Hi. I've noticed that, in some of the screenshots of your themes, the Explorer Window titlebar is a different color than the default blue. May I ask how you're doing that using Winstep? If you're not using Winstep, what are you using? Thanks in advance.

To skin window titlebars, people usually resort to applications like StylesXP or WindowBlinds.

for the quick reply. I was afraid that was the case, but thought I'd ask.

I tried Windows Blinds to attempt to get a theme for the title bars in the rest of the programs to look more like the WS Xtreme themes, but it starts to hose up Winstep (I think) since it appears to want to change other things besides the title bars in windows.

For example, I have a few programs that load and set icons in the systray, which I "monitor" (ie IP Monitor). Using the Aero Low Res theme (or any of the others) these were nicely bunched next to the time button. Once I installed WB5 to get a more relevant title bar look for the programs; they stretched out in a long row and I can't seem to make them bunch backup, even after uninstalling WB5.

I haven't tried StylesXP yet, but I can't seem to find a way to make the systray icons "stack" again instead of being in a straight line.

This is an awsome set of programs BTW, great job. It is so good in fact that it makes all the rest of the windows programs look like crud because the theme doesn't extend to the other windows/programs, which is why I was hoping there was some How To's or FAQ's on how other folks are making the other skinning utilites play nice and not "step" all over WinStep.

As an FYI, I'm not a "skinner", but certainly appreciate the fine art and excellent work those that are do, so that others can enjoy. I am technically oriented (do support) and usually can follow instructions - so any FAQs, or How Tos or Forum threads on this would be delighful for us "non-artistic" folks.

:~)

(I do have to admit I haven't had time to plow through all the message threads here, so can't say that there isn't anything on this here already)

On another note:

I have a dual monitor setup, and am seeing some "anomolies" in behavior regarding it, however, it could as easily be that I don't know how to control WinStep yet.

One thing I have noticed is that I can't get NextStep or Workshelf to span across both monitors (I've clicked span). I'm not certain I would actually leave it that way, but it's all part of working with WinStep to try it out.

As an FYI I'm running an AMD 64 3200+, 2 Gig of ram, and an Nvidia GeForce 6600 pcie card, 2 - Samsung 19" 192n LCDs.

(In case any of that is germain).



cef1000

Hi! I think WindowBlinds (WB) allows you to exclude specific applications (and possibly the systray, although I'm not sure about this one) from being skinned by it.

Hopefully other WB users here will prove me right or wrong. I haven't heard of any issues between WB and Winstep applications for a very long time.

As for the spanning of multiple monitors, it seems indeed this feature got 'broken' somewhere along the way, sorry. It will be fixed in the next release!

Wow, almost an immedeate response.

Great product. If you need some help testing dual monitor issues I'll be happy to help if I can.

I wonder if it would be possible to start a topic on "playing in the sand box" integration experiences the users have had getting the desktop to look more "unified" using WinStep and either of these otehr possible solutions. Kind of a end user how to.

I even tried to use the standard windows xp style bar shading but it doesn't "take" after i set it. It shows what I wanted in the display preview window under display properties - but.

Oh well I'll try some other things first. Hmm I wonder if I uninstalled WinStep set the look under native windows first and then re-installed WinStep if it would be left alone.

Hehe, always on the look-out here... specially after a major release like this one.



Thanks! I'm a happy camper as well given that I also run a dual-monitor system (primary is a 21" CRT at 1920x1440, secondary is a 17" CRT at 1280x1024), I just don't use the span monitors function, which is why I didn't notice it got broken at some point.



Please feel free to start your own topic on that subject here! I'll be glad to contribute on what I can.



WindowBlinds will override any display properties settings, as far as I know. I'm not running WindowBlinds, so I'm not the best person to ask, though.



No need to un-install Winstep Xtreme - just exit the applications and you will be left on normal Windows.

I know the first part is true. But I'm not sure if you can exclude the systray. I've never seen that done before.

Fixed this bug in WorkShelf for next release. For Span Monitors to work on the version you have, you'll have to disable either the 'Reserve Screen Space' or the 'Respect Reserved Screen Space' options.

I also tried the span option for the NextSTART startbar and it seems to be working properly. Note that this will only work properly if (assuming your monitors all have an y origin of 0) your startbar is docked at the top OR both your monitors have the same screen resolution (otherwise one of the edges of the startbar will extend but not be visible on the secondary monitor).