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Mini-Contest for Start8 Start Buttons!

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Mini-Contest for Start8 Start Buttons!

from JoeUser Forums

Start8 full logo flatI thought it would be fun to have a quick mini-contest as we think about a bigger competition for the end of the year.  I chose Start8 as it’s easy to make start buttons for and can include a broader reach of people.  This is also a great to get some exposure as Start8 has been downloaded millions of times and is in the top lists of sites like download.com. 

Link: Start8

A start button for use in Start8 is just an image file with 3 vertically stacked images in a .png format.

Here’s a short guide on creating them: https://forums.wincustomize.com/436004/page/1/

Rules

  • This is a quick, casual contest so the rules are few.  Most importantly the images used must be yours or have the relevant permissions included, which is the case for most skins uploaded on WinCustomize.com.  Judging will be done by WinCustomize admins and moderators by voting to determine the top 3 start buttons.  We will be looking for the most creative buttons you can come up with, that still works well with the start menu.

Uploading

  • Upload your Start8 start buttons to the Start8 gallery by clicking here, or through the Upload page on WinCustomize.  In the description, make sure the first line is “Start8 Mini-Contest” so we know which ones to include in judging.  Submit as many as you like, just remember quality goes a lot farther than quantity.

Dates and Prizes

Entries can start today, August 5th, 2013 and we’ll conclude the contest on Monday, August 26th, at noon.  Judging will commence after that and the winners will be announced shortly after that.

1st – One year subscription/renewal to Object Desktop.

2nd – One year subscription/renewal to WinCustomize, and a license for Start8

3rd -  License for Start8

Have fun and lets see some cool buttons!

102,565 views 66 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top

There are also several included images which you can find in the Start8 directory for reference.

Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Philly0381, reply 17
gmc2, this is just my guess but the folks having Win 8/Start 8 installed will more than likely be entering the contest.  It's just my opinion and lord knows I've been wrong alot lately. 

I think that anyone that works skinstudio will be able to create the image and enter their work. It's a pretty basic 3 image count, vertical placement image. I don't have win8/start8 so I would need some help in determining how size impacts the overall scheme by testing them and giving me back a screenie. Just piddling here...

Quoting DaveBax, reply 19
You should have my email address. I will look at any for you.

Thanks Dave, I'll do that, are you using win8/start8?

 

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Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top

gmc2 I'm a user of skins not a skinner and I'm not running Windows 8 so pretty much useless.  :sun:

Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thaks 2of3. Just want to make sure first.

Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Philly0381, reply 28
gmc2 I'm a user of skins not a skinner and I'm not running Windows 8 so pretty much useless. 

useless, never, you're one of the good guys.

Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting gmc2, reply 27
Quoting DaveBax, reply 19
You should have my email address. I will look at any for you.
Thanks Dave, I'll do that, are you using win8/start8?

I just checked it and sent it back to you. Yes I'm using all the SD products for win8

Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I checked out some images. They're pretty straight forward. Just make sure spacing is even all around.

Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top

OK, Wizard1956 has enlightened me.

 

We can use WindowBlinds on Windows8 and still use the Start8 start button by going into WB Config and setting it to always use the OS start button.

Then the button may be changed with Start8.

Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Here is a question that at least makes sense to me. Since the start8 button is so small would it make sense to say if you had 5 buttons done. Make a screen shot for each and upload them all in one folder to WC? 

Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DaveBax, reply 34

Here is a question that at least makes sense to me. Since the start8 button is so small would it make sense to say if you had 5 buttons done. Make a screen shot for each and upload them all in one folder to WC? 

As with anything on WC, only bundle them if they the same style with minor differences.

 

Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Just a reminder:

 In the description, make sure the first line is “Start8 Mini-Contest” so we know which ones to include in judging.  Submit as many as you like, just remember quality goes a lot farther than quantity.

:)

 

Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Is there a maximum size recommended for the preview. Mine is kind of skewered, I'd like to remedy that.

Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top

In the description, make sure the first line is “Start8 Mini-Contest” so we know which ones to include in judging.

 

 

GMC2, It would appear that you uploaded some, but didn't enter them into the contest?

 

 

Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting gmc2, reply 37

Is there a maximum size recommended for the preview. Mine is kind of skewered, I'd like to remedy that.

You will want to stick with a somewhat square image.

 

Reply #40 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 38


GMC2, It would appear that you uploaded some, but didn't enter them into the contest?

I know, I'm just piddling at the moment. If I come up with something really good, I will.

Quoting Island, reply 39
You will want to stick with a somewhat square image.

okay, got it, thanks.

Reply #41 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting gmc2, reply 40
Quoting Island Dog,
reply 39
You will want to stick with a somewhat square image.

okay, got it, thanks.

The preview on the skins page is 280x280. If you make your preview that size it shouldn't get distorted.

Reply #42 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting 2of3, reply 41
The preview on the skins page is 280x280. If you make your preview that size it shouldn't get distorted.

unless you mean the thumbnail on the start8 gallery page.....

Reply #43 from WinCustomize Forums Top

thanks Tim

Reply #44 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Anyone want to test my buttons.

Reply #45 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting doortech1, reply 44

Anyone want to test my buttons.

Send them my way Brian. Think you have my email

Reply #46 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I do Dave, but it with everything else I can not find!could you pm me? ANd, thank you.

Reply #47 from WinCustomize Forums Top

missed an "s" again. X|

Reply #48 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting doortech1, reply 47

missed an "s" again.

Yup...ANd and space after the exclamation point.

Just nitpickin' DT. :P

Reply #49 from WinCustomize Forums Top

With only two entries so far, (unless I miscount), Spencer knew what he was saying when he called it a "Mini" contest.... :-"       :P

Reply #50 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Let me ask this question. If I were to enter a button, and win, could I name someone else as recipient of my winnings?