Desk Tops

[Atrocities]

Here is my current Desk Top image.

This is my cat, the one that passed away in 2004.

[NullAshton]

My desktop is boring. You don't want to see it.

[Fyron]

I down-sized my desktop to 800x600...

[Captain Kwok]

Here's my desktop. Nothing special, the star background is my own custom starfield for Space Empires.

[JAFisher44]

well, I have been switching back and forth between these two desktops for the last few weeks cause I can't decide which I like best.

[JAFisher44]

second desktop

[kerensky]

This is my current desktop...

[narf poit chez BOOM]

How do you find anything in that thing?

[EaX]

I couldn't resist, here's my desktop.

[Kamog]

You have SEV ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gifhttp://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

My desktop is so boring. I just use the standard Windows "Prairie Wind" background.

[Renegade 13]

Here's mine. Cluttered, needs a cleaning.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Renegade: Nah, it's not cluttered till you have to delete or move stuff before you can put something on the desktop. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Ed Kolis]

So SE5 FINALLY got a new icon... That old one has been in use since SE2, ya know? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif

[AdmiralMartin]

My desktop. That of a Freespace fanatic. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Slynky]

Had to shrink mine 'cause I run 2 19's as my desktop at work. It basically only has a 3D image of "Staci", a cartoonish female mesh I bought to render with ('cause I liked her long stringy look).

Fyron, good thing you shrank yours, too http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif.

[AdmiralMartin]

Fyron,All I see is a black box. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

[Ragnarok]

Here is my desktop.

[Slynky]

Ragnarok said:
Here is my desktop.

Now, that's a nice desktop !

[Alneyan]

I have no sense whatsoever of esthetics, and do most things through the arboresence or a command line. So, everything is default, with a silly terminal thrown in for good measure and most programs hidden elsewhere.

At least you were sparred the "real" console, since I couldn't figure out how to take a screenshot without hitting *any* important key (and Print Screen didn't work).

[Slynky]

Ragnarok said:
Here is my desktop.

OK, I give up, what IS that app you use for your desktop?

[Thermodyne]

Here's mine at work.

[Slynky]

Thermodyne said:
Here's minw at work.

"Bite Me?" LOL

[Will]

Hey, I'm just a minimalist... not as bad as Fyron though.

The grey at the bottom is the taskbar, hidden. The blue at the left is Trillian, hidden. I had originally had some different icons and such, but I reinstalled Win2k at the end of summer when I got a new SATA hard drive (it was originally on a PATA drive).

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Where do you guys get these cool looking desktops? Mine's just WinXP with the Classic theme and the sunset pic for background..

[Thermodyne]

Slynky said:
"Bite Me?" LOL



I had too much spare time one day.

[Atrocities]

Narf POST your Desk top.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Didn't think that anyone would be that interested, but ok.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Hmm...Didn't like that one...

[Slynky]

narf poit chez BOOM said:
Hmm...Didn't like that one...

Looks like the desktop of an organized and calculating mind with a nice photo touch to add a certain amount of serenity to one's piece of mind.

SO...how'd you wind up with it??? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

(j/k)

[Fyron]

Ragnarok said:
Here is my desktop.

Hmm... I found aston shell to be really unstable and glitchy. Definitely not something I'd pay for. Hope you've had better luck with it!

(also cover's Slynky's question. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)

AdmiralMartin said:
Fyron,All I see is a black box. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

That would be it. Of course... I could unhide some stuff, I guess... Its only 20.2 kb, and I didn't resize it, since text would become unreadable. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Slynky]

Imperator Fyron said:

Ragnarok said:
Here is my desktop.

Hmm... I found aston shell to be really unstable and glitchy. Definitely not something I'd pay for. Hope you've had better luck with it!

So, that's what it is? I was curious. My boss, nearly as knowledgeable as you looked into Lightstep (?) and Darkstep (?) and had stability problems with them. Then there are just skins which, won't do all that Rags has.

I'd like to get something like what Rags has but stability is important. Looking forward to hearing from him.

But, I like the organizational ability of it much better than icons and quicklaunch.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Slynky said:

narf poit chez BOOM said:
Hmm...Didn't like that one...

Looks like the desktop of an organized and calculating mind with a nice photo touch to add a certain amount of serenity to one's piece of mind.

SO...how'd you wind up with it??? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

(j/k)


Oh, just wait. I've had icons covering the entire screen before.

[Fyron]

I've had much success with bblean (which you can see a bit of in my edited post below), which you can use to build fancy extensible dock/wharf "menus" like that. You can use icons or text labels, AFAIK. You could in theory make it look all shiny and fancy like the aston shell one, but I don't know if anyone has made such things for the blackbox shells. They are meant to not be glitzy, afterall. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Slynky]

Imperator Fyron said:
I've had much success with bblean (which you can see a bit of in my edited post below), which you can use to build fancy extensible dock/wharf "menus" like that. You can use icons or text labels, AFAIK. You could in theory make it look all shiny and fancy like the aston shell one, but I don't know if anyone has made such things for the blackbox shells. They are meant to not be glitzy, afterall. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Oh, THANKS for the info. I'll check out that one as well. the dock/wharf "menus" as you call them are nice ways to organize things. "Beauty" is an extra cherry on top just to make others envioius (always a plus...LOL).

