The 2008 Beijing Olympics will be nearing its completion and for sure many people are trying to get their hands on memorabilia and souvenirs of the prestigious events. As spectators, you do not really have to go to Beijing to buy one. You can actually get one online in the form of Windows themes and wallpapers.
For some, this may come a bit late. Most people who have been waiting for the Olympics are sure to have downloaded their own share of themes, icons and wallpapers. Screensavers as well but most of these are pictures of the place and the mascots that Beijing had prepared. For sure a large demand would be the medalists and the key events such as swimming and basketball where Michael Phelps and the Redeem Team are heading the list of notable winners for the 2008 edition.
Much of these wallpapers are sure to be uploaded through the images taken from the event. While it may be drawing to a close, expect a lot of themes to be unleashed once the closing ceremonies get underway. Among the hottest names would include the best performers. Aside from Phelps, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Kerri Walsh as well as the other team competition stars are bound to be in demand some time after the said meet.
So if you want any semblance of these athletes on your desktop for souvenirs, watch out. They are sure to be spread like wildfire once the Beijing Olympics come to a close.
Written by PC Freak on August 19th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on 1340 and 1354 and 1426 and 1429 and 1673 and 169 and 2065 and 2157 and 401 and 544 and Contributors and Windows XP and themes and windows.
For most Windows XP users today, there is little to consider as far as changing your current default Windows XP Theme. You can choose between two ways:
The Traditional Way
- Go to the Control Panel and look for the Display Icon and double click on it.
- Once inside, you will immediately see the current theme which is usually the Windows XP theme. If you click on the field, you will see other default themes. Normally if it is a first time installation and you haven’t downloaded any new themes, only the Windows Classic options theme will be there for you to check out.
- If you have downloaded any other themes, just use the browse option and point it to the directory where you placed them. Then save and apply and you get a totally new makeover.
For more themes you can apply, you can go to reliable sites such as Themeworld.com which normally has a number of themes over there that you can download. A word of caution though. There will be a lot of sites offering free theme downloads. Unless you are sure that they are reliable based on recommendations, don’t think of even considering downloading them. They may give you more than a theme like a virus or spyware for your troubles.
The other way is of course right clicking on the main desktop. Once the menu comes out, select properties and you will get the same window as you did for the ones enumerated above. Follow each step as well.
Written by PC Freak on June 13th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on 1354 and 1426 and 1429 and 1673 and 169 and 2065 and 2157 and 401 and 544 and Contributors and Desktop and Windows XP and control panel and themes.
As far as getting the habit of frequently changing themes, you cannot help but wonder if they would be a cause for occasional slowdowns of computers whenever they are in use. One thing we can note is the fact that they eat resources.
Unlike in the early days when you can simply change your desktop with standard themes, the new themes we use in Windows XP and Vista need larger resources. They are enhancements for people who want their computer to look unique and ideal to their eyes each time that they use them. For others however, the only important thing is being able to use your computer and get the work you need done.
For some, it may not matter. New computer specifications today allow them to enjoy the same speed and output although it may defeat the purpose of being faster when it comes to processing and resources used. Some would point towards the way of new operating system needs that slow down a computer and adding new Windows themes only aggravates it as well.
With these things in mind, we cannot avoid using some themes at some point. Perhaps modifying them according to what we want or in part can help avoid such problems in the end. It may become technical for some people who are not used to customizing themes on their desktop but if you want to maximize computer performance, you can do so by picking only some of the elements needed to make your computer stand out and be different from the rest.
Written by PC Freak on April 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
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Tired of your iTouch default colours and icons? Pimp your iTouch for free with new themes, icons , wallpaper and colors to match.
Here are a nice set of themes for your iTouch or iPhone.
A Summerboard theme around the Gartoon icons found at art.gnome.org.
The
Gartoon Summerboard Theme can be downloaded and used on your iPod Touch or iPhone.
H
ere is a another theme that has a medieval feel , kind of like a Leonardo Da Vinci look to it.
Download it here.
Round Icons with a Web 2.0 glossy look.
Download it here.
A colourful theme of wet paint splashes
Download it here.
An alternate version to the Web paint theme
Download it here.
A nice black and white theme, very sharp.
Download it here.
A Classic Mac OSX Theme.
Download it here.
A modern clean nature theme
Download it here.
Other Users have also read
Written by PCWizKid on April 19th, 2008 with no comments.
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If your tired of the default windows cursors, and your stuck back in the 90's. Time to get a facelift and get with the times with CursorFX v2.0.
StarDock has released a free Cursor Theme Management utility which takes it to the next level allowing you to do the following:
| Cursors can be unlimited size |
| Fully anti-aliased cursors |
| Fully 32-bit alpha blended cursors |
| Animations and scripts |
| Cursors with normal and pressed states |
| Full featured theme editor |
| Fully featured graphic control panel |
| Fully configurable soft shadow |
So get ready to pimp your Windows XP or Vista system further with this free tool.
