Messages

1

LaunchBar Commander / Re: I spread the news...

« on: September 09, 2006, 04:03 PM »

Ya, I guess I should make that public, shouldn't I?  I forgot about that as only ppl from that blog really look at the link.  Still, time to let others see it and search engines find it.

I have to tell you how nice it is and how important it is to sites like ours when people tell their friends about our software.

That's why I do it.  I don't just tell friends either, I get the word out to the right demographic.  >:]  Someone has got to spread the word, and why not me?

We don't have any money to afford to advertise, we don't have big connections that promote our software.  All we have is the free software listing sites and the people who tell each other about our site.

You've got to work on my connections again.  I'd like to really get your name on the map in the future.  Once there is some user feedback, and I've had a change to play with the skinning format, I think we might be able to get a skin competiotion going.  Just a lil one for fun at one of the skin sites.  I did this with trigger years ago, and it was a pretty successful.

It makes all the difference in the world when someone who likes our software posts about it in a blog or newsletter or tells a friend.  Thank you.

Heh, don't give a second thought to the blogs.  That's small time.  As for news letter, I need to start my own one eventualy.  These sites host skins, are a hang out for skinners, and are a place where the general public go for skins, news, software, ect.

Another way to get the word out is with screenshot, if you go about it the right way.  They are very popular, esp at custo.  If someone has a really nice setup (which is the tricky part), and your app is part of it, then ppl will naturally ask: "what app was that, and where can I get it?"  Custo had to make it mandatory for screenshot posters to say what was in a screen shot & how they did it.  The furoms where getting filled with "how did they do that?" questions.  Screenshots will actually be deleted if they don't include the info.

Anyway, feel free to e-mail me when an update is released.  I'll write future articles on it, and that helps keep the app in the public eye.  I'll send you an e-mail now.

Btw, custo has thier article up:
http://www.customize.org/news/1685

2

LaunchBar Commander / Re: Similar apps for collecting ideas thread

« on: September 09, 2006, 03:38 PM »

]url=www.mobydock.com[ mobydock ]/url[
-or-
]url=http://www.mobydock.com[ mobydock ]/url[

Just reverse the brackets.

mobydock

3

LaunchBar Commander / I spread the news...

« on: September 09, 2006, 11:14 AM »

I posted a news article for v1.55.02 around some skinning sites.  I'm still awaiting approval from customize.org, skinbase.org, and teknidermy.com websites.  Here are some links for places I can approve myself:

Normal sites I have admin access too:
• http://www.skinnable...ry.php?story_id=1341 *
• http://www.blizzle.c...m/index.php?uid=2037
• http://deskmod.modbl...w&blog_id=823989
• http://www.lotsofski...ull_news&num=243

My blogs:
• http://cuttheredwire...w&blog_id=823988
• http://cuttheredwire...ar-Commander-v15502/

* On a side note, skinnables.org is where I take my admin rights most seriously.  It's the best place for discussion/feedback with me (no sign up required).  There is a decent chance of prominent members of the skinning community commenting there too.  The site is devoted to skinnable freeware, and that's you guys.  =^.^=  You also have been added to our list of applications under app launchers.  That makes it easier for ppl looking free skinnable programs to find your app.  >;]

See for your selves:
• http://www.skinnable...hp?section=launchers

Here's to hoping you get some more hits and users.  >:]  In future articles, I can ask users for ideas, feedback, opinions, etc.  I can highlight key features I may have under noted too.  In any case, this should get you guys a little attention.  In the mean time, customize.org has a miscellaneous skin section that any skinners here can upload LBcmdr skins to.  I've seen a lot of ppl doing this with Xion (http://xion.r2.com.au/).

Costo's Misc. Section:
• http://www.customize.org/list/misplugs

4

LaunchBar Commander / Re: Similar apps for collecting ideas thread

« on: September 09, 2006, 09:30 AM »

Ed: I'm know for being a lot of places.  Heck I'm an admin at skinnables.org, deskmod.com (near dead), and lotsofskins.com (slow).  Thx for the tip. 

