Desktop Customization thread !

[Enkidu]

So I created this thread with the purpose of sharing desktop customization "tips and secrets" or whatever you want to call it.

Rocket dock, Rain meter,Instant messaging programs, minimalistic skins, custom media players and Visual styles or shell replacements or even problems with the doing stuff like this. Lets talk about it all here!

Anywho, here's my current desktop.

So anyway I'm running

Left mid ->Old version AIM

Top left -> Rainmeter -> http://code.google.com/p/rainmeter/ and then use Deviant art/ Customize.org to find modules/skins

Bottom left -> Songbird - Pure player : Birdie skin

A custom vista visual style MNLSTK -> http://invaderjohn.deviantart.com/art/mnlstk-VS-94538135

Top right -> A rocket dock "mac bar" -> http://rocketdock.com/ , Customized icons and theme though, defaults kinda bulky.

Xfire - Custom theme found here -> http://www.gunsammocrate.com/content.php?content.4

I also use "LogOn Studio Vista" to change my log on screen picture to something considerably nicer, which can be found here -> http://download.cnet.com/LogonStudio-Vista/3000-2072_4-10696252.html

I also sometimes run LiteStep over Vista as it just seems to start up and run faster and although I actually prefer the LiteStep right click option to find stuff, this vista setup I have now looks too sweet for me to want to change it. Although you need to tread carefully when using Shell replacement programs like LiteStep,Geoshell,Avedesk( during install anyway )

2 Day Edit * 30 views and not a single reply!

Edited May 21, 2009 by Enkidu

[Dr. Strangelove]

I use rainmeter and rocketdock too, as well as slanXP even though you can't see my taskbar or any windows. It works great.

[Mewtwo Ex]

Is there one for Vista Ultimate, (Slan)?

[Dr. Strangelove]

Is there one for Vista Ultimate, (Slan)?

Here: http://psycob.deviantart.com/art/SlanXP-Edition3-for-VistaBasic-68107481

It says it's for Vista basic, but if you have ultimate you should just be able to switch Aero off in the classic appearance properties menu and it should work

[Mewtwo Ex]

It did not work for me. I probably did something wrong.

[Enkidu]

I use rainmeter and rocketdock too, as well as slanXP even though you can't see my taskbar or any windows. It works great.

Cool desktop

Also, I'm not sure how you guys change themes, but I just unpatched my system32 files with Vista Glazz and installed the themes to the Theme folder. Then I can switch between themes normally in the Control panel>Personalization>Theme changer window.

[Narwhal]

I use XP, but this is my desktop.

Background made by me, of course.

[Enkidu]

Lol. Ever think about using rainmeter or rocket dock?

I just redid my desktop today actually, I'm using Gaia08 Vista port, with a fairly close Dock and rain meter skin. I couldn't find icons that matched my dock though, so I ended up using an old Gaia icon, 7 times for all of them haha.

[bear831]

Here is mine but I don't know how to get rid of the recycling bin. most of the icons were made by me(if you were wondering the blaziken is shoddy battle).

[Dr. Strangelove]

I don't know how to get rid of the recycling bin

Best way to do that is start > run > gpedit.msc

go to the Administrative Templates folder under User Configuration

go to the Desktop subfolder, find "Remove Recycle Bin icon from desktop" on the list

right click on that, go to Properties, and change it to "enabled"

right click on your desktop and hit refresh, and it should be gone

if that doesn't work there's another way of doing it that involves editing the registry

[FLOOTENKERP]

Who would want to remove their recycling bin.

[Narwhal]

What is rocket dock? What is rain meter? I've never heard of either until I looked at this thread.

[bear831]

I will put it in my dock and it annoys me when it is in the corner. Narwhal just google them and then download them to you computer and set them up how you want.

[HottSushiz]

Wait which is better Rocketdock, or Objectdock, I'm currently using Objectdock, i had this program that changed my log on screen into something else, i changed it into Itachi, i also had this program which changed my loading screen, when it starts up, into this Hydra thing, you are able to see my desktop in that other thread.

[Enkidu]

Theres a few of those programs, I only know the one for vista though, Vista Logon studio's.

Rocketdock/Object dock are pretty similar, really just use whichever one has the kind of themes you like.

And Floot, it's not removing it, its just getting it off of the desktop as that icon is UGLY!

[bear831]

That's why I wanted it gone and I succeeded in that now it looks so much better.

[kuoleva]

I use Gaia 08 as well.

My setup is just a bit different, but I quite like it. It hurts my eyes occasionally, doesn't like Firefox, but other than that, it works great. I think it just hates my 64 bit Vista, but meh.

My laptop is widescreen, so I had to edit the background to fit. :< I also have the Gaia icons and RocketDock layout that I love.

[bear831]

I like the icons a lot they go with the background very well.

[Enkidu]

Yea thats pretty cool, I actually was just testing out Gaia and it turns out its not my thing. So Instead I'm back to MNLSTK.

A little less on screen than before

[bear831]

Wow that's awesome! what is MNLSTK?

[Enkidu]

Ah thats just the name of the theme. I really like how simple it is, yet it's not so minimalistic that theres nothing on my screen, ya know?

Here's a link to it on Deviant art ( Not a fan of DA myself, but there are some pretty cool submissions )

http://invaderjohn.deviantart.com/art/mnlstk-VS-94538135

[bear831]

Ah that explains it thanks for the link.

[Okami]

Interesting.