I linked to the main evga site, which at the moment is pushing the 512MB card on their homepage. 

I'll correct the link in the morning to point specifically to the 7900GT.

Congrats to the winners!  

Hi, everyone, thank you 4 your support, I'm fine  
I won't be sad cause we have a great champs and I'm also very glad seeing many chinese winners here   

Well, I am a bit perplexed by these decisions. I understand it's all taste though, so it is what it is. I'm a guy who only really likes 'usable' skins. I write software for a living and a clean UI just makes life better/easier/fresher. So I have to admit I'm somewhat a DanilloOc and Mike B and JJ Ying fanboy. I did try the gold/silver winners and I couldn't use them for more than a couple of hours. The quick litmus test I always try is my primary IDE looks (Eclipse) and how my IM functions and alerts me to new messages. I then look at how the themes fit in with my browsers. For me, I could see th initial allure to the top 2 skins, but they just lacked the overall polish after you used them for a while. That's the best I can describe it. But it's just my taste though, so I'm not upset at the results at all.

I really appreciate that we get these great skins for free. I'm glad to see the nice turnout. This really should be a yearly event IMO. Congrats to all the winners and keep giving us great skins!

I normally do not post negative comments, but this definitiely needs to be said.

First of all, your categories for any and all submissions in this competition are entirely too vague and need to be more specific as to exactly what is evaluated in each category, and all submissions evaluated accordingly.

I also really think someone needs to stop this competition and pick new judges for evaluating WindowBlinds submissions. It is quite evident that the present ones need some refresher training, after all this is a WB5 contest, not a WB3 and 4. Many of these submissions do not reflect any of the capabilities of WB5, as required by the rules.

So, Aluminium wins the Gold for Most Usable? I find that amazing considering it is of poor quality and has lots of bugs. Just a few of them are the logoffs are of poor quality on mouseover and extremely jagged, the right click context submenus gray text has a serious problem, and the small caption minimize button is all messed up. Here, have a look:



and the per pixel frame shadows are messed up in the Silver winner:



I cannot believe the judges did not find these NOOB mistakes. It really shows a complete lack of attention to detail on their parts. I could go on and on about the Silver winner too, it does not even have the context menus skinned at all for one, but there is not enough space here for everything I would like to say.

I guess I've said my peace, and I am sorry if this upsets anyone, but right is right, and this is just downright wrong.

LightStar, the judges don't read the comments.

and I'm not a judge (unless one of the judges isn't able to vote). I have my opinion tastes and opinions.

I just applied Acrylic by danilloOc, it feels real good - perfect feel

Maybe the reason the judges decided the way they did was because it is more inspired by Vista. One thing remain the same is that danilloOc is a well respected skinner. All his free skins are premium quality flavors. Mike deserves nothing less than a master of skinning tittle. Lately, he seems to get better inspiration when working on premium skins. I wish he had a little more time to work on new shell styles and all.

During the time of Pixtudio, a premium suite would come with complete Iconpackage, Windows would be skinned as much as windowblinds alowed, and extra would be given at under $10. Now you get so little for the same kind of price from others.

Last but not least, I accept what the judges decided. Every single skins were good enough to get the gold. We don't even get premium skins this good anymore.

I apologize for further stirring up the post but Mr. LightStar has a very poignant point. Prior to this announcement I feared what was going to be considered as "usable". When I read these results my fears became a reality. The fact of the matter is that the default Windows Classic theme is "usable". But that would defeat the purpose of Windows Blinds now wouldn't it? The concept of a usable blind ought to fit Mr. LightStar's ideology.

The point of Windows Blinds is that it gives the user a level of customization that the built in frame work does not. Windows Blinds is effective not just because you can change a few images, because frankly there are dll patches, which allow this type of simplistic manipulation. Windows Blinds is a great piece of software because it takes customization to the next level. It allows for changes that no patch or competitor can offer.

In my opinion, the basis of this category is to push the boundaries of customization without losing any of the basic functionality of Windows. Some features that ought to included are those like transparencies and custom image placement. The trick that many authors fall victim of is that they over compensate so much with jazzy effects that the inherent functionality of Windows is lost. The winning theme does not lose it's functionality in terms of aesthetics it lacks in the usage of Windows Blinds features. If these themes are to showcase how great Windows Blinds is then this theme would not lead me to want to purchase your software.

Not only does it lack in terms of your top features but it is incomplete as well. The shut down dialog icon are straight from Microsoft. This is your prize winning theme? An incomplete and bug littered theme?

The aforementioned trick of incorporating new usage of WB features and functionality is right before your eyes. Themes like Vectra and Azenis II bring forth unique ideas while keeping things entirely usable. Vectra touts some of your most important features; such as transparency, is fully skinned and bug free and is completely usable as I have been using it since released. Azenis II, although not entirely perfect still brings forth more uses of your features in a usable manner then any of the top 3 medal winners.

