Star Trek LCARS ZLauncher theme

[iboar]

This is still a work in progress, but here's a screenshot of a ZLauncher theme I'm designing. It is heavily influenced by Star Trek's LCARS. I've tried to create icons that are easy to understand because I'm often frustrated by icons in other themes that are not easily interpreted. Also, I wanted to get away from Windows looking icons.

http://www.cliesource.com/gallery/data/500/20987star-trek-zl-theme-2.jpg

[Unregistered]

IceMan has already done a very nice version of the LCARS, why reinvent the wheel? Unless your will be free.

[iboar]

Originally posted by Unregistered
IceMan has already done a very nice version of the LCARS, why reinvent the wheel? Unless your will be free.

First, I posted this as a "show and tell" kind of thing. There is certainly no need to be snippy about someone posting a sample of their custom theme. A lot of people are posting samples of their themes that surprisingly enough look very similar to other peoples' themes, and that's cool in my opinion. I've seen IceMan's theme and it looks great, but I have a different idea of how I wanted mine to look.

Secondly, I will not be selling it. I created it solely for myself and the experience of doing so. If someone wants a copy, then I will give them one.

Third, it's really none of your business why I posted it--it's still a free country.

[the_iceman]

iboar,

I don't actually believe ..... that 'unregistered' was being 'rude'. I would have taken it ... to mean there was already a LCARS style theme out there and available. I would make an assumption.... that 'unregistered' took what you were saying... as this was a 'new' type of theme.

Not the best way to make 'friends' ... to just go 'off' on people here on ClieSource: "it's none of your business why I posted it....".

I don't think the intent was to be 'rude'...... but I don't think rudeness back will help you in the long run here on cliesource (since you are fairly new here).

Just my $.02.

Good Luck with the Theme!!!!!!!!! :)

[dotelpenguin]

Originally posted by Unregistered
IceMan has already done a very nice version of the LCARS, why reinvent the wheel? Unless your will be free.


I do have to say that when the first reply is negative or non-positive feedback to someones idea, peopeople are going to get defensive. As for free/pay is not a big issue to me. If I like it i'll buy it. but in all reality if you want to get down to it. I hope paramount never finds out a lcars/starttrek product is being sold under their noses. They are *****Y when it comes to that. Alot of lcars formated websites have been shut down just for looking like lcars.

I made a lcars litestep theme (very detailed and authentic) back in 98. After it reaching one of the top 5 themes and getting a fair amount of webtaffic, my ISP got a lovely Cease and desite letter from paramount, which they promptly froze my account and passed lovely letter on to me. BASTAGES.

[iboar]

Iceman,

Unfortunately, its often very difficult to tell what people mean to convey with their words, especially on forums. I put a lot of work into the design of my theme and wanted to proudly show it off. I'm not sensitive to what people think of my artwork, believing constructive criticism a good thing. But I am a bit sensitive to anyone implying that I, or anyone else, is wasting their time designing a theme just because a similar theme already exists.

Afterall, there never would have been a Mac OS and later a Windows OS if they had thought why bother since Xerox has already designed a GUI OS. Nor would there be a Palm OS or later a PocketPC OS if they had thought why bother since Apple has already designed a Newton OS.

Regardless, perhaps I overreacted to the comments by "unregistered."

dotelpenguin brings up the reason why I would never attempt to sell my LCARS theme, even if I was in to selling themes. Copyright infringement! I believe it is okay to make something for yourself, such as a theme or a poster for your wall, as long as you don't try to profit from it. I'm just being creative and having fun doing something different from my usual, boring routines. :)

[hucsman]

What's lcars? :confused:

[k1w1pdaman]

Originally posted by hucsman
What's lcars? :confused:

Its a "trekkie"ism - "LCARS" (Library Computer Access and Retrieval System), according to Google.

[Dripps]

iboar, I like your theme! I am thinking of surprising my husband with a new clie for his birthday and I'd love to preload the theme since nothing makes him happier than Star Trek (well, almost nothing.....)
k1w1pdaman, thanks for the translation of LCARS. I've seen it all over but never realize what it means.
Group, glad this tread turned more friendly again. I don't see why things turn sour so quickly but mostly a great group of people helping people here. Thanks.

