Christmas just got better here at Lowyat.NET, because we're working with MSI to give away a brand new Wind U130 netbook!

In the spirit of Christmas, the contest mechanics are dead simple:

1) Take a snapshot of your favorite Christmas themed desktop.
2) Add a caption to your photo with a Christmas greeting.
3) Post the photo in this thread [http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1675467]

Once you've completed these three steps, our panel of judges will determine the most creative desktop theme, and one lucky forum member will be starting the new year with a brand new MSI Wind U130 netbook. It's that simple!

Contest runs from 13 December 2010 till 23 December 2010. Contest winner will be announced after Christmas.

P.S. You are free to submit as many entries as you want. However, we're looking for quality, not quantity so please try to be selective with your posts!

This post has been edited by wernshen: Dec 13 2010, 05:48 PM

The desktop as in inside Operating System or the desktop as in CPU, monitor, etc ?

Desktop as in desktop wallpaper, icons, etc

guess i'll start it up. merry christmas

My Christmas wish...

Wow, nice bro! Creative
*like*

merry xmas guys

Merry Early Christmas Haha and Happy New year.

Windows 7 with XP theme? LOL

cool man, so cute

cool.. how bout this one....


This post has been edited by mad4419: Dec 13 2010, 11:40 PM

haha~ the other way round lol

Entry 1

Merry Christmas, everybody! Cheer Up!!!

Merry Hot Christmas!! HO! HO! HO!


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wow, so many beautiful entries, keep it coming

Merry Christmas everyone, this is the first design of mine on Christmas!



This post has been edited by cheehon29: Dec 14 2010, 05:32 PM

my 2nd post





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http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb461/...if?t=1292380794


Here is a picture that I actually made myself. Its a mixed media, Graphite, Charcoal, Pastel, and Acrylic Paint.

The picture was drawn from a reference picture, with a lot of different tweaks and improvements. I painted it for the house because we lacked some Christmas decor. Its on a 3'x1.4' piece of stretched duck canvas. It was taken with a digital camera and adjusted a little because of the darkness of the picture, so it looks a little more defined in real life. Plus the conversion to a GIF image really made it poorer quality.. Even the icons are grainy.

And I added some holiday cheer icons, as well, to the desktop.

Thanks for the opportunity!

Take care. Happy Holidays.



@CCPChris, I love that picture of the cat on the avatar, looking like a puma symbol. Lol. Looks just like my cat. fuzzy little thing.

This post has been edited by ThirdEye4103: Dec 15 2010, 05:32 PM


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@ThirdEye4103 wow that picture was hand drawn?! extra credit to you sir

Merry Christmas everyone~
This is my desktop. I'm using Ubuntu Linux on netbook.


Its animated snow falls just like the what the video shown... well, sort of. The actual snow animation is much smoother.


EDIT: Image reuploaded. The wallpaper clock is real.

This post has been edited by green_lemon: Dec 16 2010, 11:13 PM

It was hand drawn but not from inspiration, because I looked at a reference picture. I cant think something up that good out of the blue. If only I could...

Awesome green_lemon GNOME? or is it KDE? I wonder why people dont use Ubuntu more. Im booting ubuntu, linux mint, and win 7.

Thanks ThirdEye4103. It's GNOME. I'm dual-booting Windows 7 and Ubuntu. Sadly, the netbook is the only computer I have. So performance wise, I choose Ubuntu as my default OS because slower machine runs faster on Linux.

Merry Christmas Everybody. Attached with my first Christmas desktop~

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Added on December 17, 2010, 2:55 pmAttached with my second Christmas desktop~

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Added on December 17, 2010, 4:34 pmMy third Christmas desktop~

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Added on December 17, 2010, 4:34 pmMy forth Christmas desktop~



This post has been edited by teng1012: Dec 20 2010, 11:45 AM

wow, great!

I like the netbook desktop. Well done!