I don't mean to rag on the medal winners but if I have to pay for this software I want to be able to customize things that the patch cannot, meanwhile being completely "usable". None of your medal winners do this. The idea that, ESPECIALLY Vectra did not even receive an honourable mention is cause for concern. I don't know how long your testers actually tested, but as a university student who takes his laptop to and from school and always has it running in some form I must say that your selection committee made an atrocious selection.

I am sorry for being so strong about this but it saddens me, that those who did such a good job at selling YOUR product are not being rewarded.

Reading this post has been very interesting. I guess "most usable" is up for definition. Does it mean, "would be used the most over the course of time" . . . "works with the most amount of wallpapers, icon packages, widgets, etc." . . . "most user-friendly for the average non-poweruser" . . . I guess I'm a little confused. Personally, I didn't even download the gold & silver medals in this category (no offense to those winners), and the skins looked like something from the GUIO in '04 that didn't make the medal count. Have our standards/expectations declined?
Please don't anyone be offended . . . I guess I'm just speaking my mind

BTW, I have to say Elsius Saint, that I disagree with you concerning the Premium Suites. The newest premium suites that stardock has offered (particularly "Argos") are off the charts. Even though I personally don't care for the graphic design of "Liquidox", it's complete-ness and quality is incredible. I have purchased every Premium suite that Stardock has made available and their recent stuff is quite well-done.

First of all, your categories for any and all submissions in this competition are entirely too vague and need to be more specific as to exactly what is evaluated in each category, and all submissions evaluated accordingly. I also really think someone needs to stop this competition and pick new judges for evaluating WindowBlinds submissions. It is quite evident that the present ones need some refresher training, after all this is a WB5 contest, not a WB3 and 4. Many of these submissions do not reflect any of the capabilities of WB5, as required by the rules.

Feel free to start your own contest, LightStar.   While I may not have the same views as the judges, I did pick the categories and I don't think they're "too vague".  They are subjective, however.

The judges are the owners of Neowin.net, deviantART, Lockergnome, Betanews, and Micro Angelo. They are certainly qualified. They simply have different opinions than you do on what constitutes a usable skin. 

To users who are complaining about the judges: Unless you participated, the contest cost you nothing.  There is a sense of entitlement in some of these comments that I find quite..ugly.

It's worth remembering this - we don't have to do these contests at all. Users lobby us to do them and then we do them and each time it's the same - people unhappy with the results.  I may even agree with the points people make but what's the use? I didn't have a vote on these skins. What would you have me do about it? It just makes the whole thing less enjoyable for everyone.

Well guess what - there will always be people with a different opinion on what usable or original or whatever means. It's the same story each time.  In the first GUI Olympics, Stardock was involved in judging and there was a riot. Last time the Winamp developers judged the Winamp skins and there was a riot.  And this time we've put together a fantastic panel of non-Stardock judges and people are already complaining.

The idea that, ESPECIALLY Vectra did not even receive an honourable mention is cause for concern.

I didn't judge. But if I had, I would not have voted Vectra for most usable given that you can't even resize it from the top right because its close button (which isn't clearly marked) takes up the entire area. I would probably have voted for it as a finalist for most original, however.

I am sorry for being so strong about this but it saddens me, that those who did such a good job at selling YOUR product are not being rewarded.

Don't kid yourself. If people stopped making skins, commercial skinning would fill the void. The increase in premium suites is a direct result of fewer new skinners.

Skinners are dedicating their time to YOU. Not us. You should be the ones appreciating them. We already do by holding a contest and spending thousands of dollars on the contest in the fairest way we could come up with.

Brad, U can resize any Vectra window by dragging from just below the flag I spent many an hour making sure that that was possible.

Maybe i should have noted that in the description but if you want to push the boundaries and be creative within the genre sometimes sacrifices are abound   

I just want to say to Brad that I am appreciative of the time and effort put forth by all parties. I just think that the functionality and the usage of features that make WB distinct ought to be incorporated into the judging or else this contest may as well be open to Msstyles too.

Again, I am sorry if I offended you or anyone else. I appreciate the time, money and effort set forth in making this contest possible, but my message in the end is that the purpose is to showcase Stardock's excellent products and your winning submissions ought to reflect that.

I just want to say to Brad that I am appreciative of the time and effort put forth by all parties. I just think that the functionality and the usage of features that make WB distinct ought to be incorporated into the judging or else this contest may as well be open to Msstyles too. Again, I am sorry if I offended you or anyone else. I appreciate the time, money and effort set forth in making this contest possible, but my message in the end is that the purpose is to showcase Stardock's excellent products and your winning submissions ought to reflect that.

No problem. And trust me when I share your frustrations. But it's not just this contest but it's every contest -- EVERY GUI Olympics/Champs I've felt the same way.

That it seems "obvious" that skin X should win over skin Y. How could judge Z not see that Skin Q lacks <insert quality here>.

