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Stupendous Man
Stupendous Man
Join Date 12/2002
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What is it that makes us different?

July 26, 2005 2:47:19 PM from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Hey all. O.K., I've been here on WC for about 3 years more or less, and I absolutely love customizing my rig. I've got a buddy who is also very much into computers, and after I downloaded the DX theme 'LCARS NCC1.00A' by alpha-omega, I thought I'd introduce him to the world of WC. Good idea, right? Share the wealth and all that. Well guess what? After showing him the DX theme, my favorite WB (Alien Technology by DavidK), and the rest of the OD Suite all that he said was "That's cool." No enthusiasm whatsoever! Man, when I found this place I went nuts! I couldn't download fast enough! And when I couldn't download anymore then I bought stuff so I could!

So. What do you think? Why would one guy absolutley love this stuff and another sees it and thinks "that's cool"? I'm interested in hearing your theories.

Anyways, thank for listening.
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Stupendous Man
Ash08
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #1 July 26, 2005 2:58:16 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
It is the same with my and my buddies

People's taste vary so wildly
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Stupendous Man
Bichur
Join Date 10/2003
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Reply #2 July 26, 2005 3:29:11 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
imagination
example:
some people read a scifi and go "you know that would be possible except..." and then they try to figure it out.
other people read a scifi an go "alien space mutants! cool!"

some people look at a computer and wonder about the inner workings
other people look at a computer and wonder why it can't look like the one in the Heinlein, or the movies

maybe not so much as 'taste' but... what do you see when you dream
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Stupendous Man
Corky_O
Join Date 04/2004
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Reply #3 July 26, 2005 3:45:48 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
The people I know who do not have an interest in customization fall into two categories:

1 - users who do not use the computer enough to want a change in the look of the GUI

2 - system administrators who are more interested in working with command prompts, network directories (Active directory, Domains, Forests, etc.), and desktop support where simple is better (from a troubleshooting viewpoint) - most of these guys see enough of computers for 8 - 10 hours a day working to maintain systems not belonging to themselves.

I think customizers generally have an interest in either producing GUI art themselves, or at least have a true appreciation for artistic GUI creations and their applications.
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Stupendous Man
kona0197
Join Date 02/2003
+86
Reply #4 July 26, 2005 3:51:51 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Speaking of DavidK I need to call him - see what he is up to.
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Stupendous Man
Bichur
Join Date 10/2003
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Reply #5 July 26, 2005 4:43:04 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Speaking of DavidK I need to call him - see what he is up to.


When you do, see if we might be treated to another skin. I use Alien Technology quite often.
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Stupendous Man
Sleeping Dragon
Join Date 03/2004
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Reply #6 July 26, 2005 4:43:54 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I think that those not interested are aliens. Period.
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Stupendous Man
Stupendous Man
Join Date 12/2002
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Reply #7 July 26, 2005 4:59:12 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
imagination
example:
some people read a scifi and go "you know that would be possible except..." and then they try to figure it out.
other people read a scifi an go "alien space mutants! cool!"


You know, I think that may be a big part of it. I also love sci fi, and computers are one of the major themes of science fiction. One of my favorite stories is "The Two Faces of Tommorow" by James P. Hogan (if you're into stories about A.I. I suggest you give it a read).

Customization, especially DX themes, allow themers to imagine what the computer of the future could be; which may explain the popularity of alternative OS themes like LCARS.

We look at a computer and imagine the future despite the Windows underpinings.

Maybe we're also--at least a little--nonconformist. Why settle for ho-hum when you can get yo-wow!

I have to say it saddens me for the ones who're missing out.
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Stupendous Man
Stupendous Man
Join Date 12/2002
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Reply #8 July 26, 2005 5:08:53 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I think that those not interested are aliens. Period.


Well then we must taken to our leader. Has anyone seen Brad?
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Stupendous Man
Koasati
Join Date 07/2001
+21
Reply #9 July 26, 2005 6:21:10 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I get the same reaction...... I don't know anyone that doesn't think I'm nutz for spending so much time with skinning. They don't get it. I think they may the ones who are nutz.
But me...... from the moment I first sat down in front of my first computer, I thought "why does this have to be so ugly?" When I discovered skinning, I was instantly hooked.
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Stupendous Man
Jafo
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #10 July 26, 2005 6:33:15 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Yes...it's all because Wizop Koasati is nuts....
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Stupendous Man
Fuzzy Logic
Join Date 05/2002
+493
Reply #11 July 26, 2005 6:36:40 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

I bought my first pc in early May 1999... weeks later I had an early version of WB running on it. My logitec mouse caused the darned thing to blue screen every five minutes, but I was still hooked.

Those were the days. There was such a newness and fascination for the whole thing. I remember how excited I got when WB added support for scroll bars...

I cannot understand anyone who isn't interested. My IT collegue at work thinks skinning is 'sad'. But then as an A/S400 guy, anything beyond a black screen with green text is probably a bit much for him...

