It's time for the 4th installment of my Desktop
Customizing Essentials series. This time we'll be looking over Logon
Studio a freeware program by stardock. But before we get started be sure
to check out the previous three articles.
Desktop
Customizing Essentials, IconX
Desktop
Customizing Essentials Part II, IconPackager
Desktop Customizing Essentials Part III, WindowBlinds
Now on to Logon Studio, This Cool little program allows
you to change the graphics of the logon screen in WindowsXP. Stardock has
this to say about it, "Stardock LogonStudio allows Windows XP users to edit, change, and apply new logon screens. LogonStudio comes built with a visual editor to make it easy to create your own logons which can then be uploaded to websites to be used by others users.
LogonStudio uses .logonxp files rather than requiring users to replace their actual
logonui.exe." That's it in a nutshell.
Changing Logon screens is easy enough with Logon Studio simply start
the program and select the logon from the list of available logons and click
apply.
From the main user interface (above) you can:
-
Load a logon file that you have
downloaded.
-
Delete a logon
-
Create a new logon.
-
Import a LgonUI.exe file and
convert it to the *.logon format.
-
Export your creations to *.logon
files so you can share them on the internet.
-
Restore your system to use the
Default Windows XP logon screen.
Next we have the options screen:
The most interesting thing here is the
ability to create a random logon list that will display a different logon each
time you reboot ( turn of and back on) your computer.
Here's a sample of the Logon's that are
available:
Top: GT3 By Tiggs
Middle: My Halloween By: Xav73
Bottom: A_67 Blue By: Apocalypse_67
From the users perspective that's really all
there is to Logon Studio, it is a simple and effective program that allows you to
change your logon screens without messing with your system files.
Problems:
Logon Studio files are resolution specific and
from what I can tell there is no way to let the user know what resolutions a
file will work with unless the author puts it in the file name.
For the User: BE SURE to check
to see if a logon you are about to download is the right size for your screen or
is resolution Independent. Your system Resolution which, can be found
setting tab of the display properties window. ( Right click on the desktop and
choose properties)
Links:
Logon
Studio Website
Stardock's
Website
Desktop
Customizing Essentials, IconX
Desktop
Customizing Essentials Part II, IconPackager
Desktop Customizing Essentials Part III, WindowBlinds
A little about me: I have been in the desktop customization
community for 5+ years (My Wincustomize
Site). In that time I have beta tested and skinned many of Stardocks
products along with some others. I do not claim to be unbiased in my
review of Stardocks products, they are what I have learned to skin with and will
continue to use. I will not, however intentionally lie to you about the
features or anything else related to the products. If something irritates
me with a product I will write it in my articles. ( how else would I get it
fixed 
)