From technology to politics to video games; these are the random thoughts of a geek with too much time on his hands
We want to serve current skinner and user interests better
Published on September 25, 2007 By Zoomba In OS Customization

This year so far we've added 11 new galleries to WinCustomize in an attempt to make sure we're keeping up with what's going on in the wider world of Windows Customization.  Here's the full list for 2007 to date:

Now, some of these galleries have done well, others have not.  Probably the two most successful on that list are Dream and Xion.  Dreams skyrocketed in popularity with the release of Windows Vista, and in general have done very well even as the Vista hype started to die down.  I really think Dreams are going to be one of our cornerstone galleries in the years to come as people get more into putting video and dynamic content on their desktop.

The other example of a successful gallery addition was Xion.  It may be one of our fastest growing skin libraries on the site right now.  Community reaction to the addition was fantastic, and in fact the app was added at the request of many skinners. 

Obviously, the success of a gallery depends on how much the community REALLY wants it or is interested in it.  So far this year, we've not had the best track record at anticipating demand.  So now I'm calling out to the community.  What's out there that you're skinning for that you feel would be a great addition to WinCustomize?  Are we missing out on some skinning or computer graphics related area that just can't be ignored any longer?  I want to hear from you!

Post your thoughts here with any relevant links so I can take a look.


Comments (Page 1)
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on Sep 25, 2007
Hmmm maybe if iTunes had any customization......
But you could put a Windows Media Player skin/visualization/plugin gallery!!
on Sep 25, 2007

I'd like to see....hidden away in a backroom closet somewhere ALL of the skinnable apps represented....extinct, trivial AND horrible.

When we all migrated here from the demise of Skinz.org it was one contentious issue - the abandonment of old, small apps.

I know they won't thrill ALL and sundry....but as curiosity value could help in re-invigorating things.

People 'should' know more of the origins of skinning....how and where it developed...eg, how many know that XX [Rolf] wrote a few proggies that were skinnable?  Or, in their day kJofol and Sonique were seriously classy ....graphically....

on Sep 25, 2007
A "Miscellaneous" gallery would might help to see what "Needs" it's own gallery. If it fills up with Desktop Sidebar skins or iTunes skins (etc) that would help you make a decision.

Jafo's "Historical" idea sounds good to me as well.
on Sep 25, 2007

I'd like to see....hidden away in a backroom closet somewhere ALL of the skinnable apps represented....extinct, trivial AND horrible.

I'd love to see a place here for all the abandoned skinnable apps as well.

on Sep 25, 2007
Hmmm maybe if iTunes had any customization


Yer missing out... iTunes Skins ...a small plugin and you can be rocking to a horse of a different color...


I wouldn't mind seeing an AveTunes category here...  
on Sep 25, 2007
now quotes and links are wonky.
on Sep 26, 2007
DesktopX GADGETS
on Sep 26, 2007
  
on Sep 26, 2007
Agree with RomanDA (Hi David!). I think we need have some place where we be able to upload our exclusive creations rather then skins for old widgets. It will be a good additional stimulus for us to create something new.
on Sep 26, 2007

I like the Gadget idea.

Would it be acceptable to rename the Widget Gallery to Widgets/Gadgets and then have a subcategory for Gadgets (.exe)? 

on Sep 27, 2007
I tried to post my reply yesterday but something has been happened with my PC and I couldn't type the text... Sorry.

I think that we need subcategory not only for gadgets. We need subcategory (or one more gallery) for creations that contains new scripts and (or) some new ideas. This is because the "widgets" gallery transformed to the the "skins for widgets" gallery.

Where is novelties? Why the people don't work on new scripts?

I think. More then I'm sure that DesktopX began to lose its great popularity (look on your pool...). Why we forgot that this is not a simple software to apply the skins to widgets or to put these widgets (or objects) on the desktop. This is very power tool for DEVELOPMENT first of all!

On this context I have a question: why Stardock doesn't enclose any efforts to keep up our creative activity? May tell you that creation of new widgets or development of new scripts has lost a sense (at least for me). I don't understand why I must work on each new project during the months if I can to draw a few images during a hours and have one more "widget"? Seems this is the dead end...

Look at the Sidebar Gadgets gallery. You may see a clock which I have done after a several hours. And I can make such clocks (calendars, weather informers, etc...) every day with the different colors, digitals, arrows, transparency, etc... But I'll never do this because I don't want to defraud future users. Every new widget (if we really make a widget) must contain something new not only in its skin but in its script too.

So please help us to separate "widgets/gadgets" and "skins for widgets". It will be honestly and justly.

Excuse me for so long post (I can be very long-winded sometimes)...
on Sep 27, 2007
Agree with Vad_M and RomanDA A gadget Gallery will be welcome
separated Like:
#1 DXthemes
#2 DXObjects
#3 DXWidgets
#4 DXGadgets
on Sep 27, 2007
bump
on Sep 28, 2007
Boom
on Sep 28, 2007
ClocX
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