Comments on: PalmRevolt Skins the Palm OS

PalmRevolt has just been updated. PalmRevolt is a skinning program that can drastically change the look and feel of your Palm OS device. There are tons of skins including one's that look like various flavors of Windows, Mac OS X, BeOS and even Palm OS Cobalt. Plus there are plenty of original skins and if you're feeling creative you can even create your own.

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Yet another nice piece of new software to hear

ackmondual @ 3/9/2006 1:28:09 PM #

Doesn't ZLauncher also do this to some extent? Or is the whole idea.... launchers like ZL, LauncherX, SilverScreen, etc. only change the interface, and look of the Palm Application screen while this utility can also go into menus and change that too.... but not any of those crazy, unique interface setups and categorizations.

If ppl spent $12 to $20 for ZL and the like, I can definately see ppl spending $20 for this. Each theme is a .prc and only about 100KB+ files, so it doesn't look like RAM will take a hit. Ppl have spent $20 to $50 just to add more themes to winXP. A neat screenshot of someone's PC with an orange colored theme (not just making the windows title bar orange, but EVERYTHING... including the taskbar, buttons, etc.) almost made me shell out $$ to get away from the included Blue default, neutral Silver, and soft Olive ones that are only offered.

"Do you know the difference between an error and a mistake? Anyone can make an error, but that error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it."
-Grand Admiral Thrawn

the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse

My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71 --> Tungsten T3 (with 4 of 6 screws still remaining) ~?~> zodiac 2?

RE: Yet another nice piece of new software to hear

KultiVator @ 3/9/2006 4:42:28 PM #

Ackmondual wrote...

Doesn't ZLauncher also do this to some extent?

Revolt actually reskins virtually all applications by replacing the standard GUI controls, with alternative images instead. The result is really nice. The software is still in BETA but has been very stable and it's amazing how much more appealing Palm OS looks when it is given a lick of fresh paint.

Highly recommended for OS5 (Garnet) users.

KultiVator

RE: Yet another nice piece of new software to hear

twrock @ 3/9/2006 6:15:19 PM #

I've been testing PalmRevolt for about a week on my TX. Gotta say that it really is nice to look at. I haven't run into any app so far for which I needed to use anything but the default configuration. (I don't play a lot of intensive games though, so YMMV.) I really hope the developer gets this thing past beta eventually.

I also tried SkinUI (mentioned below). They are similar programs that work about the same. But the Cobalt DBH Mod skin available for PalmRevolt is the one I like to use, and the command bar icons are nicer to look at than the similar skin in SkinUI. Again, that's just a matter of taste, so I'm not recommending either program over the other.

For people who really don't want to spend the $ on either program, you can always just use the Color Theme setting in Prefs. (I can't remember which OS's have this.) Of course that will only change the colors and not all the other pretty stuff that the skinning programs do, but that might be enough.

It might not be the "mythical color HandEra", but I'm liking my TX anyway.

RE: Yet another nice piece of new software to hear

Simony @ 3/9/2006 7:13:30 PM #

Thanks for the reports. One question - does this affect performance (eg, when opening apps on the card or switching between apps)?

RE: Yet another nice piece of new software to hear

twrock @ 3/9/2006 10:19:22 PM #

My perception is that it doesn't slow the system, but I'm not always the most perceptive person.

It might not be the "mythical color HandEra", but I'm liking my TX anyway.

RE: Yet another nice piece of new software to hear

KultiVator @ 3/10/2006 3:27:02 AM #

With regards to performance, I use PXAClocker to underclock undemanding apps (Agendus, Bonsai and all the standard PIM stuff) down to 118MHz (to reduce battery drain on long business trips and eliminate screen whine on my T3) and even then, the apps all feel responsive and draw immediately with PalmRevolt turned on.

The only slight issue is that some apps dont use standard Palm controls leaving PalmRevolt with nothing to apply a skin to. But at the same time, this doesn't cause any problems, it just means that a handful of apps don't get the PalmRevolt makeover - or perhaps only a partial makeover.

Some of the skins are truely stunning and by combining PalmRevolt with SkinDIA from Alexander Pruss and maybe even FontSmoother, you can build a whole new look for your Palm.

A bit like decorating your current home whilst you wait for the house of your dreams to come on the market!

KultiVator

dont forget skinUI

SoS @ 3/9/2006 4:17:48 PM #

Its great and there is another application that achieves the same, wonderful, effect called skinUI by Dmitry Ginberg. You can check it out at
http://www.palmpowerups.com/

One is forced to wonder why this cant just be incorporated in POS from the start...

I'm sure things were easier before they became more simple

Tungsten T, Lexar 256Mb, Mac G4Ti OSX

RE: dont forget skinUI

ackmondual @ 3/9/2006 6:10:50 PM #

I suppose PalmSource had nastier bugs on their plates. This wouldn't be the first case of something like this. I've already mentioned winXP having only 3 color schemes, with no way to add new ones for free. There was actually an add on for winXP, IIRC it was called WinXP+ or WinXP Style Themes. It was an extra $20 or so. Dell actually sold home PCs with combinations of winXP Home or Pro, with or without the 'themes'

But then again, we ask why alot of other things just can't be incorporated into Palm, so it's really just following the trend all along

"Do you know the difference between an error and a mistake? Anyone can make an error, but that error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it."
-Grand Admiral Thrawn

the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse

My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71 --> Tungsten T3 (with 4 of 6 screws still remaining) ~?~> zodiac 2?

RE: dont forget skinUI

grahamnind @ 3/10/2006 10:05:29 AM #

Worth noting that SkinUi does the same thing but is much cheaper than PalmRevolt i.e $10.95 versus $19.95

RE: dont forget skinUI

twrock @ 3/10/2006 8:45:41 PM #

So SkinUI is $9 saving over PalmRevolt, and it's out of beta? I think the scales just got tipped in a big way!

It might not be the "mythical color HandEra", but I'm liking my TX anyway.

PalmRevolt

vertebra @ 3/9/2006 9:16:37 PM #

Can anyone confirm that this program slows the Palm Operating System?

RE: PalmRevolt

KultiVator @ 3/10/2006 3:38:28 AM #

> Can anyone confirm that this program slows
> the Palm Operating System?

As per my post above, if there is a slow-down, it is not noticeable on a Palm T3 underclocked to 118Mhz for most apps (but set at standard(ish) clock speeds for games, PalmPDF, Docs-To-Go, TCPMP, AeroPlayer, AcidImage etc).

Depending on your Palm setup, your results may vary.

KultiVator