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Aston Desktop Shell

(151 posts) (28 voices)

Started 17 years ago by Aiden
Latest reply from BuBBy

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Wolven
Member

BillW50 & Gang,

After reading this thread and seeing all the great desktops, I finally decided to download the trial version last night. I put a rough desktop together (have no idea what I am doing - trial and error without reading the instructions, as usual...Uh-Oh!). Anyhow here's a couple of quick screen shots. I just wanted to get an idea of how the one shell looked with different type backgrounds. I'm really happy with the effect. The layout needs work,..I'll check for more plugins and see what type of mess I can create. The last link is a slide-show with a few more backgrounds.

Wallpaper on first one, is my ugly head. Now you know who you are chatting with.
http://img457.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aston01wr9.jpg
http://img457.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aston08hl5.jpg
http://img457.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aston06lj4.jpg
http://img457.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aston07th7.jpg
http://img457.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aston09ry3.jpg

http://img457.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img457/107/1174132184xj8.smil

Happy hacking!

Posted 17 years ago #
BuBBy
Teh adnim

Wolven,

You need to shave.

Posted 17 years ago #
Kat
Member

Hi Wolven,
Nice Hair! Enjoyed your screenshots-but .couldn't get slideshow. Hope it's not technical difficulties...
Kat

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

Hi Wolven... Wow they were great! Even the slideshow was great! ;)

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

BuBBy,
You too! [smiley :: roflmao] http://img267.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bubby01gp5.jpg

Hi Kat,
Thanks! Actually, I struck a couple of problems at The Shack earlier today. It may have been under maintenance at the time. Try again later. If you have further problems, try opening the link in a different browser. Regardless, you will not have missed much. It's a tiny flash player and I only put 9 images in to it, as a demo.

BillW50,
Thanks also. I think most of the artwork was from the site I linked to at the bottom of page 2 (this thread). My collection is all on portable media, somewhere in a box which resides somewhere in this house. I only had a couple on the hard drive, so I d/l'd about 40 random images from that site.

If anyone wants to grab those images, just scream your lings out and I will upload them for you.

Cheers guys...'Avagoodweegend!

Posted 17 years ago #
BuBBy
Teh adnim

Wolven - that's an old photo. (I'm a bit taller now). :D

Posted 17 years ago #
merqueen
Member

All I can say is W0W, you all are doing so awesome with this, but got a question, who's gonna be my teacher, lol, i am kinda afraid to just go at it all my self, I been having some minor problems, with my pc, so could use a friedly hand, would really appriciate, any and all, of your help, but also will understand, if time is a problem, so thanks all of you very kind peeps, T.C. Merqueen......

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

Hi merqueen... No problem. Although did you get it running first? Some people have trouble with this one and they end up with no desktop. If you haven't installed or switched to Aston yet, I'll try to get the information you need before you try in case things go wrong. Safest choice is to select Swapper Shell at first. Although it will ask you whether you want Aston or Explorer with every reboot. But once it works you can select Aston instead of Shell Swapper. Or select Explorer if things goes wrong.

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

I created my first new resolution for a downloadable theme. :)

I mainly use my newest laptop as a desktop (I have 4 Windows computers) with an external monitor (usually 1280x1024). And when I use the laptop's screen, everything is wrong since it is a wide screen at 1280x800. Selecting themes with 1280x1024 works nice, but what is placed below the last 1/4 of the screen is gone. Thus make two resolutions and move things up on the new one. Nice!

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

This is an older picture, but it gives you the idea of one of my favorite setups. The desktop on the right is mostly used for backup purposes. While the laptop is the real brains here! Sorry about the awful screen display. :)

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/8317/20061111125635aaew6.jpg

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

So Kat... What theme are you working with?

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

So Wolven... Where can I find that wallpaper with the hands reaching out of the monitor? That one is nice when you are watching a scary movie. :)

Posted 17 years ago #
Kat
Member

So BillW50 - You Have some setup there! Is there anything you forgot to plug in? (chuckle) Is that a Skype phone? I have the CIT200 hooked up and it's as easy to use as a regular phone. Sorry, I put Aston aside for the moment. The giveaway today really reminded me to do a full backup! I have been clearing a lot of junk out before I do. It's amazing what can amass... But please, keep posting shots. I look forward to them! Kat

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

There ya go, William!

http://img465.imageshack.us/my.php?image=computerhands1076x800bz2.jpg
http://img465.imageshack.us/my.php?image=computerhands1280x959tt3.jpg

Gotta runnnnn....

