<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[BigDogBigFeet.wincustomize.com]]></title><link>http://BigDogBigFeet.wincustomize.com/</link><description>Download free Skins for ICQ and WinAmp, Windows desktop themes, WindowBlinds, DesktopX and More!</description><language>en-us</language><pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:26:32 -0500</pubDate><lastBuildDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:26:32 -0500</lastBuildDate><generator>Carbon RSS Manager http://www.shellscape.org/</generator><managingEditor></managingEditor><webMaster>pford@stardock.com</webMaster><item><title><![CDATA[Bill Gates Last Day Tribute]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=173905</link> <description><![CDATA[Ran across this.  Has a few good chuckles. :LOL:??]]></description> <pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:11:29 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=173905</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">95c2a5a8-3f6d-4642-8792-6398678a910b</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Premium Content]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=152408</link> <description><![CDATA[I thought I would put this out for discussion.  Much has been said regarding premium content especially since Master Skins were made available.  The reasons cited were (as I recall) along the lines of  1) expanded availability of quality content 2) competition among skinners to produce very high quality content 3) more improvements in WinCustomize 4) more skinners and better retention of skinners.  So, is this being attained?




I am definitely a self oriented person.  I don't mind paying for some stuff, if I feel I need it or if I feel it's something I want.  Along those lines then since skins are something I sometimes want, the purchase decision for me is, basically,  am I getting enough for my money? 


 

Based on my experiences so far I believe I am getting good value in my purchases.  To that end, I've lately put together some screen shots showing how by mixing free and premium content, you can have excellent looking desktops for your own personal use as well as obtaining the satisfaction of doing some customizing of your own with Object Desktop.




The contrary points of view seem to be of the form first, they were always free before and second, the Master level skinners won't have any incentive to produce free content.  It is my contention, since most people I know are also self oriented, the more successful premium content is the more the whole community and I will benefit.
 

 

How can this be?  The answer is I have been getting higher quality content since skinners are now being compensated for their hard work, as they experience success at it, the more effort they will put into their work.  I as a self oriented person benefit directly from this.  In fact it is this very self oriented nature of the activity that ensures plenty of high quality content and a real possibility of continued improvements for the whole community.  As far as I can see it, I can't find any genuine downside to premium content other than the grumbling that occasionally occurs because it's new.




Whether or not all of the above mentioned four points are being achieved I think it's still too early to know.  I do know I like what I see so far.  So, what's your experience been?
]]></description> <pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2007 01:59:27 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=152408</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">dc4480b6-4abb-4fce-ab00-90acbd961830</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Icon Developer & Icon Packager]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=126712</link> <description><![CDATA[I'm trying out recoloring an Icon Package for my own personal use and will also probably include in a screenshot.  But, although I have successfully recolored the icons, I can't seem to figure out how to complete the task.  The large Icon Library is in the folder, but the folder is missing an IconPackager Theme file. I'm probably missing a needed step somwhere.  I used the Batch Processing capacity of Icon Developer to do the recoloring.  What else do I need to do?  Thanks for your assistance.]]></description> <pubDate>Sun, 13 Aug 2006 04:34:08 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=126712</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">9111d736-9c1e-4d2e-8963-2fa31363befd</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Thanks Everyone!]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=125570</link> <description><![CDATA[Just wanted to says thanks to everyone.  Really liking everything.  OD Launchpad has made it easy to explore OD 2007, way to go!      I will try to post my screenshot for August later when your WEB Lines have a chance to cool off. Yes its been a  summer.  And, to all the artists THANKS!!!!  I could not possibly put one of each of my favorites on my Desktop at the same time because of the great abundance of outstanding work that you guys have made available.                        And, to all those strange naysayers who overlook so much excellence to complain of some itsy bitsy tiny little nit, I say pfft!  I'm having a great time with Object Desktop 2007!    So just in case anyone thinks I've left them out THANK YOU ALL]]></description> <pubDate>Wed, 02 Aug 2006 01:14:12 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=125570</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">650a36f6-d7c8-4ae1-bd5b-ac60e67fe439</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Where can I find.....?]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=124675</link> <description><![CDATA[..... All those cool smileys.  I mean the extra ones that animate.????]]></description> <pubDate>Sun, 23 Jul 2006 01:53:13 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=124675</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">b3f61791-0f81-440c-af29-0c404dcd5164</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Anyone have any ideas for this.]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=124588</link> <description><![CDATA[I will try to give a brief background.  I have an HP Pavillion Media Center PC.  Overall its been pretty good.  It came with a 60 day trial of MS Office 2003.  And what an ordeal its been.  First of all its a home PC and my use of any Office 2003 products here at home just isn't there.  So, for along time I would decline starting the 60 day trial.  It would periodically insist on trying to start anyway.  In other words in doesn't ask it insists.  If I try to set the default document processor I can't, it just gets reset to MS Word.  MS Outlook doesn't work properly on my machine, so I refuse to use it.  MS Outlook Express does and I try to use it.  However, MS Outlook keeps changing whatever I choose for my default E-mail program back to itself.  Again this hateful MS software doesn't ask, it just insists that I use it.  And, since it doesn't work (all attempts to use MS Outlook bombout can't send email can't retrieve mail, etc., the experience is rapidly becoming one of I want to irradicate Office 2003 from my machine.  There is no way I know of to contact Microsoft about this problem since all support must be paid for.  Even complaints about what I consider to be clearly monopolistic practices on their part, they are not intersted in.  And knowing the Bush Justice Department, they don't care either.  So anyway is there a good replacement for Office 2003 especially, free or reasonably priced, and supported?  And who should I complain to regarding the many blatant resets of my default settings in Windows XP pro back to Microsoft products?]]></description> <pubDate>Sat, 22 Jul 2006 01:16:58 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=124588</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">38201a5b-407c-46b9-ab44-432f73c7f9f7</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[A little request]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=124495</link> <description><![CDATA[Hi all,  I'm not able to use graphics software well.  I only have a novice understanding of things like VB script and no possiblity of creating a blind.  But, I appreciate having been involved in things around here and would like to ask: Would someone be willing to make me an Avatar? ????]]></description> <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:14:57 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=124495</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">36bfdb57-97b3-4b41-9a1e-25eca64c35c3</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[DX]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=124024</link> <description><![CDATA[Having a little problem with VB script.  I've checked two sources fo VB script samples and no luck (including MS VB script reference) The code is:

