. I know it was mentioned in a previous post, but the way Minority Report worked (hand gestures) was very, very cool. I think adding more physical interfaces to our computers will be the next big step. Hell, i'm already addicted to mouse gestures in Fir

There are still more features.

CD-ROM drives
webcams
printers
digital video cameras
external DVD burners
wireless mice
fax/scanner/copier

You want to compare KDE and Gnome to Windows or MacOS? Then try actually looking at the software element instead of the physical box. Because comparing phsyical adjustable glass shelves to the core software operating element of a computer isn't the right comparison.

If I want to change the GUI of Windows and keep the kernel, (like keeping the Linux Kernel and choosing a different Window Manager) I can simply go out on the web and pick a new shell. Such as LiteStep or AstonShell or any of the dozens of others that tickle my fancy. Or if I just want to change the Desktop look, I can download any one of the many thousands of themes that exist for Windows. Here's an example link (Many of which will extend the capability of the Window frame to add features such as window shading, pinned windows, translucent/transparent windows, etc..)

Are you Linux Zealots really that blinded by your own childish desire to be "l33t", "unique", and "nonconforming"? News flash: There are millions of other childish, nonconforming rebels out there ... just like you.

Go take a bath. You'll feel better.

• added library (complete with media database, shoutcast listing, playlist editing, CD listing, mass tag editting, plugin API for portable devices, and more!)

I've been a Stardock follower for quite a while now. See, I tried out some of their software quite a while back, and I found a rather nasty bug in their window skinning product, WindowBlinds. So I decided to go report it.

Most companies would simply have acknowledged the bug, maybe offering a simple thank-you. Their response was to give me a registered copy of the software and encourage me to submit more bugs.

(disclaimer: this approach may not work for everyone :-)

Stardock are good. They don't mess their customers around - they might not always do what some of them want, but hey, that's true of any company, and at least they explain why ;-). They go the extra mile to help - almost every member of the company is available on IRC, from the CEO downwards. They have a dedicated community on the Stardock newsgroups and over at WinCustomize, who helped them transition from OS/2 to Windows - people bought Object Desktop subscriptions a year before it was officially out, because they trusted Stardock to deliver.

Heck, they even had a positive cashflow throughout the dot-com era, because they didn't rely on stupid business plans and massive investment. Just on listening to their customers, making a good product and shipping it.

GalCiv is one of those products. It's got a solid AI, and more gameplay than you can shake a stick at. And the price is right. So go get it now.

And no, I don't get paid for this. ;-)

Nice, I guess I haven't been paying attention have I. Anyway, here is the correct link to wincustomize. But hopefully soon there will be no need to run windows anymore.

Also, for people running Windows (gotta play warcraft3!) there is this site. The skins work with XP, but if you have 98/2k you can also use them by running Windowblinds. Note that this is commercial software, which is kind of a bummer.

Actually I've just turned on winblinds again, since I found a skin that I actually like. I hate all the XP themes.

And if you use Windowblinds, you can even get the Eyecandy on Win2K. Skin away!