From technology to politics to video games; these are the random thoughts of a geek with too much time on his hands

It's Monday, which means it's poll time!  Last week, I asked if you use any social networking sites, and if so, which ones.  The comments section to the post was funny, with most people saying they'd rather take our their own eye with a rusty spoon than go near a site like MySpace.  In the end, it seems about of you aren't the social networking sorts, with 47% saying they didn't use any such site.  Top of the list remaining was Facebook, capturing roughly 18% of users.  Here are the numbers:

Do You Belong to a Social Networking Site? (Pick Favorite)
Facebook 17.46%
MySpace 13.49%
LinkedIn 5.56%
Orkut 0%
Windows Live Spaces 4.76%
Other 11.11%
I don't belong to any social networking site 47.62%

This week, I'd like to know how often you change your desktop skin.  Is it once a year, or once every 10 minutes?  Is there a method to your skin switching madness?  Vote on the poll and share your thoughts on the matter here.


Comments
on Jun 18, 2007

I've used the same Litestep theme for a couple of years now....it developed into something tidy and functional with such things as a display for WC time as well as 'real' time, winamp controls for music, tray and tasks....and all else is accessed by the usual LS right click menu.

I haven't loaded WB in ages other than to check out a new skin....normally I'm running naked in 'classic'.

Winamp is one I did....used almost always since its making a couple of years ago...

on Jun 18, 2007
I'll usually run a collection of apps that "match" to my taste. Sometimes I'll spend a day or two getting it all to coordinate. Most likely, by then, something new will appear here, and I'll end up doing the same procedure again...and again. Occasionally, I'll find just the right combo for whatever work I'm doing at the time, get attached to it, and not change settings for a week. A week is, on average, about as long as I go without trying a new collection of skins/apps.
I'll change apps, or rather themes of individual apps, regularly just to have slightly different interfaces available, such as sysmetrix readouts, weather information, RSS feeds, etc. DX is a great application for getting set up once and not needing to change settings. It's infinitely configurable and I can tweak it to display only that information I want and need. I've been running the same sysmetrix for years, now, ever since it was published by pinchecl: Satiation (vertical). After a few changes for my preferences, it just works with everything I run on my system. WB for two weeks now is Badlands by Night Train w/matching ObjDocks by WebGizmos. DX is Megatech and Teko by Murex. Now that summer's here I change less, for some reason...outside more hiking and biking w/the kids.  

skin switching madness

yep
on Jun 18, 2007
I usually run a WB while I am building it as soon as I zip up I start running the next WB in progress untill completion.Sometimes I will use a WB that has been uploaded for a day or 2 when I am taking a skinning break!
on Jun 19, 2007
Depends on how often I find a skin that I can also apply most complete fitting iconsuites (so I am still using Apogee or Orion most as they cover nearly every filetype I will need), wallpaper and other skins I need. I just don't like a lot of different looking skins on my machine and/or uncomplete iconsets. So one great visual style that will not fit any other skins I find will not do it for long on my desk. Last time I changed was with the Vienna vs.

So 'Every few months' will fit me most.
on Jun 19, 2007

I use the skin I'm working on. Seeing little bits not matching encourages me to get on with it   

How long? Could be weeks...

on Jun 19, 2007
Well....when I first found this place it drove me nutz trying to decide on a skin because there are so many awesome skins here...but eventually I ended up using Ecliz Deluxe because I can use just about any icon set with it since its clear. Now the only time I change skins is when I'm working on a set of docks for a particular skin...then I'll keep that one applied till I finish the docks for it. But I'm an avid collector of skins...its an addiction I tell ya!
on Jun 19, 2007
I use the skin I'm working on. Seeing little bits not matching encourages me to get on with it

How long? Could be weeks...


Ditto now

But...

At beginning on skinning (when i had many difficult to make a boot) i had changed my skins everyday or two sometimes when i had found a good (IMO) i keep it more.
on Jun 19, 2007
When I originally purchased ODNT I changed everything every few days. Now my first step is to choose a wall, after a few trys I find a WB that fits it best then onto CursorXP, Sysmetrix or Rainmeter, Iconpackager & Rainlendar. Last but not least is to set up Object Dock with all new icons & backgrounds. I seldom use matching skins & go through the process usually once a week. Occasionally I find a combination I really enjoy & it may last a month.
I stopped using DesktopX after losing my extensive collection of them. Now with this last new computer almost set up I am itching to start building my collection again. Seeing Desktop 3.5 arrive has me looking forward to enjoying it again.

skin switching madness?

It is most definitely an obsession. I love decorating & hey this is a lot easier both on the pocket book & mind than redecorating my entire house each time my mood changes.

It's My Secret

on Jun 19, 2007
I've settled down to about once a month on average, depending on what's released. I will try out new blinds for an hour or two just to "put em thru the paces" I won't reconfigure for it unless it's going to sty on my system for a while. I have the office computer and the home computer to do and each is different due to the way I use it. I use some legacy apps at the office which many skins cause issue with via colors which are not "exclusion" items (black text in black background text box type thing).

I change my OD+ background to match/coordinate with my wblind, but rarely change the .pngs I've been using the same 2 IPs for about 6 months of both computers. Wallpaper is where I make changes often.....maybe once a day at work and every couple days at home. I have 2,400+ wallpapers collected from around the internet and sorted by size. I also have almost 3,900 photographs of my own, some of which I occasionally use.
on Jun 19, 2007
Well, I actually change about once every two weeks, but there's no option for that on the poll.
on Jun 25, 2007
typically i use Turtle SoupII Mariner for LS. and windowblinds to skin the windows.. il try a new skin if it catches my eye..

ive been hooked on sonix7 since its release as it compliments the TSII LS theme well...