This post has been edited by franco: Dec 18 2010, 04:41 PM

Thank you so much!

my entry

Caption: Lowyat.net & MSI making X'mas Magical





Hi guys,
I did this desktop wallpaper for my 4 year old nephew. He has ADHD and computers is the only thing that can distract him long enough to calm him down. He loves playing portable games [ Plants Vs Zombies ] on my MSI Netbook so I'm trying to win him one too. This desktop was done on my nephew's 7 year old computer, Acerpower S Series, running XP. The picture was taken by him with my mom's fairy figurines. My hand was used as a 'hand model' [ Why my fingers so fat like sausages?] to create the 'transparent screen illusion'. I had taken a picture of my hand giving a thumbs up without the netbook then I cut the area out and used it as a wallpaper on the netbook. I arranged the netbook to line up with the background and my arm to create the illusion that the MSI monitor is transparent. For the record, the MSI monitor is NOT transparent..its merely an illusion. The reason I did it was to play on the word 'magical' because my caption for the picture was going to be ' Lowyat.net & MSI making X'mas Magical'.

Once that was done, we made Christmas icons. The Christmas Firefox, Yahoo messenger, MSI and Lowyat.net icons were done by us.


I animated the static wallpaper with Adobe Imageready to make the Christmas tree light, MSI netbook lights and candles blink and flicker. Then I installed it as an animated wallpaper with 'Active desktop' function found on XP. The theme used was 'Blue Chris' installed with Tuneup Utilities Styler 2. I installed animated snow fall and more blinking lights at the top and bottom edges of the screen and a Christmas countdown clock to give it a more Christmas feel. The snow gently falls and covers the icons until I move my mouse. See the snow gather on the firefox window in the Youtube video at the link below. Its a very pretty effect.

Firefox is wearing 'Adorable Santa' theme.

I hope you guys like it. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Check out the Youtube video and more pix at links below.
Franco

More pictures:
Youtube video of the desktop in action
More picture
More picture
Files used.




This post has been edited by franco: Dec 27 2010, 06:01 PM

My style - simple, clean-cut, yet accessible desktop.

Wishing all LYN forum dudes and dudettes a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year

This post has been edited by iernk: Dec 21 2010, 12:25 AM

great effort and ur story of cos

how many entries can i send?

It says as many as you want but make them quality over quantity.

kei18kun, thank you.

This post has been edited by franco: Dec 20 2010, 12:13 AM

Merry Christmas!
Hope i get to win.


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Here's my desktop~ K-on!



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Merry Christmas!!! Hope you have a jolly new year!


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Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to all forumers. May next year be an exciting year for all of us

If you're wondering where are my desktop icons, look at the Christmas tree decor.

This post has been edited by xxxcube: Dec 20 2010, 11:57 AM

Cool desktops guys! Everyone's is great.

But may I ask you a question TechnoG and iernk?

First off TechnoG, are you using Windows 7? If so where did you get that awesome Dock? if your using Linux, How are you using Photoshop? Wine?

And iernk and TechnoG how do you guys get that really cool linux style desktop apps that display your CPU usage, Time, Calender, playlists etc?

Heck, I never thought id day this but, windows version is beautiful compared to linux's desktop apps.

I'm eager to hear from you guys! Thats just what my PC is missing.

4 more days till Christmas!!!!! 5 more until Winner is chosen!!! Good Luck everyone!

yeah it's really cool gadgets...hope to get one too!

Here's my second. This time I'm going green-red colours wacky Christmas themes with appropriate Christmas icons.


This snapshot was taken from the view of inside the desktop cube. The desktop cube is formed by 4 virtual workspaces on the each side faces of the cube. Inside the cube, it also rendering 3D snowballs falling down from top. Cube bottom is fill with white snow.

Video should graphically explained what is desktop cube looks like:


My four virtual workspaces:


I wish everyone Merry Christmas and happy new year.

You can find about it somewhere in LYN forum!

