Wallpapers seperate from WindowBlinds

When, if ever, should it be done?

Published on December 16, 2004 By Scarebear In OS Customization

I don't have any wallpapers on this site (or any site for that matter) as the only wallpapers I ever make are intended to go with my WindowBlinds creations. On the occasion that I forget to include the wallpaper with my WindowBlinds file when I upload it here I can quite often get requests for the wallpaper and that has got me thinking.

What is the best way to please everybody when it comes to wallpapers? Should you include the wallpaper with the WindowBlinds file as I currently do, or upload it seperately and link to it from the WindowBlinds skin for those interested in it? Or should you include it in the WindowBlinds file and upload it seperately for the people only interested in the wallpapers? Is this last method seen as overkill and looked upon poorly?

I'd be interested to know what people think is the best option.

Comments

Essencay

on Dec 16, 2004

I would upload the wall separate from the WB Skin, then upload a Theme Manager Suite that contains both. Covers all bases. The Suite file will apply both the Wall and WB Skin at the same time, which doesn't work with a WB Skin if the wall is a jpg.

Gollums

on Dec 16, 2004

Hmm, I guess my answer would have to be depends... Mostly on file size, but also on whether or not you have put the effort into creating different resolutions of the wallpaper. I know for me, it can be frustrating to have to download a skin and a wallpaper, so I might prefer to download everything in one file. Some designers however, have developed multiple versions of their wallpaper to work well with different resolutions. I have a widescreen laptop, so if I see a wallpaper that has a widescreen version, I download and extract that one along with the windowblind file. (A link in the description is very helpfull here.) If there is only one wallpaper, meant to work with all resolutions though, I would prefer to just have it included with the skin file.

I don't know if that was quite the answer you were looking for, but that's my 10 cents (darn inflation!).

BlueDev

on Dec 16, 2004

I love it when the corresponding wallpaper is in the skin file. I also love it when it says that in the description. I prefer that to having to snag the WB and then get the wall separately. But I can also see wanting perhaps the wall and not the blind. So I think my vote would be wall with skin and separate. I don't see any problem with that. As long as it says in the blind that the wall comes with.

GreenReaper

on Dec 16, 2004

I would go for having the wall as a separate download and having a suite combining both (maybe other things as well if you could do them). Link everything together on the descriptions so people know where to get the stuff.

Scarebear

on Dec 16, 2004

Thanks for the tips. I'm not sure how Suites work though to be honest. For example, if you uploaded a wallpaper as several resolutions in a zip file I assume the Theme Manager would not be able to install the wallpaper? But by providing the wallpaper/s as JPGs, my WindowBlinds file sizes would drop drastically most of the time. So I see benefits to making the wallpapers seperate from the WindowBlinds files.

The other thing that I have to consider is that because of my access level here, I don't think my submissions are moderated. And I don't think my wallpapers are anything special. I'd hate to start another of those "This was accepted and mine wasn't" threads when someone sees one of my wallpapers in the Wallpapers section

WOM

on Dec 16, 2004

How about upping the wall first and if it doesn't get thru moderation, include it with the blind.

Boss019

on Dec 16, 2004

I would also go with uploading the wall seperate and linking to it or do a suite if u have a suite..lots of people don't know how to even find a wall file in the windowblinds folder, let alone how to set WindowBlinds to install it with the skin or not install it. When I first got WBlinds, it was set to install the wall with the skin and I had no idea that I could turn it off, I liked the wall I had at the time and didn't want to change it, and I think alot of people might be the same. A seperate upload for sure, and in the skin file if u want to seems the way to go, and definately with a suite...u can always uncheck installing the wall with each suite in Theme Manager

paxx

on Dec 17, 2004

From a moderator point of view, it depends on the wallpaper. A lot of wallpapers intended to simply complete a Windowblinds are very simple and minimalistic and have little chance of passing moderation. In those cases, we tend to email the author and suggest that he just includes the wall with his skin.

Scarebear

on Dec 17, 2004

Does anybody know if somebody of 'Journeyman' status (or whatever the new equivalent might be on the new site) gets his wallpapers moderated? As I've mentioned, I know my skins get automatically added to the site, but I'm not sure about wallpapers.

If wallpapers are moderated for all, then I might upload the wallpapers as seperate files next time. And if they don't make the cut, then I'll add the wallpaper as paxx suggested.

Thanks again for the suggestions people.

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