Finderbar is a great app for a leopard-like desktop. I mentioned finderbar in a previous post. I tried this app when i was upgrading my desktop. The program delivers resemblance with an original finderbar on Mac OS, but I uninstalled finderbar at the end, because i don’t need finderbar’s features inside my windows xp. The features gives you a lot of new commands from the taskbar, which also confused me, we already have menu bar from any applications.
Finderbar needs restart your computer after installation, you will also need to run a program by click finderbar shortcut in StartUp, although you already put the shortcut inside if you are using Leopard Theme.
I have fun today, styling my desktop to a leopard-like desktop.
I change my desktop from tiger-like because one of my friends said my desktop looks old when I posted my tiger-like desktop on Pownce.
These are steps to upgrade my tiger-like to a leopard-like desktop theme.
- I use Visual Styles to style desktop theme and appearance, same with previous tiger theme, i search the internet for a leopard theme designed for Visual Styles.
- My tiger dock is an old dock, not suitable for leopard. Remove the dock, Y’z dock and change it to a new program, RK Launcher.
- Add a search utility. If you see a zoom icon on top corner of screen, that is a search utility. This feature is ‘dead’ on tiger-like desktop, i decide to bring it on.
- Change all windows icons to leopard icons. I recommend to use IconPackager, the best software for manage and change Windows XP icons. The software isn’t free, i use the trial version.
- Change Windows XP logon screen. I find a cool and simple way to change Windows XP logon screen without help any software thanks to a Malaysian Designer, Syahmi. Most forums suggested Logon Studio from Stardock as a logon screen changer.
Now, a complete guide to style a Windows XP desktop look-alike Mac OSX Leopard.
1. Download Leopard 3.0 Theme and Appearance file. It’s the best leopard skin for Visual Styles. If you have an alternative skin, please leave a comment below.
2. Extract and copy skin files to c:/windows/resources/theme. open control panel>display>appearance>windows and button>choose skin. Yeah, these instructions same with tiger
3. You have leopard appearances now.
The Dock
4. If you have a Y’z dock, remove it first. How? exit from Y’z dock, delete a Y’z dock icon from Startup folder inside Start Menu, delete a Y’z dock installation folder. Reboot the computer.
5. If you don’t have a Y’z dock or another dock, e.g Rocket Dock, jump right away to install RK Launcher. Download RK Launcher, extract a RK Laucher file to a hard drive where you want to save the Launcher files. Put or drag and drop RK Launcher.exe to startup folder inside Start Menu, RK launcher will be shown on your desktop everytime you reboot or start your Windows.
6. Download a Leopard Theme for RK Launcher. Extract to a RK Launcher themes subdirectory (inside a RK Launcher installation directory)
7. Run RK Launcher by clicked RK Laucher.exe twice. Put your mouse on top of the Launcher, and push mouse right hand button to show a tooltip menu. Open Settings, choose Theme : Leopard.
8. Tips for RK Launcher’s programs customization, open an itemlist.conf file on your text editor and modify the content.
There is a RK Launcher Leopard inspired. This Launcher is more complex than the original version, with awesome effects-you can see in an above link. I don’t use Leopard Inspired edition because i need a program that easy to install and remove. RK Launcher removal process same with Y’z dock.
Search Utility
1. Download MacSearch. It’s a great program from a man who delivers Finderbar. This program allows you to search in Spotlight Style. The program makes a zoom icons alive, not just an accesories.
2. From How-To :No installation is needed. Simply extract all files to the folder “up to you, e.g:Program Files” / MacSearch and make the shortcut to the file MacSearch.exe in the folder StartUp.
3. Reboot and feel it. But this program need adjustment. Right-Click above Zoom icon on the taskbar, choose MacSearch preferences, go to preferences tabs. Start searching option : manually, to show search bar click : Tray Hot Area.
Change Windows Icons
1. Download and InstallIconPackager 30 days-Trial Version.
2. Download Mr.EyePatch’s Leopard XP IconPackager. Extract the files and click one of the files (Revised Blue or Revised Brown) twice, then Apply.
Windows XP Logon
1. Download iLeopard Logon. Extract an iLeopard Logon zip file.
2. Copy logonui.exe from an extracted iLeopard directory to your windows\system32 directory.
3. Reboot your computer, push F8 button before your screen shows Windows’ Flag. Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Login to an Administrator account.
4. Copy iLogon’s logonui.exe to your windows\system32 directory (again) using DOS command. Press Y when you asked to rewrite the file.
