Let's just pretend Vista never happened, XP grows old and weary, we grow tired and need change. Along comes Windows 7, finally something Microsoft has done mostly right, something that adds functionality with style. But, what does this mean to the skinning community, how has it changed us?
As I see it, with a large amount of the skinning communities user base having moved over to Windows 7 :: We have reached a state of decline. Because of the simplicity brought in with Aero Glass and the rotating desktop backgrounds, there isn't much urgency to stick out or a sense of immediate boredom with your desktop. Unlike XP, Windows 7 actually manages to look good almost by default and we find ourselves now comfortable being branded. Everything down to the icons and the system tray have been stylized for you with eye candy galore.
Beyond that, the new Aero engine doesn't allow easy or free-form skinning (even paid applications like Windowblinds are having problems breaking the Aero Glass mold) and to add to the problem alternate shells/etc like Litestep have serious problems functioning with Win7. So we find ourselves doing no more than slamming stats all over our desktops and changing the colour (or skinning only with in the confides of the original shape) of the glass bars that encapsulate our windows.
tl;dr: For those out there who have made the move to Windows 7, where do you see the skinning community going?
More importantly: Who's willing to start early and break the cycle?
I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit together with LiteStep, Rainmeter, Rainendar, Window Blinds, IconPackager, CursorXP, Samurize, Directory Opus and Winwall - haven't had any problems. [Gotta use the latest (alpha) LiteStep package for full functionality tho...] Can't stand the Aero theme, too big [especially on Netbooks] and I've managed to ditch most of the built-in toys.
I actually love it, but yeah, overpriced and just for the looks.If i want looks, linux is there for me, linux is way awesomer than windows, if something from windows there is and you wanna run it on linux, you/i just use Wine.Linux requires less power in your PC too, and if you know how to work it you can make it even awesomer than windowz.
I have never came across this site when I was with my Windows XP and so I was greatly disappointed when most of the programs I saw that worked for XP didn't work for Windows 7 (or I lacked knowledge) and I wanted to make the switch back to XP, but Windows 7 has so many other options! Eventually, I came across a theme I actually liked and I followed other instructions to modify it into my full liking. I believe, as Windows progress, so will the programs that will help edit it to one's liking. Even if it is the lightest change, AT least there will be an option to change it.
The patched route for themes doesn't allow for free form skinning, you're pretty much locked in the boundaries of the size and shape of the default aero theme.
If you wanted something like my winter theme (check my profile and that screenshot) where it featured a very thin title bar (which was doable to some extent in windows xp because of it's theme system being more flexible) you'd have to go an alternate route. (being the stardock WB route, which, even then isn't up to snuff yet)
Yeah, I tried WB for a while, it covers up buttons on third-party programs.
Whatever direction the skinning community goes, it would have to be something that still allows all of the functionality of the stock OS (Or a clever workaround). This could be impossible since it may have to be approved by Microsoft First.
Thanks for the Link rush68, I've been looking for themes that weren't just the DIY ones that anyone can make, and especially didn't just have the system blue colour or the colourful windows start button. I'll have to try out the themes to see if they work. Thanks heaps =]
