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June 1, 2010
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:iconrobodesign:
Hello, guys!

I am a happy Windows 7 x64 user since 1st of January 2010. Since day one, I wasn't happy about the default aero theme, because it is too transparent and the titlebars texts are not visible on dark wallpapers and such. So, last week I thought of doing something different. Here's a windows aero theme done by me, based on the default Aero theme. I just changed what I thought it lacks contrast.

Don't forget to carefully read the installation instructions included in the ZIP, to avoid any unpleasing results.

For comparative screenshots, go here, on my blog: [link]

So, here it's what this theme features:
* considerably less transparent glass, a dark glass
* white text title bars with black glows, so they are readable irrespective of the background of the window
* increased contrast in the title bars for the Basic mode, when not using Aero and I also adjusted the caption buttons accordingly by enhancing the contrast between the glyphs and the buttons.
* a much darker taskbar in Basic mode, making the clock and popup titles of the applications running, much more readable
* a darker Start menu in Basic mode
* increased contrast for the Alt-Tab application switcher in Basic mode
* added a strong white glow to Alt-Tab app switcher to make the the title visible
* made text fields slightly more visible
* defined a clear difference between active and inactive text fields, making the borders thicker
* a more visible highlighting color for menus, popups menus, while trying to maintain the default look
* file column headers in Explorer or other applications, are enhanced as well; more visible and a more clear border between them
* changed the gray color of tooltips to black for increased readability
* added dark glow to application titles in task bar and in the thumbnails to avoid situations when the titles are unreadable
* made the address bar, search field and the whole breadcrumb much more readable; brighter background and darker texts
* more visible separator in unlocked taskbar and other types of separators or window resize grippers
* bigger close button in taskbar pop-up thumbnails
* made the taskbar icons less wide, more ergonomic, both in Basic and Aero modes
* made more visible the MDI window buttons: close, minimize and restore/maximize
* restyled the whole taskbar to my personal taste

By now, it is clear what is my main purpose with this theme: readability, accesibility, hence the title. So, it is not about eye-candy, fancy designs, or not even originality.

Feel free to give me suggestions on how to improve it. I hope you guys find it useful.
:icon:
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:iconashyraccoon:
~ashyraccoon Mar 11, 2012
I'm still using this, every single day, so excellent work is all I can say.
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:iconrobodesign:
~robodesign Mar 12, 2012  Student Digital Artist
THANKS A LOT! I am really glad to hear this. I am using it too every single day since I made it ;).

I hope it will work in Windows 8 ;)

--
ROBO Design - We bring you the future
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:icondoctormikereddy:
~DoctorMikeReddy Aug 25, 2011  Professional Artist
Could you make window top menu bar buttons bigger? Particularly the close, minimise and resize window buttons.
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:iconrobodesign:
~robodesign Sep 16, 2011  Student Digital Artist
Thanks for your interest in this theme. Unfortunately, I have no time to update the theme and to implement suggestions from various users. I suggest you to increase the DPI in Windows.

--
ROBO Design - We bring you the future
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:iconmacma:
Mood: Amazed ~Macma Aug 4, 2011
Salut, j'ai pas bien compris comment on installe le thème , si tu peux m'aider stp ? J'adorais l'utiliser
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:iconquantom88:
~Quantom88 Mar 17, 2011
Hey Marius, I've got just a small point to mention. I've got your theme installed on my laptop and desktop :D, and am wondering whether you see that little artifact when your cursor is hovering over the minimize/maximize button at the top right of a window? It happens only when it's glowing, and only affects those two buttons.
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:iconrobodesign:
~robodesign Mar 19, 2011  Student Digital Artist
Hello!

Thanks for using my theme.

Yes, I am aware of that tiny bug, but I do not know what causes it. But, I find it really minor and I did not bother with it.

Best regards,
Marius

--
ROBO Design - We bring you the future
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:iconmootinys:
~mootinys Feb 14, 2011
thanks for this theme. i've been using it for a long time. but can u pls make the active window on taskbar even more readable? i want to recognize which is active even when i'm not staring at it
i have no suggestion on how to make it more readable. but do know the problem:
there's a "nice" bright round face on top left of each task button, making the button looks more "white", and active button is marked by "white" it's not easy to distinct them
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:iconrobodesign:
~robodesign Feb 15, 2011  Student Digital Artist
Hello!
Thanks for using my theme.

With all due respect, I am unable to fully comprehend what you'd like. Please be more specific. You may also provide visual samples to make your case.

Best regards,
Marius

--
ROBO Design - We bring you the future
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:iconmootinys:
Mood: Joy ~mootinys Feb 24, 2011
thanks for your reading my note, and sorry for my bad English
as i'm not an artist nor designer i don't know how to design it in a way i like and also pretty instead of making it ugly

what i want is, make "active" taskbar button more accessible even more the current one. more visual distinction tweak to the "active" taskbar button
by "active" i mean the button that is highlighted for focused window

for example, change button to "golden" or "blue" when it's active. it will improve accessibility but it's ugly. i guess you can make it accessible and pretty at the same time :)
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