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Desktop managers/shells - How to make Windows cool

Posted: 2004-05-24 11:47pm
by Shinova
My current one, though I might change it a bit


That's with Aston Shell, which replaces "explorer.exe", which is the default GUI desktop shell that Windows operates with. You also have the option of switching back to explorer if you wish.

Basically you can not only have your own wallpaper, but you can also customize your desktop further, and make it cool to your liking.


Other such programs out there include but not limited to, Hoverdesk, StyleXP, etc. Feel free to give them a spin if you want.

Posted: 2004-05-25 12:16am
by darthdavid
I'm betting us poor saps on windows 2000 our left out in the cold with these things aren't we?
*edit: Nevermind a quick google showed the fact that that one atleast, works with older versions of windoze...

Posted: 2004-05-25 12:23am
by Sarevok
The default XP interface sucks. Windows 2000 has the best interace.

Posted: 2004-05-25 12:27am
by Hamel
Custom shells like Litestep, etc, look nice, but are unstable as piddlewigs~

Posted: 2004-05-25 03:33pm
by Saberslash
Where does one get these "shells", cause that looks sweet.

Posted: 2004-05-25 03:41pm
by Super-Gagme
There is an even easier one, you can simply get a hacked GUI dll to replace the system one and then download themes that totally skin XP.

Posted: 2004-05-26 01:10am
by Pu-239
[linux zealot] Bah, the >63 window managers available on Linux shall always 0wn3rz your pitiful \/\/1|\||)0Z3 "5|-|311z" Oh, and each WM has it's own set of themes[/linux zealot]
:d

In seriousness, I use the Ion3 window manager, despite being the debian packager for WMI (http://wmi.berlios.de) since I'm waiting for WMI to become slightly more mature before I use it, since it's lacking drag and drop support for windows into frames and good multi-monitor support. I might start submitting patches once school is over, since many features on my wishlist are easy to implement. Don't tell anyone, sicne it would kinda be scandalous.

Here's my current setup:

http://www.broken-llama.com/images/screenshot.jpg (dead link until tomorrow).

As you can see, no background images... 100% use of space.
The grayed out area is the dead zone due to my pairing of a 1280x1024 with an 800x600 monitor.

Posted: 2004-05-26 08:02pm
by Pu-239
Up now.

Posted: 2004-05-26 08:47pm
by Saberslash
Pu-239, that looks... uh, interesting.. and a little complicated and bland...

Posted: 2004-05-27 12:38am
by InnocentBystander
I can't see a reason to change my shell, I see it, oh I guess about 5 minutes total each day, no reason. And, of course, I don't use X.

Posted: 2004-05-27 04:25am
by Ace Pace
I've got no complaints currently with explorer, since I use a plugin that gives me multiple desktops. very nice and easy.

Posted: 2004-05-27 04:41am
by The Wookiee
I use Rhodium Edge with AquaDock.

Please note that I've since changed the background to the Fruit Fucker Prime wallpaper from ObeytheTube.com.

Posted: 2004-05-27 08:30am
by Chardok
can someone link me to free downloadable "Shells"? I have never known you can change the GUI in windows...I am....impressed. Also stupid.

Posted: 2004-05-27 08:43am
by DocHorror
This looks quite interesting, how stable are they? Are they system hogs?

Where can I get them :twisted:

Posted: 2004-05-27 02:59pm
by Pu-239
InnocentBystander wrote:I can't see a reason to change my shell, I see it, oh I guess about 5 minutes total each day.
?? Explain. You use the console only? Or do you game exclusively on Windows? Or do you simply mean that your attention only goes to the shell about 5 minutes a day, and the rest to the browser or whatever you are working on?

Posted: 2004-05-27 03:34pm
by phongn
I have no reason to change my shell from Explorer -- it works fine for me.

Posted: 2004-05-27 04:41pm
by Super-Gagme
This "AshtonShell" is ridden with spyware and pesters you about registering all over, doesn't even give you 30 days. All in all it's shit. There is a reason professionals design marketted shells and not morons like whoever wrote AshtonShell.