Understanding ThemeChanger.

R

Reality

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I been wanting to do this for a while and have finally getting around to change the theme of my OS. So I DLed the theme I wanted then got myself the ThemeChnager (version 0.6.1) I'm told I need to get started.

So first off I open up theme changer. Read the readme file and started it up after that. Right off the bat I'm given a warning that I do not have a Aqua backup. :confused: Soooo, thinking it might not be anything to big I press continue. Next it tells me I don't have a tcfix script installed and it's highly recommended that I have this in case something happens to my system. Sooo, now I need to know what all do I have to DL yet to change me theme already. If anyone has done something like this before and has some answers I appreciate some help.
 
Ditch ThemeChanger and get ShapeShifter:
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/21579

ThemeChanger modifies the system resources for appearance directly, which is dangerous -- hence, the Aqua backup message. That was telling you that the files needed for the standard Aqua look have not been backed up, so if you change the theme, you won't be able to ever go back to the Aqua look easily.

ShapeShifter does all the appearance modifications in memory, leaving the system untouched, so returning to normal is as easy as disabling ShapeShifter.

I would highly recommend it over ThemeChanger.
 
I use themechanger and have no issues at all. my xbench scores were even about 1.4 points higher with the theme. when it comes to my computer I run a really tight ship and everything is tip top to the core. I NEVER have any issues of any kind with anything to do with themechanger or anything else. only downfall I can find about it is most themes don't work on it but smooth stripes square with graphite colour scheme is my fav look and I can get that with a free app and best of all with no issues.

themechangers rating is as good or at least very close to shapeshifters on versiontracker and macupdate.

I wanted to add that themechanger also gives you a much more uniform look. shapeshifter only changes the basics and leaves things like the restart/shutdown window and other core os gui stuff with the same standard aqaua look that you're trying to avoid. I bought and paid for shapeshifter about 9-10 months ago and could still use new updates legally but I choose themechanger instead. themechanger works much like resedit does.
 
I was wrong.. themechanger has a higher rating than shapeshifter on macupdate

look: http://macupdate.com/info.php/id/13335
http://macupdate.com/info.php/id/10307

i'm sure the fact thats themchanger is free has something to do with its higher rating but crap freeware doesn't get a good rating.

you have to acount for a lot of user error with things like this. a badly managed and bogged down system that has a major haxie like this applied is like asking for trouble. these are the same people cryinh about issues after an os update.
 
I only suggested ShapeShifter because it seems like Reality didn't have a lot of experience with theme-changing applications, and if you don't know what you're doing when you use one of them or fly through the dialogue boxes without reading all the warnings, you can really screw up your UI (like not having an Aqua backup, etc.).

ShapeShifter simply prevents all of this by changing the theme in RAM only, without touching system resources so there's no danger of screwing up your UI permanently.
 
Then again, ShapeShifter uses APE, and APE is known - together with some of the haxies you can use on APE - to decrease system/application stability in a horrible way. While Unsanity (maker of APE etc.) does a good job fixing bugs users and they themselves find, it's still just not worth it in my opinion. I don't pay for destabilising my system...

That said, I think what Unsanity _tries_ to accomplish is cool and nice and everything, but I, too, would rather apply a theme directly to the System with things like ThemeChanger. You just have to make sure that

a) you have the most recent version of ThemeChanger
b) you have an Aqua Backup that is of the same version as your operating system
c) you go back to Aqua before applying any system updates
d) you create a new Aqua Backup after applying any system updates _before_ reapplying your favourite theme...

Then again: Most third party themes simply aren't good enough. There are a few that are quite good, but none has the finished feel that Apple applies to Aqua in my opinion.
 
ape with just a couple haxies can also lower overall system performance by 5-8%. this is what I experienced when using ape with shapeshifter and windowshade. main reason I stopped using it. I also had some odd behaviors.
 
how does ThemeChanger work? I can't figure out how to use it, and what themes it uses, i keep downloading .guikit and they won't work in ThemeChanger.
 
RGrphc2 said:
how does ThemeChanger work? I can't figure out how to use it, and what themes it uses, i keep downloading .guikit and they won't work in ThemeChanger.
Click to expand...

those .guikits are for shapeshifter. the themechanger site has links to other sites with compatible themes.

to install it just put in your apps folder. be sure to make an aqua backup before applying a theme and logout right after. http://themechanger.sourceforge.net/
 
Well, from the looks of it maybe changing my theme just be a little to risky to somewhat lack-luster. Well in all I thank everyone for their time, I guess I'll just hold off on doing anything till I know more about what I'm doing. XD
 
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