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The [Appearance] dialog
(Fig. UI-49) probably packs more potential customizations into one
area than any other in Windows XP. Between the [Windows and
Buttons:], [Color Scheme:], and [Fonts:] sections, coupled with the
[Effects...] and [Advanced] buttons on this dialog, some truly
stunning schemes can be created. On the other hand, you can do some
serious damage to usability and readability of the interface. I’m
not going to get into a detailed description of each of the screens
available in the [Appearance] dialog. A lot of the fun is in the
experimenting to discover what can be accomplished. A few notes with
screen captures will suffice to get you going on creating your one
of a kind layout.
In [Windows and
Buttons] there are only two options. They are [Windows XP Style] and
[Windows Classic] style. If you download and install additional
[Themes] they will be listed here also, but read the next warning
regarding how they are effected by the [Advanced] button.
The [Advanced] button (Fig. UI-50) may be accessed without regard
to the [Windows and Buttons], [Color Scheme], and [Font Size]
settings. Additionally, you can make changes, but heed the warning
“If you select a windows and button setting other than Windows
Classic, it will override the following settings, except in some
older programs.” To ensure the changes you make will be visible,
select [Windows Classic Style] from the [Windows and Buttons] drop
down.
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| Fig. UI-49 |
Fig. UI-50 |
The [Effects] button
(Fig. UI-51) is not dependent on other selections. All effects will
be available and functional in both XP Style and Classic Style. I do
want to mention two specific features that appear under [Effects].
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| Fig.
UI-51 |
The first mention is
what XP terms [Transition Effects for Menus and Tooltips], better
known as the [Scroll] or [Fade] effect. I’m sure there are users who
find these effects delightful. I’m not one of them. When I point to
something I want it to open quickly and without delay. You can edit
the registry to speed up these effects, but when you do they pretty
much become a moot point. So, if you find them as annoying as I do,
this is the place to disable them. End of rant.
The second mention relates to how the edges of screen fonts are smoothed. Windows XP
includes the [ClearType] technology for font smoothing. Microsoft
states, “ClearType is intended for display on flat screen monitors,
so it is ideal for portable computers and other flat screen devices.
ClearType may appear slightly blurry on desktop computer monitors
that do not have a flat screen.”
They go on to add, “Whether you
select Standard or ClearType from the list, you must have a video
card and monitor that support a color setting of at least 256
colors. Best results are achieved with High color (24-bit) or
Highest color (32-bit) support.” My suggestion is to enable
ClearType and give it a try no matter what type of monitor you use.
It may just be the fact I’m old, or is that Elder(ly), and the
eyesight isn’t what it once was, but I have yet to run across anyone
who didn’t like ClearType once it was enabled. If you do find it
blurry or prefer the [Standard] option it’s a simple matter to
revert back to the old setting.
Display
Properties - The [Slide Show] Tab
At the beginning of
this article I said there were five tabs on the [Display Properties]
property sheet. Some sharp eyed readers wrote to ask where the sixth
tab suddenly appeared from called [Slide Show]. It's part of the
Power Toys that are discussed
here. If you are of a mind to have the desktop background change
on a specified interval without user intervention the [Slide Show]
(Fig. UI-52) option is for you. Click [Turn On Desktop Slide Show]
and use the [Browse] button to navigate to the folder that contains
the images you want to use for the slide show. The [Frequency]
section of the dialog box (Fig. UI-53) sets the interval for how
often the images rotate. Click [Apply] and [OK] to finalize the
setting.
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