gardenerstouch

Join Date 02/2005

Lobby for new feature.. user expandable icon sets.

I'd like to lobby for a new feature. The way that Iconpackager works right now is that there is only a specific list of icons for which IP will apply icons for (what I'll call a "system set"). I realize it would be next to impossible for the programmers to make the IP apply icons for every existing program, since the number of programs keeps expanding virtually exponentially. But what I would like to be able to do is apply a set of icons created for the "system" (how it is now), then have the user be able to specify a set of icons for specific programs, or a "program set" (or sets) that they have on their own computers, and then be able to specify which system sets they would like to have them applied with.

One other item. There are a lot of applets and accessories, though finite in number, that routinely come with windows that virtually EVERYBODY has on their computers. Why did the developers not include these in their icon lists?

iconpackager

Locked Post

Advanced Search

Watch this post

Do not email me updates for this post Email me updates for this post

Successfully updated karma reason!

ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

Why did the developers not include these in their icon lists?

Possible reasons:

Time is limited.
They build for themselves and don't have those apps
They do this for free

Individual icons are always available and applying individual icons is very easy. If you need help, create a new post and someone will step up. And if you need an icon, try posting in the Rare icon request thread.

Successfully updated karma reason!

PoSmedley

Join Date 04/2005

+788

For an icon just on the desktop, mouse over the icon you want to change ...RightClick>Properties>Change Icon

Or

You can go right to the programs executable, mouse over it ..RightClick>Properties>Icon Tab>Change Icon

For both you need a file in icon format ( .ico ) and you can find a lot in the Miscleaniuos Icon Gallery or find one in the ObjectDock Gallery and use IconDeveloper to convert it to icon format. (PLEASE keep in my mind that you can convert the png to an icon for your own use but not to upload as your own work, etc.)

*this works for XP, not sure about Vista or 2000

Successfully updated karma reason!

ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

*this works for XP, not sure about Vista or 2000

"2000"? I'd love to see the stats of WC users still running 2k. What about Me Po' That was released in 2000 too. What about Me?

Successfully updated karma reason!

Sign Up or Login and this ad disappears!
There are many great features available to you once you register. Sign Up for a free account and browse the forums without ads.

PoSmedley

Join Date 04/2005

+788

I'd love to see the stats of WC users still running 2k.

I have an 8 year old Compaq running 2000. It's the one we replaced this Christmas for my step-son with a new PC running Vista. I'm trying to decide what to do with it, as it still runs. It does need a new video card (has an Nvidia that's about ready to quit) and a memory upgrade (currently at 96MB).

Successfully updated karma reason!

ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

I'm trying to decide what to do with it

May I suggest Windows Home Server?

Minimum specs:

1gHz Pentium 3 processor
512 MB of RAM
70 GB HD

Recommended:

Pent 4 or newer processor
512 MB of RAM
2 300 GB HDs

Successfully updated karma reason!

PoSmedley

Join Date 04/2005

+788

May I suggest Windows Home Server?

It's been a while since I personally messed with that computer. It was designed to run Millenium. I was gonna upgrade it a few years ago for the boy and if I remember correctly, I don't think you can add enough memory for Windows server. It may max out at 206. I will have look at the specs again. I think the processor is only 800gHz (possibly 300?), as well, but I honestly don't recall.

What I really need is some way to test the video card. He was getting 'ghosts' or 'lines' across the monitor. The monitor is fine on any other PC. I just don't know if it's the card (Nvidia..I have to check to see what model) or the motherboard and all that.

Successfully updated karma reason!

Smedley,

I am aware that you can apply icons individually to any program that you want and do in fact know how to do it. But what if I want to change the skin and have those icons match the current skin and icon set? What I want is a set of icons taylored to the programs on my computer that I may either create myself or download from other sources to match the "system set" I have installed. I don't want to have to go back and individually change each one of those custom icons each time I change my desktop. All I want is to be able to to point and click, and abracadbra, everything is exactly the way I want it. I don't want to have to fiddle with each skin and icon set each time I change my desktop.

