The Desktop Improvement Thread - Page 2

MJ4H · 06-18-2005, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emiliano

-How can I create windows (like you did with games, apps, media...) with the bbIconBox plugin? I installed it, but I only see a small window with all my desktop's icon.

Ctrl-right click in an empty space in your iconbox and you will see a menu with the options for customizing, including creating new iconboxes

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emiliano

-How can I customize the weather plugin with my city???

There should be instructions for customizing bbWeather that come with the plugin, but basically you Go to Yahoo.com and click on yahoo weather, enter your location information and when it gets to the page giving you your local weather, look at the URL in your browser. The last little part of the URL, right before the .htm extension should be copied into the bbWeather.rc file in the correct location (the last field, probably).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emiliano

-What's alpha/beta/gamma on the top left of the bar?

Those are the default names for your virtual desktops. You can shift left-click on that spot and change the names of your desktops (called workspaces) to whatever you want. I used I, II, III, and IV for awhile. Right now I'm using more descriptive names like Main, Media, Apps, Misc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emiliano

-How can I "show" my desktop with blackbox?

To take a screenshot just hit your print screen button on your keyboard. Then open up MS Paint and hit ctrl-v. Save the file as a JPG or PNG and upload it to some webspace (photobucket offers some free space if you dont have any)

daedalus · 06-18-2005, 05:09 PM

Awesome thread, MJ4H. I have looked at but never tinkered with shell replacement because we had a W98 box and my girlfriend did not want to tinker with something different. Now that we have an XP box, I think I will be giving it a try again. Woohoo!

MrBigglesworth · 06-18-2005, 06:14 PM

I am finding it impossible to change my background image with Blackbox. Even when I apply downloaded styles, it doesn't change. What do I have to do?

MJ4H · 06-18-2005, 06:17 PM

Downloaded styles I think have to include a certain switch or item in them to autoamatically change your background when you set the style. I've found most don't do this. I just download the wallpaper separately and set it manually when I want to change. I'm sure there's a way to do it, but I don't really know exactly what it is.

MrBigglesworth · 06-18-2005, 06:27 PM

Ok then, how do you do it manually? right click --> system --> Blackbox --> backgrounds doesn't work for me, is there something else?

MJ4H · 06-18-2005, 06:32 PM

Right click:
System - Control - Display takes you to the normal windows display properties interface. Control - System is where all the control panel functions are.

k0ruptr · 06-18-2005, 07:05 PM

whats the sys info and volume plugins u use?

MrBigglesworth · 06-18-2005, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattJones4Heisman

Right click:
System - Control - Display takes you to the normal windows display properties interface. Control - System is where all the control panel functions are.

Awesome, that worked. Now, what exactly is the 'slit'?

MJ4H · 06-18-2005, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k0ruptr

whats the sys info and volume plugins u use?

BBSysmon and BBInterface

MJ4H · 06-18-2005, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBigglesworth

Awesome, that worked. Now, what exactly is the 'slit'?

The Slit is sort of like a dock for plug-ins I gather. Since I don't use it, I can't tell you much about it.

Emiliano · 06-18-2005, 08:51 PM

Awesome man, thanks! I'm starting to learn how this thing works...

3ric · 06-19-2005, 03:55 AM

Hmpf. FM2005 refuses to run in windowed mode under bblean.

DaddyTorgo · 06-19-2005, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBigglesworth

Now, what exactly is the 'slit'?

Yet another reason we need the QOTM!

MikeVick7 · 06-19-2005, 04:23 AM

I'm finding TVscraper from the Konfabulator website to be a mighty useful utility since my nights are filled with watching TV while on the puter. Thanks for the idea MattJones.

MrBigglesworth · 06-19-2005, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Yet another reason we need the QOTM!

I set it up perfectly for a, " I don't think it exists, it's a myth," response, but nobody stepped up.

MJ4H · 06-19-2005, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3ric

Hmpf. FM2005 refuses to run in windowed mode under bblean.

I ran into this problem the other day. I forgot to even consider it could be bblean causing this, since I have never had a single problem with any other game. I even started a thread about it here and Marc Vaughan responded telling me what to do. But yeah, it refused to start in windowed mode for me, too. Runs full-screen just fine. That is literally the first problem I've had running any software with bblean. Everything else works flawlessly.

I have a feeling it would actually be one of the plug-ins giving it fits, though, like the one that tries to skin the title bar and stuff. I might play around with switching off plugins later today to see if it helps. If it does I can just make a shortcut with bbKeys to turn the plugin off and start FM in one stroke, I guess.