5. Reboot the computer by typing shutdown -r.
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The web design should be very user friendly and search engine friendly if you want to optimize your website and want a higher ranking for this purpose. Plus the web site design should be in fine accordance with the domain names. There is a lot of difference between the website designed for broadband services and a hosting website. Being a webmaster, you must be aware of all these factors.
You only find this version inside Apple Developer Connection. ADC Online Membership is free, sign up to download new Safari for Windows.
If you are open Apple’s Download Page, you only find Safari for Windows Beta 3.0.4. I don’t like Safari for Windows beta 3.0.4, because it crashed my computer a lot. The version has a problem with webkit.dll from the installation. Many users compained about 3.0.4, not just me. You also won’t find newer Safari for Windows Beta from Apple Software Update Application.
A better way to fix the problem, download new version from ADC.
Safari for Windows become my favorite browser other than Mozilla Firefox.
What i like from Safari for Windows, everything looks beautiful on Safari.
They makes website look bold, clear and sharp. They also handle CSS good.
I always screen capture web sites with Safari.
If the Safari is great with Interface, but hold your breath for programming error, e.g
Yahoo Mail (AJAX) doesn’t support Safari, i get a lot of error when using Safari to access my Yahoo Mail. Yahoo put a warning before enter Mail Window. I guess it’s because they don’t test Yahoo Mail on Safari. I find this lack on other app, Horde Mail, Safari doesn’t view Horde properly although I use fast internet connection.
I find Safari annoying when editing web contents, e.g WordPress Admin.
The outcome between the editor and the web site is different, everything looks great when add paragraph to news or posts, but when i see the results, no paragraph, no space even though I already add paragraph and space. I see the code (xhtml/css), apparently Safari add its own code with id Apple-. I hope Apple don’t force this too much, cause we need a browser that can handle variety languages, especially standard languages
I realize Safari still in beta version. But I hope Apple fix this flaws, and someday beats IE, who knows.
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Few days back, dotster hosting is offering the mother days special advertising package in competition with omnis and startlogic, and offering excellent discount on domain purchase and web hosting sign up. The inmotion hosting also brings incredible discounts on Memorial Day on it special discount packages.
I was busy re-design my main company website and identity (i also design the company letterhead, envelope and business card). I finally have time to ‘blog’ again.
I was a web designer turned a freelance web designer in 2002. I designed for companies and personal in Ireland, India and turned back again to corporate world as an employee for Australia Studio in 2003.
After that it was history, me and my partner switched to a software company in 2004. Since that year, my time spent in the company as an owner, an administration, a sys admin, a web developer.
I was asking my partner to give me my previous jobs, as a web developer some time in 2007.
So i finally do what i want. I lost track with web development, i didn’t read and learn much about web development for 3 years. I regret it because I love design than do administrative work.
I still work in the company, Light Intermultimedia and have freedom to build a new company, a design studio under a main company. My new year resolution is to build a new company. I guess it’s about time to announce it.
My studio name is Pixel Insert. The web site not online yet but i give the email to contact me at studio[at]pixert.com. Before i go to develop Pixel Insert, i want to finish unsolved business, re-design my main company web site and blog. I don’t satisfy with old designs.
I want to concentrate myself and the studio as a WordPress Designer and Consultant. The Light Intermultimedia website and blog are showing my determination to become an expert in the field. My experience as a sys admin helps as a WordPress Consultant
Most WordPress Designer have free themes, my plan is to launch more free theme in 2008 after launched So Simple Theme in 2007. And of course, accept design and consultant jobs through Pixel Insert. Feel free to talk with me through email.
Besides free themes, design and consultant jobs, i wish still can share things about WordPress, Design, Sys Admin in Nineteen Labs.
This is post no 158 (lucky? a sign? i hope so. I don’t plan this, i just take a look at how many posts i wrote so far, and this is number 158). Happy New Year 2008!. I hope we all get wonderful and year! Chinese think 8 is a lucky number. I hope you will get lucky too.
Bye-bye 2007!. Bye-bye the worst year in My Life!
1 Good health and Enough food for a whole year. Amin.
2 My company problem away, and have a solid year.
3 Build a new company like previous plan
4 Re-build and expand Nineteen Labs. I want to change the design and the content
5 Expand Fave Design and build a lof of new stuff.
6 Learns and improves things and stuff about Networking, Sys Admin, Web Development
7 Go to new and exotic places.
8 Loss my weight