("Sub Object_OnScriptEnter  
Set filesys = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set drv = filesys.GetDrive("C:")
Set MyDrivestate = drv.IsReady
Object.SetTimer 12345, 500
End Sub
Sub Object_OnTimer12345
  If MyDrivestate Then
     Object.State = "Ready"
  Else
     Object.State = "Busy"
  End If
End Sub
'Called when the script is terminated
Sub Object_OnScriptExit
Object.KillTimer 12345
End Sub")

This bombs on line 4 where I attempt to Set MyDriveState it doesn't treat drv as an object.  Trying to reference drv with DesktopX.Object("drv").IsReady doesn't work comes back invalid as does DesktopX.ScriptObject("drv").IsReady.  So it seems the Drive object in VB script isn't working for me or I don't know DesktopX's syntax for this.  Anyone know a solution for this?]]></description> <pubDate>Sun, 16 Jul 2006 17:15:19 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=124024</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">98896228-813a-42e8-8d00-66c003b4125a</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[You're not gonna believe this.]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=123285</link> <description><![CDATA[I quote "WindowBlinds is the first utility of its kind. It extends Windows XP to have a fully skinnable user including the taskbar and explorer shellstyles. You can change the style of title bars, buttons, toolbars and much more. It gives you total control over your graphical user interface. Includes support for per-pixel alpha-blended skinning on Windows XP and 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit).

Obviously Stardock has been readin Bill Gates' latest book "How I made Microsoft Into the Company It Is Today".  Looks like they really interfaced on this one.  I've been wondering why I'm always missing a couple extra bucks each month.  Could this be a clue?  Hmmm.  Besides when I left for work this am I thought sure I was wearing olive slacks with a brass colored shirt and when I arrived I had on navy slacks with a gray shirt, and when I got home I didn't even have a shirt on my back and almost got arrested for indecency.  Gee thx Stardock.????]]></description> <pubDate>Thu, 13 Jul 2006 00:06:00 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=123285</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">de34d02c-e8af-42e7-9d9a-ec2abeb68277</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Need Help WB 5 Broken]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=123036</link> <description><![CDATA[My WB5 skins no longer load.  I downloaded Theme Manager 2.29[b].010 and WindowBlinds began acting strangely.  My Kali WB reverted back to XP.  I corrected it last night (reloaded Kali) and then shut-down.  Now this morning none of my Blinds will load.  What do I do?]]></description> <pubDate>Mon, 10 Jul 2006 10:18:03 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=123036</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">8f3c4b84-5b6c-47ec-95c7-0a36dc5bc40e</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Script for changing fontsize]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=122864</link> <description><![CDATA[Hi all, I've checked all available documentation and I can't find the correct syntax for changing the FontSize.  I've tried Object.FontSize = 14 and Object.FontSize = "14". Alas, both are rejected.  I have documentation on DX Scripting, but FontSize isn't contained there.  Any ideas anyone?]]></description> <pubDate>Sat, 08 Jul 2006 06:07:01 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=122864</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">bf332717-2246-4440-8904-acb964bdff8c</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Can't download any of the documentation]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=122411</link> <description><![CDATA[Hi,

