What do I hate most about Windows and Microsoft software in general? It’s ugly software! While some may read that and think, “Is she fucking nuts?” (could be), but it’s actually very true. Microsoft makes some ugly ass software. Absolutely no thought goes into the overall aesthetics of their products. There’s nothing intuitive or compelling about their GUI, and besides being loaded with bloated unnecessary buggy code, it’s ugly too.

My desktop computing environment is very important to me. I mean, I have to sit here for hours on end everyday, not only to work but to play too, and the software is just plain old ugly, so what’s a fashion conscious geek girl with a penchant and flair for design to do? Mod the hell out of it that’s what.

Oh sure, Microsoft offers a slew of themes you can BUY to change the standard GUI (greedy fuckers), but if you want anything really elegant and personal, you have to do it yourself. Without going into a whole litany of how and where you can get your own desktop mods, I figured that I’d share some of my own. Okay, I’ll throw in some links and some software too.

First, if you want to even think about changing the GUI on Windows XP which is what most of us are still running, (I have no plans to upgrade to Vista, I’m buying a Mac, but for the time being I’m still dealing with XP Pro), where was I? Oh yes… if you even want to begin thinking about doing a GUI mod on XP, you’ve got to do an end run around Windows itself by running this little script found here which will allow you to start hacking resources.

Here’s a look at my current desktop. Click thumbnail to enlarge.

The theme I’m using is called Royal. Download .zip archive here, and the Icon set I’m using is called Onyx. Download .zip archive here.

You might want to consider buying the Stardock Suite which makes changing your GUI much easier, but you can still do it the old fashioned way and individually change each icon if you want. A very cool tool to help you on your way is a Resource Hack Utility. Download .zip archive here.

We’re big geeks about graphics around here in geishaland too. My husband’s system is running a dual lcd screen set up which he uses for non linear video and audio editing using Avid, and it’s powered by a seriously kick ass nVidia card. My system is running with an nVidia GForce card that I’m overclocking in a big way, but enough techie talk for now.

I’ve also got some very cool screensavers (download .zip archive here) including the very best Matrix Code screensaver that I’ve ever seen! If you’re into very cool screen savers, you can check out this site here for some wicked cool OpenGL offerings that are clean and free of spyware or registration hassles. Always a plus!

And a very special thanks to my West Coast LA Based Photo Editor KJ who sent me this cool tip today. Adobe is launching the much anticipated Creative Suite 3 and they’re doing a special webcast on the 27th of March from New York. You can get details on it here.

My project for the weekend is converting my .mp3 files to the most excellent AAC format which I think is far superior, and its open source too! Yay!

And the coolest thing came in my box from my friends at OhMiBod last week, Dead Batteries. These are the hippest and coolest looking AA batteries for all your sex toys. Each battery has slick and sexy artwork emblazoned across the cell. And while that may not matter when they’re tucked inside your Rabbit Vibrator while you’re grinding your girlparts, if you’re anything like me, it’s all about the aesthetics baby!

Enjoy your weekend!