MJ4H · 06-21-2005, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3ric

Hmpf. FM2005 refuses to run in windowed mode under bblean.

I haven' tried this yet, but try adding fm2005.exe to BBLeanSkin's exclusions.rc file

cougarfreak · 06-21-2005, 09:19 PM

Where do you download blackbox? I got to the site you mentioned, d/l'd 1.16, clicked on "blackbox.exe" and got a brown screen and it locked up.

MrBigglesworth · 06-21-2005, 09:26 PM

Hey MJ4H, how did you get your shortcuts in the top left to look big and colorful? Mine are tiny and black and white.

MJ4H · 06-21-2005, 09:33 PM

Icon size 32, Saturation 255, Hue 0

(ctrl-click to bring up the options menu to set these)

MrBigglesworth · 06-21-2005, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattJones4Heisman

Icon size 32, Saturation 255, Hue 0

(ctrl-click to bring up the options menu to set these)

Nice, thanks!

MrBigglesworth · 06-24-2005, 11:40 PM

Is there any shortcut in bbLean to minimize all programs and show the desktop like in explorer?

MJ4H · 06-24-2005, 11:45 PM

You can set it up in bbKeys I think

LastWhiteSoxFanStanding · 03-02-2006, 12:08 PM

Small bump.

Just discovered a program called Object dock which I really like. It customizes the desktop in the mold of os X. ie. dock on the bottm with pretty icons that get big when you put an arrow over them. Reduced my desktop clutter and looks nice.

Here is the link for those interested: http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/

Silver Owl · 03-02-2006, 04:51 PM

Is Blackbox still available for download? I searched the site and can't find the file to download.

DanGarion · 03-02-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Owl

Is Blackbox still available for download? I searched the site and can't find the file to download.

Looks like it's here

http://www.bb4win.org/e107_plugins/c....php?content.6

But it's no longer developed.

Silver Owl · 03-02-2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangarion

Looks like it's here

http://www.bb4win.org/e107_plugins/c....php?content.6

But it's no longer developed.

Duh !!! The comment about version 1.13 and 1.16 in a message earlier threw me off.
Thanks

DanGarion · 03-02-2006, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Owl

Duh !!! The comment about version 1.13 and 1.16 in a message earlier threw me off.
Thanks

Well it does look like from that link that there are a couple different versions of it, but I didn't look much deeper other then reading it.

MJ4H · 03-02-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LastWhiteSoxFanStanding

Small bump.

Just discovered a program called Object dock which I really like. It customizes the desktop in the mold of os X. ie. dock on the bottm with pretty icons that get big when you put an arrow over them. Reduced my desktop clutter and looks nice.

Here is the link for those interested: http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/

There are a couple of other alternatives out there to object dock. The easiest to find is probably Rocket Dock

http://www.punksoftware.com/projects

There is also yz dock which is harder to find I think because apple tried to shut it down (so I hear). If you like Object Dock, Rocket Dock is worth checking out. I don't remember the differences, but you might find one runs faster or offers a little something the other doesn't.

Cuckoo · 03-02-2006, 06:38 PM

I've been using ObjectDock since somebody (GWB maybe?) pointed it out in another thread. I like it, but it does seem to slow some things down a bit. I have a decent processor and plenty of RAM too. I'll take a look at Rocket Dock.

MJ4H · 12-31-2009, 08:20 PM

Bump because bblean 1.17.1 is great and plays nice with vista/7.

Lost In The Box - View topic - bbLean 1.17.1

Passacaglia · 12-31-2009, 09:20 PM

This thread makes me realize how much more I like dangarion compared to DanGarion.

MJ4H · 12-31-2009, 09:38 PM

Screenshot of my desktop with the new bblean and auto-hide turned off:

DanGarion · 01-01-2010, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

This thread makes me realize how much more I like dangarion compared to DanGarion.

Aw man... thanks...

Toddzilla · 01-01-2010, 10:15 AM

Not having seen this thread when it began, I started to read, saw Franklinnoble and threw up in my mouth a little.

CU Tiger · 01-01-2010, 11:03 AM

what is babeschess?

JeeberD · 01-01-2010, 11:20 AM

You took 1400 pics of...Jonesboro?

MJ4H · 01-01-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeeberD

You took 1400 pics of...Jonesboro?

haha no I was transferring geocaching info to my gps including web pages that have lots of icon-sized images.

MJ4H · 01-01-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

what is babeschess?

it is babaschess

it is an interface for the free internet chess server (freechess.org)

Radii · 01-01-2010, 12:16 PM

mj4h, is there much overhead(running the xwindows like skin thingy that is)? if I have a semi-marginal 3 year old XP machine do you know if would I be totally fucking myself if I ran that?

