What is it that makes us different?

Published on July 26, 2005 By Stupendous Man In WinCustomize Talk

Hey all. O.K., I've been here on WC for about 3 years more or less, and I absolutely love customizing my rig. I've got a buddy who is also very much into computers, and after I downloaded the DX theme 'LCARS NCC1.00A' by alpha-omega, I thought I'd introduce him to the world of WC. Good idea, right? Share the wealth and all that. Well guess what? After showing him the DX theme, my favorite WB (Alien Technology by DavidK), and the rest of the OD Suite all that he said was "That's cool."

No enthusiasm whatsoever! Man, when I found this place I went nuts! I couldn't download fast enough! And when I couldn't download anymore then I bought stuff so I could!

So. What do you think? Why would one guy absolutley love this stuff and another sees it and thinks "that's cool"? I'm interested in hearing your theories.

Anyways, thank for listening.

Comments (Page 2)

craeonics

on Jul 27, 2005

I think Mr. Troll is spot on. Imagination is key. Non-conformism not quite so, since a lot of people are into OS skins. Perhaps also being willing to spend some time tweaking things. The majority of computer users don't even change their background.

NightTrainthedark

on Jul 27, 2005

The majority of computer users don't even change their background

Alot of people I know only have a different wallpaper because their kids changed it for them. Otherwise it would be bliss all the way.

starkers

on Jul 27, 2005

"bliss"......far from it....2 days of that WP had me climbing the walls and on the net searching for something more aesthetically pleasing. Another day of "bliss" and I'd have been doing a Spiderman on the ceiling, ha, ha.

What makes us different? Well we're not thick skinned (thus requiring more skins to compensate

) and are prepared to travel outside normal desktop boundaries to be individuals. It's near on a sure bet that no two OD/WC users have identical desktops, but it's not about non-conformity or rebellion, rather it's to please ones personal tastes.

Chasbo

on Jul 27, 2005

None of my pals or my wife give a hoot in hell about desktop customization. My wife thinks I'm an addict and a bit insane. I opened the topic of addiction. My buddies say it's cool but then change the subject. My kids get into it more so but even they are not as crazed about it as I.

It is an art but I am not an artist and I the love art so I collect the art and display it on my desktop. My collection is growing very large. I can't stop nor do I want to stop.

Stupendous Man

on Jul 27, 2005

Ah ha! proof that there are parallel universes with versions of ourselves. Starkers is the exact duplicate of myself.

I followed that same exact path, except I started out on Win95. Once I found out I could change the color of that horrible desktop it was all over, the fat lady began to sing.

Stupendous Man

on Jul 27, 2005

When I mention non-conformity, I refer more to a desire to have something beyond the status quo. I think--and I could be wrong--that customizers, skinners, and tweakers are all trying to find something pleasing that is also a little different. People in genral want to express a sense of individuality which is as Brad has mentioned in the past people choose different colors for cell phones, cars, and other things.

When I showed my wife all the cool things that I had found and she said, "Oh, that's nice." I wasn't surprised at all, because she sees the computer as a tool for an intended purpose and then you shut it off. I was just stunned that my buddy Ruben who is so into computers wasn't excited about this aspect of computing. Guess he just ain't got what it takes.

Shotgun989

on Jul 31, 2005

I am fundamentally an organized person. When I see a clean skin with sharp lines, good color, and good design, I download it. I think that skinning is an expression of personality. Below are a list of my favorite WB skins. Consider it a biography of sorts.

X-FHL by J.J. Ying
Royal Inspirat SE by Stefanka
iBar 4 Brushed iTunes theme by Dartbra (painfull visual image)
BBX Mercury X by Ian Black
System 5 by Andy Morum
Vector Cell by Ross Harvey
Thunderstorm by Pixtudio

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