I would change some of the most basic things, like the position of common areas on the OS. Like the folder task bar with all those extra options - I would put those on a completely different side of the Window itself, just to make it look different. I'd pay attention to smaller details that actually make a good skin.

To me, skinning isn't just about making the skin look good, it's also about ideas and concerns that people have for their OS's.


Will replace the link soon - just re-organising my stuff at the moment.

Mike, There are radical blinds out there but the problem is that they are not as useful to the average user.  If skinners want their skins used, they need to have the componants in the accustomed places.

I hate using a skin that puts the min/max/close buttons somewhere else and even worse, uses a non-standard icon.  I then have to hunt for what I want instead of just "knowing"  I lose time and gain frustration.

In regards for artists making blinds that are in a similar style . . . Stephen King still sells millions of books on the same premise.  Van Gogh's sytle *IS* his style.  There's nothing wrong with that at all.  In fact, I have some favorite authors whos skins I download just because I know their style (and like it).

The cool thing is, here at Wincustomize, there's something for everyone (if you look). {I had misseed this skin from 2003.  It's a winner! Check it out!}

For what it's worth, I use the Unorthodox Skins every once in a while and like them.

gah! that skin is...interesting. I downloaded it, and now it will reside in my server, until i get XP on my laptop. then i'll use it so i can compare/contrast w/ Beelzebub. (BTW, in about 3 days, it will be my 9th month of using Beelzebub!) why i am excited, i do not know, but i am having trouble figuring out what to do about our "anniversary" maybe i could take a printout of my screenshot out to dinner at Wendy's? they already think im scary...

To Zubaz, I agree with you in that respect, I'd never move min,max,close buttons - I would do something creative with them - make them 3D Animate or something like that.

If I created skins I would always be creative with them - flower new ideas into them. I'd in fact make them a bit more interactive.

I know it doesn't work yet, but maybe we should bring that idea up to Stardock, i think it would work great.
I use WB myself, but I only use The Vista Aero theme on XP SP2. The buttons already glow, why can't they animate as well (like magnify or something)? Just a Thought.

True. I guess I need an in-depth tutorial on the drivers that WB etc use and how they are used.

But I must get myself a new PC first, my current one is giving me troubles, but ones that I can fix - don't enjoy fixing them though.