Wincustomize.exe!

from WinCustomize Forums
One of the things we're working on is an actual website browsing program which we're calling WinCustomize.

The program will do more than just browse this site though, it will let you directly apply a skin. So if you're on and you like the wallpaper or WindowBlinds skin or DesktopX object or WinAmp skin or whatever, you can just click on Apply and it'll download and apply that skin automatically.

We're writing it as a way to try to help support the site. It'll let you do everything that you can from the browser and eventually allow you to do even more (such as access additional statistics and other things that would require a lot of bandwidth to do via a web page but not much bandwidth when done by a program).

The program will be $14.95 when it's completed.

Here's a link to a screenshot:

http://pooh.stardock.com/wincustomize.jpg

We expect it to become available next month on the store.
12,514 views 22 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Cool!

This is a lot like the skinz browser thirty4i made except it loads the skin right from the site. Nifty
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sounds like fun...
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So it's not going to be on ODN at all?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Doubt it, ODN is owned by Stardock, and though Wincustomize is funded at least in part by Stardock, I think that Frogboy means that the proceeds will go towards this site, which is not technically owned by Stardock, at least insofar as I understand.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The program isn't part of Object Desktop but is specific to this site. It's kind of like that Skins4All program except it uses your existing software to do the skinning.

It's somewhat different from the skinz.org browser in that it largely relied on IE controls for its stuff whereas this site is sending out specific codes to the program so that it's less "webby" (hard to explain).
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
always great to see new things
looking forward to seeing it!
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Doh! The link doesn'work

What would be grand, I believe, would be to integrate some sort of chatting functions in it.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Let's hope that unlike the Skinz browser, it allows you to post messages and comments. I stopped using that browser because of limitations like that. If I still have to use my regular browser for some tasks, I doubt if I'll be buying this new one. Otherwise, it looks like it might be a good investment.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WinCustomize.exe will let you do everything you can do on the website and more. Posting and responding will be EASIER with it because it'll be so much faster.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sounds great, Frogboy. If it's as good as it sounds, you can count me in.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
16,44 euros? no, thanks. It seems nice and practic, but i'm poor, very poor, a simple worker.... i'm purchased the object desktop, yes, but for this program no!!
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes, I wish it'd be part of OD.
As it is, I'll unfortunatly will have to pass.

Just a remark here, and please do take it lightly, this is just a remark, and nothing more: wouldn't it be cheaper for Wincusto to distribute it for free if it contributes greatly in reducing the bandwidth usage? Shouldn't Wincusto aim at having a maximum of people using it? Anyway, just a thought.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Don't believe him, that Quebecan just wants to start another flame! /me waits for the fire to start
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It probably won't reduce bandwidth because it makes getting to skins easier. Afterall, it's downloading of stuff that uses up the bandwidth.

If this site is to continue with the bandwidth currently reserved for it, then it's going to have to pay. Stardock will meet it half way ($5k of the $10k this site costs per month) but the other $5k needs to be made up by the site. The skin browser is one such way of giving users a way to help the site while getting something cool in return.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There is no doubt that if I was to purchase anything to encourage this site, it would definately be this software, not T-shirt, hats or mugs.
Is there going to be a demo or a trial version? Just to get a taste of it before actually purchasing it? The more I think about it, the more I think I might buy it after all...
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yea. In fact, Paxx, I think you might be the guy who would have some good ideas on what would be in the shareware one.

I was thinking maybe only having the newest editions available from the shareware one.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hum... Don't know about that. It would be nice to let people really feel what the software can do. Maybe a limited time stamp (15 or 30 days), or a limited number of times the software can be ran (20 times)? It would be nice to see how the software works when browsing for skins, doing a search, etc. Unless you limit the number of downloads one can do with the software? After 20 downloads, you're prompted to buy the product?
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Problem with that is that you can get cracks on it. Will have to think about that though.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes, I thought about the crack issue, but I believe that if a crack can't be made, warez junkies will just post the whole app. So, in the end, the result is the same...
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's definitely not the same. Trust me on that, 2 years of enhanced versions of WindowBlinds experience tells me that.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OK, I'll take your word for it.
But I've seen WB 2.2 enhanced and DX 1.0 enhanced in a few places. But I'm sure you've seen them yourself too.