Okay, so originally I wanted to post the news about MyIE2's search for a new default skin and how you could help out. But time caught up with me again, and lo and behold: Maxthon 1.0, previously known as MyIE2, has already been released yesterday.

“The biggest update yet for MyIE2 has arrived. Version 1.0 has been released under a new name and with many new features. ‘Maxthon’ the new name of MyIE2, has the biggest ever list of updates including advanced popups management, improved Ad Hunter, Unicode support and many others.”

MyIE2 Maxthon is a free Internet Explorer wrapper. It gives you the browser engine in a different, enhanced, skinnable interface. Although a statement about the new name was posted, it does not give any insight into the reason of the change.

Look ma, I got a scoop! || craeonics | comments (13)

Over the years there have been numerous taskbar/start menu replacements, annex shell enhancers. This means that new boy CustomBar's got some fierce competition.

“Today marks the release of version 1.0 of CustomBar. CustomBar provides a small, flexible, and open-ended bar that can sit on the top or bottom of your screen. You can have your bar display system stats, control Winamp, provide shortcuts and menus to commonly used programs and sites, and much more. The prefab and plugin systems allow users to create their own additions to CustomBar. The bar is completely skinnable.”

Through means of dark rituals, customize managed to dig up a more extensive description of this app (supposedly from the site, but I couldn't find it).

Shareware, $19.95, 30-day trial version, 1.62 meg download. Much of the site is still under construction, so I have yet to see a skin or plugin for it. || craeonics | comments (1)

And then there's customize's ‘Simple Summer Suite Contest’, which, erm, isn't going too well, it seems and has thus been extended.

“We've decided to extend the contest by a couple of weeks to let more people get their submissions in for the contest.

So let's get those finished up so the judging can begin!”

Part of the problem may be that, contrary to what some may claim, there really aren't that many skinners around. And the number of them that have an interest in the ‘community’ is only a small subset of that.

Another point is that making suites is an even more daunting task. In this case, the requirements are a wall, a complete visual style, and WinAmp, RainLendar and RainMeter skins.

Not something you throw together in an afternoon.

So as pointed out by some in the comments to the news post, extending the contest date isn't going to help.

Doom and gloom. Does that mean we should all just forget about contests? Hell no. Just keep their proportions realistic. A complete suite is simply too much. || craeonics | comments

Not exactly fresh news, but I've been busy, so give me a break.

Under the monniker ‘Sizzlin' Summer Skinning Contest’, Advanced PC is hosting a skinning contest, with prizes provided by StarDock.

“To enter this competition, you need to design and create a WindowBlinds skin for AdvancedPC. This can be based on the current forum skin, or completely unique (but it must relate to AdvancedPC somehow). Who knows, we might even base a new forum skin, from your skin! The best thing, is that you can enter as many times as you like! But you can´t win more than one prize, it just gives you a better chance at winning.

Now… on to the prizes!

• 1st place — One years subscription to ObjectDesktop.

• 2nd place — A WindowBlinds license.

• 3rd place — A IconPackager license.

To enter, join up at AdvancedPC.org, create your skin and email it to digital[@]advancedpc.org (without the [ ]) along with a name and a small description.

This competition will end on 28th August 2004.”

And ofcourse, there are some rules:

“AdvancedPC reserves the right to alter any rules of this competition. We also reserve the right to bring forward or postpone the deadline. All decisions are final. No entrant can win more than one prize. AdvancedPC and Stardock staff may not enter.

You cannot enter skins that have already been released. Any entries must be completely the entrant´s own work, and never released before. Also, skins may only be released at AdvancedPC.org until the contest is over.”

The sceptic within whispers in my ears that “this a mere scheme to get themselves some Advance PC branded skins cheap”. And the whisper continues: “and isn't it strange that one of the prizes is a WindowBlinds license, when it's WindowBlinds you're supposed to skin? Something you can only do if you have the full version, which means you have no need for a WindowBlinds license anymore”.

But I, faithfull supporter of all that is Skindom, ofcourse ignore such vile and sub-standard claims. || craeonics | comments (1)

For the third day in a row, the forums at Macromedia.com are down. The site says “We're sorry, but our Web-based Forums are experiencing technical difficulties. We are working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible”.

This is not a good advertisement for Cold Fusion! MM users and fans can only wonder how one of the web's most prestigious names could suffer such a severe and extended black eye.. || kenray | comments (6)