http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1071062


1. How to take a screenshot of your desktop
2. Wallpapers
3. Rainmeter, Rainlendar and Conky
4. Windows Visual Styles
5. Mac Style Docks
6. Winamp
7. CD Art Display
8. IM Themes
9. Linux Customization


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http://take-a-screenshot.org/


Windows users:

1) Press the Print Screen key on your keyboard. It may be labeled [PrtScn].
2) Open an image editing program, such as Microsoft Paint.
3) Go to "edit" > "paste" to show your screenshot
4) Go to the File Menu and choose Save As. Save as a .jpeg/.jpg
5) Navigate to the folder where you want to save the image.
6) Type a file name for the image.
7) Select a file type.
8) Click the Save button.
9) Go to one of the uploading sites mentioned below, browse and find your image, then upload/host it.


Mac users:


1) Hit command+shift+3
2) Go to one of the uploading sites mentioned below, browse to the desktop and find your image, then upload/host it.


Linux users:


GNOME: Print Screen
Xfce: scrot
Fluxbox: import -window root screenshot.jpg


Some uploading sites:

http://www.imageshack.us/
http://tinypic.com/
http://photobucket.com/ (requires registration of free account)


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http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7669/desktopexplained.jpg

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COMPLETE NEWBIES' GUIDE TO THEME HAX!
Updated and expanded for the BGSF community by Exorince.

2. Wallpapers:

Exorince's Wallpaper Albums

http://photobucket.com/ewp1
http://photobucket.com/ewp2

http://deviantart.com/
'--> Customization -> Wallpapers
http://customize.org/wallpapers
http://interfacelift.com/
http://vladstudio.com/

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3. Rainmeter, Rainlendar and Conky

http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs45/i/2009/103/c/a/HUD_Vision_by_mepu.png

What is Rainmeter?
Rainmeter is a Windows customization application. Empower your desktop with an expandable library of useful tools – handy notes and application launchers, weather and feeds from the web, system status and more. Then, rearrange and modify them to suit your personal style. With Rainmeter, your desktop is finally yours.
( http://www.rainmeter.net )

Use Rainmeter if you really want to keep track of system resources (CPU and Memory Usage, Disk Usage, etc). In most cases, it makes your desktop cluttered, but if set out neatly, it can look really nice. When you install Rainmeter, it comes with a default skin, but you can add more skins (as you've probably seen before).

When you download a new skin for Rainmeter, all the files for the skin will be in a ZIP file. Follow these steps to how to use your skin.

1. Install Rainmeter if you haven't already.
2. Open the Skins folder in your Rainmeter directory, default location : XP: "C:\Documents and Settings\[User]\My Documents\Rainmeter\Skins", Windows Vista: C:\Users\[User]\My Documents\Rainmeter\Skins
3. Make a Folder and name it whatever you want.
4. Open your compressed theme and copy the files to the folder you just made.
5. Restart Rainmeter if it's already running.

Skins:

http://customize.org/rainmeter
http://deviantart.com/
'--> Customization -> Skins & Themes -> System Monitoring -> Rainmeter


Conky (Linux)

Conky is a free, light-weight system monitor for X, that displays any information on your desktop. System load, CPU usage, RAM usage, running processes, you name it. This package should be available through your favourite distro's repos, or you can get it from the http://conky.sourceforge.net. Also take a look at the http://conky.sourceforge.net/variables.html to help customize Conky to suit your needs.

http://www.linuxhaxor.net/2009/05/07/8-beautiful-conky-desktop-monitor-setup/

Rainlendar:
http://rainlendar.net/

What is Rainlendar?
Rainlendar is a feature rich calendar application that is easy to use and doesn't take much space on your desktop. The application is platform independent so you can run it on all major operating systems: Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.
( http://www.rainlendar.net )

Rainlendar, in most cases, is more useful. It allows you to organize appointments and tasks. Skinning Rainlendar is quite the same thing as skinning Rainmeter, but some skins will come in a "pre-rolled" package that you can just copy and paste into Rainlendar's "Skins" directory. Default : "C:\Program Files\Rainlendar\Skins"

Rainlendar is also available for Linux.