I need help I'm trying to download the supporting documentation for DesktopX in particular scripting and everytime I try my Internet Explorer has to close.  I've never had trouble downloading before.  I have purchased Object Desktop, Object Dock Plus, a WinCustomize Subscription,  Galactic Civiliztions II, some premium Fonts and Blinds, so... how about some help with this?]]></description> <pubDate>Mon, 03 Jul 2006 03:51:41 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=122411</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">f9dc2e23-48bc-4f2b-829c-b3b6b740270f</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Need a little more script help]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=122387</link> <description><![CDATA[Made a good deal of progress on my first widget. Things are looking a good deal better, but can't seem to find how to solve a couple of problems. I generally understand programming, I'm running into problems especially with Syntax. I tried looking at Microsoft's website for VB script info, but for some reason DesktopX doesn't like the syntax I'm using. I'm trying to implement a Do .. While loop. Can anyone show me an example of one? I also will want to write an ASCII text file save as script. Ideally the user should be allowed to press a button and a save as file dialogue box would appear. Are there any examples of that syntax? Finally, the ActiveX DesktopX Edit Control I'm using falls short especially in one key area - selecting font size and type. The only way I have found to use this edit control is with the default font Arial and 8 pt. type size which is too small. I've tried setting the default in the properties dialogue box displayed when the edit control is selected from the script editor, but any changes made are rejected - except for the multiline option- that one works. Any ideas on how to solve that? Anyway keep up the good work. So far DesktopX is proving to be an excellent product. 

]]></description> <pubDate>Sun, 02 Jul 2006 22:11:51 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=122387</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">517806c0-5124-4d10-9966-4c4c34374c26</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Need a little more help with script]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=122386</link> <description><![CDATA[Made a good deal of progress on my first widget.  Things are looking a good deal better, but can't seem to find how to solve a couple of problems.  I generally understand programming, I'm running into problems especially with Syntax.  I tried looking at Microsoft's website for VB script info, but for some reason DesktopX doesn't like the syntax I'm using.  I'm trying to implement a Do .. While loop.  Can anyone show me an example of one?  I also will want to write an ASCII text file save as script.  Ideally the user should be allowed to press a button and a save as file dialogue box would appear.  Are there any examples of that syntax?  Finally, the ActiveX DesktopX Edit Control I'm using falls short especially in one key area - selecting font size and type.  The only way I have found to use this edit control is with the default font Arial and 8 pt. type size which is too small.  I've tried setting the default in the properties dialogue box displayed when the edit control is selected from the script editor, but any changes made are rejected - except for the multiline option- that one works.  Any ideas on how to solve that?  Anyway keep up the good work.  So far DesktopX is proving to be an excellent product.]]></description> <pubDate>Sun, 02 Jul 2006 21:56:15 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=122386</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">ede49434-1594-46aa-9dfd-6a0c256dcb82</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Script Help]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=121855</link> <description><![CDATA[So anyway here goes.  I have the following script in my launch button for an ActiveX object that functions as a basic note editor:

Dim IsVisible
Dim IsState
Sub Object_OnScriptEnter
IsVisible = False
End Sub

Sub Object_OnStateChange(state)
  IsState = state
  If IsState = "Mouse Down" Then (this needs to be "Mouse down") thx rabidrobot
     If IsVisible Then
       DesktopX.Object("PadText").Text = DesktopX.ScriptObject("TextEditor").Control.Text
       IsVisible = False
       Else
       DesktopX.ScriptObject("TextEditor").Control.Text = DesktopX.Object("PadText").Text
       IsVisible = True
     End If
  End If   
End Sub
 
'Called when the script is terminated
Sub Object_OnScriptExit
IsVisible = False
End Sub

My intention behind this VB script is to pass text between these 2 objects. It doesn't work. The only way I have found to even have anything functional with this ActiveX object (it's a DesktopX Edit Control) is with this script:

Sub Control_OnKeyPress(Key)
 DesktopX.Object("PadText").text = Control.text
End Sub

This of course is from within the ActiveX control object and only works one-way.  I simply can't find any conceivable way to put text into the edit control for editing.  Anyone have any ideas?  I am new to VB scripting and it's been slow and painful to learn.  Is there anyway to test if the ActiveX object is visible?  If so, how?  How can you pass text to an ActiveX edit control?
]]></description> <pubDate>Tue, 27 Jun 2006 02:27:55 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=121855</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">ed5cbcab-0834-481c-883e-95fc23e41c7e</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[DesktopX Script Assistance]]></title><link>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=121130</link> <description><![CDATA[Oh well, never thought I would be trying scripting like I am, but I might get this yet.  Anyway I was following the example in DesktopX 3.2 article when I discovered I don't know how to pass the text from the ActiveX control (DesktopX Edit Control) to my text field that sits as a layer on top of my graphic image.  I've tried DesktopX.Object("Mytextfield").text = DesktopX.Object("MyDesktopXEditControl").text, but that passes control codes and no usable text.  I've also tried testing the key code with If szKey > 31 Then If szKey < 128 before passing the text to my object, but then nothing passes.  So, any of you DesktopX script guys and gals know how to do this?  I can work with simple programming tasks, so I will need some specific instructions on this one.  Or, where to look for VB script examples, tutorials etc.]]></description> <pubDate>Mon, 19 Jun 2006 01:47:09 -0500</pubDate><comments>http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=121130</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">0a1a6174-4c34-4c91-b639-cfbe4beebdfb</guid></item></channel></rss>