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I've got Windows Vista Basic (UGH) on my Inspiron 1440, and since my love of Metro is pretty well documented, I would like to spice my computer up with some Metro themes. Here is good Metro theme concept but I've yet to see themes like this in real life. This isn't mine, by the way.
http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/4...nails2crop.jpg An Alternate Windows 8 User Experience | The Verge Forums
Do you have any themes to share?
Mosaic is pretty solid for recreating the Metro look. And I've used Rainmeter and Omnimo to turn my desktop into a similar workspace. (The Omnimo website seems messed up, but a quick search will show you what it can make your desktop look like.
Both are far cries from Windows 7, though, and lose a bit of functionality.
Yeah, I've seen those but Rainmeter tends to be a power hog. I've tried my hand in theme development but I'm a far cry from a designer. If that photo was Picasso, I'm the guy who draws stick figures as "art."
I only made a few basic changes, I changed the start button from an orb to a more modern Windows logo, and then the Rainmeter skin I wrote myself to mirror the WP7 clock.
http://i.imgur.com/4zUC7.jpg
I know there is a program that allows for that Windows 8 clock, but I don't want to corrupt my fresh copy of Windows just yet. Has anyone tried this? Add Windows 8 Style Clock To Your Windows 7 And Vista Desktop. Download Now! | Redmond PieQuote:
Originally Posted by achmeingott
I was really surprised how microsoft hasn't altered the desktop much, if at all to look metro-ey. A file explorer with that theme would make so much sense
You mean adding metro-esque tiles to the Explorer? Or changing the fonts and adding a generally minimalistic touch?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Mohammed
The latter probably, but I wouldn't mind Live Tiles invading the desktop and the explorerQuote:
Originally Posted by johnnyb
I will definitely try out these themes, with my Windows 7 i never really customized the theme itself just the backgrounds
Metro is lust worthy in a way that Aero isn't. Just my opinionQuote:
Originally Posted by slack
I would completely agree with you actually. Have you tried out Windows 8 yet? My HDD died in my laptop and when i got a new one, put only the Consumer Preview of 8 on it and it runs really nicely, i especially like seeing all the new news out such as the "Refresh" feature which is a system restore with a new name, takes only 6 minutes! Completely rediculous, Microsoft is completely "Redesigning Windows"Quote:
Originally Posted by techblitz
I would object to placing tiles in the explorer and similar situations. On the desktop, that's fine. I would actually love to have the option of including live tiles on my desktop, but they would not be intuitive to use in a keyboard+mouse oriented file explorer.
I think they would help for revealing the contents of this folder, and they could cycle through so it's not a static previewQuote:
Originally Posted by johnnyb
I would not be opposed to replacing icons (for folders, applications, etc) with Live Tiles. To be able to have your Outlook desktop icon show you that you have a new email or your hardware monitoring program show an updating temperature of your CPU and current fan speed as a % would be insanely useful.
Like Rainmeter, but more power efficient and integrated straight into the OS. I'm not sure why it's not already in Windows 8 already!Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnyb
I personally don't like the theme as it's too bland for me, lacks colors from the WPQuote:
Originally Posted by techblitz
Wow slack, we are literally the EXACT SAME PERSON. My HDD died in the Inspiron 1440, but before I sent it off to be replaced, I put the Consumer Preview on my laptop. I have tried it, and although some of the Metro side is a little too big for my tastes, I agree that it runs awesomely! Microsoft needs to Metrofy their desktop side and remove Aero as the default theme, though!Quote:
Originally Posted by slack
I don't know, I see it as mature looking and dignified in a way that the Metro side on Windows is not (way too many opposing colors!)Quote:
Originally Posted by DjiXas
OMG! Seriously, just before it died, like 3 days before i installed Consumer Preview! Weird!Quote:
Originally Posted by techblitz
I do agree, they need to get Aero off the default, it was nice but i love the Metro, and yes they need to Metrofy their desktop side as well! I'm just hoping the Beta is somewhat close to the final and not like Longhorn and Vista, completely different things lol
slack = techblitz who knew?
I'm going to ask a question that only I, and if you and I are the same person, slack would know. What is your favorite NHL team? (You are a professed Canadian, and I assume you follow the NHL!)Quote:
Originally Posted by slack
Rainmeter is great in terms of functionality, but man, it can be a real resource hog. When I reinstalled Windows 7 on my desktop, I vowed to keep my customization programs to a minimum, to retain the speed it should have to begin with. That resulted in me using some Windows Gadgets to get a clock on my second monitor and a weather widget. Not as fancy as when I was using Rainmeter, but it gets the job done.
I used to be way more heavily invested in customizing my desktop, but like I said, it slowed down a lot more than I realized at the time.
I'm dealing with that process as well. I just reinstalled Windows and I'm trying to make my Inspiron a junk free, efficient machine. Vista isn't as efficient or good looking as Windows 7, so I've been trying to add Windows 7 items (Aero Snap, Shake) and Metro programs (Metrotwit, Tiles). I love to customize my laptop, but I've never been too good at itQuote:
Originally Posted by Mahkia