Skins:

http://customize.org/rainlendar
http://deviantart.com
'--> Customization -> Skins & Themes -> System Monitoring -> Rainlendar




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4. Windows Visual Styles (Aka MSStyles)

Visual Styles change Window borders, buttons, the taskbar, and many other things that you may or may not notice. Overall, it changes the entire look of XP or Vista (not available for Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 and NT, so don't ask.) Unfortunately, it isn't a case of download and load. Microsoft has digitally signed it's themes and will not allow 'community-made themes.'

The checking and enforcing of signed themes is done by a single system file in XP and three system files in Vista. For XP, you can use a simple patch. For Vista/7 you have to manually replace the system files (or use UxStyle, see below). there are EASY guides on YouTube on how to replace those files so don't worry about screwing up your computer.

For XP Users: http://www.llbbl.com/data/nw_uxpatcher.zip
For Vista Users: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zykVpy02Bwc

NEW! For XP, Vista and 7 Users: http://deepxw.blogspot.com/2008/11/universal-theme-patcher.html]Universal Theme Patcher://http://deepxw.blogspot.com/2008/11/...l Theme Patcher://http://deepxw.blogspot.com/2008/11/...l Theme Patcher

UxStyle is a new program which allows you to install new themes without patching. It's still in Beta but it has been reported to work on XP, Vista and 7 systems.

http://uxstyle.com/

Once you have patched the necessary system files, you can now download and use Visual Styles!

Skins:

http://customize.org/xpthemes
http://deviantart.com/
'--> Customizaton -> Skins & Themes -> Windows Utilities -> Visual Styles
'--> Customizaton -> Skins & Themes -> Windows 7 Utilities

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Another popular method of changing the way Windows looks is using WindowBlinds, a software by Stardock software. This is a popular software, both for those who are experienced with computers and those who have barely understood a word of this guide. What WindowBlinds has in advantage over the previously mentioned method is how easy it is to configure. You can download WindowBlinds themes from most major customization websites (Linked below) and to install the themes you downloaded all you have to do is double click the .wba file (Occasianolly it's in a compressed archieve, in which case you simply unzip the file anywhere you want) and after a few seconds a little balloon pops up informing you that the theme has been successfully installed.

WindowBlinds works on XP, Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.

http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/

Skins:

http://www.wincustomize.com

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5. Mac-Style Docks - You don't have to be a fan of Macs to use one

With a normal desktop, clutter from shortcuts can make your entire desktop look ugly. Using a Macintosh-Style dock, aka an OSX Dock, makes things look neater, but still gives you access to your programs. There are two well known programs that you can use to do this.

ObjectDock (Free Edition & Plus edition available)
http://stardock.com/products/objectdock/

RocketDock
http://rocketdock.com/

Some argue that RocketDock uses up more resources than ObjectDock, but the topic is about as valid as complaining that someone is breathing to much. Objectdock is more configurable and has a wide variety of skins for it. Try both though to see what you prefer.

Skins:

http://deviantart.com/
'--> Customization -> Skins & Themes -> Application Launchers -> ObjectDock
or...
'--> Customization -> Skins & Themes -> Application Launchers -> RocketDock

Icons:

http://deviantart.com/
'--> Customization -> Icons -> Dock Icons


There are two popular Mac-style docks for Linux; http://launchpad.net/awn (aka. AWN) and http://cairo-dock.org. Again, both should be available through your distro's repos.

To apply a theme to AWN, right-click the dock and choose Preferences, then navigate to Themes and press Add. http://wiki.awn-project.org/index.php?title=Themes and http://wiki.awn-project.org/Awn_Extras are available from the AWN Wiki.

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6. Winamp customization and skins

http://deviantart.com/
'--> Customization -> Skins & Themes -> Media Players -> Winamp

.WAL Files:

1. Download the theme you want.
2. Double click the file.
3. Follow prompts.

.ZIP File (With no WAL file inside)

1. Download the theme you want.
2. Open Compressed file
3. Go to your Winamp/Skins directory and make a folder. Default : C:\Program Files\Winamp\Skins
4. Copy and paste the files in the ZIP to the folder you just made.

To change themes, right click on Winamp, then go to "Skins"
To change transparency, right click on Winamp, then go to "Window Settings -> Opacity"

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7. CD Art Display

What is CD Art Display?
CD Art Display is a free desktop program that shows the current song cover in a customizable skin.