LONGCAT!
do note that the entire piece is hand drawn. But nahh, I know my rendering is poor

kinda metallic and I`ve spent a lot of time on this one

tried to be simple but ended up in complexity
but anyhow, I consider this one fine too

Hello Ho Ho Everyone,


@iernk What exactly should I type in the search to find out how to do it?

@green_lemon Awesome recent entry, I was wonding if anyone was going to use Compiz Fusion.

@TechnoG cool drawing! the Rendering isnt poor, its just fine. +1 for hand drawing like I did.


To everyone who has posted, Good job! They have all been creative and unique in there own ways. I'm sure the judges are going to have a hard time deciding on who's they like the best!! I really like how a lot of you have extras set up on your desktops, Windows 7 is pretty awesome looking visually, I kind of looked for some themes and such, but there was so much junk to weave through I just stuck with a basic gray/orange gradient style.

I cant wait to find out who the winner is! Ive been checking this forum a lot. Im so glad I had the opportunity to enter my submission, It just so happened I discovered this forum just in time, when I was merely lurking for a good month or so. You all seem like a really nice, smart, great community. Im happy to have this chance, and I want to thank you all! This suspense, and excitement of checking this thread daily is bringing the child out of me, like when I was young, and I could feel Christmas creeping ever so slowly.

Happy Holidays once again, everybody! Take care!

Cody

ok so this is my another work



My eyes started to go bling-bling by this one heheh

Where did you get this theme? I want it for my laptop. Love the clean lines.
[ I wont enter it as a desktop submission here]

@ThirdEye4103, Thanks again. You're friendly. Well, everyone is making really nice snapshot. Since I'm not a graphic designer, so I just try to make mine get interesting in other way with Compiz.

Here's my another entry. A simple black-grey-white snow theme.


The location in the picture is in Bavaria, Germany. So I make the weather widget to that location.

Merry Christmas everyone.

oh for the win 7 theme i used 'Hyperspace-Darkmatter Subspace' which is 175mb in size if you download on the internet

and for the others, i used rainmeter which I`ve costumized it myself

Here is another shot



well i call this one "The Forbidden Love"
hurm, cachy isnt it

last piece of art before I retire for the night..

My desktop for Christmas..

Desktop 1


Desktop 2

Hello to all Lowyat.NET Enthusiasts,
We have updated your wallpapers to our MSI Malaysia Fanclub in Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=587039&id=287177820454

I thought a couple would make sense in this christmas
so I`ve made 1 like this



whenever I thinks of this snapshot makes me smile

This isnt a facebook 'like' competition is it? I dont have a facebook account!

uhhh i dunno
mybe...or mybe not..
y not u make some facebook acc then

oH! and here my favourite boxes



just thinking my piece of art getting better and better
no offense if I post more right?

So this might be revolutionaire



that hat kinda weird i think ahah

Dear franco, no it's not a FB "like" competition. We merely make use of FB to spread the artwork done by contestants for the mass to appreciate it. And also to show our appreciation towards them.

Regards,
MSI Malaysia

Thank you for clearing this up. Merry Xmas and Happy New Year:)

Going for another shot with a sleek "lucido" Christmas.


Happy holiday~~

sleek n simple

which means tomolo is the last day to submit, rite?

issit 12 tomoro midnight or wat?

My entry for the competition =D Merry Christmas everyone~

Hello all!

Here's four of the the different desktop themes i have, it changes every day!









Wishing everyone a very blessed christmas this year!

Merry Christmas! Here is my desktop:
Self design wallpaper with desktop shortcut icon as the decorations!


Can't see the icon? Here it is:


For more info and story behind it, visit my blog BlackG Productions

Thanks Lowyat.net and MSI for this opportunity!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

A simple desktop x'Mas theme.
The bottom icons act as a "jingle bells"


Click the thumbnail for larger size

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays~

This post has been edited by Kr0ll3R: Dec 23 2010, 05:54 AM

It took me a lot of time to get this done merry christmas to malaysian will upload others by tonight

2010 is a great year for 3D. Here's my desktop screenshot. This is anaglyph image. Red-blue 3D glasses should work well on it.