MacroGuru · 01-01-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeeberD

You took 1400 pics of...Jonesboro?

That's his hidden Pron folder.

whomario · 01-01-2010, 03:48 PM

stupid question : What in the hell is this bblean thing ? I did consult wikipedia, but i don´t speak "computer" very well and all i think i understand is that it is basically a new interface for windows, is that about right ?

DaddyTorgo · 01-01-2010, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whomario

stupid question : What in the hell is this bblean thing ? I did consult wikipedia, but i don´t speak "computer" very well and all i think i understand is that it is basically a new interface for windows, is that about right ?

it replaces the windows interface - an i guess uses a lot less system resources to do so. so "behind the scenes" it's still windows, but just with a different interface...(someone correct me if i'm wrong)

Cringer · 01-02-2010, 02:19 AM

Here is my current desktop on my three year old laptop. Looking at getting a laptop and I will probably dual boot that as well, as I am hooked into Linux fully now.

edit: Oh, and my recording was better then this, but I seem to have gone the cheap route with converting the video format and making it a little smaller to upload for time's sake. So any weird things (like parts of one screen staying around when I rotate) don't actually happen, that is just the video. It is all nice and smooth and pretty.

Cringer · 04-15-2010, 06:33 AM

Current (for tonight) desktop. Just installed Ubuntu 10.04 LTS beta 2 so I am messing around with it. I am sure the wallpaper will only last a few days. Top task bar hides but it's there if I need to access those menus.

Also threw in a picture of the new default window buttons in Ubuntu 10.04. Having them on the left side is taking some getting used to but I am adapting. Didn't realize I have been adjusting/closing windows for 20 years with buttons on the right side until I started using them on the left.

rjolley · 04-15-2010, 10:29 AM

Cringer, what are you using to get the window switcher to function that way? I may try it out.

Cringer · 04-15-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjolley

Cringer, what are you using to get the window switcher to function that way? I may try it out.

It's the default setup in Ubuntu 10.04 (so I hope you use Linux). 10.04 comes out April 27th or 29th I think, this is the Beta 2 version I have on and it's actually working for me with no problems unlike the 9.10 betas so I have kept rolling with it. If you want them on the right (normal) side you have to actually go in and change it, though I am not sure how because I haven't cared enough to look.

06-18-2005, 07:05 PM	#57
k0ruptr Pro Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Las Vegas	whats the sys info and volume plugins u use? __________________ Xbox Live Gamertag: k0ruptr My Favorite Teams : Chicago White Sox - Carolina Panthers - Orlando Magic - Phoenix Suns - Anaheim Ducks - Hawaii Warriors - Oregon Ducks

06-19-2005, 03:55 AM	#62
3ric College Starter Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Sweden	Hmpf. FM2005 refuses to run in windowed mode under bblean. __________________ San Diego Chargers (HFL) - Lappland Reindeers (WOOF) - Gothenburg Giants (IHOF) Indiana: A TCY VC - year 2044 - the longest running dynasty ever on FOFC!

06-19-2005, 04:23 AM	#64
MikeVick7 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ron, Mexico	I'm finding TVscraper from the Konfabulator website to be a mighty useful utility since my nights are filled with watching TV while on the puter. Thanks for the idea MattJones. __________________ Hattrick - Seattle Reign (224367)

06-24-2005, 11:40 PM	#72
MrBigglesworth College Starter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: PA	Is there any shortcut in bbLean to minimize all programs and show the desktop like in explorer? Last edited by MrBigglesworth : 06-24-2005 at 11:40 PM.

03-02-2006, 06:38 PM	#80
Cuckoo College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Edmond, OK	I've been using ObjectDock since somebody (GWB maybe?) pointed it out in another thread. I like it, but it does seem to slow some things down a bit. I have a decent processor and plenty of RAM too. I'll take a look at Rocket Dock. __________________ Commissioner - North American Football League Dallas Cowboys GM

06-18-2005, 05:09 PM	#52
daedalus Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000	Awesome thread, MJ4H. I have looked at but never tinkered with shell replacement because we had a W98 box and my girlfriend did not want to tinker with something different. Now that we have an XP box, I think I will be giving it a try again. Woohoo!

06-18-2005, 06:14 PM	#53
MrBigglesworth College Starter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: PA	I am finding it impossible to change my background image with Blackbox. Even when I apply downloaded styles, it doesn't change. What do I have to do?

