Yep, a new version of WLMod (WLMod Wave3, codenamed Ceduna) is in the works, coming along very well. This update for WLM9 will sport all the usual simplifying elements — but now with some extra bits and pieces for the new Messenger.

WLMod was originally an attempt at a proof of concept to show that Messenger’s layout could be changed to a moderate extent without replacing or adding images. In Messenger 2009 however, it has become pretty much impossible to do this, so I’ve decided to use images in Ceduna anyway.

Ceduna should be released around the end of June, perhaps earlier if I get the time.

ryxdp

As you may have noticed, CmYK has changed its visual design, this time only moderately. I’ll provide a list of all the stuff I’ve done, both on and offsite (backstage on stuff I’ve written, yay!):

- I’ve changed the header, footer and post separators because they didn’t go too well with the site. Hopefully this design is much better looking
- I’ve added a super-duper zoom function to my Messenger display picture (just hover over it and wait a bit). I was originally going to have the zoom-out part delayed by a couple of seconds, but I decided against it. Also a note about Internet Explorer: It doesn’t seem to like the zoom very much and will push the entire blog to the left until it is restored. I can’t be bothered to try and fix this, as of course I have a distinct dislike for IE much like many webdevs.
- The orange headers have gone! Yep, I figured it was time to let them go, as much as I’ve developed a liking for orange over the time I’d used it. Still, I rather like the new light blue that succeeds it though.
- I’ve switched my Messenger status display method from the XML DOM to PHP’s SimpleXML, which is much better, and fixed a bug that invalidated the page by not returning the string with the proper HTML entities. This fix will also be incorporated into Helios once I get the chance to release the PLSC and PHP together.
- I’ve not been able to do anything with VistAero for now, but I have released a new version of CADLive, which now looks more like the new version of WLM2009! Check it out here. Also updated is 724 for CAD, just a few minor changes there though.
- I’ve had a quick look into the resources of the new Messenger version, and while I probably won’t be making any fully-fledged skins anymore, a WLMod version for 2009 could possibly be in the works soon. My school holidays are coming up as well, so I might have some extra time then to work on a lot of different things, WLMod perhaps included :D.

I’ll be back again soon with more stuff I’m working on, mostly Plus! scripts I’ve developed (they’re kind of useless, but I like them). I’ve also been thinking about making a new CAD skin with a totally new design; I’ll have to play around with Paint.NET for that!

ryxdp

Yep, STF3 has been released! This new version, as has been shown in the preview, incorporates major layout changes, a new options panel thanks to Basilis, and more. You can check it out here.

The site has gotten a bit of an update as well, with a brand new logo, my Messenger status in the top right, and some minor design changes here and there. I’m still not finished with the status area, particularly the text formatting when I’m listening to music (it should be blue and underlined, like links on the site, just to complete the whole “Windows Live” feel to it).

Windows Live Messenger 2009 is entering RC (Release Candidate) stage soon, and I have to say, from what I’ve seen of it so far, it is, for the most part, pretty cool. It has its ups and downs, as any piece of software, of course, and with it still (at the time of writing) being in Beta, that is to be expected. I may not do much skinning for 9 when the final is released, as there is just so much more to do, but I’ll have a play around with the UIFiles and see what it can do. In the meantime, I’ll try and see if I can get started on that Windows Classic skin I mentioned earlier… It’s promising!

ryxdp

I’ve decided to skip version 2.5 and head straight for v3 as I’ve had much more time than I expected, so here it is! It’s almost ready for action codewise, but I have yet to design proper icons for it, which I will be moving onto soon. I’ve uploaded screenshots of the new contact list and chat window, along with the updated colorize popup!

EDIT: Images removed; I think people would like their bandwidth

I will probably have v3 submitted to the Plus! Skins database by the 28th, which also happens to be my birthday!

Enjoy!

ryxdp

Just a little update on my skinning progress here. SevenTwoFour hasn’t been touched much since the start of November, but I’m going to fix it up soon, don’t worry. It’ll still be done by the end of the month, hopefully.

I’ve started a new project based on the Windows Classic theme. Probably will not move forward with this, or else I’ll just offer the Windows Standard variation alone.

I’ve just recovered from a major system-wide software update, and I am still editing various configurations once in a while, but I’m mostly done now, which gives me more time for skinning!

ryxdp

If you’ve been using the latest beta version of Windows Live Messenger lately, I have some good news: Messenger Plus! is now fully compatible with it! Although I don’t like releasing anything that’s not “final”, the growing popularity of this new Messenger made it clear something had to be done on my side. For that reason, Messenger Plus! Live 4.79 has been added to the Download section and the Change Log has been updated accordingly.

Keep in mind that this is beta material so no support will be given for it. Some of the improvements (display pictures in notification popups for instance) are global to all Messenger versions so if you like what’s fresh and new, this beta is for you.

[Source: Messenger Plus! Live - News]

I am in fact using WLM9 at the moment, and it seems promising, though it could be a little less cluttered. I have employed A-Patch to take care of this, however. It’s a tad hard to navigate around the place, but I could get used to it in time. A few things still need a bit of attention, such as images/text/etc. not aligning properly and so on, but these are not major issues, and I have not encountered any so far, which is brilliant.

I will be downgrading again to 8.5 to finish work on SevenTwoFour and my other skins, and staying there until 9 is final.

ryxdp