If one appreciates art, they need to engage artists, not software developers.

Since neither of us have talents as artists, maybe we can inspire those who do.

Point taken and understood.

But, in merely bringing up the topic here on the boards, aren't I, in some way, engaging (or calling out) all the artists out there already? Otherwise, I don't know where else to turn, that would be appropriate, to get my opinion vocalized to the right crowd other than here.

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There's volunteers here. Sure, there's more in FireFox, but there's still volunteers. I wasn't expecting tons of skins right at beta, I was just saying I find the current one ugly.

... and I was just saying that the best way to get one that isn't ugly is for people to come up with alternatives.

If one appreciates art, they need to engage artists, not software developers.

Since neither of us have talents as artists, maybe we can inspire those who do.

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FireFox has more people to do things like skins -- and they're volunteers.

There's volunteers here. Sure, there's more in FireFox, but there's still volunteers. I wasn't expecting tons of skins right at beta, I was just saying I find the current one ugly.

I'm sure if someone submitted a skin (not suggestions, but a finished skin) that looked good, they'd be happy to adopt it as the default skin.

It's really easy for us to sit here in the forums and talk about what other people should do -- instead of stepping up and doing it ourselves.

Well, yes it is easy to sit and complain, especially since I don't have the skill to create skins myself. I can't build a house either, but I know which ones I like! 8-) And I know the reasons why I dislike the ones I don't like, so I proffer my opinions to the developers. It's just that - my opinion. Nothing more, nothing less than a comment.

I could only hope users would take up some of their amazing skills and make a decent or cool looking skin for the new BSG. There's some very talented people out there that are capable of doing great things. I'm just not one of them (at least not in that area of expertise).

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I think what is being asked is the ability to have 3rd party people be able to create skins, and have them importable like Firefox, Winamp, and many other programs that can change their looks. I'd like the ability to be able to change the skin, I know. There are people who love to just write skins. It would make it a little more to people's liking if not stuck on one basic look.

As I read OzzFan's complaint, he doesn't like the current "default skin."

... and if that's the only complaint, then let's get busy skinning and see if we can offer both the complaint, and the solution: a new default skin.

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I think what is being asked is the ability to have 3rd party people be able to create skins, and have them importable like Firefox, Winamp, and many other programs that can change their looks. I'd like the ability to be able to change the skin, I know. There are people who love to just write skins. It would make it a little more to people's liking if not stuck on one basic look.

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Isn't it skinnable?

Won't having an ugly default skin make people want to design pretty ones and send them in so the ugly one goes away?

Sounds like a plan to me.

True, but even FireFox has a "basic" looking default, not ugly. I would think a plain looking default would leave the user wanting to personalize it with a skin that suits their tastes instead of manilla.

FireFox has more people to do things like skins -- and they're volunteers.

I'm sure if someone submitted a skin (not suggestions, but a finished skin) that looked good, they'd be happy to adopt it as the default skin.

It's really easy for us to sit here in the forums and talk about what other people should do -- instead of stepping up and doing it ourselves.

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The 'simple view' only shows one process. I would like to see all of them (2 currently on my P4 with HT) - but soon 8 with my dual Xeon quad server.

uhhhhh, dual quad...(glazed look)...DROOL :)

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in addition to being able to copy and paste messages from the messages tab, how about a box size that allows full viewing of the message? Scrolling is bothersome

The 'simple view' only shows one process. I would like to see all of them (2 currently on my P4 with HT) - but soon 8 with my dual Xeon quad server.

It shows one process per tab. I have an HT enabled system too, and it shows two tabs. Clicking on that tab displays info about that WU being crunched. I imagine there would be more tabs for more CPUs (virtual or otherwise).

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What does my site do?

I keep getting an error when clicking on "comments" under the "BOINC has been released in beta heading" (paraphrased).

This is what Firefox 2.0 displays:

An error has been encountered while processing the page. We have logged the error condition and are working to correct the problem. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Theme design by Jelle Druyts
Header image by FreeWebPageHeaders

Am I doing something wrong?

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The 'simple view' only shows one process. I would like to see all of them (2 currently on my P4 with HT) - but soon 8 with my dual Xeon quad server.

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http://www.setiusa.net

OzzFan,

What does my site do?

I've had a heck of a time keeping the spammers at bay, but I haven't intentionally locked out live people. Feedback that is either good or bad is still wanted.

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----- Rom
BOINC Development Team, U.C. Berkeley
My Blog

Isn't it skinnable?

Won't having an ugly default skin make people want to design pretty ones and send them in so the ugly one goes away?

Sounds like a plan to me.

True, but even FireFox has a "basic" looking default, not ugly. I would think a plain looking default would leave the user wanting to personalize it with a skin that suits their tastes instead of manilla.

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Since I cannot post in the comments section of ROM's website, probably due to his move, here are some thoughts:

(removed)

I know it's still beta, but these are just my views and feedback. Otherwise, I love idea and I love the visual improvements - hopefully this will appeal to the "average" users who think BOINC is ugly.

Isn't it skinnable?

Won't having an ugly default skin make people want to design pretty ones and send them in so the ugly one goes away?

Sounds like a plan to me.

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Since I cannot post in the comments section of ROM's website, probably due to his move, here are some thoughts:

*) The ugly yellow background needs to go! Preferably with something much more appealing to the eye.

*) Messages should be able to be copied and pasted for troubleshooting purposes - this has been very useful over in the Q&A section, and we shouldn't have to suggest going to advanced just to copy some messages.

*) I don't really like the little dots in the progress bar - I saw a preview on ROM's site and the progress bar was different. I liked that one better.


I know it's still beta, but these are just my views and feedback. Otherwise, I love idea and I love the visual improvements - hopefully this will appeal to the "average" users who think BOINC is ugly.

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