[YELIMS CIXELSYD]

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

Oh thanks Wolven! It is great! The wolf one I know someone who would like that one too. ;)

Hi Kat! Thanks! And no, that is a Yahoo VTech USB 7200 phone. But the VTech USB 7100 is the Skype version. They look the same except for the color. Although I have Skype too and the first review of USB 7200 said it worked with both, so I bought it. LOL

Yes I didn't have everything plugged in. As you don't see my TV tuner USB plugged in. Which is then plugged into the satellite. Nice having everything at your fingertips, ain't it? ;)

Oh yes, backups are important. Don't forget that. ;)

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

BillW50,

Sorry to say, I can't share the wolf graphic (one of few) - Artist's wishes. However, you may find it elsewhere. I have a lot of wolf wallpapers stored away on disc - Did a format just prior to moving house, so I have not reinstalled everything yet. I'll put some up on the shack and let you know, as I find time.

Meantime, hope your friend likes these.
http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wolf011280x960gk0.jpg
http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wolf01800x600wy5.jpg

http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wolf021280x960bx8.jpg
http://img484.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wolf02800x600zl9.jpg

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

Wow Wolven, much thanks. :)

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

So how are you doing Wolven with Aston? You really did some real impressive things right away with it. I still love it! I am also using the AltDesk (was also a giveawayoftheday by Gladiators Software too). I may never go back to Explorer Shell again. :)

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

Doing well with it, thanks Bill. I ended up purchasing the package with AltDesk. It was either that or buy Windows Blinds, but ahhhh what the hey!

Aston and AltDesk are far more interesting than the bland world Explorer gave us. Virtual desktops are good. One click and you go from your office to a games room,..another click to the tool shed,..each with a different look and feel. I'm just 'cheesed' about the occasional hang and freeze, then necessary reboot,.but I'm working that out. Seems to be the only glitch I have found with it, so I may be lucky.

Pity that you still have to go back to explorer from time to time to make changes in All Programs etc., so they show in Aston, but that's no bid deal. There may be another way to make the changes from the Aston shell, but I haven't actually played with it much since the first couple of days after setup. Spent the past week's spare time revising security needs and making change. I'll get back to the shell in a week or two and play some more.

So everyone must be doing well with Aston,...or have un-installed in frustration. No action in this thread lately. How are you going with it? - "I may never go back to Explorer Shell again" - What! Can't find your way back?.....I jest of course!

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

Hi Wolven! Yes I was thinking of buying the AltDesk and Aston package as well. I never tried Windows Blinds, but maybe I will. Is it as nice as this combo?

Hang and freeze? Oh no! I haven't seen that here. And I have them running on 4 machines. They are all running Aston 1.9.2 and AltDesk 1.6 though. They both seem rock solid to me. Well the amonitor (plugin) disappears sometimes and one CTRL-ALT-INSERT (Aston's refresh desktop hotkey) pops it back on the screen.

Back to explorer? Oh no! I use all users setting and it works fine for me. I also changed the program files to all users with Tweak UI under Explorer Shell. And I had to do nothing since. Earlier I was moving my user name program files to all users to do the same (can be all done through Aston too). Although even with Tweak UI, don't move your user name and the Startup folder to all users. Leave that one alone. Otherwise I had everything loaded twice. LOL

Revising security needs? What's that? LOL I think that is why I run both software/hardware firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware all running in real time for. As I let those talented people do that work for me. Or do you know something that I am missing?

Others doing well with Aston or uninstalled? I have no idea. A lot of people though after the newness wears off might have get rid of it I suppose. For me, the only think I miss is True Launch and my US Robotics iBand net indicator (everything else I love still works under Aston). The latter shows the history, otherwise amonitor does just fine.

Say if you are ever in the Aston forums, just PM me. Same screen name and all. :)

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

"I never tried Windows Blinds, but maybe I will. Is it as nice as this combo?"

Well C4 yourself.. Window Blinds http://www.stardock.com/products/

...Ooh, ooh, it looks better than when I tried it 12-18 months back - only, now they are selling premium suites, at 9 bucks a pop....gimme a break! I have it here - might load it up again, see if it fights with Aston and hurls a brick through Windows.

No problems here. Aston is set for my profile only and I can shell swap without worry. All the proggies are where they should be,..no duplicates.
The only time I get snap freeze is when I use Incredi-Mail. Seems to be okay at present, so I may be getting there...fingers, toes, legs, arms, eyes and ears crossed.

Security? Yeh, I have an army working for me too - Why buy a dog and bark yourself!
Short of sitting on the modem with a shot-gun, security appears ample and effective here.

I'll look you up when I get to the forum (hell, I sound like Spartacus). Won't find time for 2 to 3 weeks though.

Well, as Lee would say, "Back to Aston Villa!"

Posted 17 years ago #
AlexSJ
Member

Hello BillW50 and Wolven, this thread almost became inactive. Bill, why are you thinking about buying the package, I thought you got them here when they were offered?

My work laptop is running fine with Aston and Alt Desk, still have the disappearing wallpaper though. Finally on Sunday I attacked the second laptop. My son's user had Aston showing as trial version. Tried the setting with all users, got the blank screen again.
I guess I need to go to the Aston forum and find Bill for a step by step explanation to get this set up on all users.
Pura vida!