[Fyron]

You'll want to look into the BBInterface (http://www.lostinthebox.com/viewtopic.php?t=694) plugin. There might be a more specialized plugin for what you want, but I am not sure.

If you want a quick launch bar, BBIconBox is the easiest way. You can also use this to simulate the "desktop," by creating a box linked to the desktop folder (or any arbitrary folder). If you want to make it bigger than 12 rows/columns, you have to edit the settings file for the plugin. For some reason the menu-based selection is limited to 12.

=0=

Note that when I said instability issues with aston shell, it was the shell process itself crashing; it never took out Windows itself and could be restarted by the task manager.

[kerensky]

Hmmm, to completely cover my desktop in icons would take......

228 icons, wow...

[Slynky]

Imperator Fyron said:
You'll want to look into the BBInterface (http://www.lostinthebox.com/viewtopic.php?t=694) plugin. There might be a more specialized plugin for what you want, but I am not sure.

If you want a quick launch bar, BBIconBox is the easiest way. You can also use this to simulate the "desktop," by creating a box linked to the desktop folder (or any arbitrary folder). If you want to make it bigger than 12 rows/columns, you have to edit the settings file for the plugin. For some reason the menu-based selection is limited to 12.

=0=

Note that when I said instability issues with aston shell, it was the shell process itself crashing; it never took out Windows itself and could be restarted by the task manager.

Thanks LOADS for the info! I'll check it out.

[Fyron]

I found a good base "wharf" script for BBInterface here:

http://bb4win.sourceforge.net/bladestaylor/bbi/

Not sure what "layered" is yet, but the wharf.zip looks promising.

[Black_Knyght]

$#@%&%$&%#$@&%(#@% !!!!!

Wanted to post MINE here, but can't figure how you do it ???

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr........... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon49.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bullets.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Hammer.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Grenade.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif

[Wolfman77]

Do a reply (in the info bar of any post) instead of the quick reply, then right above the continue button is a check box that says "I want to preview my post and/or attach a file" then just point it to the file on your comp you want to attach.

[Ragnarok]

Slynky/Fyron,

I just thought I'd post real quick about Aston. I have been running Aston for about 2 years now and haven't had any major problems. I think in the two years that I have been running it, I have had the process die on me twice. It is an easy fix though, just go into the CMD promt, navigate to the aston directory and type in aston.exe to fire it right back up. Beyond that it has been a great app.

I have changed the theme several times. I like the one I posted the best. I love the fly-out menus on the left and right-hand of the screen.

I guess Aston is much like any other application. Works excellent for some, for others it is horrible. Either way, I hope you (Slynky) find something that suits what you are looking for.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

[Thermodyne]

Anyone can make changes to the way the desktop looks. All you need to do is hack the explorer.exe file and change the settings. It’s a binary, so it’s easy to unpack and edit. Just copy and rename it, open and edit the copy, save it with the new name. Then go to the registry and change the key to reflect the new file name.

[Ragnarok]

Thermodyne said:
Anyone can make changes to the way the desktop looks. All you need to do is hack the explorer.exe file and change the settings. It’s a binary, so it’s easy to unpack and edit. Just copy and rename it, open and edit the copy, save it with the new name. Then go to the registry and change the key to reflect the new file name.



True, but how many average computer users will know how to do something like that? Most people don't even know what explorer.exe is. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif So typically only your advanced users will attempt to hack an .exe and then edit the registry; which I do on a regular basis.

[Thermodyne]

These guys around here cand write mods, so i would think that they can hack a binary.

[PvK]

Uhm, you would be incorrect. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

SE4 mods are text files and bitmaps. Nowhere near the same as hacking a binary. Especially explorer.exe and expecting it not to make Windohs more of a doh-fest than it already is...

(edit: Well, if you just want to change a text string, maybe, but even that can mess things up if you want to increase its length and there wasn't enough padding in the original binary.)

PvK

[PvK]

Thermo, I love your "BiteMe" button.

Is GLINDA a link to the share at MS Studios?

PvK

[Fyron]

It's a hell of a lot easier to just use a better shell that is designed to be configurable than to go through the hassle of hacking the binary...

[wilhil]

I have only read the first few posts here and the first few attachments.

Atrocities, You are a B****RD, I HATE YOU, YOU ***KING ****

Sorry, I know you did not do it to spite me, but I hate the fact you have a icon called SEV! I hate you so much right now... I am so bored, and I can not tell you how much I want to play SEV!

