Why Bother?

I've played around with various skinning soolt in both Windows and Mac (8.x, 9.x and X.x) and have had less than satisfying results. The only change I've left in place is a Kaleidascope skin on Mac OS 9.x that is purely cosmetic (and barely remembered since I haven't booted into 9 in months).

Things like WindowBlinds just seem to bog my work PC down without adding any useful, stable functionality. Duality has some OK skins for Mac OS X, but in the end they're not as nice as Aqua.

I have tried various tweaks and utilities to expand the functionality of the Windows and Mac GUIs but nothing that changes the GUI as a whole. What it boils down to for me is this: If you don't like the way Windows works but like the way Macs work, then use a Mac. If you hate Aqua but like with way Windows XP works, then use Windows XP. I mean, why spend all this time and effort trying to get your computer to look and act like another existing system when you can just go out and get that system? (OK, cost may be a factor, but I'm sure you can "find" the programs you need immediately and then buy them slowly to get yourself legit.)

Maybe people have had better luck with WB, StarDock, or other things than I have. I would love to hear why you want to change the look and feel of your OS but not the OS itself.

#3728

well you are partly correct, IMO. It is a fact that 100 percent mac emulation cannot be achieved. And most of the times, productivity suffers. But recently, (especially for XP), there have been numerous new programs and tweaks that can bring us closer to the mac look. What about the mac experience? In my opinion, it cannot be achieved. I finally realized that a while ago, and had to accept the fact. So I am planning to get myself an iBook.

But is it a waste of time? I don't think so. Sure, you can't achieve the mac experience, but I for one happen to like its visual appeal, and simply want it on my pc too. Now you tell me, is that too much to ask for?

#3738

Whenever someone asks this question I kinda groan. I mean if you don't like it no one is forcing you do download anything related to it.

But anyway.. I enjoy emulation in all it's forms on the computer. You have to realize though as with anything artistic you can't do a 100% copy of the original artists work. That's what makes them unique there are always differences.

Whenever you change your UI to something else there will always be little things here and there that show that you are using a different system. But that's not the point for me. For me it is fun to use themes that where made for other systems\OS' and doing a good job that someone who uses the real thing confuses my screenshot for the real thing. Which has happened to me several times these past few years.

And the developers of our customisation software do improve their products which as a nice side effect lets us come closer to emulating another platform.

Previously I was doing ports from *nix. And I got these same sorta things from them. I've always hated that attitude... "You lamer.. get the real thing".

Also you have to realize that just because one likes their ported themes they might not like how themes etc. function on the "real thing". I was informed by a Mac friend that themes on OSX overwrite aqua and you have to use a restorer to get it back. I don't like that.. I like how on XP it's safe to change your theme it doesn't overwrite the default. But I don't go around telling that to anyone who is thinking of getting a Mac. More power to them if they want to get another system.

I think it is a bit immature to go around thinking that someones "cure" for using ported themes is to get the "real thing". Cause for some people like me emulation is a hobby.. and right now mac style happens

to be my flavor of the moment.

And that's another reason why I like customisation software on the PC. Because no matter what interface you have in mind.. you can approximate it with the right software. And I get a kick when as time passes I can add things or find ways to fix my current things to make that little difference that makes it closer to the "real thing".

There happens to be ways to run your PC that I particularly don't care for... but you don't see me getting in their faces telling them to switch to what I do like. I think it's best to do that by setting an example. Besides, our themes actually do get people interested in "the real thing". I have a friend who told me he probably wouldn't have been interested in a Mac if it weren't for me.

Besides.. I find that windowblinds *DOES* add functionality as well as looks. But it's all up to the skin maker to implement them. On my skins I usually add a rollup (buttonon the right) and or set always on top function (right click on the titlebar). Cause it's the way *I* want it.

Also the persons choice of themes all boils down to their tastes.. I myself am not crazy over aqua. But I don't mind it.

Just because I'm using a win-pc that doesn't mean I can't customize it the way I want. That's what it's all about.. choice. If you don't like it then don't run your computer that way.

Sorry for the length.. I just had to say something about it.

My next computer will probably be a PC too.. then I can push the frontiers of emulation.. so there! =Þ

#3750

And we'll be looking forward to when you do Smoke From your site, I can tell you are a master at emulating your pc to the way you want to I do admire your work

#3822

Hmm... where to start....

I mean, why spend all this time and effort trying to get your computer to look and act like another existing system when you can just go out and get that system? (OK, cost may be a factor, but I'm sure you can "find" the programs you need immediately and then buy them slowly to get yourself legit.)

Yeah, cost is a factor. Money isn't free.

I've hand built my PC. It consists of a P4 2.53GHz o/c to 2.75GHz, an ATI Radeon 9700 Pro, a Soyo P4X400 Platinum Ultra motherboard, a Swiftech MCX4000 heatsink, a Western Digital 1200JB 120GB 8MB cache hard drive, a set of Klipsche ProMedia 5.1 speakers, a 5 button wireless mouse, a Microsoft Office keyboard, a Pioneer slot loading DVD drive, a TDK 48x CD-RW drive, a 19" Viewsonice P95f+b monitor, a ZIP 250 atapi drive, a 550W Enermax power supply, and an Antec aluminum case sporting 5 fans that keep my processor at a constant 109 degrees F. If you can configure a Mac that will outperform this within even $200, then cost is no longer a factor. The fact is however, you can't.

I've been to apple's site recently to configure a G4. In terms of a display, I was offered only Cinema displays, the first model starting at a cheap $1000. Then, I have the choice of, let's see, 1 type of speaker. iTunes 3 may be God and all, but listening to music through 2 ****ty speakers isn't very fun.