06-18-2005, 06:17 PM	#54
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	Downloaded styles I think have to include a certain switch or item in them to autoamatically change your background when you set the style. I've found most don't do this. I just download the wallpaper separately and set it manually when I want to change. I'm sure there's a way to do it, but I don't really know exactly what it is.

06-18-2005, 06:27 PM	#55
MrBigglesworth College Starter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: PA	Ok then, how do you do it manually? right click --> system --> Blackbox --> backgrounds doesn't work for me, is there something else?

06-18-2005, 06:32 PM	#56
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	Right click: System - Control - Display takes you to the normal windows display properties interface. Control - System is where all the control panel functions are.

06-18-2005, 08:51 PM	#61
Emiliano College Prospect Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nuremberg, Germany	Awesome man, thanks! I'm starting to learn how this thing works...

06-21-2005, 09:19 PM	#68
cougarfreak College Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Out of Grad School Hell :)	Where do you download blackbox? I got to the site you mentioned, d/l'd 1.16, clicked on "blackbox.exe" and got a brown screen and it locked up.

06-21-2005, 09:26 PM	#69
MrBigglesworth College Starter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: PA	Hey MJ4H, how did you get your shortcuts in the top left to look big and colorful? Mine are tiny and black and white.

06-21-2005, 09:33 PM	#70
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	Icon size 32, Saturation 255, Hue 0 (ctrl-click to bring up the options menu to set these)

06-24-2005, 11:45 PM	#73
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	You can set it up in bbKeys I think

03-02-2006, 12:08 PM	#74
LastWhiteSoxFanStanding College Starter Join Date: Jun 2003	Small bump. Just discovered a program called Object dock which I really like. It customizes the desktop in the mold of os X. ie. dock on the bottm with pretty icons that get big when you put an arrow over them. Reduced my desktop clutter and looks nice. Here is the link for those interested: http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/

03-02-2006, 04:51 PM	#75
Silver Owl High School JV Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Akron, OH	Is Blackbox still available for download? I searched the site and can't find the file to download.

12-31-2009, 08:20 PM	#81
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	Bump because bblean 1.17.1 is great and plays nice with vista/7. Lost In The Box - View topic - bbLean 1.17.1

12-31-2009, 09:20 PM	#82
Passacaglia Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Big Ten Country	This thread makes me realize how much more I like dangarion compared to DanGarion.

12-31-2009, 09:38 PM	#83
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	Screenshot of my desktop with the new bblean and auto-hide turned off:

01-01-2010, 10:15 AM	#85
Toddzilla Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burke, VA	Not having seen this thread when it began, I started to read, saw Franklinnoble and threw up in my mouth a little.

01-01-2010, 11:03 AM	#86
CU Tiger Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Backwoods, SC	what is babeschess?

01-01-2010, 11:20 AM	#87
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	You took 1400 pics of...Jonesboro? __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

01-01-2010, 12:16 PM	#90
Radii Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	mj4h, is there much overhead(running the xwindows like skin thingy that is)? if I have a semi-marginal 3 year old XP machine do you know if would I be totally fucking myself if I ran that?

01-01-2010, 03:48 PM	#92
whomario Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2007	stupid question : What in the hell is this bblean thing ? I did consult wikipedia, but i don´t speak "computer" very well and all i think i understand is that it is basically a new interface for windows, is that about right ?

01-02-2010, 02:19 AM	#94
Cringer Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Edinburg,TX	Here is my current desktop on my three year old laptop. Looking at getting a laptop and I will probably dual boot that as well, as I am hooked into Linux fully now. edit: Oh, and my recording was better then this, but I seem to have gone the cheap route with converting the video format and making it a little smaller to upload for time's sake. So any weird things (like parts of one screen staying around when I rotate) don't actually happen, that is just the video. It is all nice and smooth and pretty. __________________ You Stole Fizzy Lifting drinks! You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and steralized, so you get NOTHING! You lose! Last edited by Cringer : 01-02-2010 at 02:21 AM.

04-15-2010, 06:33 AM	#95
Cringer Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Edinburg,TX	Current (for tonight) desktop. Just installed Ubuntu 10.04 LTS beta 2 so I am messing around with it. I am sure the wallpaper will only last a few days. Top task bar hides but it's there if I need to access those menus. Also threw in a picture of the new default window buttons in Ubuntu 10.04. Having them on the left side is taking some getting used to but I am adapting. Didn't realize I have been adjusting/closing windows for 20 years with buttons on the right side until I started using them on the left. __________________ You Stole Fizzy Lifting drinks! You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and steralized, so you get NOTHING! You lose!

04-15-2010, 10:29 AM	#96
rjolley College Starter Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Roseville, CA	Cringer, what are you using to get the window switcher to function that way? I may try it out.

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