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Stupendous Man
Jafo
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #12 July 26, 2005 7:36:20 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

anything beyond a black screen with green text is probably a bit much for him...

I used to 'skin' my command prompt in Dos.....now THAT'S 'sad'....

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Stupendous Man
CerebroJD
Join Date 01/2003
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Reply #13 July 26, 2005 7:51:01 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I met someone the other day who had actually heard of DesktopX... it was spooky... our conversation just kinda ended. Normally I have to explain it all....
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Stupendous Man
Bichur
Join Date 10/2003
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Reply #14 July 26, 2005 8:00:44 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I met someone the other day who had actually heard of DesktopX... it was spooky... our conversation just kinda ended.
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Stupendous Man
starkers
Join Date 05/2004
+1153
Reply #15 July 26, 2005 8:53:30 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
My first puter experience was a bit over 2 years ago....the MS walls were sad so I began with changing them...switching to 'classic style to change the colour scheme from the sad XP Blue.

Then I discovered Desktop Architect to change icons, cursors and more....but it still wasn't enough. Wouldn't apply the startup and logons in XP. I needed more!

StyleXP was the next step...but what was the point of it when applying alternative boot screens messed up my system. More, more, more....without hacking my rig.

Enter Objectdesktop and Wincustomize....finally, the tools to satisfy my addiction....the tools, also, to draw criticism from other PC users among family and friends: "wot u want that rubbish for?" In one ear and out the other, and I continue on my merry way....oblivious to the nuts who criticise and don't or won't experiment with GUI customisation.

I'm nuts....don't think so! Who in their right mind wants the sad XP blues Not I.
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Stupendous Man
craeonics
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #16 July 27, 2005 2:31:11 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I think Mr. Troll is spot on. Imagination is key. Non-conformism not quite so, since a lot of people are into OS skins. Perhaps also being willing to spend some time tweaking things. The majority of computer users don't even change their background.
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Stupendous Man
NightTrainthedark
Join Date 07/2003
+255
Reply #17 July 27, 2005 6:30:53 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
The majority of computer users don't even change their background


Alot of people I know only have a different wallpaper because their kids changed it for them. Otherwise it would be bliss all the way.
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Stupendous Man
starkers
Join Date 05/2004
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Reply #18 July 27, 2005 10:46:47 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
"bliss"......far from it....2 days of that WP had me climbing the walls and on the net searching for something more aesthetically pleasing. Another day of "bliss" and I'd have been doing a Spiderman on the ceiling, ha, ha.

What makes us different? Well we're not thick skinned (thus requiring more skins to compensate ) and are prepared to travel outside normal desktop boundaries to be individuals. It's near on a sure bet that no two OD/WC users have identical desktops, but it's not about non-conformity or rebellion, rather it's to please ones personal tastes.
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Stupendous Man
Chasbo
Join Date 01/2005
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Reply #19 July 27, 2005 11:24:39 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
None of my pals or my wife give a hoot in hell about desktop customization. My wife thinks I'm an addict and a bit insane. I opened the topic of addiction. My buddies say it's cool but then change the subject. My kids get into it more so but even they are not as crazed about it as I.

It is an art but I am not an artist and I the love art so I collect the art and display it on my desktop. My collection is growing very large. I can't stop nor do I want to stop.
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Stupendous Man
Stupendous Man
Join Date 12/2002
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Reply #20 July 27, 2005 11:33:30 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Ah ha! proof that there are parallel universes with versions of ourselves. Starkers is the exact duplicate of myself.

I followed that same exact path, except I started out on Win95. Once I found out I could change the color of that horrible desktop it was all over, the fat lady began to sing.
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Stupendous Man
Stupendous Man
Join Date 12/2002
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Reply #21 July 27, 2005 11:45:16 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
When I mention non-conformity, I refer more to a desire to have something beyond the status quo. I think--and I could be wrong--that customizers, skinners, and tweakers are all trying to find something pleasing that is also a little different. People in genral want to express a sense of individuality which is as Brad has mentioned in the past people choose different colors for cell phones, cars, and other things.

When I showed my wife all the cool things that I had found and she said, "Oh, that's nice." I wasn't surprised at all, because she sees the computer as a tool for an intended purpose and then you shut it off. I was just stunned that my buddy Ruben who is so into computers wasn't excited about this aspect of computing. Guess he just ain't got what it takes.
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Stupendous Man
Shotgun989
Join Date 12/2003
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Reply #22 July 31, 2005 2:25:39 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I am fundamentally an organized person. When I see a clean skin with sharp lines, good color, and good design, I download it. I think that skinning is an expression of personality. Below are a list of my favorite WB skins. Consider it a biography of sorts.

X-FHL by J.J. Ying
Royal Inspirat SE by Stefanka
iBar 4 Brushed iTunes theme by Dartbra (painfull visual image)
BBX Mercury X by Ian Black
System 5 by Andy Morum
Vector Cell by Ross Harvey
Thunderstorm by Pixtudio
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