Theme (computing)

Last updated
The same GUI (using Qt) with three different themes Qtskins.png
The same GUI (using Qt) with three different themes

In computing, a theme is a preset package containing graphical appearance and functionality details. A theme usually comprises a set of shapes and colors for the graphical control elements, the window decoration and the window. Themes are used to customize the look and feel of a piece of computer software or of an operating system.

Contents

Also known as a skin (or visual style in Windows XP) [1] it is a custom graphical appearance preset package achieved by the use of a graphical user interface (GUI) that can be applied to specific computer software, operating system, and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users. As such, a skin can completely change the look and feel and navigation interface of a piece of application software or operating system.

Software that is capable of having a skin applied is referred to as being skinnable, and the process of writing or applying such a skin is known as skinning. Applying a skin changes a piece of software's look and feel—some skins merely make the program more aesthetically pleasing, but others can rearrange elements of the interface, potentially making the program easier to use.

Use

Themes are often used to change the look and feel of a wide range of things at once, which makes them much less granular than allowing the user to set each option individually. For example, users might want the window-borders from a particular theme, but installing it would also alter the desktop background.

One method for dealing with this is to allow the user to select which parts of the theme they want to load; for example in Windows 98, users could load the background and screensaver from a theme, but leave the icons and sounds untouched.

Video gaming

In video games, the term "skin" is similarly used to refer to an in-game character or cosmetic options for a player's character and other in-game items, which can range from different color schemes, to more elaborate designs and costumes. Skins are often awarded as unlockable content for completing specific in-game goals or milestones. Skins can sometimes include historical incarnations of the player character (such as Insomniac Games' Spider-Man , which includes unlockable skins based on Spider-Man's past comic book and film appearances), [2] as well as crossovers with other video games (such as Final Fantasy XIII-2 offering a costume based on Ezio Auditore from the Assassin's Creed franchise, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offering costume items based on other video game characters for its customizable Mii Fighter characters). [3] [4] Fortnite Battle Royale has similarly featured extensive uses of licensed properties as the basis for skins, also including non-gaming properties such as comic book characters, [5] [6] the National Football League, [7] and musicians. [8]

Skins are sometimes distributed as part of downloadable content, and as pre-order incentives for newly-released games. In the 2010s, skins were increasingly deemed a virtual good as part of monetization strategies, especially within free-to-play games and those otherwise treated as a service. Via microtransactions commonly known as "loot boxes", a player can earn a random selection of in-game items, which may include skins and other cosmetic items of varying rarity. While often defended as being similar in practice to booster packs for collectible card games, researchers have deemed loot boxes to be "psychologically akin to gambling", [9] and their inclusion in full-priced games have faced criticism from players for being an anti-consumer practice. [10] [11] They have largely been supplanted by "battle passes", which are collections of in-game challenges and goals that unlock reward tiers over a short- or long-term period. [12]

Via the Steam platform, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Team Fortress 2 also allow players to trade these items, which has led to communities devoted to bartering them for real-world money, as well as gambling. [13] [14] [15] [16]

Themed systems

Operating systems

Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows first supported themes in Windows 95 as a separate application package called Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95. Themes were later supported in Windows 98 and was built-in there. These operating systems, as well as its successor, Windows Me, came with themes that customized desktop backgrounds, icons, user interface colors, Windows sounds and mouse cursors. [17] Windows XP expanded Windows theming support by adding visual styles and allowing each theme to specify one. This feature was carried over to Windows Vista which added Windows Aero, but was removed with Windows 8. Third-party apps such as WindowBlinds, TuneUp Utilities and Desktop Architect enhance theme capabilities. Support for custom themes can also be added by patching system files, which is not endorsed by Microsoft.
Linux
Linux operating systems may support themes depending on their window managers and desktop environments. IceWM uses themes to customize its taskbar, window borders, and time format. Window Maker can store colors for icons, menus, and window-borders in a theme, but this is independent of the wallpaper settings. GNOME and KDE use two independent sets of themes: one to alter the appearance of user interface elements (such as buttons, scroll bars or list elements), and another theme to customize the appearance of windows (such as, window borders and title bars).
macOS
macOS does not natively support themes. Third-party apps such as Kaleidoscope and ShapeShifter may add this.
Android
Although Android does not support themes, the forked CyanogenMod and its successor LineageOS have native theme support. The CM theme engine is in turn used on many other forked Android ROMs, such as Paranoid Android.

Apps

Firefox and Google Chrome either support or supported a form of theme. Firefox (and its sibling Thunderbird) supports themes either through lightweight themes (formerly Personas) or complete themes. [18] While lightweight themes are simply background images for toolbar Firefox toolbars, complete themes have more power to modify Firefox's appearance. [18] Google Chrome version 3.0 or later allows themes to alter the appearance of the browser. [19] Internet Explorer 5 and its immediate successor allowed the background picture of their toolbars to be customized. [20]

The most popular skins are for instant messaging clients, media center, and media player software, such as Trillian and Winamp, due to the association with fun that such programs try to encourage.