[zipslack]

I'd like to try it when it's ready...the colors would probably work better on my grayscale Clie than most ZL themes. BTW, I agree that the "unregistered" post was somewhat rude...don't let it discourage you.

[ErnieB]

Originally posted by the_iceman
I don't actually believe ..... that 'unregistered' was being 'rude'

If you don't want to call this poster "rude", there must be some word to describe the negativity in the post.  Why say anything at all?

Stop the rudeness!

[the_iceman]

Perhaps I was incorrect in my assumption ..... I think iboar read it in a negative context .... and I guess I read it ... as a FYI..... just stating that one had already been created. Probably either iboar or myself is correct in how we 'read it'. As stated I could have been wrong... but no use 'harping' about that in a thread designed to be positive. :)

Personally..... even though I created one LCARS Theme...... I think the more the better! ... :)

I think the more ZL themes which come out .... whether they are similar or not to others... the better! People have their own viewpoints.. on what they like and dislike. The more choices available to people the better things are.

Skin is looking good!!!!!! (I should have said that in my first post response).

Keep up the great work!

[iboar]

Dripps, zipslack, and ALL,

Tixx has asked to test my theme. As I told Tixx, I've only had time to design about 1/3 of the icons, so it's still a work in progress. However, I'll be happy to give you a copy now if you like.

Almost forgot, I've only designed the HiRes+ 64K color version so far. However, I've tried to keep the number of colors down to the 255 in the Palm palette, so it should look well in 256 color version too.

[zipslack]

Don't hurry or rush things on our account...take your time and release it when you feel it is done. If it's going to be free, there shouldn't be a problem posting it to the themes section here or posting a link in this thread when it is complete.

[Sid]

Originally posted by ErnieB


If you don't want to call this poster "rude", there must be some word to describe the negativity in the post.  Why say anything at all?

Stop the rudeness!

iboar was soliciting feedback, if he didn't want to read other people's opinions of his skin, then he should not have posted a preview of it.

[Tixx]

Originally posted by Sid


iboar was soliciting feedback, if he didn't want to read other people's opinions of his skin, then he should not have posted a preview of it.

Please tell me where the feedback on the skin itself was contained in unregistered's post please.;)

[Sid]

Originally posted by Tixx


Please tell me where the feedback on the skin itself was contained in unregistered's post please.;)

I think the feeback was that there was already a well made LCARS theme available rather than a critique of the actual skin. I may have chosen my words poorly, but the idea I was trying to convey is valid: if someone posts a screenshot of a new ZLauncher skin, it's going to get commented about, both positively and negatively.

[Sonico]

When you get your work public, you may expect bad an good critics...  You may take the good in both and continue with your work....

Don't loose your temper iboar, and keep going....

[filber]

Originally posted by Sid


iboar was soliciting feedback, if he didn't want to read other people's opinions of his skin, then he should not have posted a preview of it.

I agree that unregistered's posting sounded somewhat rude and right-to-the-point, but Sid is right, IMO. The fact is there really is "one in every crowd"...in ClieSource's case there are many in the crowd! :) I admire Iceman's creative maturity in accepting the criticism as constructive and helpful.

Iboar, your theme looks great. LCARS has been done before, but not the way yours has. The time and energy required for creating a theme is amazing. Keep it up and thank you, themester's!

[tpipher]

Been waiting on this one!

[Sid]

iboar,
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't be concerned about criticism from an unregistered poster, you've gotten favorable responses from members :)

[Tixx]

Originally posted by Sid


I think the feeback was that there was already a well made LCARS theme available rather than a critique of the actual skin. I may have chosen my words poorly, but the idea I was trying to convey is valid: if someone posts a screenshot of a new ZLauncher skin, it's going to get commented about, both positively and negatively.

True, but there was no comment on the actual skin itself. Not a very productive comment in the least. Wasn't even a critique.

The skin looks good so keep on truckin':)

[iboar]

The LCARS theme is available "FREE" for download at http://www.JackSwinden.com/clie_themes.html.

[Tixx]

Cool:)