Concept and ideas I have

First of all I've made a window concept, and planed to make a WindowBlinds skin from it. In the meanwhile it shows, that nor windows shell neither WindowBlinds can do what I want. So I've started to search something that will satisfy me. There are some apps, that can extend standard Windows elements (like explorer window or taskbar), but it's still not it (cause programmers are limited by MS).

So I've decided I will make an application that could replace standard Windows taskbar (mainly it should worke the same, but I plan to make it more customizable and add some usability functions) and an app for browse the files (much better standard windows explorer with own configuration independent from rest of the system - own icons, file types and more).

I've always liked MS Windows. I hoped that Vista will bring us more customizable interface and... I was wrong (damn you MS!). So IMO it's the time to make our own apps, to replace standard Windows elements (just like taskbar, or even Alt+Tab replacement).

I am no programmer (just PHP), so I've started to look for an programming language for me. And I think the best for now is any language that works with MS XAML. XAML is really great for building apps interfaces.

What I've managed to do for now is only a simple (but skinable) window, and I see that it's not so simple as I hoped. Moreover I don't really like the main-code writing (I always prefered to make GUIs and improving it). Propably I will continue it, but it will be long time for me to make fully-working app.

So, maybe I will find here someone who, for example, have abilities (programming) and don't have idea what to do with it? I can see so much things that we could improve and I think that the programm will be great and people need something that will improve their daily work on PC (like it was with IE and alternative browsers). I don't really belive that I will find someone (cause 'where were they'), but it's always good to try...

I am including the concept I've mentioned (the taskbar and file windows should be the new apps, and for communicator I've chosen Miranda-IM; icons are on the way to relase).

#478219

if you can cut off a small part of the active task glow (or make it look different), that skin can be done for windowblinds vista since you are still in an vistaish style

#478243

Vista have two problems on this: we can't move the buttons and address/search bar and we can't round the bottom borders if we remove the border itself. Besides - the functionality of windows explorer is still poor...

And it's not only about the skin. For example: if I set the folder type to Music I would like the folders to apear as I show (or different, depends on skin) - get the cover from shown folder and paste it properly between two layers (the background image and the foreground one). Same for movies etc.

#478244

I think i'm not capable of doing such a project (Can't figure how to make alpha blended windows when I don't use C++ or C# ...)

But at least, for the taskbar, you can try modding litestep, it can be very flexible, even if it won't remplace explorer.

#478246