Merry Christmas guys.

damn 6monitors?

nice job there bro! I like your dock + wallpaper

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Added on December 23, 2010, 7:32 pm
My 2nd entry
Greetings of the season and best wishes for the new year! All the best everyone!

This post has been edited by iernk: Dec 23 2010, 07:32 PM

I decided to make my own wallpaper and hope you guys like it



DIY process lol

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Added on December 23, 2010, 7:46 pmIn christmas, everyone wants a MSI



or should i say every pokemon? lol

This post has been edited by Balok: Dec 23 2010, 07:46 PM

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

WISH YOU ALL HAVE A NICE DAY!!!


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My *clean* and simple desktop
Self-made wallpaper and the desktop is not really that clean, using Stardock's Fences
Really helps a lot


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Thanks bro. The dock is Avant Window Navigator with modded gradient to match the wallpaper.

This is my last one, the desktop cube. 4 virtual workspaces linking side by side to form a cube. Cube inside rendering 3D snow and a snowman.


Merry Christmas and happy holiday to everyone.

@Green_lemon, Haha awesome 3D desktop. Lol How did you do that? And Really cool ubuntu one that iernk quoted, Really really smooth looking. Great on the eyes.

@iernk, I WANT THAT EXACT SETUP IN POST 72, YOUR SECOND ENTRY!!! That layout is just brilliant! Does it eat up memory like crazy?

@Balok HaHa that first one is so cool! lol real smart and unique.

Seems like a lot of things I never ever would of thought of, have been covered. Nice creativity guys! I wonder how creative it would get if the contest was longer. Cuz right now, I dont think I could think of anything that hasn't already been done in some way or another!

Take Care Folks! 1 more day until all the children stay up all night in anticipation to wake up to gifts of love! Cant wait to see the looks on there faces!

-Deleted-

This post has been edited by Zaita: Dec 24 2010, 02:34 PM

This was a fun competition. I had lots of fun. Thank you Lowyat & MSI for organising it. Thanks to the rest for awesome dock and app ideas. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year 2011 [ feels so strange to type 2011..]
Franco

It's a combination of a few rainmeter skins. You can learn more about it under the Desktop Customization in LYN forum. And yes, it takes up quite a fair amount of memory space but it actually depends on your computer too.

This post has been edited by iernk: Dec 24 2010, 04:53 PM

Thanks again. It was done with compiz. Hey, now is Christmas. Have a happy Christmas.

May your world be filled with warmth
and good chear this Holy season,
and throughout the year.
Wish your christmas be
filled with peace and love.
Merry X-mas

what? it's christmas already? merry christmas to everyone and may you have a very 'cool' christmas...

This post has been edited by cowithgun: Dec 25 2010, 09:47 AM

Hi guys,

Thanks for your participation, and more importantly, MERRY CHRISTMAS (belated haha)!!

We'll be looking through all the entries and post up the winning wallpaper soon!

Cheers,
W

can't wait to see the winner announced

Same here. I've been enjoying the contest too.

can't wait for the result!

Can't wait also
Got my fingers crossed *somehow*

Same here!! =P

waiting for the results too

Happy new year to everyone! Waiting for the results.. Hope to add another cool gadget..

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!


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HAPPY NEW YEAR :clap

Happy New Year 2011 everyone!!!

interesting...gonna make 1... for the new year..haha

This post has been edited by alwinchg: Jan 1 2011, 07:22 PM

First of all, happy new year and thank you very much for participating in the Lowyat.NET x MSI Xmas Giveaway.
On my hand right now is the results of the contest in which the winner will soon walk away with a brand new Wind U130 netbook.

So...*drum rolls*...the winner is...



MSI Malaysia will PM you shortly, Calvin; so keep a look for it.

We would like to thank MSI Malaysia for the fine goodies and of course, thanks again to all of you as well for participating. Don't fret if you didn't win this time around, more giveaways are coming your way very soon!