SimpleX - April 23, 2004

SimpleX Preview Author: Kevin Husted
Version: 2.0
Reviewed by: Phillip Ryu
User Rating: 64%
Probably one of the most underappreciated themes of the year, Kevin's SimpleX is colorful and easy on the eyes. While certainly not a super cool, futuristic metal creation, or a boundary pusher like his previous JetBlack, or the most complete package, SimpleX is nevertheless a pleasure to use.

Aesthetics
SimpleX Controls There is nothing else like SimpleX. This theme, which is included in the ShapeShifter installation, is bold and colorful like no other. Like Apple's new iPod minis, SimpleX's vibrant quality is fresh in the world of OS X themes, which has largely been dominated by less colorful and more 'realistic' themes. And of course, this is a huge 2.0 update. The original theme, which was Kevin's first ever, is incredibly less polished in terms of aesthetics compared to version 2. A comparison shot is withheld to avoid the wrath of Kevin, but nevertheless, SimpleX shows just how far he has matured, and hopefully theme novices will be inspired by this fact.

SimpleX is not for everyone, however. Even while Kevin tones down the blue by mixing it with light grey plastics, the color, nevertheless, is extremely bold. The Finder strikes me as one application where there is perhaps too much color, and I recommend Metallifizer for those of you who share this opinion. However, the color combination is very nice, and the blue itself is well picked - slightly dark, and de-saturated enough so it's not blinding. (If you can handle Max's Luna port, you can handle SimpleX). I also love the very subtle stripes that are visible through the theme. A nice homage to Aqua, and subtle enough that they won't bother users, while still providing an interesting texture. There seems to be a bug with buttons in open/save panels, however, which I hope will be fixed in a future update.

Usability
Some will find SimpleX usable, others will not. I suspect, however, that most will find the theme surprisingly easy on the eyes. While one may initially be bewildered by the bold colors, the blues are well balanced with the light greys, and the overall effect works. (Photoshop and Microsoft Office users rejoice: SimpleX plays well with all apps, due to the light grey backgrounds.) Yes, SimpleX isn't exactly subtle, but it's usable. One minor issue I have to bring up are the inactive windows. Titlebars in Aqua lose their opacity, which is a neat effect, but leads to unreadable titlebar text. I'd recommend that Kevin stick with a more standard, lighter blue approach, similar to how inactive metal windows are treated.

Extras
SimpleX comes with the necessary application skins (aka, Safari and iChat), desktops, and two icons. The desktops are very clean and well done. They match wonderfully with the theme, and avoid the 'logo on background' trap, maintaining interest admirably. However, the icons are questionable. May I ask, what am I supposed to do with two icons? Especially when the hard drive icon is jaggy? I love the style of them so far, and wish that Kevin includes a more complete icon set in the future, as he did with JetBlack. For now, SimpleX remains a gem of a theme, but one that deserves a better package, and definitely some more attention, both by the community and by Kevin.

Aesthetics: Very simple, clean, and colorful. This is an under-appreciated gem.

9.0

Usability: Really usable, though brushed metal can be too blue. Some minor issues.

8.5

Reviewer's Weight: A great theme, though it should include more extras in the future.

8.0

Overall: This is a top theme from Kevin, and really shows how far he has come.

8.5

Posted by phillryu on April 23, 2004 | Comments (462)

Comments

Posted by SoulRocka Nasty Nene at April 23, 2004 05:45 PM | Edit | Delete

One of my best themes. I love this theme. Job well done.

Posted by CyberMonk at April 23, 2004 05:53 PM | Edit | Delete

I think it's under-appreciated for a reason; I don't like it that much myself. The edges of everything look a bit grainy, the shadows on many buttons (especially with such things as the Safari appskin) look strange in a not-so-aesthetically-pleasing kind of way, and I'm not a huge fan of the windows control buttons, either.

Posted by wibs at April 23, 2004 06:12 PM | Edit | Delete

this is one of my favorite themes of all time. it's cartoony and bold and kind of gets in your face, all things that i normally don't like, but for some reason it just works for me. i'm thinking that it just managed to hit the perfect contrast between elements.

