TGTSoft vs Stardock

No_Style · Dec 20, 2003, 06:55 PM

Over at Wincustomize.org, Stardock has announced they've been sued over Icon packaging extensions. (Stupid, yes. TGTSoft shouldn't be suing, but this thread isn't about that)

What's the difference between the two programs? StyleXP and WindowsBlinds. I like Style XP, but I've never tried WindowsBlinds cuz Style XP does what I want: Themes with minimal performance hit.

Which works more efficiently?

From what I read (correct me if I'm wrong), Stardock created their own skinning engine, while TGTSoft took the easier route and bypassed Microsoft's protection for themes. I'm thinking TGTSoft's method is more "efficient" in resources.

hohum · Dec 20, 2003, 07:10 PM

Well like you said, StyleXP uses the Windows XP theme engine to customise your desktop - therefore doesn't use any resources (or at least any more than the default themes supplied by Microsoft would). Windowblinds skins desktop items via its own theme engine (afaik), so does use some resources - not much though, around 1-2% cpu time. Also because it is free of the theme restrictions of windows you tend to get some more 'interesting'/detailed themes (kinda hard to explain)

To summarise:

Style XP

Pros - no resources used

Cons - limited customisation

Windowblinds

Pros - themes are more 'customised', can use on another o/s besides WinXP

Cons - small resource usage (altho minimal), also due to themes not adhering to Microsoft standard some programs may have compatibility errors (Although in my experience this is rare, and easily rectified)

Personal preference really.

Zardon · Dec 20, 2003, 07:12 PM

I havent tried styleXP in a while mainly due to the fact when I tried it several times I always ended up having problems with it, even hosed the OS once.

No_Style · Dec 20, 2003, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zardon
I havent tried styleXP in a while mainly due to the fact when I tried it several times I always ended up having problems with it, even hosed the OS once.

What problems Zardon? I can't imagine StyleXP hosing an OS. Did you try doing Boot Screen stuff?

BTW: Style XP 2 Beta 4 was just released. It addressed many issues. Best Style XP yet.

~~Crash Override~~ · Dec 21, 2003, 09:03 PM

I personally just use the uxtheme hack.

It basically removes the request for digital signatures from the theming engine in XP

That means all themes that are built using the XP compliant guidelines will work.

Ive had StyleXP on my system before with no issues on the theming side of things. However with WindowBlinds or any other stardock products Ive had system crashes and a whole OS install hosed similar to what Zardon is saying happened to him with StyleXP.

Also, Stardock tried to sue iexbeta.com for linking to betas of their products. The suit said that iexbeta was costing them revenue. I dont see how considering that it has the same time restrictions and usage restrictions as their trial versions built in. In other words you would still need a keygen or crack, which was not available from iex at that point in time.

Also if you want to do some research and dig into history a bit, TGTsoft was working with microsoft on the theming engine and StyleXP was going to be included after a fashion in WindowsXP by default. After all some of the engine used in XP is theirs but since MS modified it enough they told them to kiss it on launch

spark rain fire · Dec 21, 2003, 09:16 PM

use this http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/...3-9-100.shtml. it seems to work better than the uxtheme patch from tgtsoft. and does the same thing. i really like the visual styles method instead of the window blinds method myself.

~~Crash Override~~ · Dec 21, 2003, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spark rain fire
use this http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/...3-9-100.shtml. it seems to work better than the uxtheme patch from tgtsoft. and does the same thing. i really like the visual styles method instead of the window blinds method myself.

you have an extra . at the end of your link that keeps it from working

krazy1 · Dec 21, 2003, 10:07 PM

I have used both apps and preferr StyleXP. I have had less problems with StyleXP. For some reason stardock would cause my system to lock up about 1-2 times a week. If you are big on the features, wait till TGTSoft V2 comes out... all kinds of new stuff will be in it. I have been using the beta for a while... got some nice features...

Dec 20, 2003, 06:55 PM	#1
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	TGTSoft vs Stardock Over at Wincustomize.org, Stardock has announced they've been sued over Icon packaging extensions. (Stupid, yes. TGTSoft shouldn't be suing, but this thread isn't about that) What's the difference between the two programs? StyleXP and WindowsBlinds. I like Style XP, but I've never tried WindowsBlinds cuz Style XP does what I want: Themes with minimal performance hit. Which works more efficiently? From what I read (correct me if I'm wrong), Stardock created their own skinning engine, while TGTSoft took the easier route and bypassed Microsoft's protection for themes. I'm thinking TGTSoft's method is more "efficient" in resources. __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Dec 21, 2003, 09:16 PM	#6
spark rain fire i am rad. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: central pa Posts: 236 Rep Power: 0	use this http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/...3-9-100.shtml. it seems to work better than the uxtheme patch from tgtsoft. and does the same thing. i really like the visual styles method instead of the window blinds method myself. __________________ ---- [color=red]http://www.invalidsystemdisk.vze.com[/color]

Dec 21, 2003, 10:07 PM	#8
krazy1 Live from the Dungeon Join Date: May 2003 Location: Between the SubWoofers Posts: 1,395 Rep Power: 0	I have used both apps and preferr StyleXP. I have had less problems with StyleXP. For some reason stardock would cause my system to lock up about 1-2 times a week. If you are big on the features, wait till TGTSoft V2 comes out... all kinds of new stuff will be in it. I have been using the beta for a while... got some nice features... __________________

Dec 20, 2003, 07:10 PM	#2
hohum HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: UK Posts: 298 Rep Power: 0	Well like you said, StyleXP uses the Windows XP theme engine to customise your desktop - therefore doesn't use any resources (or at least any more than the default themes supplied by Microsoft would). Windowblinds skins desktop items via its own theme engine (afaik), so does use some resources - not much though, around 1-2% cpu time. Also because it is free of the theme restrictions of windows you tend to get some more 'interesting'/detailed themes (kinda hard to explain) To summarise: Style XP Pros - no resources used Cons - limited customisation Windowblinds Pros - themes are more 'customised', can use on another o/s besides WinXP Cons - small resource usage (altho minimal), also due to themes not adhering to Microsoft standard some programs may have compatibility errors (Although in my experience this is rare, and easily rectified) Personal preference really.

Dec 20, 2003, 07:12 PM	#3
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	I havent tried styleXP in a while mainly due to the fact when I tried it several times I always ended up having problems with it, even hosed the OS once.

Dec 21, 2003, 09:03 PM	#5
~~Crash Override~~ Banned Join Date: May 2002 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 2,448 Rep Power: 0	I personally just use the uxtheme hack. It basically removes the request for digital signatures from the theming engine in XP That means all themes that are built using the XP compliant guidelines will work. Ive had StyleXP on my system before with no issues on the theming side of things. However with WindowBlinds or any other stardock products Ive had system crashes and a whole OS install hosed similar to what Zardon is saying happened to him with StyleXP. Also, Stardock tried to sue iexbeta.com for linking to betas of their products. The suit said that iexbeta was costing them revenue. I dont see how considering that it has the same time restrictions and usage restrictions as their trial versions built in. In other words you would still need a keygen or crack, which was not available from iex at that point in time. Also if you want to do some research and dig into history a bit, TGTsoft was working with microsoft on the theming engine and StyleXP was going to be included after a fashion in WindowsXP by default. After all some of the engine used in XP is theirs but since MS modified it enough they told them to kiss it on launch