Posted 17 years ago #
BuBBy
Teh adnim

AlexSJ - maybe Bill wants to purchase Aston for the bug fixes and new features.

GOTD offerred 1.9.2 - and 1.9.3 is now available which fixes a number of bugs, comes with a new RSS reader plug in, and now has support for Vista - and it's only going to keep getting better (unless you are content with the GOTD 1.9.2 version - and don't care about Vista support, new features or getting those bugs squashed).

http://www.astonshell.com/aston/whatsnew.htm

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

...even better,

Aston Desktop Ver1.9.4 just released.

What's new:
+ Aston now supports AltDesk "Individual set of icons for each desktop"
+ When placing an icon of a picture to the desktop, the picture itself is not
opened
+ Shell stability is increased. Now the shell will not crash even in case there
is a mistake in some of the plug-ins.
+ Event option is added to the Calendar. It lets you to create a reminder about
some occasion for a certain date.
+ Panel plug-in is completely rewritten anew - now you can add elements to
categories by means of Drag&Drop, move the Panel while holding Shift button
pressed, open categories up, and so on.
* Fixed bug: previews error in Win2000 - now previews don't cause Aston crash
* Fixed bug: error on context menu call for some plug-ins.
* Fixed bug: tray hints were sometimes displayed incorrectly
(flickering effect on displaying hints)
* Lots of fixed bugs in Search, Main Menu, DiskEx and SkinClckEx plug-ins

...woohoo!

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

Hi Wolven... I did checkout Window Blinds. Very interesting. Although it doesn't seem to support a top bar nor plugins? I didn't see any. About that "Fixed bug: tray hints were sometimes displayed incorrectly", I was going to mention that one. As I didn't see anybody mentioning this problem and I thought one of my tray programs caused this. But I guess not. I also noticed if you open Start -> Programs and then go to a program and right click and open. It opens the wrong one sometimes. Same bug perhaps?

Hi AlexSJ! I am starting to see disappearing wallpaper too under AltDesk and Aston. Although it looks like all of AltDesk fault to me. I think it only happens when I use hibernation mode. But I am not sure yet. And yes, I would post about getting your son's computer problem in the Aston's forum for sure. :)

Oh and hi BuBBy! And yes those bug fixes and newer features from the newer versions sure sound tempting. ;)

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

Hi BW50,

I may be wrong (much has happened since I used WBlinds) but I'm sure it covers full frame, and had plugins in the user section. The web site and/or program may have changed. I'll sniff around when I visit there again.

Re: Disappearing wallpaper...
When you add a wallpaper to a new desktop in AltDesk, are you doing it via AltDesk > Preferences > Virtual Desktops?...or opening a new desktop and using Aston Options > Desktop > Wallpapers?
The initial wallpaper on Desktop One can be setup through Aston, but all added desktops need to have wallpaper added through AltDesk or it will revert to either the Desktop One wallpaper or a blank backdrop the next time you open it.

P.S. Ooooh, the 1.9.4 runs a little sweeter.

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

Hi Wolven... Thanks about WinBlinds. And yes, I was loading wallpapers from my wallpaper folder through AltDesk. I can see if you use the theme temporary folder, they will disappear when you load a new theme. For example, my Aston temp is at:

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application Data\Aston\Current Theme\

And everything in this folder will disappear when you load another theme. So I was doing it your way. But I changed to using setting the wallpaper through Aston now and I will see if that sticks. This might annoy AlexSJ, but it is only a curiosity to me. And you are running newer versions right Wolven? This might be a bug that already has been fixed.

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

Hawaii50 (Haahaa!),

Do you also save the theme in windows 'Display Properties'?

If your version of Aston, or Altdesk itself are buggy, it may help to save each desktop under a different theme title - Just a thought for yourself and AlexSJ to try.

Posted 17 years ago #
BillW50
Member

"Do you also save the theme in windows 'Display Properties'?" -- Wolven

Hi Wolven! Oh no never! Oh wait! I do change the pointer to the Scheme I like (not today though). And yesterday I might have reloaded a Windows theme.

"If your version of Aston, or Altdesk itself are buggy, it may help to save each desktop under a different theme title - Just a thought for yourself and AlexSJ to try." -- Wolven

Maybe... I have been playing with it all day. And it doesn't matter if you change the wallpaper through Aston or AltDesk. If you change one, the other automatically changes. And I haven't rebooted, used standby, or even hibernation. And it is solid as a rock today. I even have changed themes. So I'll figure it out soon I hope. :)

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

Oh Bill,
I was only thinking that if you give each individual AltDesk Desktop its own unique name and also save each desktop manually under its own name as a theme in 'display properties, it may solve the missing and changing wallpapers. If not then your version has a real problem and I think you should give me all of your computers..haha!.

Running Aston - Try this...
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/740?replies=1

Fits well with Vista themes too.

Posted 17 years ago #

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