Standard interface

Some platforms support changing the standard interface, including most using the X Window System. For those that do not, programs can add the functionality, like WindowBlinds for Microsoft Windows and ShapeShifter for macOS.

Websites

Many websites are skinnable, particularly those that provide social capabilities. Some sites provide skins that make primarily cosmetic changes, while some—such as H2G2—offer skins that make major changes to page layout. As with standalone software interfaces, this is facilitated by the underlying technology of the website—XML and XSLT, for instance, facilitate major changes of layout, while CSS can easily produce different visual styles.

See also

Related Research Articles

The graphical user interface, or GUI, is a form of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons and audio indicators such as primary notation, instead of text-based UIs, typed command labels or text navigation. GUIs were introduced in reaction to the perceived steep learning curve of command-line interfaces (CLIs), which require commands to be typed on a computer keyboard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multiple-document interface</span>

A multiple-document interface (MDI) is a graphical user interface in which multiple windows reside under a single parent window. Such systems often allow child windows to embed other windows inside them as well, creating complex nested hierarchies. This contrasts with single-document interfaces (SDI) where all windows are independent of each other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in (computing)</span> Software component that adds a specific feature to an existing software application

In computing, a plug-in is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing computer program. When a program supports plug-ins, it enables customization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Web browser</span> Software used to navigate the internet

A web browser is an application for accessing websites. When a user requests a web page from a particular website, the browser retrieves its files from a web server and then displays the page on the user's screen. Browsers are used on a range of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. In 2020, an estimated 4.9 billion people have used a browser. The most used browser is Google Chrome, with a 65% global market share on all devices, followed by Safari with 18%.

In computing, a desktop environment (DE) is an implementation of the desktop metaphor made of a bundle of programs running on top of a computer operating system that share a common graphical user interface (GUI), sometimes described as a graphical shell. The desktop environment was seen mostly on personal computers until the rise of mobile computing. Desktop GUIs help the user to easily access and edit files, while they usually do not provide access to all of the features found in the underlying operating system. Instead, the traditional command-line interface (CLI) is still used when full control over the operating system is required.

In computing, cross-platform software is computer software that is designed to work in several computing platforms. Some cross-platform software requires a separate build for each platform, but some can be directly run on any platform without special preparation, being written in an interpreted language or compiled to portable bytecode for which the interpreters or run-time packages are common or standard components of all supported platforms.

XUL, which stands for XML User Interface Language, is a user interface markup language developed by Mozilla. XUL is an XML dialect for writing graphical user interfaces, enabling developers to write user interface elements in a manner similar to web pages.

The Taskbar is a graphical user interface element that has been part of Microsoft Windows since Windows 95, displaying and facilitating switching between running programs. The Taskbar and the associated Start Menu were created and named in 1993 by Daniel Oran, a program manager at Microsoft who had previously collaborated on Great ape language research with the behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner at Harvard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aqua (user interface)</span> User interface of macOS by Apple

Aqua is the graphical user interface, design language and visual theme of Apple's macOS operating system. It was originally based on the theme of water, with droplet-like components and a liberal use of reflection effects and translucency. Its goal is to "incorporate color, depth, translucence, and complex textures into a visually appealing interface" in macOS applications. At its introduction, Steve Jobs noted that "... it's liquid, one of the design goals was when you saw it you wanted to lick it".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tooltip</span> Graphical user interface element

The tooltip, also known as infotip or hint, is a common graphical user interface (GUI) element in which, when hovering over a screen element or component, a text box displays information about that element, such as a description of a button's function, what an abbreviation stands for, or the exact absolute time stamp over a relative time. In common practice, the tooltip is displayed continuously as long as the user hovers over the element or the text box provided by the tool. It is sometimes possible for the mouse to hover within the text box provided to activate a nested tooltip, and this can continue to any depth, often with multiple text boxes overlapped.

This is a comparison of both historical and current web browsers based on developer, engine, platform(s), releases, license, and cost.

Mozilla Firefox has features that allow it to be distinguished from other web browsers, such as Chrome and Internet Explorer.

Kiosk software is the system and user interface software designed for an interactive kiosk or Internet kiosk enclosing the system in a way that prevents user interaction and activities on the device outside the scope of execution of the software. This way, the system replaces the look and feel of the system it runs over, allowing for customization and limited offering of ad-hoc services. Kiosk software locks down the application in order to protect the kiosk from users which is specially relevant under, but not only limited to, scenarios where the device is publicly accessed such libraries, vending machines or public transport. Kiosk software may offer remote monitoring to manage multiple kiosks from another location. An Email or text alert may be automatically sent from the kiosk for daily activity reports or generated in response to problems detected by the software. Other features allow for remote updates of the kiosk's content and the ability to upload data such as kiosk usage statistics. Kiosk software is used to manage a touchscreen, allowing users to touch the monitor screen to make selections. A virtual keyboard eliminates the need for a computer keyboard.

