WindowBlinds : Is it worth it

[Lebon14]

Hey there guys! I was wondering... is WindowBlinds worth it to skin Windows? I don't really want to do it myself and when I tried to do it myself, I had so much problems with permissions that it became a chore just to apply a skin.

Do anybody got any problems with it? Is it worth it?
Thanks!

 

[boohbah]

I use third party custom themes from Mr Grim there are tons of themes on his site.
Whats New - Welcome to Virtual Customs
there are also loads more at deviant art.
Browsing Windows 7 Utilities on deviantART

 

[Lebon14]

Well, hum, I was asking if WindowBlinds was worth it... I'm kind of the verge of buying it... that's why I'm asking if it's worth it.

 

[Heyyou]

If you like to do custom themes, go for it. I see you have the resources to handle it.
I've seen some samples of what you can create, and I think it would be fun if you're into it.

 

[Lebon14]

I see... Well, no, I want to have the software to customize with ease Windows and have access to a lot of theme. I am not in theme creating (If I wanted to create a theme, I need extra software from the software vendor).

I've tried v5 and 6 before in the past when i was still using Windows XP. It was a really nice software, I liked it but the only problem was that it was really slowing down the system. From what I read from other sites, version 7 has really improved and well, the main problems before is now gone.

Does anybody uses WindowBlinds right now?

 

[pparks1]

I don't use any of this stuff, because as you said, the thing that it usually does the most is "slow down the system". I'm not much into eyecandy myself, so I stay away from things like this. Give me performance and stability, over flashy and eyecatching.

 

[Lebon14]

pparks1, WindowBlinds version 5 and 6 were known to cause slow down. However, from what I read, version 7 is a complete opposite of the older versions and was completely re-written. Heck, I read that WindowBlinds "overrides" the Windows GDI layer and, let me quote, "and is actually four times more efficient at rendering hardware-accelerated windows". Source

I kind of want to skin Windows because I'm getting a bit sick of seeing the good ol' windows and wanted to spice it quite a bit.

 

[Arc]

I have used the versions 5 and 6, with XP ; I have the entire stardock suite . In Windows 7, I dont see any reason to use windowblinds, coz the themes for windows 7 are much more nice than those of windowblinds . Well it is my opinion .

If you want, you may download the trial at Stardock Corporation - Software - WindowBlinds . Decide yourself if you need it or not .

 

[pparks1]

The stardock corporation is located exactly 1 mile from where I work.

 

[Arc]

The stardock corporation is located exactly 1 mile from where I work.

Go there and ask them what Lebon14 is asking

 

[Lebon14]

The stardock corporation is located exactly 1 mile from where I work.

Go there and ask them what Lebon14 is asking

The answer will be biased for sure xD

Anyway, I applied this skin with WB :

Note : Wallpaper was my choice and now with Audition 1.5 open, I would usually have that ugly Win7 basic theme but now it looks good!

 

[boohbah]

Personaly i dont think it is worth it as i mentioned before there are plenty of first class themes out there that dont cost to have. so for me free is best
i would have said so if i thought it was worth it.

 

[boohbah]

Anyway, I applied this skin with WB :

Note : Wallpaper was my choice and now with Audition 1.5 open, I would usually have that ugly Win7 basic theme but now it looks good!

doesnt seem that special to me.
if you are considering paying for it, this theme cost me £1.36 and has everything themed from clocks to wmp to folders

eg.....

 

[Lebon14]

boobah... the themes available (at least of most them) aren't costing anything (except if you go into the Premium Themes)... it's the software to apply them that cost something. The theme I currently have applied may not look special for you but I think it's pretty good. According to yours, ok, maybe it's worth 3$, but the thing is you need to go about apply everything yourself... What I mean is, hack the theme system so it can accept unsigned ones, resHack your clock and start button then install the icon set by yourself. Like I said, I don't want to do it myself so I can avoid screw-ups and... well, because I am lazy. Personnaly, I don't like your theme very much.

Sure, I don't have a clock, icons and cursors but the theme skins what I want for me without much trouble. Maybe it isn't worth 20$ for you but the 20$ for me aren't for the themes but for the ease of using themes and the actual choice of themes. I only have to google "windowblinds themes" and there'll be a ton of sites offering them.

Still evaluating the software. Might change my idea after the trial or during it.

 

[boohbah]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder , mr grims themes come with an installer so its one click of a button and the theme icons ,wmp, clock, folders etc are free and use 7tsp to install so 3 clicks of a button for them .
i too am lazy and fairly unknowledgeable when it comes to theming and like an easy life and an attractive pc, all you have to do is make sure your system is patched.
I also like the personal touch with mr grims themes he is a valued member of this forum and in the past i have been able to ask him for a theme that merged a taskbar from one theme and use the rest of another theme, the majority of the themes on virtual customs are free also.
anyhow enjoy your theme and good luck with windowblinds

 

[Chilla]

I use Windowblinds 7.2 Inexpensive and quick and easy.