asilaydyingdl

Hello DeviantArt world!   It has certainly been many months, about 6 months actually, since I've logged in.  Well, there are many reasons for this.  But the biggest reason was that last summer we moved, but before we moved we had to do some work on our new home.  This combined with 50+ hour work weeks at a new job (I lost my steady 40 hour a week job for reasons that I still can't make sense of... probably business politics) consumed my time, and I had to give up DA and other hobbies for a while.

Now things have slowed down a bit.  Winter is here.  In fact, snow is falling outside as I type this.  I still work over 45 hours per week, but I don't have a house to work on anymore.  So I wanted to take the opportunity to make a few things known about my intentions on DeviantArt.

First, I believe my time in the customization/Modding field is done.  It is a season that has come and gone.  While I had a great four years helping others have a more enjoyable Windows experience, the creative leaf has blown away with time, and it is now in the hands of other artists.  I will now be more of a deviation user than a deviation creator, especially if I decide to get Windows 8 in the future (like many people, I will want to skip the metro screen, add a start orb, and get transparency/blur back).  I see no reason to upgrade now, but I will not discount the possibility.

What about my photography?  Well... winter is cold lol.  I did get some pictures back in December during a big snowfall, and I will probably upload some today.  Spring is coming, and with spring, photo ops.  So I will likely continue to share my images with you all, maybe not on a weekly basis, but maybe every month or two I will log in and share my latest shots.

So let me explain my project support policy.  Since I am no longer in the business of creating custom DLLs and skins, I will no longer be supporting many of my projects.  If I decide to continue supporting one for some reason or another, I will clarify on that deviation's page.  If you want to update a particular deviation of mine and share it on DeviantArt, please DO NOT POST IT WITHOUT MY PERMISSION.  You must ask me first by sending me a personal note.  IF I FIND ONE THAT DID NOT OBTAIN MY PERMISSION IT WILL BE REPORTED AS STOLEN.  And if I approve, you must always include a link to my original work when you post the updated deviation.  I do want credit for my efforts.  I think that is fair enough especially if I let you takeover the project for the benefit of coming generations of Deviants.

Well, that's how it is.  Life caught up to me.  Peace and love to all.

It's quite obvious I have a new camera, as I've been posting some pictures lately.  Photography is something that I've always found to be enjoyable, and I'm taking it up a notch this time.

As with any hobby, finances is what usually controls how much you place into it.  And finally, for the FIRST time in my life, the financial picture is such that we have control of the situation, and this means extra cash to invest in our hobbies.

My camera is a Fujifilm Finepix S4250.  I'm not going to get all techy, but after a little research I've concluded it's probably the best bang for your buck right now for anyone looking into purchasing an affordable SLR-style camera.  If you want anything better you might as well go all out and get a Rebel.  Cameras with similar specs to the 4250 from other brands easily run an additional 100 dollars or more on average.  It's a big step from where I was and it allows me to do time-lapse photography like I've always wanted.  There are many filters and lenses available as well that will fit my camera.  A lady at work bought my old camera from me, and with the money from that I ordered a filter set, two lenses (including a telephoto... stoked), a lens/filter adapter, and some other accessories.  So please keep watching my gallery.  I'm going to be dedicating a lot of time and effort to learning how to best use these new accessories as well as the camera and all of it's advanced features.  I will also be purchasing some additional lenses and filters over the next three months as we prepare to go on our summer vacation so we can have the full kit by then, so I promise some wicked shots from our trip.  I think this means my time in the PC mod scene may be coming to an end, because to be honest, I'm out of ideas for that hobby.  Thanks for reading.

Alright, I'm trying to decide what to do next on the system tray.  Before I finalize it, I'm thinking about adding my own animation to the wireless internet dll.  Instead of having the standard Windows animation when it is connecting, have something that fits my icons instead.  I'm also debating on whether or not to add something different for the action center backup icon.  Right now when the computer runs backup, it's just the standard flag and clock icon.  So, what do you think?  Good ideas?  I don't think it would be hard to do, just a matter of doing it.

Need a complete, Windows 8 ready security suite?  Here you go.

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I saw it today while reading my daily news on askVG.  Hope you enjoy it!

Dustin

Hey all, I hope this note finds you in a blessed and happy time in life.  Well, as the title describes, I'm currently beginning work on my own system tray modification.  It will be from scratch, meaning it will be an original concept of mine.  I've wanted to create my own system tray theme for a while, a minimalistic one with an original icon set, for well over a year now.  That means I will be drafting all but one of the icons on my own.  The one I have found to get started with is non-copyrighted and serves only to "springboard" me into the rest of the project, allowing me to tinker and define exactly what I want this system tray theme to be composed of.  Even it will be highly modified from it's original concept.  I will be releasing the first version as just 32 bit for testing.  After it is out for a week or so, I will then expand my concept into 64 bit.  At this point, I have no intention of adding backwards compatibility because Microsoft has began cutting ties with XP and will soon start to do so for Vista, with the release of Windows 8.  Upon the release of 8 RC I may obtain the system files needed and create a version for 8 as well.  The icons will be included in the download, so if users prefer to apply the icon set with a utility such as Windows 7 tray Icons Changer, they can.  Hopefully I can have the first version out today.  Keep watch!

**Update** I will not have the first version out until Monday.  Hopefully I can have it out by 7 PM GMT, or 1 PM EST.  I WILL need feedback on the icons, as I will probably need to edit or change some altogether.  Suggestions are always appreciated.  Anyone who makes a significant contribution in the way of feedback (i.e. if your feedback makes sense and I apply it) will receive credit for testing and providing the valuable resource of their knowledge.  Thanks!