musings of desktop x

from WinCustomize Forums
i spent a couple hours yesterday not getting any real work done, but rather playing around with DX and windowblinds, absolutely determined to start using Desktop X after having this whole suite of programs at my fingertips yet using only IP, WB and OB in the 6 months i've had it. i love the idea of desktop x and the ability to have an interface tailored to making one work more effeciently. it appears very fast (when the skins are built right) and, if shortcuts are customizable, it appears very efficient as a replacement to the regular xp ui.

well i know i'm gonna catch hell for not noticing an faq somewhere, but here are my questions/problems..

on every skin i loaded (pix office - sputnik, orbital) none of the shortcut buttons would work. making sure i was in user mode, beginning with the start button, i tried anything that looked like a button and they would click but not launch. im assuming that is a script not firing. i have yet to take down my firewall and try again but i doubt that would be it.

something that was discouraging me is the way DX hides your desktop icons. my desktop is a scratch pad of various things and i make too much use out of it to hide it.. though i didn't see any immediate options for 'do not hide desktop icons' or 'do not replace desktop' in editing a skin or in DX's options themselves---is there a way to do this or is that just..what it does? if so i cash in my chips right here.

lastly - outside of pix office, i simply couldn't find a theme (dx interface and windowblinds) that was non obtrusive. i need something minimalist with neutrol colors that does not over power my content. i went up and down the library but hadn't found anything that wouldn't work against me. some things i fonud that were slim and quiet had many levels of redundemt meters, all trackign the same information so many different ways the CPU was at a constant 30% - i could definitly have doen without them does anyone have a recomendation---are you in the same ballgame as me and what bat are you using?

yes yes i would LOVE to design my own skin/theme to be the ultimate GD user interface, but that is not feasible, i don't have that kind of time right now.

so.. thanks for any suggestions. this is all because anyone who came by to scan or print from my computer when i wasn't here couldn't figure out the mac os x interface i had its like you have to have a start menu or the world falls apart around you.

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Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
To begin with, I agree with you that DesktopX is awesome when the right theme is used.

The problem with the buttons not working is that like any shortcut on the desktop these objects point to programs installed on a user's computer. Now, the problem here is that you can almost bet that most people who are really seriously into skinning are also pretty serious about customizing their folder architecture and program installations, making for different program locations for each computer. The good thing about DesktopX (and this also relates to your last question/comment) is that it is completely customizable so you can edit it any way you want. You can and really should assign proper program locations for all existing objects, or add your own objects to suit the way you work or want your desktop to be arranged.
Another thing which should be pointed out here is that all objects can be made to hide or become visible pretty easily and since they can all be grouped you can have a single button to hide/unhide all objects at once.
Having said that leads to the conclusion that the best theme you could ever hope to find is one that you create yourself for your own use. Nobody can really create a theme for you since they don't know how you work or play on your desktop and while some may come close, in the end you'll find you get more out of it by creating something that's all yours.
Yes, it takes time. But like anything worth doing, it is worth doing well, and doing it yourself. Any time you spend on it will be an investment on the future GUI you will create.

As for the desktop icon vs. IconX issue I cannot really help with this since I'm quite happy with the way IconX works for my desktop. All I can really suggest is that there are other ways of organizing your desktop to accomodate or compromise with both worlds.

I hope that answered some of your questions.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
on the first tab of the dx configuration dialog is an option to hide (or not) your desktop icons

as to the cpu usage, when the desktop is covered desktopX uses hardly any cpu at all. So when you are using your programs you don't have to worry about dx hogging resources
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
thanks, chet. i would guess that it is incorrect shortcuts, but the start menu button doesn't work either.. or a date swap, and so on :/

i'll keep playing with it to see if i can get the dekstop to work for me.

not gonna check right now but i can't believe i missed the desktop icon config button i was all over that thing
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
oOOoOO.. i got the buttons/actions to work. with that, i quickly found the config and iconx properties. fun fun fun, getting something together i can use problems with pixoffice though, can't show desktop icons - or do anything with icon x, really, or the primary bar dissapears and i can't get it back.. thus can't use it well i'm using the default stuff and playing with icon x and already have something small that makes me a bit more productive.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'll tell ya, once I figured out how to configure DX to my computer, I fell in love with it. It is, without a doubt, my GUI of choice.
Someday, maybe, I'll try designing my own theme. I downloaded and printed the manual. Gotta have the manual.



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Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
gotta da manual i'm easing my way into an interface design, and i recruited a VB programmer who owes me money he's VERY interested in my idea so we'll see what happens.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Objects (the sounds of "Trouble" from "The Music Man" starts up)

What you need my friend is objects!
This is the sure fired cure for what ails you! You keep downloading themes that cause you headaches? One part looks kool when the rest of the theme makes you question skinners sanity or taste? Then you need OBJECTS! What you want to do is take that object that makes you drool and save it as.... as.... an... you guessed it... OBJECT. Next you use the LOT, thats Least Objectionable Theme for those that think the EU way is the best way -), and you start importing objects. YES! Those very same objects you thought looked spiffy in those themes made by trolls. Now pretty soon you will have your desktop looking ship shape that pretty calender, clock, and a little bling to make your lovers eyes sparkle when she looks at that desktop. She will know your a real man. A man that knows how to use objects!

You still with me? Once you have mastered the art of exporting and importing objects, which should only take few minutes, why I could even train my dog, Bart, to do it in 24 hours. Once it is mastered then you might even consider teaking. Yes my friend you heard me right. I said tweaking the graphics of these very same objects so they match your WB or skin.

Just a word of caution before you display your mad, manly, desktop fashions on an upload page. Just doing this fast grab of objects and slapping them together does not make them yours. Do not take credit that does not belong to you.


Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
gotta da manual i'm easing my way into an interface design, and i recruited a VB programmer who owes me money he's VERY interested in my idea so we'll see what happens.


Well, now the suspense is killing me.



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Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
1. All you have to do is configure the shortcuts. Right-click the shortcut, properties and browse to where that program is located on your system.
2. Icons can be shown or hidden by right-click the desktop, 'DesktopX'- 'configure DesktopX' and either tick or un-tick the box which says 'hide desktop icons'.
3. Try my 'Metallica' theme. Sounds like what you're looking for.