CrystalXP.net

Well, the big red ball (Didas) had to do this since a little while (and I say that because I'm kind) but as he never finds time to do his work, I'm going to do it instead of him.






So, let's move to our main topic, which is totally different from our nationnal ball : the LiteStep Shell. Well, I see your wide open eyes : what is a shell ? Wikipedia explains it pretty clearly :
A shell is a piece of software that provides an interface for users.

The user interface isn't the same as the window manager. Indeed, if both are managed by explorer in Windows, LiteStep doesn't intend to open windows and manage your files.
No, LiteStep intends to manage the interface between you and your PC. This means that the taskabar and the start menu are totally redone in a Litespish fashion.

So with Litestep, we can abandon the classic Windows interface :



To take an always original Litestep interface, considering the number of available skins, and consequently of different shell layouts and modules implementation :


If some themes include a start menu similar to Windows', it's especially the pop-up menu that manges your favourite shortcuts' organization (linking to files, programs or even system mangment). This menu is one of the key points of Litestep !
It's completely customizable to fit the user as much as possible (thanks to a simple text file) and is available by a simple right click on your desk. Here it is :


Once this part is understood, there is not much more to understand for the avrage user a a shell...

The pop-up menu that you see is mine, it fits my wishes. I put a little sentence in the top because that pleases me next are my favorite shortcuts, followed by a link to file I often need, below some system tools, what I need to sut down my computer in two clicks and voilà ! I'm done.
Now it's you turn to determine what you want in your pop-up menu, anyone can put what he wants in his pop-up menu !!!






We've just seen that Litestep wasn't a window manager, so I want to tell you about compatibilities between Litestep and our dear bricopacks and also with applications like RocketDock or ObjectDock, which are often used by customizers.
Yes ! You can improve the appearance of your windows and your icons with a bricopack (or a VS of course) and at the same time, you can use Litestep. Moreover, you always can use your favorite Dock program...
Here is the proof :








First detail about resources... Does Litestep use less ressources than the Explorer Shell ?
I'm kind so I won't tell you lies, therefore I will give you an answer that you won't like (yes, I know that people prefere certainties) in other words : it depends !
What does it depend on ? The theme of course !
Indeed, each theme is a different Litestep : it determines which features of Litestep are available or not for example... Like for Explorer, if you use lots of widgets or not, the amount of used ressorces of your computer will be different.
To sum up, it depends on your usage and on your needs... However, we can say that some minimalist Litestep themes are lighter than Explorer, even a untouched one.

Second detail for Vista users ... Don't even try to install it. Yes, this wonderful shell which revolutionizes your Windows 2000 and Windows XP (and also Windows 9x and Me if you have the matching installer) hasn't been ported to Windows Vista yet, which has to keep his default explorer shell.






In conclusion, Litestep isn't heavier than Explorer, it can be lighter and it's much more convenient... Also, customizer friends, the future holds its doors open for you. Revolutionize the appearance of your windows thanks to loads of available themes, entirely free of the constraints of a basic Visual Style : always the same stupid task bar and no management of transparency without another application (not always free). Yes, Litestep manages transparency itself !!
You can use your Litestep theme with the Bricopack or the Visual Style of your choice, and also add without any problems programs like RocketDock or Rainlendar/Rainmeter (if it's not included in the theme yet), etc... Moreover it would be useless to use a virtual desktop program because virtual desktops are already included in most of the themes (to begin with the LSF-NG theme (a theme made by the french community of LitStep)).
You don't really like the themes you found on the internet ? Then, create your own one ... Because, of course, Litestep is entierly programmable, even the theme itself is ! To do this, you will find a tutorial in the links below.






Download
- Download Litestep

Litestep themes
- Customize.org
- Deviantart.com
- ls-themes.org

How to make a litestep theme ?
- evelopment'>wiki.litestep.com

A question about Litestep ?
- In Crystalxp, in the Software Aid & Support part.


(Thanks to Xena and k_millio for translation)