Interface Looks Question

Its quite different indeed.

I took that screenshot of Word XP on Win98. I did not expect Office XP/2002 apps to look like that on Win98. Microsoft obviously ships some kind of library file for this with Office XP. Wish I could use that one!
 
Ah, well I see the difference now (you can tell how often I use the school computers.. almost never, heh). At a quick glance they looked pretty similar to me. :p But when you put up a screen of both then the differences are easier to tell. :) I got confused since they are both white with the "shadow" in the back.
 
Wow...this has really turned into a debate!

And...it's only a menu....

I am a graphic artist and have been one for the last 30+ years (no comments please about the age thing). There are GUI features in some of my programs that represent my talents in this area. But menus are menus and nice menus are nice to look at but don't go much further than that! Minor differences are only minor differences. I think that a programmer's time is better spent developing their program and talents...not reinventing the wheel. If you really want to focus on doing everything yourself then why not write you own OS to run your own language for your own programs? You would certinally learn alot and probably be the best programmer around...but how much effort did you have to go through to get there and what really was your goal. Mine is to write some neat looking Engineering calculators that do reflect some of my graphic background but not to reinvent menus.

Some of this is reminding me of the older and younger male sheep looking down on a group of young female sheep.
 
Speaking of school... vxt, I don't know your background, but if you are a student at a college or even high school, you can get an academically priced version of VisualStudio.NET
 
If you really want to focus on doing everything yourself then why not write you own OS to run your own language for your own programs?
Click to expand...

That's taking it a bit far, but since you did bring it up.. in higher division computer science courses you do create your own compilers. Also in data structure classes you create your own stacks and queues, and in some c++ windows classes you create window programs from scratch using the Win32 API. Yes, it's reinventing the wheel, but it teaches you how it works and later down the road if you want to do something that hasn't been done, then you are better equipped to handle it.

The same concept applies in computer graphics IMO. Sure you can use someone elses drawing of a man, but what if you wanted him positioned differently or make your own unique monster? Well you need to know how to draw, not just copy & paste images on to a web page.

Now I know this isn't school, and he may be just doing this project for fun and not going to be looking for a job or anything. But the original post did say something like "I wonder how they do it"... and then, I don't know, some how we ended up talking about the differences between Office XP and Windows XP menus. :D
 
You're right Wyrd. I have had some of my works ripped off. I am currently having a few international corporations rip off some portions of my US patent. It is very uncomfortable and my respect for those individuals and corporations is very low. You as a programmer take a lot of pride and ownership in your work as I do as an engineer and artist. For me I would rather spend my efforts developing a better mousetrap for my machines or a better digital drawing. For you, I imagine a better understanding and ability in computer science or engineeering, I don't know your area of speciality. I guess it's an individual matter of we consider important to ourselves.

But, having agreed with Wyrd and understanding what can happen if you do "borrow" someone elses ideas or programs or patented inventions, and the lack of personal development that this does foster, if you really need their program please notify them first and give them credit in your program for their hard work.
 
Actually I wasn't talking about patenting or anything, although that's a good point if someone is thinking of blatantly ripping off code (I'm reminded about the old CGI scripting days, heh). The class library that he was pointed to, to make those spiffy menus, is free for anyone to download and use.
 
DiverDan,

I'm a graphic designer myself, plus I also do "some" webbing. I'm 28, so not in school, it was never my fav place to be anyway. I've always been interested in programming. I played with Basic when I was a kid, then in school I learnt PASCAL, then a little VB.

I'm using VB mainly as a hobby. I want to make a few little apps for myself and friends. Because I'm not happy with the ones I found so far.

I find it hard to not care how my program is going to look. I'm sure you know how it is :) After seeing Office XP type menu on some non-microsoft software I realised maybe theres some popular library (dll) that people use.

I can learn how to customize menus, or even how to completely "skin" my apps. But I'd rather go with the boring default in this case because function is the key with my Alarm/Reminder/Calendar app.

So if I can find a nice little dll that does the job, I'm sure going to use it :)
 
Ah, well since it's just a hobby then it doesn't really matter. Use whatever, do whatever, give no thought as to what others say (especially me!). :D

Someone gave you the link to the .dll in an earlier post (I'm pretty sure you noticed).. dotnetmagic or something.
 
Don't give up Wyrd, you are right in your beliefs! The people in this board have helped me a lot and I hope that they continue. This has only increased my knowledge of VB.Net. If VXT wishes to use a Magic dll he should take the time to understand it either before he uses it or during his use of it. It only helps...a lot! I do wish that he uses Derrick Blake's Cool Menus though. It forces you into understanding how it works and why, and gives the same or better look to your program. I have had a few emails with Derrick and he is willing to help in your understanding and learning. Through all this you can further customize the menu color, and feel to suit your tastes, not someone elses.
 
Well, now I have two options: magic dll and cool menus.

Yup its a hobby but I like to do things more like what a pro would do, just so my app is not totally amateurish.

What I do when using a pre-written dll is go through the code quickly (if its not toooo complicated) and cut out things I dont need (of course if the author doesn't mind and provides the source code). I think thats better than writing my own dll since, as you guys said, reinventing the wheel is undesirable. And its really good when I know the particular dll is widely popular.

I'm thinking the cool menus will do the job. :)
 
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