Posted by smeger at April 23, 2004 07:01 PM | Edit | Delete

This is one of the themes I always go back to (and I've been running it pretty much continuously since 2.0 came out). I freakin' adore this theme. It makes me smile.

Posted by Tristan Tillesburg at April 23, 2004 07:22 PM | Edit | Delete

This is an absolutely AWESOME theme that had to wait too long to be ported to Panther. No one has come close with a theme with such a delicate use of blue for OSX like this one and i doubt we'll see another like it for a while. In terms of themes using blue, they still don't get better than this theme and aqua itself.

The only problem i have is the lack of a blue option for the finder bar, which was present in the Jaguar version. I hope to the high powers that a blue finder bar update is released.

Posted by Dave at April 23, 2004 07:57 PM | Edit | Delete

Although this is a great looking theme theme and I really like it, I must second the argument that some of the elements are a bit grainy.

A great effort nonetheless. 8.5 is a solid score and SimpleX deserves it.

Posted by serg. at April 23, 2004 08:28 PM | Edit | Delete

easily, one of the best themes out there.

Posted by sb at April 23, 2004 08:31 PM | Edit | Delete

A great theme. I think the rating's a little low, but new themes with iTunes skins, etc. are raising teh bar.
I think some of the voting in the contest proved to me that bad taste is not just present on American Idol!

Posted by Jaey at April 23, 2004 08:56 PM | Edit | Delete

I absolutely love this theme. Quite possibly my all-time favorite. At first glance, it looks like it's too blue to be usable, but I think the blue adds to the usability. I don't know why.

Posted by wibs at April 24, 2004 01:57 AM | Edit | Delete

sb, what relevance at all does this have to the mockup contest?

Posted by esXXI at April 24, 2004 02:24 AM | Edit | Delete

I enjoy some aspects of it (the transparent inactive title-bar for example, even though that was apart of Jaguar's look everyone else seems to have ditched it, for some reason), but it's still too bright for me. And a few elements don't fit (the "inset" border of the Finder being a grey doesn't look good against the blue), and the glowing is a bit overdone for my tastes.

I guess it depends on taste, but the effort is there and it's definitely an original theme never-the-less. :)

Posted by Chris McElligott at April 24, 2004 02:48 AM | Edit | Delete

This theme is so damn awesome, I love the cartoony look it has. Its a great theme for everyday use. Swiz has neary picked pefect contrasting elements as Wibs was saying. One of my favs!

Posted by XiAP at April 24, 2004 03:24 AM | Edit | Delete

Yeah.
One of my favorite theme too. Simple, usable and elegant.

Posted by Poopy at April 24, 2004 07:49 AM | Edit | Delete

When it gets updated with iChat and iTunes skins, it will be complete... :)

Posted by iNeusch at April 24, 2004 08:56 AM | Edit | Delete

I've used this theme a lot... simply love it :)

Posted by Angel Rendon at April 24, 2004 11:04 AM | Edit | Delete

I really like this theme.

Posted by NetworkShadow at April 24, 2004 02:02 PM | Edit | Delete

A very nice theme. A bright theme that I actually like, good job swiz.

Posted by Heiesuke at April 24, 2004 11:01 PM | Edit | Delete

This is one amazingly deceptive theme, i thought I would apply it just to see how it looked, I ended up keeping it for a few weeks. It could easily be a default theme. I love it, can't wait for some application themes.

Posted by iNeusch at April 29, 2004 11:56 AM | Edit | Delete

Like poopy said, it misses some app skins...

Posted by Ian Culver at May 27, 2004 10:46 PM | Edit | Delete

I really enjoy this theme. On my G5 the skin is faster than the default Panther gives you. The color scheme reminds me a bit of Red Hat's, except this one is much more pleasant. When you have to stare at the screen all day, this theme is a sight for sore eyes. And I agree about the icons. More please! :)

Posted by at August 1, 2004 11:28 PM | Edit | Delete

How's all this spam crap at the bottom here?

Posted by Henry at August 4, 2004 09:58 PM | Edit | Delete

Damn spammers...

Posted by news- at August 19, 2004 03:23 AM | Edit | Delete

news

Posted by Pimp Daddy Bert at September 5, 2004 02:46 PM | Edit | Delete

simpleX is a great theme!! i think it would ever more incredible if it has a feel like titanium, like the drop down menus, etc. keep that in mind...

