The three most popular skinning platforms

OVERALL, not just Stardock or WC

from WinCustomize Forums

If you were to name the 3 most popular skinning platforms -- that is, applications and/or skinning formats in terms of number of people using and number of people making skins for, what would they be?

My 3 would be WindowBlinds, uxtheme (msstyles), and Winamp. What would yours be?

skinning
7,846 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Though I've quit skinning, my favs still are WB, WinAmp (classic) and Hoverdesk.
What more would you need for a full Windows conversion?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WB, IconPackager (does that count ?) and DesktopX.

Been a while since I saw a good Winamp skin... Also is Hoverdesk alive again ?
DeskScapes - Bring your desktop background to life.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
IconPackager and DesktopX wouldn't count as skinning in this sense.  We're talking about where there's an existing UI of some sort that is being skinned.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My 3 would be WindowBlinds, uxtheme (msstyles), and Winamp.

Probably would be mine, too....

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I agree with your three picks as well.  Although I don't think skinning Winamp is as popular as it used to be.


Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Also is Hoverdesk alive again ?

Nope, havent heard a word from Thibaud in very long time.

Although I don't think skinning Winamp is as popular as it used to be

I totally agree ID. Though... from my point of view, skinning in general is going downhill.
Compared to just a couple of years ago, only a handfull of skinnable applications are still 'alive'.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Winamp, WMP & Windowblinds
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WB, WB\Vista WMP
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I totally agree ID. Though... from my point of view, skinning in general is going downhill.
Compared to just a couple of years ago, only a handfull of skinnable applications are still 'alive'.

I agree. I think widgets have eaten things up.

What I think is needed is something that combines widgets and skinning together.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What I think is needed is something that combines widgets and skinning together.


Well, there were attempts...
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What I think is needed is something that combines widgets and skinning together.

Swidgets?
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Didn't let me edit... It's hard to do with the existing tools (yet).
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
something that combines widgets and skinning together.


Swidgets?


How about Skidgets? Might want copyright/trademark one or both while you have the chance.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Three of my four:

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Zubaz as always (anyway glad to meet them )
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I agree. I think widgets have eaten things up.

Perhaps, Brad, but then again.... when skinning was still in the cradle people hadn't "settled down" with their fav applications. We saw new applications jump out of the woods, so to speak, all the time. New and better applications and perhaps more challenging. 
People have now found the applications they wanna use + are leaving the skinning to the hard core of artists.

I believe that is what has caused the slowdown in skinning.

We never see any new applications emerging anymore, that have the abbility to challenge what is already available on the market.

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Perhaps, Brad, but then again.... when skinning was still in the cradle people hadn't "settled down" with their fav applications. We saw new applications jump out of the woods, so to speak, all the time. New and better applications and perhaps more challenging.
People have now found the applications they wanna use + are leaving the skinning to the hard core of artists.
I believe that is what has caused the slowdown in skinning.
We never see any new applications emerging anymore, that have the abbility to challenge what is already available on the market.

I think it's because widgets have eaten up lots of other categories.  A skinnable clock? A skinnable calendar? A skinnable weather monitor? Widgets have taken over those things.

I mean what were the really popular skinnable programs of old that have died out in terms of skinners? The shell themers have definitely taken a beating over the years (Aston, ObjectBar, WinStep, Hoverdesk) but in terms of other programs like Winamp and Media Player, I think one thing that has hurt is that iTunes isn't skinnable and so many people use that now or just make widgets for controlling media players instead.