Successfully updated karma reason!

Zubaz,

I think you misunderstood my point. When you mentioned that time is limited, that they write for themselves, and they do it for free, you are referring to the people who create the icons. What I can referring to is the StarDock programmers writing in a few more icons on their lists for Windows most common accessories,and then allow people who want to, to create custom sets of icons for their own computers (besides the ones that StarDock currently allows) based on the programs they have. I would hope that these custom sets could be applied automatically along with the user's desired system sets.

Successfully updated karma reason!

PoSmedley

Join Date 04/2005

+788

All I want is to be able to to point and click, and abracadbra, everything is exactly the way I want it.

Are you my wife?

,and then allow people who want to, to create custom sets of icons for their own computers (besides the ones that StarDock currently allows) based on the programs they have. I would hope that these custom sets could be applied automatically along with the user's desired system sets.

If I am following you correctly..I think the biggest problem you'll have is getting everyone to agree as to what additional icons should be skinned. Everyone has different set-ups and no matter what you do, you are going to be leaving someone out and they are going to be asking the same thing you are.

Without being a programmer...I don't know how easy it would be, but perhaps a secondary icon skinning package/software app that you could chose the programs you want the icons changed on (is this what you meant?). Add them to a list and apply your custom set. Even here, the 'set' has to have the icons each individual needs. How would extra icons fit in, or if the set was an icon short..like maybe it doesn't have one for AVast but has one for AVG? But then, you still have to have someone who makes the icons for the programs you have and the other guy and the other guy...etc. Not everyone out there can make their own icons, so someone is going to have to make them to justify the programs existence. It wouldn't be much different than OD or IP now.

You would need very generic icons to please all and you still have to decide how many for which programs, but people who truly love to customize would never be satisfied with anything generic.

Someone who actually designs this kind of software would be nice to have step in and say if such a thing is even possible or feasible. I would be curious to know myself.

Successfully updated karma reason!

Smedley,

Essentially, I think you understand what I have in mind with the "secondary icon skinning package". I would want it tied to IP so that when I apply a certain IP "system set", that I can specify which of my "program sets" I want to apply with it. That way, I can have a "program set" to match each "system set" I use IP to apply. After setting up all of my customized "program sets", all I need to to do is point and click, and all the icons are skinned just the way I want. I won't have to fiddle with changing each one individually to match the current "system set".

In regards to your following statement...

"If I am following you correctly..I think the biggest problem you'll have is getting everyone to agree as to what additional icons should be skinned. Everyone has different set-ups and no matter what you do, you are going to be leaving someone out and they are going to be asking the same thing you are."

... that's definately NOT what I had in mind. In my scenario, everyone chooses what icons beyond IP's list they want to have included. No arguements. I do however, want the Stardock programmers to include the ability to apply icons to all of the common accessories that come with Windows. These applets are on everyone's system, whether the user wants them there or not. You might as well include them. Anyway, the number of these accessories is a finite number that seldom ever changes and would be practical to do, at least on the programmers part. Whether the people who create the icons want to do them is another question, and a valid one. Most of the sets I see out there don't include icons for the control panel, even though they are included in IP's list. I truly wish that the icon artists would create complete system sets, but I can understand the tremendous amount of creative effort that must go into making them. By the time they get the most important ones done, the creative juices have dried up.

Successfully updated karma reason!

PoSmedley

Join Date 04/2005

+788

In my scenario, everyone chooses what icons beyond IP's list they want to have included.

