Dot Matrix Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Once off XP, I just lost interest in customizing. I was satisfied with the look of Vista, 7, and 8 (Though I have added Metro icons to my setup.). As I've gotten older, I need an OS that just works, as such, I've stopped installing third party junk to my systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo1911 Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I think the current young guys/girls in their teens grew up on iPhones and don't know if customization thing exists because of locked down nature of operating systems. For guys like me above 25 yrs, we have changed priorities, jobs. Now have family, etc. So too little time to tinker around. That's why we see just a different wallpaper in most of the replies in Show your desktop thread of neowin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGHammer Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Sucks :( We all used to be so... individual. We're becoming the lemmings they wanted us to be. The internet is a ###### place lately. It's not dead - as has been pointed out, Object Desktop (and all of its components) are still around - in fact, they all will still work on Windows 8+. (Other new components - such as Start8 - were created specifically with Windows 8+ in mind). What HAS happened is that it has, by and large, become moribund; Object Desktop (and the components thereof) isn't even the largest source of Stardock's annual revenues. (That, in and of itself, is a major change from even five years ago.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neiio Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Check out my latest desktop. I don't think it's dead, just lazy. :D TCA and zhangm 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beyond Godlike Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I think the biggest part of the problem was that, for me at least, it resulted in instability. Once the "coolness" wore off, all you're left with is something that is only 90% as stable as it could be. That, and the Start Menu changes in Windows 7 really ended any point for customization. The only real useful accessory these days is Bins, and even its usefulness is questionable. The glory days of it for me were XP. The themes on XP were actually inventive and refreshing. I think the transparency of Aero took away alot of that going forward, and most themes became clunky and not really useful for any productivity. For example, Clearscreen sharp was my windows 7 theme for years because it wasnt distracting or had huge obnoxious buttons. I havent really looked at 8.1 customization, and things like Windowblinds are so glitchy, that I see the glitches and hate them within a day. WB themes are also ugly for the most part - and stardock rarely make anything thats stable. Android as well...CM themes are obnoxious. I used to live using CM based roms for the themes, but quickly realized it wasnt useful to me. Only things im looking forward now are OSX dark mode...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabe84 Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I side with the old guys. I used to customize a lot, but now I don't have neither the time nor the will to look for tools, experiment them and possibly fix any damage done to my OS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeylove Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 As far as I'm aware that's not possible. Don't remember ever seeing that option in 7 or Vista either. I found out one way, but it involves hex-editing some files, etc. I think this is what developers do when they make customized themes and skin packs. I'd like to add that I need to do this because the white background sometimes hurts my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kala-kas Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I found out one way, but it involves hex-editing some files, etc. I think this is what developers do when they make customized themes and skin packs. I'd like to add that I need to do this because the white background sometimes hurts my eyes. Well, dear friend, I might have a solution for you: either WSB or something that I have created while back: http://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28246 No HEX editing needed, although you do need to know what to edit. I basiacally know everything there is to know about MsStyles, so if any questions, feel free to ask. Been doing tons of research over two last years on it and I know quite a bit, how to, where to. Havent worked on a full editor for a while though, should finish it some time... monkeylove 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Anarkii Subscriber² Posted August 9, 2014 Subscriber² Share Posted August 9, 2014 I think the biggest problem now is Windows 8 themes are no longer themes which skin the whole OS, but more just boring backgrounds. I havent seen any customised desktops for windows 8 since the montly desktops threads were opened, and every Metro screen does look the same. So yep, OS customisation is dead for sure :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kala-kas Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 And because its highly decreasing trend I havent really finished the full editor, I do not see the demand being there for themers. Yes, it might give some life back to it, since it would be free not 25$ like Windows Style Builder, but I too think the customization will be dead soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theyarecomingforyou Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I think the biggest problem now is Windows 8 themes are no longer themes which skin the whole OS, but more just boring backgrounds. I havent seen any customised desktops for windows 8 since the montly desktops threads were opened, and every Metro screen does look the same. There are UX themes for Windows 8 but they tend to be incomplete and the UX installers are notoriously unstable. In the end I gave up, as it's more hassle than it's worth. +Anarkii 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsupersonic Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I also no longer do it either. It was nice to do in the days of Windows XP, but with Windows 7/8, the UI just works as it is. Plus, I love how MS added UI features like aero snap, transparency, win+tab, etc. The only customization programs I use are Starisback on my Desktop only, and 7+ Taskbar tweaker. Zeph3r and DConnell 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusi0n Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 OSX has Geektool. That is about it. ..no. They have tons of ways.. LiteIcon.. You can change just about anything in OSX.