Simviation Forums

Try Blackbox for Windows!

Blackbox is a quite easy to configure (once you're into it) shell replacement for Windows. It uses less system resources than the default Windows shell and is highly customizable.
It doesn't use an icon- based desktop like Windows, but you can access all your files and  folders via self made short-cuts provided by a variety of plug-ins.

This is how my desktop look like now:


Most of the shortcut bars are hidden until I move the mouse over them and I can add and remove new control bars with little effort.

You can easily switch between the default windows shell and Blackbox, and it also doesn't change any critical system settings.

If you're an experienced user who likes to have total control over his desktop, Blackbox is well worth a try.

http://bb4win.sourceforge.net/bblean/

Nice,
Ever tryed

http://www.wincustomize.com/index.aspx?u=0





EDIT: I remembered what the program was..
http://www.litestep.net/

I tried Litestep, but it couldn't convince me at all.

Doesnt seem to be the same as when i last used it..

I now just use a WinXP theme..
http://www.themexp.org/listings.php?typ ... t=2&page=2

Heretic,

NICE image on the desktop.  What is it?

best,

..............john

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IF you want to try something completely different from the defualt desktop, try this:

Its called sphereXP and makes your desktop a 3d GUI. Its pretty cool, but in terms of practicality is not so useful.
http://www.hamar.sk/sphere/

Had that.. twas rubbish..
Nothing was clickable in 3d view..



Have MS dropped there 3D GUI for Vista?..(Longhorn)

Yes and no.

The GUI in vista is 3d rendered, but the interface is still 2d.
Its rendered in 3d using direct3d to give nice effects like in Mac OS X, but the interface is still 2d like XP.

The GUI in vista is 3d rendered, but the interface is still 2d.
Its rendered in 3d using direct3d to give nice effects like in Mac OS X, but the interface is still 2d like XP.

The interface is 2D, but active shadows fool your eyes to think 3D..

Try Style XP by TGT Soft...Be warned, it's payware..., I had it on my laptop...it was great!!

The interface is 2D, but active shadows fool your eyes to think 3D..

Thats longhorn build 4074. Its outdated, it completely reflects what windows vista does not look like. For a more accurate versian of windows vista, google longhorn build 5054. Thats the newest versian thats been released and you'll see it looks different. I have build 5054 and I'll post some screenshots when I have a chance.

The difference between 4074 and 5054 is huge because MS decided to scrap longhorn build 4XXX series with 4080. They rebuild longhorn from the ground up starting with the 5XXX build series. The 5XXX build series is based on the new windows 2003 architecture (which is better) and the 4XXX (below) were based on the NT architecture.

yeah i know,
Its the only pic i could find

Try Style XP by TGT Soft...Be warned, it's payware..., I had it on my laptop...it was great!!

I had WindowBlinds, but it used too much of system resources for my taste.