I warn anyone with a working SEV copy, if I ever find out where you live, I will nick your computers so I can play!

That being said, atrocities, nice pussy on your desktop!

[Thermodyne]

PvK said:
Thermo, I love your "BiteMe" button.

Is GLINDA a link to the share at MS Studios?

PvK



No, it's a shortcut to one of the servers in the citrix farm. Back when, we had 7 servers in the farm and all were named after things from OZ. And the domain was OZ. Now we have just two and I seldom even go onto that server anymore. I think there are perhaps 6 VPN users that still use citrix. And that's only because they work on systems that belong to other gov. agencies.

[Thermodyne]

Imperator Fyron said:
It's a hell of a lot easier to just use a better shell that is designed to be configurable than to go through the hassle of hacking the binary...

What hassle? Open a program-type in the target and click a button. As to being better, that's probably true. We make some changes to explorer to limit what people can do to screw up the systems, but it doesn't change what they see.

[Thermodyne]

Here's my workstation at home.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Like the picture. Where did you get it?

[Thermodyne]

Not exactly sure, I was just surfing Google images and dl'd the ones that caught my eye. If you want the jpeg, I can send it to you.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Nah, I was mostly wondering if you had a link to one of those cool places to get pics, like nasa.

[Black_Knyght]

Here's what my PC desktop looks like.....

[zen.]

Late to the party, had to contribute. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
My background pic, screenies taken from the X3 Rolling Demo.

zen

[zen.]

Next.

[parabolize]

I attached a openbox shot and here is a link to a gnome shot:
gnome screenshot (http://transgaming.org/gamesdb/screenshots/single.mhtml?screenshot_id=959)

[Atrocities]

Some nice desk tops. Really like the firefly one. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif To bad Lucas is behind the series being cancelled. Reminded him too much of the gritty universe he created with star was and though Josh was ripping him off. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Well Lucas never came out with a Han Solo series, so what the hell is his problem?

[Black_Knyght]

Never knew that about ol' George, but somehow it figures. Damn fine show Firefly, and Serenity one excellent movie. The characters are a helluva lot more believable than ANY other sci-fi show or movie I've ever seen.

[Slynky]

Atrocities said:
Some nice desk tops. Really like the firefly one. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif To bad Lucas is behind the series being cancelled. Reminded him too much of the gritty universe he created with star was and though Josh was ripping him off. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Well Lucas never came out with a Han Solo series, so what the hell is his problem?

Where did you get this info/idea from? I read the George Lucas interview where he forgot about any professional demeanor and basically called Joss a talentless hack that should never have been given any attention by Hollywood.

Speaking of never knowing what "Ol George" is like, well, I'll NEVER see anything of his again. He can get bent as far as I'm concerned.

[Atrocities]

It has been a fact that George Lucas caused the demise of Firefly the series because he considered it a rip off of Star Wars.

The higher ups at 20th Century, not wanting to piss off lucas, quietly cancelled the series. They would not allow it to be revived in any form until AFTER Lucas has released the last SW movie.

Lucas is a childish geek who needs his ego to be deflated.

[Black_Knyght]

I've read a number or articles about him that paint him as an opinionated tantrum-thrower who tosses his influence around to get what he wants, or doesn't want, to happen.

Sad to hear that he's had a hand in scramblin' Firefly/Serenity. You'd think a man who had to work hard to get his ideal project into fruition wouldn't begrudge another his opportunity.

Guess things get ugly when you see a real competitor coming up on ya....

[Atrocities]

Lucas killed BSG in the 70's. He got Fox to pretty much ignore the Wing Commander (the Movie) as they did not do any advertising for it. It was a pretty good movie on its own, but again, it reminded Lucas of Star Wars.

Hell Lucas things every show is stealing from his PRECIOUS Star Wars idea. GIVE ME A F***ING BREAK LUCAS!!~

Lucas is like the fat kid with the ball. If any one else shows up with a new ball, he crys foul and says its his ball. Remember, Lucas can't call children children, he has to call them younglings.... pffft.

Never the less, Star Wars is still a brillant movie and I will always have respect for Lucas for bring it to us.

[Black_Knyght]

I respect the man's work, but certainly not the man himself.

[AgentZero]

Better late than never, I suppose....

[atari_eric]

Wow. SEIV looks better in Cedega than it does in Windows...

[parabolize]

atari_eric said:
Wow. SEIV looks better in Cedega than it does in Windows...


Its just USy Grey UI v1.25 (http://mkv25.net/USy/zipfiles/USy_Grey_UI_v1.25.zip)

[atari_eric]

Actually, I was referring to the font rendering - I actually didn't like the graphics set. I prefer the buttons David Gervais did for his Miner Mod...

[parabolize]

ya thats cedega. using its default FreeType and XRender libraries
"Resolution" = "96"
"Default" = "-adobe-times-"

I had tried to get se4 fonts working once or twice but I like adobe-times more anyway.