It happens every time.

Brad, U can resize any Vectra window by dragging from just below the flag I spent many an hour making sure that that was possible. Maybe i should have noted that in the description but if you want to push the boundaries and be creative within the genre sometimes sacrifices are abound

The key word there was creative. That skin IS very creative. But that's a different thing from most usable.

To be honest, you want to know my most usable skin?

https://www.wincustomize.com/ViewSkin.aspx?SID=1&SkinID=3861&LibID=1

If that skin had been entered now even though it doesn't use any WB5 specific features I'd still have voted for it -- for most usable.

The judges may have had similar thoughts. Not that the points that Lightstar brought up aren't valid (the tool tips on Aluminum are white on white -- I'd like to see that fixed) but they just had different opinions.

I can't even imagine the riot there will be on most original since now you're really in the land of subjectivity.

I never meant to pin point a quality but rather the very reason you guys do this. Let's be honest the purpose of this contest is to sell your product. It's called promotion and it makes good business sense. What doesn't in my opinion is awarding gold medals to themes that could be recreated under a free engine. That's just my thoughts bro and I mean no disrespect to anyone, but let's not kid each other. This is business and it only makes business sense to have that be a criteria.

Well, im wasnt going for most useable Brad, i just wanted to clarify that the windows are indeed resizable. Im shooting for the Top, but thats just me, I cant exist any other way. Thank you for the nod though, i appreciate it.   

Congrats to all, but again I don't agree.

Danillooc should have had this gold. The skin is next to perfect in function... especially in comparison to 1st and 2nd.

The others are pretty buggy and just don't have the style.

I am very confident that ThemeX.net is in fact an illigal site and team ThemeX has ties with this site.

I think these two ScreenShots will be helpfull:
Link

and:

Link

Congrats to the winners.

I supoort Lightstar. The first place winner has many default (unskinned and recolored) luna images and should not have been eligible for any awards.   

Actually I feel my Aluminium skin is really luck to win this Gold medal. For this championship's work, I just want to design a whole really usable theme set ( wallpaper , icon package & skin). and I wish you load it on your own computer system for a long time.

Btw my skin still have some bugs, and I fixed some today. If anyone find any bugs on your system pls feedback me and I will fix and perfect it asap.

You could update skin here WWW Link
Thanks

As I had mentioned. 2006 GUI has left lot of controversies. The piracy problem is very seroius,but Stardock Corp., is ready let those iniquities get away with it, just because Stardock Cop., can not understand Chinese language.

I was wondering,Treetog,Essoran and danilloOc would happy about this?? I mean they had paid ,hadn't they??

More eater eggs.

[EDIT] Removed warez links from post.  I have them saved to my desktop so they don't need to be here anymore -- Zoomba

Want more? I can get them with my fingertips very quickly.

Lighstar is here surly for spoil the contest.
He point some bugs to other VisualStyle but he did't point bugs of his friend VStyler' VisualStyle Vectra.
Vectra has more bugs then others.
Lets see few of them.
When i Apply Vectra VisualStyle start from bug.

Pleaswait showing "Please wait" is over wrriten with two differents fonts. Looking very bad.

My previous WB Tasbar is still behind the Vectra Taskbar because it has no TAskbar.

All Programs also showing two images.

On Taskbar very bad fonts very difficult to read.

May i post images later.
In Vectra comments few bugs also reported by others.

According to Lightstar and almost everyone no bug VisualStyle should win.
I hope in Orignal and in Best overall no bugs win.

Celine,

You're very quick to accuse Stardock of allowing piracy.  You brought this to my attention last night after I had gone home for the day.  It is right now 7:30am and I'm just getting ready to head back into the office.  Before any action at all is taken, we're going to have to take a close look at those forums, and the ThemeX team members.  We're not about to throw them out on a whim, this will take some looking into. 

You have to give us a little bit of time, during business hours, to look into this.
--------

And to complaints in general of letting the skins through to this point:

1.  As finalists, they were selected by popular vote of the users of this site.  At any point, someone could have brought it to my attention that a finalist was incomplete.

2.  Our judges are certainly qualified to judge general usability.  Just because you disagree with them, does not invalidate their choices.  A lot of people wanted Vectra or Azenis to win Most Usable, but I'm with Brad in that while they're excellent skins, they're not the best from an objective usability standpoint.  I have my own opinions on what should have won.  Fact is, everyone to a large extent will disagree with the results no matter what they are.

3.  The alternative to the system we have for selecting finalists and winners is to eliminate things like user voting, and only let a small handful of pre-selected people from the community determine finalists and winners.  If we were to do that, we'd have an equally large number of people screaming about favoritism and the contest being rigged.  So which would you rather have, a competition where you have no say, and you'd likely see better finalist results.  Or would you prefer to keep your voice in the process, knowing that what you think is good, may not follow what everyone else thinks is good?