Preserved Topic: Linux / X-windows

In response to 2winspapa i thought i would display some of my work in creating linux desktops. When most people think of interface, they think of web pages or programs. Since most windows and macintosh users already have a set look for how their desktop runs, they don't need to do anything like this - however for us Linux people, its slightly diffrent. You can use a pre-made look for your desktop.. or you can create something new and exciting... here are some exampls of the desktops i have created/used over time<P><a href=http://wintermoon.mintprimary.com/twilight2.jpg><img src="http://wintermoon.mintprimary.com/twilight_small.jpg"></a><P>This is an old desktop.. run under a "desktop" called Enlightenment.. shows off Electric Eyes (a graphics viewing program) and a see through terminal running BitchX (irc) and a terminal with a background.<P>The next one i did shortly after:
<a href="http://wintermoon.mintprimary.com/suporE.jpg"><img src="http://wintermoon.mintprimary.com/small.jpg"></a> This is the one i showed in the forum before.. shows off GIMP (GNU image manipulation program) starting up.. gonna work on some of the eletric eye's thumb nails in the window in the upper left. <P>Honestly.. i don't know where all my screen shots went.. but if people like em.. i have hundreds more following diffrent styles and looks.. check out :<P><a href="e.themes.org">Enlightenment Themes</a> for some premade themes for Enlightenment.. X-windows theme manager

Is it possible to skin windows?<P> <IMG SRC="http://members.dencity.com/ForceCommander/lilsiggy2.jpg">

In X-windows.. Everything is "skinable" since there is no default. All X does is give you a base to launch applications from. You have to design all teh buttons borders etc. if you want menus you have to program them and then create graphics for them. <P>very fun system
-J

So im SOL cause I have Win98 version 2 eh?<P> <IMG SRC="http://members.dencity.com/ForceCommander/lilsiggy2.jpg">

Your SOL not because you have windows 98.. but because you run a MS os instead of Linux... the only alternative i can offer you is a project called <a href=www.litestep.net>LiteStep</a> which is a windows shell replacement to make windows 98, 2000, and NT a bit more perty. <P>here is my Litestep desktop (windows 98):
<a href=http://wintermoon.mintprimary.com/snap1.jpg><img src=http://wintermoon.mintprimary.com/snap1s.jpg></a><P>It closely moddles the X windows manager <a href=www.afterstep.org>AfterStep</a> which was a deritive of NeXtStep.. (after/next.. yea you see..) it was also one of the first window managers for X. <P>-faylix

You can skin Win9x, all you need is a window skinner like Window Blinds, you can find it at http://www.stardock.com . <P>

K so I can skin it but what is the risk factor of someone like me not knowning a thing on how to do it screwing up windows?<P> <IMG SRC="http://members.dencity.com/ForceCommander/lilsiggy2.jpg">

You won't screw up Win9x with Window Blinds. Tho Win9x may choke on some skinz improperly made, if that happens unload the skin. I've had some great fun with the skinz. And should you need more skinz than what comes with Window Blinds you can find over 10,000 skinz at http://www.skinz.org <P>
<p>[This message has been edited by F1_error (edited 29-05-2000).]

But can i make my own skins and use Window Blinds to put them on?<P> <IMG SRC="http://members.dencity.com/ForceCommander/lilsiggy2.jpg">

Yes you can. It is a _very_ involved process however. <P>

Froma scale 1 - 10 how hard is just installing and using the normal skins?<P>From a scale 1 - 10 how hard is it to make your own skin?<P> <IMG SRC="http://members.dencity.com/ForceCommander/lilsiggy2.jpg">

Litestep is about a 2 (1 being easiest) to install a skin. To make you own is about an 8 (To much work for me ever to do). Afterstep (for linux) is about the same.<P>The only problem is having to change the files, sometimes you get a bad skin, and it screws some stuff up. Its not hard to implement that skin, but the effects can be hard to reverse.<P> - Dan -

Installation would be 1, it's a Windows no-brainer.
Making and de-bugging your own skin would be 5-10 depending on how feature rich you wanted your skin to be. To reverse the effects of a bad Window Blind skin, unload the skin, if you have left over problems, restart Windows. Window Blinds does nothing permanant to your system, it just makes things look pretty.<P>