Theming

Discussion in 'The Living Room' started by Tomi, Jul 28, 2007.

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How do you theme your system?

  1. uxtheme.dll patch

    2 vote(s)
    16.7%
  2. WindowsBlinds

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. StyleXP

    2 vote(s)
    16.7%
  4. ShapeShifter

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  5. I don't, because I don't want to

    5 vote(s)
    41.7%
  6. I don't, because I didn't know how.

    3 vote(s)
    25.0%
  1. #1
    Tomi

    Tomi   LPA Addict

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    Okay, I'm bored. This forum is rather boring too, as all it is is asking the same repeated questions over and over again, because no one wants to search. So, to spice things up, a poll.

    I know quite of a few of you hate the default Windows Luna (or Aero, I guess, if you're on Vista) skin. As you may or may not already know, you can change it. There's a few methods of it. I listed a few in the poll. I'd love to know why you chose that certain method, because I'm bored and curious.
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2007
  2. #2
    the_stars_of_destiny

    the_stars_of_destiny Active Member

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    None... I don't use programs to theme my windows XP/Win2K system... I just theme them myself, yep.. The hard way. :)
     
  3. #3
    Neil

    Neil Super Duper Member LPA Super Member

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    I don't. I hate messing with resources and system files. It always goes bad in the end...

    I do however use the Zune theme issued by Microsoft, it uses the integrated theme manager and is natively compatible with XP without any hacks/tweaks.
     
  4. #4
    the_stars_of_destiny

    the_stars_of_destiny Active Member

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    Yeah I used to use that, but I just wanted a challenge... So I decided to tweak with the files lol (I do backup before I start tho :eek:] haha
     
  5. #5
    JNudda

    JNudda Guest




    I use Windowblinds + logon studio + desktopx pro + objectdock plus :)
     
  6. #6
    mcpancakes

    mcpancakes Well-Known Member

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    I used to use the Zune theme, but I don't anymore. I had windowblinds for awhile, but to be honest, I don't like installing too many 3rd-party apps cause then you have all this random shit on your hard drive. I used to be on Windows XP Pro, but for some reason when my dad upgraded the memory and video card to my computer, the OS it came back installed with was Media Center. so now I use the media center theme "Energy Blue". its like a glossy version of Luna, which by the way I can't stand. Plus all the preloaded wallpapers on XP are 1024x768, and are stretched on my 1280x1024 set display. the wallpaper that goes with the Energy Blue theme however is 1600x1200, so it looks extremely nice. I have a question though, why do some "professionals" use Windows classic. In screenshots in magazines and in articles on the internet, the writer is always using the Windows Classic theme. is that so it looks more familiar to more people? does it make the windows handle easier because its not as visually-heavy?
     
  7. #7
    Tomi

    Tomi   LPA Addict

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    I haven't really looked that much into how Windows' theming system works, but according to many it's less resource intensive, like other themes tend to be. Plus it's also a cleaner, non-Fisher Price look. I kinda like the Classic theme, but it gets annoying after a while. I use Amok [look on dA], which is an amazing simple theme.
     
  8. #8
    mcpancakes

    mcpancakes Well-Known Member

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    uhh this might sound kinda stupid but How do I install the theme? Its recognized as a type "Windows Visual Style File". aren't they normally "Windows Theme File"'s? there's that and a folder with four fonts.

    edit: I tried placing the amok.(visual file exension) and the folder with the fonts in a folder called amok in C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes, but that hasn't seemed to add any "Amok" option to the Display properties list.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2007
  9. #9
    Tomi

    Tomi   LPA Addict

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    Have you tried double clicking on the file itself? ;)
     
  10. #10
    WizzyKid

    WizzyKid Well-Known Member

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    I just theme it myself, easy enough without having to waist disk space and wait for a download.
     
  11. #11
    Tomi

    Tomi   LPA Addict

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    waist –noun
    1. the part of the body in humans between the ribs and the hips, usually the narrowest part of the torso.


    I also hope you do realise by creating a new theme for yourself, you are wasting disk space too. Unless you've devised a new method of storage where mere kb of data no longer affect how much space you have left...

    btw, my amok theme - not even 1MB. If you have problems downloading under 1MB where you have to wait for hours, then I suggest you upgrade your internet connection, and switch from your manual-peddle connection.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2007
  12. #12
    Christopher

    Christopher Über Member Über Member

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    I've been trying to find stuff like this for some time and I don't know why I've never actually tried it, but I haven't...

    I can't stand how the way this original XP theme looks, but I don't really know much about it and I don't want to mess with my computer so... might try it some time, because it looks really nice.


    Got a question, though, isn't there just a simple clean theme that I could easily install, because I don't like all that unusually updated stuff with the taskbar at the top of your screen and such?
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2007
  13. #13
    Tomi

    Tomi   LPA Addict

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  14. #14
    Christopher

    Christopher Über Member Über Member

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    Thanks, Tomi. I'll check that out in the morning.
     
  15. #15
    WizzyKid

    WizzyKid Well-Known Member

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    Oh darn it I always spell words that look similar but with different meanings wrong.

    Anyway I was merely exaggerating for the fact "I can't be bothered looking for stuff" :p

    P.S Windows XP Pro makes life easier :)
     
  16. #16
    Tomi

    Tomi   LPA Addict

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    You sound like a friend of mine. :lol: *shakes head*
     
  17. #17
    mcpancakes

    mcpancakes Well-Known Member

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    actually yeah I did double-click the Amok visual style file and it opens Display properties in the Appearance tab, but nothing's changed to Amok, it just shows me my current configuration.
     
  18. #18
    Tomi

    Tomi   LPA Addict

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    Did you patch uxtheme.dll? Sounds like you didn't.
     
  19. #19
    mcpancakes

    mcpancakes Well-Known Member

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    nope, haven't modified any existing files yet. guess I'll go do that. generally speaking, what does patching the file do?

    edit: okay thanks it works now. pretty cool theme. will this patch also allow me to use other downloaded themes?
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2007
  20. #20
    Tomi

    Tomi   LPA Addict

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    Patching uxtheme.dll allows unsigned [non-Microsoft] themes to be used. Kinda essential. :lol:
     

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