Let's say I sell this PC however and buy a Mac. What about all of my old software? Who is going to replace my PC version of Macromedia Studio that I bought 2 years ago with a Mac compatible version

? Who is going to rewrite the code in all of my games so that they work on my new Mac? No one, that's who.

As for skinning and themes, most of us aren't trying to get more funtionality out of our computers, we are trying to achieve a new, better look with the same funtionality. Skinning and creating themes is an art, even if they are ports. It takes a lot of tweaking and adjustments to get ports to work right on a PC. And to make an original skin is even harder. I plan on creating a Winamp3 skin soon based on iTunes3. It will be a good experience because in the end I will have a skin that I know I created (whether or not it's based off of another), plus I will have learned a good deal of XML in the process to get the skin to funtion properly. I have great respect for those that have created the skins we all love and use and especially the dock programs.

Now for my rant about Apple in general.

I don't hate Apple. I don't see either Windows or Mac being a superior OS. They are two completely different OSes, made to work two completely different ways. If I see another Switch ad I'm going to scream! The people in those ads complaning about the problems they had with pcs. That's great, you people don't deserve to work on a pc anyway.

5 years ago I knew nothing about computers. But my family bought one and I used it, then I bought one and messed with things, then I built my own. I know more about computers know than a lot of tech people do. Because of software and hardware problems I've learned a heck of a lot. I've spent countless hours with tech support not only for me but for friends, and through that I've learned. In fact, I've come across situations where I know a lot more than support does (one HP support technician in particular comes to mind....). Most of the problems people have with computers today comes from total ignorance to technology. People don't understand what is going on, they ask for to much and when

problems happen, they blame Bill Gates. You think Bill Gates wrote the millions of lines of code that form the os you're using? Wrong. When something goes wrong with your Ford Explorer, you don't blame Mr. Ford himself do you? No. Blame it on yourself. Quite expecting everything to work perfectly for you. Don't work on a computer unless you at least have some knowledge of how it works.

A Mac is obviously for the technically challenged. For those people that can't handle two button mice, or 2 cords coming from their monitor, or having to install software for your new digital camera. You poor thing, installing drivers is so difficult. Go play on your new Mac, in a world where you just plug it in and go. I'll tell you what though, if everything works perfectly for the time you own that Mac, at the end of that period, you will still know nothing about your computer, because you haven't had to know anything about it.

Macs use to be the multimedia computer. Why though? Mainly, it's because at the time, graphic design apps and software of the like were really all that was available for macs in a sense. You couldn't just go to BestBuy and buy The Sims, or MusicMatch Jukebox or anything like that for your Mac, and you definitely couldn't go and download it before the time when the internet became mainstream, especially broadband internet.

And then, more than anything, for a company that seems to ooze creativity, your computer seem to all look alike. Take a look at a PC. Almost none of them look alike, unless you go into a Gateway store or HP store or anything like that. For us true computer users, we know how to customize. We add fans, lights, windows, etc. If Mac was to start making cars, they would all look like VW Bugs. Not a single body style would differ. Congrats, Apple, you can fit a whole computer inside the space of a small monitor. That's great, especially if I wanna swap out hardware, or work in high resolutions. Oh wait, I ca

n't, because the case is inaccessible and the monitor is the size of a graphics calculator screen. Those of you that are true Mac devotees must not have home theater systems, because the confusion of cords and the complicated installation would definitely be too much for you too handle. And if you can handle it, quit *****ing about Windows. All of the new Mac cases are very round for a reason, because these are people that need simplicity and square edges are very dangerous. It's not something that they can deal with very well.

You know why viruses always target PCs and not Macs? Because there is nothing useful on most macs to destroy. People hack pcs to obtain information that they want. The information they want is on a PC. Worship your Mac and tell us all how we should worship it too. The day the whole world switches to a Mac will be a bad day for you. Expect Miranda 2, or Klez 2, or someone like that knocking at your door getting ready to totally **** over your system.

I don't hate Apple, or their OS, or the people that use a Mac. I hate the people that use a Mac and hate Windows. I would love to see a commercial about someone switching from a Mac. "Yeah, I switched from Macintosh to Windows. I needed something that I could use for more than chatting on and playing with Photoshop. I needed a computer that I could play GTAIII on in all it's gory detail on my giant 19" monitor with surround sound and deep bass while still achieving insane framerates."

There will always be different OSes with different good and bad points. It's just like everything else in the world. Otherwise we would all be driving vehicles with Lamborghini like speeds, Ferrari like styling, Hummer like spaciousness, Mercedes like luxuriousness and BMW like handling.

I'm sorry that this post is so long, feel free to delete it. I just had to get all of this out of my system.

#3825

You cant make a silk purse...

BOSTON (Reuters) - Not only can you make a silk purse from a sow's ear, but you also can try to sell it for a small fortune when your company hits hard times.

Arthur D. Little, a management consulting company that 81 years ago created two purses out of pigs' ears as part of a publicity stunt, is being forced to auction off one of them to satisfy creditors, The Boston Globe reported on Tuesday.

Kaminski Auctioneers, which will auction the purse, declined to estimate the amount they expect it to fetch. The auction is expected to be held before the end of the year, the newspaper said.

Massachusetts-based Arthur D. Little brought together a group of scientists in 1921 to disprove the saying "You can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear" -- thereby showing that something said to be impossible was, with enough effort and ingenuity, doable.

Having studied the way silkworms spin their threads, the scientists bought 100 pounds (45 kg) of sows' ears from a Chicago meatpacker, which they later reduced to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of glue.

They found a way to turn the glue into threads that could be woven into a silky cloth, which they used to make two 10-inch-long (25-cm-long) purses.

One of the purses wound up in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The other stayed with the company, which plans to sell it at auction because of a cash crunch.

Arthur D. Little filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year after it sank with debts of more than $65 million.

#3831