Open source alternative to WindowBlinds

from WinCustomize Forums
I am looking for an opensource project that does what WindowBlinds does. A site with info on how to create something like that would be great as well. I don't want to compete with WindowBlinds, I just want to write the code myself and I really don't want to pay $20 for just WindowBlinds. I am a pretty poor student... Personal goal: emulate KDE on my Windows 98SE machine but maintain all the functionality and control of the explorer.exe GUI. I am currently using an unregistered version of WindowBlinds with the KDE_silver theme. I have tried a few other "full replacement" projects but I just want to change a few minor things (just like WindowBlinds does). I have lots of programming experience just not in this area.

Thanks in advance.
9,058 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There is an open source program called Illumination. It doesn't do all of what WindowBlinds does but it does paint the title bars.

Though, you do realize that it took years and years of work to create WindowBlinds. If your time is worth only $10 per year, please email me your resume. We're always on the look out for people willing to work for virtually nothing.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I understand the effort that goes into good software. I am the author of a game add-on called "AFTM" and it has taken nearly 2 years of effort to get it to the point it is. You may be right though about it not being worth my effort to simulate WindowBlinds. Who knows. I would love to just take the code of KDE and have it run as my shell but unfortunatly the world is not so easy.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Illumination is here: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Park/6797/illumination.html

And there was also an attempted port of Enlightenment to NT, called E-Sense: http://ronography.com/?display=Stuff%2FWindows%20replacement%20shells%2Fe-sense_logo.JPG
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nothing wrong with wanting to code. I'm just pointing out that your post sounds as if you would like to write your own to save $20.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bryce: check your mail...
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have been using a winamp skin called "The Silence" for quite some times now and really enjoy it. It is mainly black and dark green, sort of a dark forrest/moss kind of motif. I wondered if there was anything similar in a window blinds skin.

Pic of The Silence at http://www.people.virginia.edu/~sah3b/pics/silence.jpg
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Saving the $20 is part of it but mostly I want to know how it works and how to do it. I was using a Mac-ish theme on WindowBlinds to freak out my programmer friends by putting it on my computer and then inviting them over to look at something. I would then just start using my computer as normal, opening up all sorts of "Windows only" applications while they stare at the screen transfixed... I want to be able to say to them (after giving up on the joke), "this is how it is done" and then show them the code.

On a side note: what features of WindowBlinds are disabled after the 30 day trial period?

Sam Hunter: Nice skin.