But the list would be almost endless.
Virus Programs:
602 LAN SUITE Antivirus
Abacre Antivirus
Alt-N MDaemon AntiVirus
Anti Virus And Spyware
Anti Virus and Trojan
Anti Virus eXpert Proffessional
Anti-Virus Client Security
Anti-Virus for Microsoft NT Workstation
Anti-Virus for MIMEsweeper
Antivirus eXpert
Antivirus Kaspersky Personal Pro
Antvirus Toolkit v3.0 b109
AnVir Virus Destroyer
Ashampoo Anti Virus
Ashampoo Mail Virus Blocker
That's just the A's and not even all of them (Avast, AVG...)

Who will make all these icons? Media, Graphic, Music...and then music players, burners, sorters, taggers, etc. It's not just making the individual ones, but making them in sets (matching, I presume), specific to each individuals needs that would be impossible. And wouldn't these sets..or wouldn't you want these sets to match the IP you would be using?

I truly wish that the icon artists would create complete system sets, but I can understand the tremendous amount of creative effort that must go into making them.

It's tough. I still remember the comments on the podcast the site did when they debuted my Valentine Package on it. They made a couple comments as to how many 'file' icons I had made. It was only my second package and I was trying to be thorough. I didn't think of duplicating or making generic ones. I made 83 (x2 for his and her packs) and still didn't cover them all...and that was JUST the files!

Successfully updated karma reason!

As I invision this addon package, the user would simply specify the location of the program file and the icon that he wants to have applied to it. A simple expandable database is all that is required to keep track of this. It's not an impossible situation for the programmers.

Beyond IP's set list, there are really relatively few of the programs on my computer for which I'd like to change icons. One of my pet peeves is that the icons that end up on the left side of the start menu are never colored similarly to the ones listed on the right side of the menu. Thus, my interest in icons primarily extends to color as opposed to icon styles. I could easily extract a program's icon, recolor it as needed, and I'll have the icon I want. I could do similarly with many of the system icons that are not currently covered by IP's lists. Presumably, there ought to be a few generic icons that could be included with every set that we could use the addon to apply as desired. I would like to point out that recoloring is relatively easy to do, and I have no great expertise in creating icons or modifying them (having said that, I do not want to suggest that making icons is easy, just that recoloring them is not terribly hard to do). If it's the style of the icons that concerns you, then I think the task would be exponentially greater. Of course, any icons recolored this way I could not post on the web for others to use without the permission of the original artists.

By the way, the precident has already been set... there are at least a few sets of icons out there that are complete and have been created with large mumbers of extra icons, not included in IP's lists, which require you to apply them individually. These of course would have to be changed again if you moved on to a another set, and which is one of the reasons why I hope this feature is created for us to use.

Successfully updated karma reason!

PoSmedley

Join Date 04/2005

+788

A simple expandable database is all that is required to keep track of this. It's not an impossible situation for the programmers.

'Simple' would be interesting to see with this idea. 'Impossible' is more likely. Exactly which and how many programmers will make ALL these icons? You saw the list for anti-virus program's...just a partial list of the 'A's".

Think of a radio station. No one station plays ALL the music THAT everyone wants to hear. And probably 70 to 80% of mainstream commercial stations are 'programmed'. You can listen for an hour and here stuff you like..then all of the sudden, you get 20 or 40 minutes of stuff you don't want to hear, you don't like, is not your taste, etc. SO what do you do? You can keep listening and hope what you like will come back on...or you can go looking for another station. Chances are if it's a song you really hate, you'll look for another station. But what if you can only get that one station and you have to put up with the crap you don't like? It's all that is available. You're stuck with it. Which is what you'll be with such an icon system.

For example...How many Media Player icons should they make? The obvious would be Media Player and iTunes. Then you have Winamp, Real Player, Jukebox, Songbird, and dozens more (new ones everyday). So maybe you make four. Personally, I have five media players on my system. So right off, I am short an icon. What if only 2 of the 4 match the programs I have? Now I am missing three. Do I start recycling the same ones? Kinda like the radio stations today that play the same crap over and over. It sucks!

