and there was light ...


ABOUT SCREENSHOT

top left:
glass clear sub, use-taskbar-glass-clear, use-panel-full-white, use-start-button-squares, pico tea styler

top right:
luna blue gloss sub, use-taskbar-white, use-panel-full-black, use-start-button-squares, pico tea styler

bottom left:
green darker gloss sub, use-taskbar-green-yellow-gloss, use-panel-full-white, use-start-button-drop, pico leaves styler

bottom right:
use-taskbar-gold-pasta, use-shellstyle-right, use-panel-compact-32px, hot pink sub, pico green styler toolbar


USAGE SUGGESTIONS

IMHO the most pleasing combinations are those that use flat taskbars. This focuses the eye on your wall instead of my skin. If you can't find a suitable taskbar color to match your wall use the black or white taskbar. Another option is to use the fullly transparent taskbar when you have a striking wall and a taskbar will just detract from it.

For the main sub match a bold color from your wall. If there isn't a close color select the black or default white sub. These complement any wall.

If you have wide displays try using the left and right taskbars. On my dual 1600x1200 this configuration seems to take advantage of the extra width.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q) Where is pico tea installed?
A) Usually, "c:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds\pico tea". All batch files referred to below are in this folder.

Q) How do I customize this?
A) If you can navigate your way around windows and run batch files then read the Questions below. I made some batch files to change different elements of the skin. You may also view the video tutorial which walks you through the steps: [link]

It is necessary to switch subs in Window Blinds whenever one or more batch files are run. Select a different substyle, apply it then select the substyle you want and apply it.

Q) Are your batch files safe to run?
A) Yes, but don't blindly believe me. I suggest you have someone who understands DOS look at them if you're worried. I simply overwrite image and config files within the pico tea directory.

Q) How do I change the taskbar?
A) Double click any of the use-taskbar*.bat files. The name of the batch file corresponds to the sub in Window Blinds.

Q) How do I make the taskbar transparent?
A) Double click the use-taskbar-transparent.bat in the pico tea folder.

Q) How do I change the font and glyph colors on the taskbar?
A) The font color and start button color is tied to the start panel. Double click any of the use-panel*.bat batch files. The color at the end, black or white, is the font and start button color.

Q) How do I change the size of the start panel?
A) Double click any of the use-panel*.bat files. Pick the appropriate font color, black or white, version to contrast with your taskbar.

Q) How do I change the start button?
A) Double click any of the use-start-button*.bat files.

Q) Why don't substyles change the taskbar, panel, etc.
A) Substyles are inflexible. By allowing separate batch files, you have more freedom to mix and match taskbars, buttons, etc.

Q) Why are controls green? And why pico tea?
A) The skin was originally made to complement leafy, natural wallpapers. I had a specific green tea wallpaper in mind. I also like the aesthetic appeal of the iPod nano. I wanted something flatter---pico.

Q) How do I change the green?
A) Some users have been successful using the change color option in Window Blinds. Change everything to black. use-taskbar-black.bat, use-panel-full-white.bat and select the black sub. Then select change skin color in WB. YMMV. This changes colors globally so even icons in the shellstyle will change.

Q) How do I make Explorer look like your screenshots?
A) Use the Styler utility. See video tutorial: [link]

Q) What font is used in this skin?
A) Vista's Segoe UI font. I do not distribute the font with the skin. The skin may not look right if you do not have this font.

Q) How do I move the common tasks to the right in explorer?
A) Double click use-shellstyle-right


NOTE

This skin has a known issue with MS Office and MS Visual Studio. I created pico gray varation of this skin to address this: [link]


HISTORY

[1.01]

* changed bright color of scrollbar thumbs
* widened scrollbar thumbs by 2 px
* changed scrollbar track background
+ option to move common tasks to right (use-shellstyle-right, use-shellstyle-left)
+ sleeker, simpler pico green styler toolbar

[1.002]
* lightened scrollbar track background
* transparent taskbar now rounds corner like other taskbars

[1.003]
* fixed spacing on shellstyle
* removed cluttered graphics from shellstyle