Start8 was introduced this past week.  Who is talking about it? http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/start8-download-resurrects-the-start-button-on-windows-8-niche/ http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Windows-8-Start-Menu-App-Stardock-Brad-Wardell,14931.html http://www.ghacks.net/2012/03/06/stardocks-start8-brings-back-the-windows-8-start-menu/ http://www.techspot.com/news/47695-stardock-releases-free-start-menu-app-for-windows-8.html http://www.neowin.net/news/interview-star...

Welcome back to another edition of This Week in Skinning!  Lots of talk this week going on about Windows 8, and if you have downloaded the consumer preview, then be sure to check out our newest app, Start8 . Now for this weeks picks!     Oan by CountryYokel This is a matching CursorFX theme for his WindowBlinds skin, both with a cool design.   Black Diamond by AceMatrix This is a fantastic set of icons for IconPackag...

Neowin has posted an interview with Stardock CEO Brad Wardell on the coming Windows 8 and the latest app from Stardock – Start8 . First, you have been vocal on your own personal blog site that while you think Windows 8 is great, the Metro interface is not. What is it specifically about the Metro UI that you don't care for? It's a lot of different things. There are two big things in particular: First, Windows 8 is trying to jam two completely different user experiences i...

You have heard us talking about it over the past few days, and we are excited to finally let you get your hands on it!  The Windows 8 Consumer Preview is available and has taken the Windows interface to a whole new level. Unfortunately, the preview did not come with a desktop feature that the world makes use of billions times a day, the “Start” menu. Luckily, we have a solution! Start8 from Stardock brings the “Start” menu back to Windows 8. This product is free and is available ...

A big annoyance for me with Windows 8 is that it takes multiple steps to simply shutdown or restart.  In Metro you have to sign out, then slide the lock screen, and then finally have the shutdown button.  That’s quite a few steps just to shut off your PC! Start8 brings the start button back to Windows 8, and in doing so it also simplifies the shutdown process. https://www.stardock.com/products/start8/ Just right-click the start button and you can shutdown from there.&#...

A new month means a new desktop screenshot thread.  Use the thread linked to below to post your working desktop and be sure to let us know what skins you are using! https://forums.wincustomize.com/418932

You might have seen it in our forums or on our Facebook pages , but with the consumer preview release of Windows 8 many users discovered the traditional start button is gone!  No worries though, Stardock has already begun putting an app together that brings back the start button and then some! Introducing Start8. Start8 will available sometime in the next week or so.  Signup here to be notified and be one of the first ones to try it. https://www.stardock.com/product...

Take a more in-depth look at Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion with this beta preview video.  

Since people have been asking, and some are not interested in downloading the Consumer preview, here are screenshots I have taken so far. Windows 8 Consumer Preview ...

Any local Michigan folks looking for a Web Designer job should check this out. https://www.stardock.com/about/jobs.asp#jr_web_designer In this role you will work alongside other interactive designers and developers to produce work on usability and user centered projects. Projects include web pages, interactive kiosks, html emails, facebook pages, online banners and some print materials. Responsibilities: Execute designs based on established look and feel and brand guidel...

Did you possibly miss some of the awesome skins listed below?  I mean it’s possible, but we’ll let that go for now and share these wonderful works with our members and any guests that might be passing by.   ...

PC Advisor has posted their review of Stardock’s WindowBlinds 7. “If you don't like the stock look of Windows or want to make it seem as if you're not really stuck back on XP (or make it look as if you were), WindowBlinds is nearly the perfect way to do it. “ Check out the full review here and be sure to share with your friends and on your social networks! http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/windows/3339608/stardock-windowblinds-7-review/

GamesRadar also sat down with the Sins team and got an early look at the upcoming Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion.  “We saw giant space battles, we saw greatly enhanced graphics, and we saw different races and factions engaging in absurdly large intergalactic wars. But two things we saw during our time with the game stood out more than anything else, and rose above the rest: the inclusion of playable pirates, and Death Stars.” Read more at GamesRadar.com. http://w...

IGN has posted their preview impressions of Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion. “It's not uncommon to see game expansions and walk away with the feeling that they just add more components, doing next to nothing to change a person's mind about the way a game plays. But Rebellion is different; Ironclad has addressed gameplay concerns and given you more ways to play. If you haven't played Sins before, or have let it collect dust on your shelf for a few years now, it might be time to put yo...

Fallen Enchantress Beta 2 is now available, and any customers who have previously pre-ordered FE will have access to the beta.  Also, any one who pre-orders going forward will also get access to the beta. Beta downloads can be found at download.stardock.com . You can pre-order Fallen Enchantress here - http://elementalgame.com/fallen-enchantress/purchase