By the way, the precident has already been set... there are at least a few sets of icons out there that are complete and have been created with large numbers of extra icons, not included in IP's lists,

"Complte?" As in every single icon you want for all your programs..ALL of them and for each and every WIndows Sytem extra you say is left out of IconPackage? If not, it's not complete. If you say they didn't have to make 'every' icon, then you're leaving someone else out. The rare icon thread is proof that there is always one more icon to make, one more person who can't find that one icon. In two years I have made over 400 and folks still request icons. Do these 'complete'sets you speak of have the icons that I want? If not..WHO is going to make them? Who will make each and every icon that will match my system? Then my son has programs I don't. Then there is my wife's laptop and all it's little extra wifi crap..some specific to Toshiba, some I never heard of.

Try skinning. Try making a set for your system. Ask some of the really good icon makers how many hours they spend just making the ones that you say aren't enough.

Successfully updated karma reason!

We are not communicating here. I'm not even sure you are reading or understanding my entire posts. A "complete set" as IP is currently programmed is what I call complete. What I meant by a "complete set" is all the icons IP currently assigns icons for... nothing more nothing less. However, what I'd like to have for "complete" would include all of the applets that appear on the All Programs menu on a fresh vanilla install of XP, which freqently end up either appearing, or pinned to, the frequently used programs area of my start menu. I don't know what this would entail in Vista, not having actually seen the OS at more than a glance. I could live without this added feature however, if I could just be able to assign them icons of my own that will change along with the icon sets I choose.

I'm not, by any means, saying that anyone can or should try to produce a set that includes every program out there. That's ridiculous on the face of it, and it's not what I said, and I am offended you think I'm that dense. Just let people who want to make them make them, or let them make their own! What I am asking the programmers (Stardock)to do is make it possible for the user to assign any icon to any program beyond those available in the regular lists as IP is currently programmed. That's all. That's not a programmer's nightmare. Depending on how the icon artists may view it, though, it may be... especially if it so happens that it's their life mission to create icons for every one and every program out there. But I don't see it as a nightmare... I'll be happy to either recolor an icon or pick and choose from a variety of icons from various icon sets to assign to the half dozen programs I have pinned to my start menu, just as long as they look good with the current IP icon set I have installed. If I could just have even a generic set of icons from each icon set to assign to them, I'd be happy! I just don't want to have to manually change each one of these each time I switch skins, which sometimes may be several times a day.

Successfully updated karma reason!

HG_Eliminator

Join Date 07/2002

+354

open Icon packager, in the menu on the left select "Icons and cursors", in the window on the right select "Files". At the bottom right there is a "Add Format" button click it, in the popup select the Programs file extension you wish to add to IP's list of skinned icons (or you can add a new one) and press ok..

Now it will appear at the bottom of the list showing in file's. This will allow IP to natively skin all files with that Programs extension, with the icon you choose ..

I hope this is what you were looking for

Remember tho.. the packages you DL may not have that file type extension in it and wont change it until you specifically tell it what icon to use ..

Heres another way. Open a explorer window in the top menu select "tools" In the drop down menu select folder options, in the folder options configuration window select the "File Types" tab.

In the scrolling window find the programs file extension you wish to associate with a specific icon. Highlight it and select "Advanced" button in the "details for extension" area at bottom. In the window that pops up click the "change icon" button at the top right.

A new window will open click the "browse" button to search your drive for the icon you wish to use. Select it, press ok or apply in each window til they are all closed. Now the os will natively skin all files with that programs extension with the icon you choose ..

this way works with XP, im not sure about vista.

As for the question of why the "Stardock IconPackager development staff" didnt include specific "OS system files" to the native list Icon packager skins, Is beyond me. But I would think they had good reason.

Some Icons refuse or seem to refuse to be skinned easily.( C:\ for example seems to fight taking a new icon some times) I think its due to the system icon is in use at the time of applying the package, and the OS caches the old icon and reapplies it at intervals wiping out the change made by IP.

Successfully updated karma reason!