With election day this, polling that, political spin all over, here's a little something to help you relax: desktop customization.
As many of you know, Draginol is a major force in the Windows OS customization world. His company, Stardock, makes several top notch programs that allow you to change your desktop to suite your needs. Here's a little guide to help get you started.
Here's a sample:
Click for full screen preview
The dark 'skin' over Windows is created using either Windowblinds or msstyles. There are literally thousands of skins that can be applied to the Windows interface.
*Longhorn Slate 4.3 Windowblind skin by Stardock https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=1&SkinID=3665
OR
* Longhorn Slate msstyle by Kol http://www.studiotwentyeight.net/index2.htm
The Explorer menu icons are changed using Yz Toolbar.
*Aero Yz Toolbar Theme (beta) http://www.aero-soft.com/board/index.php?showtopic=7&hl=
The transparent Windows are specialty applications with transparent skins over them. This transparent look is taken from previews of Microsofts next OS, Longhorn.
*Ave Iconbook (Stefankas Longhorn skin)
http://www.aqua-soft.org/board/index.php?showtopic=20389
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/10155800/ (same skin works)
*Ave Text (Stefankas Longhorn skin)
http://www.aqua-soft.org/board/index.php?showtopic=20389
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/10155800/ (same skin works)
The wonderful widgets that make the desktop USEFUL. Weather, political meters, grammer tools and FTP access are all at your fingertips using either DesktopX or AveDesk.
*AveDesk 1.1 (Aero Glass suite)
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/10295474/
http://www.aqua-soft.org/board/index.php?showtopic=19494
*DesktopX Lionhead Fish animated object (yes, the fish swims swims) http://www.toucan.co.jp/indexE.html
*DesktopX Core weather https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=29
*DesktopX Political Meter https://www.wincustomize.com/
*DesktopX Thesauras/ Spelling Search https://www.wincustomize.com/
And finally, the dock. Shown as a glass bar at the bottom of my screen, the dock allows you to launch applications with ease, track your open windows, and has a variety of plug ins from calanders to music remotes.
*Object Dock+ https://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/
I hope this helps get you started in the right direction. If you have questions trying to get any of this up and running just reply here and I'll help you out. Have fun!