When the first Windows Aero Messenger was created I had talked to ipab about the idea of modifying his installer program so that people could select how certain parts of the skin were patched. We were going to have it so users could select certain aspects of the theme to be different e.g have a different color vista orb depending on what the user picked.
Of course in the end it was simply a no go due to the unbelievable amount of effort that would have been required. So now we come to Plus! skins. Plus! skins allow resources to be replaced conditionally which opened the way for this idea to work. I was going to make Windows Aero Messenger before Ev0 but couldn't as there was still things missing from the skinning system which just would not allow the core of the skin to be made.
So Messenger Plus! 4.60 was the answer to all of this which allowed the core of Windows Aero Messenger to be created. With the core working I was then able to create some groups that allowed people to switch from Windows Aero Messenger to Vista Live Messenger. But I did not stop there. I made it so pretty much every aspect of the skin was customizable. Here is a screenshot of the final options panel.
You can see how advanced this skin is simply by having a look at the options panel here. Be aware that this skin requires Messenger Plus! Live to be updated to version 4.60.
As well, earlier today Willz released an update to his popular skin Zero-G, bringing it to version 2.0.0. This update brings a new possibility: Zero-G is now available in 4 different styles. Be sure to check that out.
Get Windows Aero Messenger Get Zero-G 2.0.0 Get Messenger Plus! Live 4.60
Unlike other Vista skins it has some unique qualities. It has a range of interesting colours and some cool features and buttons Windows Live Messenger has failed to use. It has always been an impressive skin.
I don't like talking about skins too much, because you need to look at them yourself. All I can say is this is one of the good skins out there, and you should definitely give it a go.
View a screenshot of Windows Aero Messenger Download Windows Aero Messenger View our skins databaseThe skin has some small changes to it, and simple things really make it blend in with Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Vista. The skin deserves credit, it is rare we see a skin of such good quality. I highly recommend this using it.
Download Vista Live Messenger from Deviantart Download Vista Live Messenger in-house View our skins database
EvO has been out for a few months now, but it came out just before Windows Live Messenger 8.1, and the skin was only compatible with 8.0. This affected its popularity. Today Willz, the creator of the skin released the 8.1 compatible version, and it does not disappoint.
The skin is so easy to use, its NSIS installer is impressive and gives you a lot of choice. This makes it so much more user friendly, and will hopefully same me and my admins having to reply to a flood of emails I get about installing skins.
It has the simplicity of a Mac, but with great attention to detail. You can certainly tell this is not a rushed project. However I have to be picky about the contact list, my contacts appear very cramped together, some padding between them will really make this skin shine. Also the background colour in the conversions is a little too much. That being said this is a very good skin and I highly recommend it. Enjoy!
Download EvO View our selection of screenshots (White edition with Sky Blue) Visit the official website View our selection of Windows Live Messenger skins (just updated) View our skinning tutorial
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