Get for free hundreds of cursor themes from
www.wincustomize.com that have been created by users for a cool new look. Import the packages of themed cursors into CursorFX and set it as your default.
Other Tips Users have watched
Written by PCWizKid on February 29th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Microsoft Windows Vista and Stardock and cursorfx and customize cursor and free and icons and mouse and themes and windows themes.
For those that are not planning to install Windows Vista anytime soon, and want the styles and feel Vista has to offer when it comes to eyecandy and functionality, there are a few ways you can do this which can change not only the skins to Vista, but also icons, menus and your bootup screens.
The most popular aspect of Vista is its
Aero - Transparency and 3D Flip.
To get opaque windows on Windows XP, you can try out a various software packages. Forget WindowsBlinds, thats not a true enablement of the Vista experience, what you really need is the
BricoPack Vista Inspirat Ultimate 2. This free pack which modifies Windows XP system files in order to change its appearance and make it look like Windows Vista. Before installing this BricoPack, please read the instructions page "about the BricoPacks". You must not install this pack on Windows x64 OS. However I would say this is the easiest and quickest way to change your 32 bit Windows XP OS to Vista Styles.
There is an app called WinFlip which can give you the similar experience of Windows Aero in Vista. It runs in the taskbar and Aero effects (3D flip) can be invoked by pressing the Windows key + Tab. Get it here Download WinFlip
Other applications out there that do similar changes are:
-
SphereSite -
Actual Transparent Window-
WindowFX-
Y'z ShadowIf your a do it yourself type of person and want to teak things individually yourself from scratch, you can modify the Windows XP OS and get the Vista Themes separately following these steps:
1. Get the
Uxtheme Multi-patcher which will allow you to use any 3rd party msstyle theme on Windows XP/SP1/SP2 or Windows Server 2003 (with Themes enabled) just by patching the uxtheme.dll (dynamic link library), then reboot after for the changes to take effect.
2. Get a Windows Vista Theme such as the
VistaVG or
AeroVG Theme, (browse through them here at http://themes.belchfire.net/vista-themes.html) and unzip it and copy it to
C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes directory.3. Get some nice Hi-res wallpaper from
gnome-look.org or check out
my previous article on pimping your desktop with wallpaper.
4. Get a Windows Vista
Sound Pack and put them in the to
C:\WINDOWS\MEDIA folder. Then in the
Control panel > Sounds and change the sound for respective events.
5. For enabling the Aero look you can try the links I specified above for details and options.
Other Tips Users have watched
Written by PCWizKid on February 28th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Contributors and Customize and aero and flip 3d and icons and themes and tweak and windows xp vista powertoys tweakui tweak service pack 3.
Not all Firefox themes and extensions available on the web are properly served by the server so they are easy to add. Sometimes they are offered as regular .XPI (extensions) or .JAR (themes) files.
To install these, you need to either drag the file to the Add-ons Manager (Tools menu, Add-ons) or select File/Open File… and browse for the file.
There’s yet another easier and more logical way: unhide a secret button in the Add-ons Manager that will let you browser for extension or theme files stored in your computer: (more…)
Written by Jason on December 24th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Firefox and add-ons and extensions and themes.
Windows Vista gadgets can do more than show the time and a calendar. The Windows Vista Sidebar can also be used to install gadgets that are useful such as system utilities that keep track of the resources Windows Vista is using.
Sidebar gadgets have been created that can keep track of how Windows Vista is using your hardware resources and link to 3rd party tools providing you a shortcut to getting information online. Only thing is, if you have a smaller monitor you may find the sidebar a little crowding and using precious screen space. Truth is it was meant for those with a Widescreen LCD
so you can keep it running in the foreground. If you ever decide you want to permanently disable the sidebar watch my video tutorial here.
Anyhow, don't worry its not so bad for those with a regular monitor too. Below I have picked
some of the best FREE Windows Vista Sidebar gadgets available. Not every gadget comes from Microsoft directly. Actually some of the best ones I have found elsewhere.
By the way in case you didn't know, here are the windows shortcut keyboard combos for using the sidebar:
- Windows key + spacebar - Select Sidebar and bring all gadgets to the front
- Windows key + G - Cycle through Sidebar gadgets
- Tab - Cycle through Sidebar controls
Top Rated, Useful and Interesting Gadgets and add-ons to have:
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WebGuide
The WebGuide Gadget allows you to connect to local Media Center or a remote WebGuide server. It allows for full access to the program guide, search, recorded TV and scheduled Recordings. You can even stream live TV when connected to a WebGuide server.
