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[MachineHead]

Just curious. Have more interest in Object Desktop and if it puts a hurtin' on system resources. The idea of configuring certain things for the desktop does have some appeal though.

[KingSparta]

>> Does anyone use WindowBlinds?
No but i need some for my bedroom it is too bright in there. everytime i put a blanket over the window my wife takes it down.

I was thinking about painting the windows black.

I kind of like it dark in the house, in this room i have a 15 watt light and the windows have been sealed so no light comes in plus i sit in the dark in the closet with only the light from my monitor to guide me.

[MachineHead]

You need to get out more.

[LisaRCT]

"i sit in the dark in the closet"

are you a mushroom?

[DocLotus]

I have been using WindowBlinds for about a year now.

Have noticed no real impact on resources or performance.

The current version (4.0 for Win XP only at present) is actually a little faster then the default Win XP skins.

WindowBlinds works great with both MJ & MC.

I have had no real problems with it.  This is a very mature product with no conflicts with other programs.

You can also selectively turn WindowBlinds off for any selected program like MC9 so you can use the MC skin instead of WindowBlinds. .

[whoeveryouare]

If that's true, then WB has come a long way over the past couple years.  I used to (try to) use it, and it was always an incredible pain in the hind quarters.

[DocLotus]

Yes, it has improved tremendously in the last two years or so.  The real improvement came with v3.5 last year with special integration with Win XP.  The new v 4.0 is a leap forward with integration with the SkinStudio editor which allows you to change almost any part of WindowBlinds.

StarDock is using a new technology that makes WindowBlinds actually faster then the native Win XP skins.

Like you, I tried WindowBlinds several years ago with Win 95 & found nothing of value then.  But, boy what a few years have done.

StarDock worked very closely with Microsoft in the initial development of Win XP skinning from day one.  Microsoft actually promotes a WindowBlinds skin for Combat Flight Simulator 3.0 on the Microsoft CFS3 web site.

If you have not tried WindowBlinds in a year or more, I would highly recommend another look.

[MachineHead]

DocLotus-

Downloaded the trial version for xp. It doesn't slow down nothing on this machine. Just installed NeoTao from deviant art. Certainly gives MC a new look. No if the player display could look like this...

[DocLotus]

Check out...
http://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?wp=1&sort=updatedate&searchtext=&order=&library=1

They have over 2200 skins for WindowBlinds including Green Eyes that was taken from MC9 (by permission).

[phelt]

IIRC, the skinning engine for XP is licensed from Stardock - it is, effectively, WindowsBlinds. I've never had a problem with performance hits using Win2K. I'm probably going to dual-boot or VM XP just to see what more I can tweak with Object Desktop.

As a sidenote, I don't really need Object Desktop skinning for Win2K, but I like the window features, so I've been using Actual Windows Manager. More options and no lag.

[DocLotus]

Part of Object Desktop is called Object Bar which is another little StarDock skinning program that lets you go wild with the task bar & Start menu.

Object Bar works in conjunction with WindowBlinds.

[Bartabedian]

I actually use DesktopX from Stardock, which I love, but it doesn't seem to be very popular...

I really like the way I can totally recreate my own windows interface, it has certainly increased my productivity.

[V-Man]

I also use WindowBlinds 4 and have set MC as an exclusion. Works for me no probs.

[Dan Da Man]

I just tried downloading WindowBlinds and found it to be pretty nice.  However, I have yet to find a set that I like more than the default XP skin.  Any favorites?

Most of them have too much extraneous stuff and the resize bars are all decorative.  I need something that looks great and is functional.  Any suggestions?

I think I like the PixOS skin that Pixtudio makes, but they charge for it and i'm not sure if I'm ready for that.  Anyone have that and think it's worth it?

Still, so far, the default WinXP skin looks the best.  Also, I have many apps that are old (like Office 2000) and therefore are not good at the skinning.

Just wondering.

Dan "da Man"