A browser toolbar is a toolbar that resides within a browser's window. All major web browsers provide support to browser toolbar development as a way to extend the browser's GUI and functionality. Browser toolbars are considered to be a particular kind of browser extensions that present a toolbar. Browser toolbars are specific to each browser, which means that a toolbar working on a browser does not work on another one. All browser toolbars must be installed in the corresponding browser before they can be used and require updates when new versions are released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Chrome</span> Web browser developed by Google

Google Chrome is a cross-platform web browser developed by Google. It was first released in 2008 for Microsoft Windows, built with free software components from Apple WebKit and Mozilla Firefox. Versions were later released for Linux, macOS, iOS, and also for Android, where it is the default browser. The browser is also the main component of ChromeOS, where it serves as the platform for web applications.

A software widget is a relatively simple and easy-to-use software application or component made for one or more different software platforms.

Firefox was created by Dave Hyatt and Blake Ross as an experimental branch of the Mozilla browser, first released as Firefox 1.0 on November 9, 2004. Starting with version 5.0, a rapid release cycle was put into effect, resulting in a new major version release every six weeks. This was gradually accelerated further in late 2019, so that new major releases occur on four-week cycles starting in 2020.

Besides the Linux distributions designed for general-purpose use on desktops and servers, distributions may be specialized for different purposes including computer architecture support, embedded systems, stability, security, localization to a specific region or language, targeting of specific user groups, support for real-time applications, or commitment to a given desktop environment. Furthermore, some distributions deliberately include only free software. As of 2015, over four hundred Linux distributions are actively developed, with about a dozen distributions being most popular for general-purpose use.

Comparison of user features of operating systems refers to a comparison of the general user features of major operating systems in a narrative format. It does not encompass a full exhaustive comparison or description of all technical details of all operating systems. It is a comparison of basic roles and the most prominent features. It also includes the most important features of the operating system's origins, historical development, and role.

Windows 11 is a major release of the Windows NT operating system and the successor to Windows 10, and it introduces new features such as a redesigned interface, new productivity and social features, and updates to security and accessibility and alongside improvements to performance.

References

  1. ↑ "Visual Styles (Windows)". MSDN . Microsoft. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  2. ↑ Carter, Justin (2018-09-08). "A guide to Spider-Man PS4's many costumes, and their comic roots". Polygon. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  3. ↑ Phillips, Tom (2012-04-11). "Final Fantasy 13-2 Assassin's Creed costume DLC released". Eurogamer . Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  4. ↑ Lee, Julia (2019-09-04). "Sans from Undertale joins Smash Bros. Ultimate as a Mii Fighter costume". Polygon. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  5. ↑ Goslin, Austen (February 6, 2020). "Harley Quinn is officially coming to Fortnite". Polygon . Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  6. ↑ Romano, Nick (May 7, 2018). "Thanos is coming to Fortnite for epic Avengers: Infinity War crossover". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  7. ↑ Hernandez, Patricia (2018-11-05). "Fortnite will start selling NFL skins this week". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  8. ↑ Webster, Andrew (2020-04-20). "Travis Scott is touring inside Fortnite this week". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  9. ↑ Drummond, Aaron; Sauer, James D. (June 18, 2018). "Video game loot boxes are psychologically akin to gambling". Nature Human Behaviour. 2 (8): 530–532. doi:10.1038/s41562-018-0360-1. ISSN   2397-3374. PMID   31209310. S2CID   205565143.
  10. ↑ Schreier, Jason (October 10, 2017). "Fall Loot Box Glut Leads To Widespread Alarm". Kotaku . Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  11. ↑ Machkovech, Sam (2017-09-29). "Loot boxes have reached a new low with Forza 7's "pay to earn" option". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  12. ↑ Davenport, James (2018-07-05). "Battle passes are replacing loot boxes, but they're not necessarily a better deal". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  13. ↑ "How Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is turning into the world's most exciting eSport". PCGamesN . Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  14. ↑ Bowman, Mitch (May 22, 2014). "The hidden world of Steam trading". Polygon . Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  15. ↑ Lahti, Evan (September 17, 2015). "How $400 virtual knives saved Counter-Strike". PC Gamer . Future plc. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  16. ↑ Coe, Curtis (August 14, 2013). "CS: GO Arms Deal update adds more than 100 weapon skins, supports eSports". PC Gamer . Archived from the original on July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Theme File Format (Windows)". Microsoft. 2017-08-13. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
  18. 1 2 "Use themes to change the look of Firefox". Mozilla Support. Mozilla Foundation . Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  19. ↑ Glen Murphy (October 5, 2009). "A splash of color to your browser: Artist Themes for Google Chrome". Google Chrome Blog. Retrieved May 13, 2010.
  20. ↑ "How to Restore the Background Bitmap on the Internet Explorer Toolbars". Support. Microsoft. 24 January 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.