Anyway, I have another app launcher for you guys to look at: 8start.  Rigid, but unique.  Worth a look, anyway.
My article on it (with insites): http://www.skinnable...ry.php?story_id=1332
App's site itself: http://www.8start.com/

5

LaunchBar Commander / Re: Similar apps for collecting ideas thread

« on: March 06, 2006, 05:48 AM »

I've got a few more hefty links for you to look at.  This time VirtualPlastic.net, tho.  There will be some overlap in apps, but there are enough unique ones to make it well worth mentioning.  All include descriptions and lins, but some of the apps are very old and 404.  Still, worth a look.
http://www.virtualpl...t/html/desk_bar.html

From there, SideBar is notable.  It's the old mac one that was a program strip.  It's not a windows vista clone of the side bar.  Heh, they list that too.
http://www.virtualpl....net/lion/index.html
http://www.virtualpl...esk_bar.html#sidebar


This one is for full flegded start menu replacements.  A little different from what you want to do, worth getting some ideas from.  A nice list of docks are included here too.
http://www.virtualpl...t/html/task_app.html

Of the apps listed there, I'm betting MM Desk Hasn't been listed here yet.  PainKiller is also a "TopTool" favorite of thiers:
http://www.marblemad...rentbasechildrenid=7
http://www.maddogsw.com/

The next one is more of what can be done with the quicklaunch/task bar and html.
http://www.virtualpl...t/html/task_qlh.html

Sidenote: That site has a LOT of information on it.

Also, if you look on the main page, you'll notice I posted a news article about some highlights of donation coder, including LB Cmdr.  Sry if it was a little premature, but I hadn't read everything at the time of posting.  It was before I signed up for the forum too.  I haven't posted it to the other sites I spread freeware skinnable news, tho.  I've got to post a thread asking about when you want exposure, still.

6

LaunchBar Commander / Re: an idea for auto configuration

« on: March 05, 2006, 06:09 PM »

I like using folders of shrotcuts.  They are universal.  LiteStep, BlackBox, SPU (ShortPopUp), and other launchers can read them as is.  Even the quicklaunch can do it.  It is a native GUI, I find.

I actually started collect single function executables to add functionality to the such menus.  Empty the recycle bin, open/close cd drawer, show/hide extentions, shutdown the compter... etc.  You can do a lot when you look around.

I took SPU to a new level in auto configuration though.  It has a variety of configurations that you set as parameters.  It got very extensive, so the author let you put them in a file (loadable by a parameter, heh).  I figured out a way to associate that file to the app.  Put the file in a folder, put a shortcut to it in a launcher, and instant menu.

I also recomend hue recoloring.  It makes a skin seem much more comeplete.


A comment on LiteStep: ya that is handy.  It was added with OTS 1 (open theme standard 1).  It had all the most common used apps listed.  This made it possible to create custom luanchers that most ppl would find useful.  Something like that is one way to go with the app, and it could easily read that part of OTS2 (it got updated) automatically.  I recomend a readable, configurable text file one way or another, so it can be edited by hand if need be.
---This app may not need this though.  LiteStep is so free-from, this was a solution to conform the chaos.  This app, being a single purpose luncher, shouldn't really need it.  Still, itcould be useful.

7

LaunchBar Commander / Re: Similar apps for collecting ideas thread

« on: March 05, 2006, 05:27 PM »

If you want to see some cool examples of custom LiteStep menus, there are plenty here too.  I'll compile a few noteworthy ones later.  [Nior] and some by blackice come to mind, but will take some digging to find.
http://www.customize...st/ls/0/10/date-desc

The most recent one "VitreolusBar" does have some ideas to what the skin engine should aspire to:
http://www.customize.org/details/44249

Oh, and just call me Red, btw.  It's so much shorter, and all my freinds call me that. 

8

LaunchBar Commander / Re: Similar apps for collecting ideas thread

« on: March 05, 2006, 01:45 AM »

Here is a whole page listing of freeware skinnable launchers:
http://www.skinnable...hp?section=launchers

Apps listed are:  Codename 2, ControlBar, Flarp!Bar, KdeNT, Launchit, Nightlife, PKLauncher, PKMenu, Quick Menu, & QuickLaunch.
Descriptions and links are all there.


I know of one not listed: Launchtab
http://launchtab.webhop.net/

ShortPopUp: http://www.digitallis.co.uk/

LiteStep themes often have unique menus/launchers.
Interested in some ideas from them?
http://www.litestep.net/

WinStep has a pre-dock-like thing too.
http://www.winstep.net/

SPU, LiteStep, BlackBox, SharpE, GeoShell, and Winstep have sweet start menu replacements.
bblean: http://bb4win.sourceforge.net/bblean/
SharpE: http://www.sharpe-shell.org/news.php
GeoShell: http://geoshell.com/

not a true app, but kmr made a thing called html dock:
http://www.virtualpl...rum=3&thread=208


That should add a few tricks to the mix.  I'll see if I can think of more.  I'm actually a admin at skinnables.org, deskmod, and have special privileges here and there.  I'm a news poster for the skinning community.  I'm looking forward to testing this app out and hope I get a chance to report on it soon.  Just say the word, and the word will be spread.  I'm going to go rack my brain for more ideas for now though.  Hope I can be useful.