It fully works with AlbumPlayer, Helium Music Manager, iTunes, Winamp, Windows Media Player, foobar2000 (component required), MediaMonkey and partially supports qmp, MP3Toys and musikCube.

Along with several skins ready to use, CD Art Display has a powerful Skin Editor with real time preview.
( http://www.cdartdisplay.com )


CD Art Display: http://www.cdartdisplay.com/
Themes: http://browse.deviantart.com/customization/skins/media/cad/#order=5&offset=24
'--> Customization -> Skins & Themes - > Media Players -> CD Art Display

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8. IM Themes

Get Miranda: http://miranda-im.org/download/
Add-ons: http://addons.miranda-im.org/

Themes: http://deviantart.com/
Customization -> Skins & Themes -> Instant Messengers -> Miranda

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9. Linux desktop customization

Applying window manager and icon themes in GNOME is rather straightforward:
Settings -> Preferences -> Appearance and click the install button

This will work for Metacity themes, icon sets, etc.

For Xfce, you'll want to untar your window manager themes to ~/.themes/ThemeName and your icon sets to ~/.icons/ThemeName. In both cases, create the directories if they do not already exist. (Note: This also works for GNOME if you don't want to use the GUI)

Here is a list of sites to get you started:

http://art.gnome.org
http://www.gnome-look.org
http://www.kde-look.org
http://www.xfce-look.org
http://www.box-look.org
http://www.compiz-themes.org

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Anything else:

http://google.com/

or ask nicely in this thread.

:)

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Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread!
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Moderator note: Please ensure that any desktops and sites linked to contain appropriate content for these forums. Screenshots that display icons such as Limewire is an admission of piracy and will result in at least a warning. If you are in doubt please check with a moderator before posting. Thanks.

Last post from the previous thread:

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/RetroCorn/me/desktop2710.jpg.

http://i50.tinypic.com/21mhj76.jpg

I have it set to shuffle between various Calvin and Hobbes backgrounds, it's lovely. :wub:

The OP has been updated. I made the Rainmeter/Rainlendar/Conky section easier to read by moving some stuff around and I added more info for Windows 7 in the Windows Styles section

Anyone know any good dark icon packages that replace like every Windows icons? I've searched Deviantart and WIncustomize but the ones I found for IconPackager just replace a few here and there. I'm looking for a complete overhaul.

Haven't had windows in a while... http://brsev.deviantart.com/art/Token-128429570

I have never found a complete set. I usually just mix and match similar ones.

Closer, but I hate how it misses some. http://i49.tinypic.com/2udxq9x.jpg Also, the ones in the program files menu as well. I'll fiddle around with IconPackager and see what I can do.

Oh those! I will give a quick look.

http://i50.tinypic.com/15fllxx.jpg

It's just that damn Libraries folder that sticks out like a sore thumb and it doesn't show up in IconPackager.

I think it needs more Mario.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb279/ripped_apart_inside/Untitled.jpg

I never understand why people use Photobucket to upload their images. It always resizes them and makes them tiny....

Not if you set the upload size correctly before you upload.

Most people don't do that, so desktop images become shrunk.

To upload my pics at max resolution I'd have to have a pro account. I'm just too lazy to change sites or get a pro account lol.

I like it@


I use ImageShack. Which is great.

Use http://www.tinypic.com, it's free and doesn't require a registration

Yep, always use this.

I can upload mine at 1440x900 just fine...

Dropbox is pretty great for easy file hosting. I have 3 different sites I could upload things to, and I still use dropbox - that's how good it is.

Talk about clutter.


:goodjob: thanks for the idea.

Mate, I have a kind of OCD with the organisation of folders and files on a computer...I mean it, it's terrible! You will never find a single file out of place, everything is in it's own folder, which is in another folder etc...so you can see why it bothers me that you have a folder for 'Everything'.

Just the thought of this folder makes me claustrophobic! Please put me at ease and tell me there are sub-folders? Maybe post a pic?

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac232/JamisonMiller/FalloutNewVegatvdesktop.png?t=1265653405

Changed it because the last one was a bit blurry since I took it from an non HD video.

Finally a desktop im happy with, http://i47.tinypic.com/6tmejk.jpg Keeping Conky simple at the top comes in very handy when playing SNES or running high demand programs I can keep a good eye on how the PS3 is handling it.

Returning to the http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/6463/screenshot20100208at127.png.