Download hereMini Inbox 3.0 - Your Inbox messages on your sidebar. Read your email from the sidebar via a flyout. You don't even need to have Outlook open!
Download here
Hobby Lounge - Memory/Core , and hardware usage, very nice set of gadgets.
Download here
Torrent Wrangler - Torrent Wrangler V2 is a powerful sidebar gadget that allows you search 5 popular torrent trackers with one click.
Download here
Calculator -The first ever Vista calculator gadget released on the Live Gallery.
Download here
Recycle Bin - This gadget adds the recycle bin within the gadgets. You can directly view or delete the content of the basket. Drop any items you want to delete onto the basket.
Download here
PowerShell Gadget - PowerShell Gadget is a small gadget that hosts the PowerShell console window in your Sidebar.
Download hereThe Magic Folder - The Magic Folder is a gadget that helps you categorize and move files. When you drag a file to the gadget it will look at the file extension and place Document files (like doc, xls, ppt, etc) in the Document folder.
Download hereSystem Control - Aside from the normal Shutdown, Restart, Lock, and StandBy (Hibernate), you can Switch User, Log Off, Task Manager, Run Window, and Command Prompt.
Download hereSidebar Themes are also available to customize the look.
Sidebar Styler
Windows Sidebar Styler is an application which takes advantage of various technologies introduced in Windows Vista in order to provide extensions to the existing functionality of Windows Sidebar. With the Styler you can customize the skin/theme of the sidebar for example.
Take a look here for a
list of themes for the sidebar.
If its
wallpaper themes your looking for check out
my list here.
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Written by PCWizKid on December 24th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Sidebar and eyecandy and themes and wallapaper and widgets and windows vista gadgets.
If you want to personalize your
iPod Touch (or iPhone) further there is a Toolkit called appropriately "Customize version 1.20" which is free.
It allows you to many different tweaks such as:
- Toggle hiding applications.
- Ability to choose number of icons on the dock.
- Preset capabilities, which allow quick reordering
- Change icon images and backgrounds
- and much more
For details visit http://code.google.com/p/customize/
You can download the Customize Package here.
Download new system sounds for your iPod Touch (or iPhone) from here.
For custom images for your iPod Touch (or iPhone) from here.
Now that you have the tools, dont forget to protect the exterior from scratches. I bought a thin film that goes on my iPod like an invisible skin, you dont even notice it, and it keeps your brand new iPod looking shinny and new against unnecessary scratches and dents. Dont wait until its late. Its cheap to buy and you'll thank me for it later.
Get the protectors and deals on iPod Touch Accessories here.
Some suggestions (based on popularity)DLO HipCase Leather Folio for iPod touch (Black)Apple Ipod Touch Carrying CaseShure E2c-n Sound Isolating Earphones (Black)Last thing I wanted to mention, if you want to create your own icons and images for your ipod, make sure that they are in the following image format, filename and size.
Dock Background Images
Width: 320px Height: 91px
Carrier Images
Width: Variable as needed Height: 20px
Notes: Save the image that will look good on a black background as mycarrier.png, and the one that looks good on white background as mycarrier-1.png. Use arial font for this graphic.
WiFi Images
Width: 20px Height: 20px
Notes: The WiFi image set consists of 8 images as follows:
| Your File Name | Description | Intended Background Color |
| yourfile.png | No Signal | White |
| yourfile-1.png | one "bar" | White |
| yourfile-2.png | two "bars" | White |
| yourfile-3.png | full "bars" | White |
| yourfile-4.png | No Signal | Black |
| yourfile-5.png | one "bar" | Black |
| yourifle-6.png | two "bars" | Black |
| yourfile-7.png | full "bars" | Black |
Badge Images
Width: 29px Height: 30px
Bar Dialer Image
See This Tutorial for information on how to create a custom keypad dialer.
Battery Images
Width: 264px Height: 129px
Notes: The battery image set consists of 17 images, named yourname.png, yourname-1.png, ..., yourname-16.png. Because I think it would look better (you'll see) yourname.png is actually the 17th image, and all the other numbers correspond.
Sound Images
Width: 87px Height: 88px
Chat Balloons
Width: 43px Height: 32px
Slider Images
Width: 70px Height: 47px
Notes: The sound image set consists of four images whose names are described here:
| yourname.png | Ring Image |
| yourname-1.png | Mute Image |
| yourname-2.png | Silent Image |
| yourname-3.png | Speaker Image |
If your intersted in Unlocking, Jailbreaking and Activiating new iPhone features, take a look at my ZiPhone Guide here
Written by PCWizKid on December 17th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Customization and boot screen and iphone and iphone hacks and iphone sounds and ipod accessories and ipod dock and ipod hacks and ipod touch and ipod tweaks and themes.
