Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Legion Desktop, Version 1

Never satisfied with the multi-tasking life I have and thinking the four or less hours of sleep I get a night is going to waste, I've found a new passion (for the moment). Creating desktop themes.

I'm using an application called DesktopX from Stardock . Just beginning really but it is fun playing with making widgets and objects. I may invest in the Pro version so I can export my widgets as gadgets, making them self-executable for others to use.

Anyway, the reason I started playing around was because I wanted to make, of course, a Legion themed desktop. DesktopX seemed like the best way since it kind of mimics Vista without having to use a Vista OS. It can be used to make transparent desktop items that can be moved around, etc.

This is what I've got so far, just from playing around last night.



You can change your wallpaper from the side bar as well as see your local temp (or whatever other widget I think to add). The slide out news bar has Legion links and I'm working on the Office/Application slide out to include the Legion Help File.

One drawback is that for anyone to use the theme, they do have to have at least the basic version of DesktopX. It has a free use period (60 days I think). Then you have to purchase it. But it is only $14.95.

I don't know if this will go much beyond something for me to play around with and use on my desktop, but if anyone else was interested, what kind of things would you like to see?

One thing I should mention is that it is resolution dependent, at least at my skill level. So the one I'm working on is set for widescreen desktops at 1680x1050. But it wouldn't be that much trouble to provide versions at other resolutions.

That's amazing Scott. Great job!

Too bad the sunlight on the field displays a windows logo instead of the Legion logo. That would make it perfect!

Someone photomanip that wallpaper, STAT!

Been thinking about this some more and I have a few suggestions.

1)Instead of the calendar page maybe it could be an omnicom icon displaying the date (and maybe combine the time with it as well.)

2) Use the Legion World icon for the weather

3) Use a Legion Flight Ring instead of Legion World icon for the slide out news bar icon (transportation is flight ring territory )

4) Maybe you could use one of those floating autograph pens from the Adventure era to replace the notepad (or one of those blue android guys from the DnA run)

5) You could replace the trash can with a clear bottle of Kono Juice (and a full one for when the trash can is full)

More later if I think of anything

Thanks Vee! Wish I could take credit for the wallpaper but that's just my current one. I tend to use realistic pics for mine and always stormy, usually with lightning. Never would think that would you?

I've been looking for the original without the Windows logo to see if I can play around with it but I'm not much the manipper when it comes to the real looking stuff.

I made a small tweak since I posted the one above. The button to toggle the side bar from the left menu (all menus are invisible until toggled). I replaced the one of Computo's hand that I made since I wasn't too thrilled with it. Instead I put a great picture of HAL 9000's light that lights up when you hover. It'll show on my next update.

Should have refreshed before I posted.

I was thinking of using the Omnicom there. What about this one?



I think I can make it stay animated in the menu.

The weather is actually not static. It changes depending on the forecast. The weather widget lets you click on the location and enter either your ZIP code or City, State/Country. Then the icon will change with the weather/time of day. Right now mine is a hazy thumbnail moon sliver.

D'oh! Excellent idea. I'll have to see if I still have a great copy I can clean up.

Actually maybe the Omnicom icon would be better here? This is the spot for applications. Not sure.

I thought of using the Chuck icons from the original Legion Desktop Theme . I need to see if Phil or Michael would mind.

Keep the ideas coming!

I remember a Legion desktop that had a time bubble showing 3 Legionnaires (I believe a bit shadowed), but I always thought it would be cool if there was a Legion screensaver with the time bubble slowing moving around the screen. The background would be swirling colors, maybe with an occasional year listed. That would rock like Blok!!!

Still way in the early stages but I need some sleep!

Love the flight ring and Stylus pad! The red HAL 9000 light looks great also. Can't really make out what the replacement for the trash can is now but it doesn't look like Chuck to me

I did come up with another idea for the trash can. Do you recall the picture of Cham disguised as a trash can from one of the very early "Meet the Legionnaires? I haven't seen it in ages but I seem to recall that they had him outlined inside. Anyway to make it toggle back and forth betwee Cham & can?

BTW, I have the original Legion Theme desktop (I use it without the wallpaper options 'cause my original Moy drawn Mon holds that spot) The Chuck trash can is fun but for some reason I don't feel like it would fit stylistically with your overall theme.

Or maybe the trash can could be a slim & fatassed version of Tenzil that switches back and forth

What about using the globe Computo instead? You know, when he was the majordomo thingie back in LSH #311?

Also, instead of the weather icon, you could use a picture of the respective Legionnaire (or their mission monitor hologram). Instead of sunshine, it would be Sun Boy. Thunderstorms could be Lightning Lad. Ice/snow could be Polar Boy...etc.

Looking really cool so far though!!

The weather widget has 46 images. I'm not sure I could come up with enough Legionnaire variations.

But maybe if I replace the basic ones; sunny, rainy, night, etc., that would be a good idea.

I was thinking of doing a trash can with Tenzil but really couldn't figure out how. My first thought was a full can would be him, in the can, with his mouth full. Not sure. Need someone a little more artistic than myself on that one. The current can is just a modern trash can I liked. I did try the Chuck from the original theme and, like you said, it didn't fit. I want to keep this away from the cartoony feel of the Fanzine theme.

Need to work on the wallpaper changer and radio widget. The radio comes on each time the desktop starts and I would rather have it set off so the user toggles it. It just streams free internet radio and the feed can be changed by the user.

The wallpaper changer keeps dropping my wallpapers. I think it is a problem in the script.

Thanks for the input guys! Much appreciated.

I should point out the name "COMPUTO" that shows on mine is because it is set to show the computer name. It can show the user's account name, CPU name, etc. My desktop just happens to be named Computo.

I bet we could, though some might be a bit of a streach

The more I look at that wallpaper image the more I think it wouldn't be that difficult to turn it into a Legion "L with shooting star" logo. All it would require is eliminating the dark lines between upper left, lower left & lower right quadrants and then outlining the shooting star in the upper right quadrant, then darkening the balance of the that quadrant.

(Not that I could do a good job of it mind you...just saying )

In Legion Annual #1 (where Danielle & Jacques first appeared), Garth fight a household trash compactor (called an Atomizer) when Computo took over the HQ. Imra even commented on the Atomizer thinking all the wreakage in the room was garbage so it was attempting to incinerate everything. Maybe someone could create the look of the Atomizer as the trash bin. When there is trash to delete, it could glow red (like it did in the Annual). Just a thought. I'd whip up an icon myself if I had any ability to do it whatsoever...

So I assume the "cartoony" Legion desktop is the next project after you finish this one? Sleep is highly overrated after all

Haven't been able to get much done this week but I do have this for the recycle bin. Not exactly the atomizer from the annual but does it pass your inspection?


Atomizer - Empty


Atomizer - Full

Been trying to do this but I think it would go easier if I could just find the blank or something similar. I'll keep at it though.

I get back to my apt. and my desktop with Adobe on Monday, I'll see what I can do with it for you.

I'd say you improved upon the Atomizer my friend!! That looks great!