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaGinger Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Windows is so locked off for custom look. Every time a new version of Windows comes, there is less to customize,7 Glass, 8, Gone. Whats left? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasethebase Reporter Posted August 9, 2014 Reporter Share Posted August 9, 2014 I think it's also the fact that a lot of users are happy with the OS' default look, I know I'm not alone in saying Luna wasn't the prettiest of default themes. :laugh: That's the only reason I customised, so that I could have a better default. DConnell and theyarecomingforyou 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplezz Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 There's a lot of customisation going on in GNU/Linux. It helps of course that there are loads of different DE's. I've seen some really unique stuff done with Conky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Norris Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Windows is so locked off for custom look. Every time a new version of Windows comes, there is less to customize,7 Glass, 8, Gone. Whats left?Windows XP: Change icons? Yes Change visual style? Yes Replace theme engine? Yes Change sounds? Yes Change cursors? Yes Add transparency/other effects? Yes Add Explorer extensions (Tabs, toolbars, etc)? Yes Replace file manager entirely? Yes Replace start menu? Yes Replace the entire shell? Yes System monitoring programs (Rainmeter, Samurize, etc)? Yes Sidebar programs? Yes Widget programs? Yes Multiple desktop programs? Yes Custom dock? Yes Custom toolbars? Yes Change boot logo? Yes Replace the console? Yes Windows 8: Change icons? Yes Change visual style? Yes Replace theme engine? Yes Change sounds? Yes Change cursors? Yes Add transparency/other effects? Yes Add Explorer extensions (Tabs, toolbars, etc)? Yes Replace file manager entirely? Yes Replace start menu? Yes Replace the entire shell? Yes System monitoring programs(Rainmeter, Samurize, etc)? Yes Sidebar programs? Yes Widget programs? Yes Multiple desktop programs? Yes Custom dock? Yes Custom toolbars? Yes Change boot logo? Yes Replace the console? Yes Did I miss anything? Not sure what's "locked off." Dot Matrix, +Anarkii, th3rEsa and 1 other 4 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anibal P Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Honestly don't have time to waste "tweaking" or customizing windows, Win 8 looks fine, it's not XP levels of horribleness, so I don't waste time on it anymore There's nothing stopping you, but most of us don't see the need anymore DConnell, TCA, Zeph3r and 1 other 4 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeph3r Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Honestly don't have time to waste "tweaking" or customizing windows, Win 8 looks fine, it's not XP levels of horribleness, so I don't waste time on it anymore There's nothing stopping you, but most of us don't see the need anymore I also no longer do it either. It was nice to do in the days of Windows XP, but with Windows 7/8, the UI just works as it is. Plus, I love how MS added UI features like aero snap, transparency, win+tab, etc. The only customization programs I use are Starisback on my Desktop only, and 7+ Taskbar tweaker. Same here, I like the Windows 8.1 desktop UI, the only changes I made were to remove the start button, add some metro themed cursors and set my color scheme. And on Windows XP I had dragons breathing fire when I opened the start menu and magical effects for minimizing/maximizing. I must be getting old. DConnell 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Migra Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 CandyBar for OS X is also dead! To me it seems that GUI customization is almost dead! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Bodnaruk Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Dead or Non-existant? huh, Far From it. Stardock's Object Desktop has been my favourite software package for the past 10 years. I use just about every tool in it. Customized OS to meet my needs. I have used it on every OS, from windows 98, XP, Vista, 7 and now 8. Skinning and coloring and animating is the way I go. www.stardock.com www.wincustomize.com http://www.stardock.com/products/odnt/ check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead.cell Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Check out my latest desktop. I don't think it's dead, just lazy. :D <snip> Oh hey! I follow you on DA! You make some great stuff. :) Yeah, I was getting into customization mostly because I feel Windows 8 just needs a few tweaks to be perfect. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what caused my last issue, but my girlfriend's account could no longer run explorer.exe so I had to refresh the whole system and start over. I think that's one of the things that can be off-putting sometimes, granted I've never had this issue before. I think what I'll do is create an image of my drive with Macrium before I start tweaking again. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantragora Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 ... Am I missing something?... Yeah, one big bookmark on this page. ;) TCA 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deihmos Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 The masses do not care about these things. I know I don't... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compl3x Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 The novelty of having a skinned GUI has completely worn off for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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