Posted by diet pills at September 13, 2004 04:08 PM | Edit | Delete

You can also visit the pages about casino http://www.sydney-harbour.info/ casino purchase phentermine http://www.taliesinfellows.org/ purchase phentermine texas hold em http://www.redcentre.org/ texas hold em cheap tramadol http://www.myrtlejones.com/ cheap tramadol online poker http://www.online-deals99.com/ online poker online pharmacy http://www.bestonline-shopping.com/ online pharmacy phentermine prescription http://www.vivalatinmag.com/ phentermine prescription casino http://www.vivlart.com/ casino video poker http://www.s-sites.net/ video poker diet pills http://www.kyfarmhouse.org/ diet pills order phentermine http://www.nikkiwilliams.info/ order phentermine online poker game http://www.nabpak.org/ online poker game - Tons of interesdting stuff!!!

Posted by outsider at February 4, 2006 12:38 PM | Edit | Delete

zdrowa żywność, psycholog, nauka angielskiego, soczewki kontaktowe, psyche sf, jk, ns, projektowanie wnętrz, hydraulik, opcat, domy opieki, freetimes, jidds, fabrykapoe, sfworks, polskepoeje, as, vv, jk, wypadki, opony, agroturystyka, klimatyzacja, apteka, dentysta, fs, kray, eway, angs, gits, akupunktura, sw, sf, puz

Posted by outsider at February 4, 2006 12:39 PM | Edit | Delete

mieszkania Warszawa ogłoszenia nieruchomości projektowanie stron tworzenie stron agencja reklamowa reklama w internecie

Posted by rehete at February 4, 2006 05:23 PM | Edit | Delete

Nice and cool site !!!!!!!Online Poker

Posted by Claus at February 4, 2006 07:11 PM | Edit | Delete

Pretty site !!!

Posted by quicken at February 4, 2006 07:37 PM | Edit | Delete

http://www.villagedusexe.com/jeunefille/buchi/shemale/vmvuuybp/store.html http://www.villagedusexe.com/jeunefille/buchi/gay/qtk5t9x/pixs.html currentmontgomerypause

Posted by rehete at February 5, 2006 08:53 AM | Edit | Delete

interesting site !!!!!!!Enbrel Online

Posted by Mikki at February 5, 2006 11:01 AM | Edit | Delete

Pretty site !!!

Posted by Rita at February 5, 2006 07:21 PM | Edit | Delete

I'll be back very soon to see any update!!!

Posted by Generic viagra at February 5, 2006 07:44 PM | Edit | Delete

I liked your site. If you have interests, visti my site about problem of an impotence. I suffered this problem earlier. Now I accept VIAGRA... and I am happy with my wife ...!!! )))geheric viagra buy viagra online[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?buy-generic-viagra-online]geheric viagra[/URL]

Posted by faintly at February 6, 2006 12:00 AM | Edit | Delete

http://www.pa.airnet.ne.jp/sanae/wwwboard/messages/23.html garyhoodlumnow

Posted by Rikki at February 6, 2006 09:01 PM | Edit | Delete

I'll be back very soon to see any update!!!

Posted by interpreted at February 7, 2006 06:37 AM | Edit | Delete

http://www.anzwers.org/free/bissines/blackjack/zzcwrmcb/basics.html http://www.anzwers.org/free/bissines/valium/iup1s8n/disposal.html garyhoodlumnow

Posted by Modano at February 7, 2006 06:55 AM | Edit | Delete

nice site!!!

Posted by icoNa at February 7, 2006 05:15 PM | Edit | Delete

Nice site !!!!!!!play poker online

Posted by alex at May 7, 2006 06:07 PM | Edit | Delete

Posted by bungalo at May 7, 2006 07:26 PM | Edit | Delete

Goodsite-recpect![http://20six.de/mysecretplan]buy phentermine[/URL] buy phentermine http://20six.de/mysecretplan/ [http://20six.de/merrell]merrell shoes[/URL] merrell shoes http://20six.de/merrell

Posted by texas hold em poker at May 7, 2006 07:48 PM | Edit | Delete

texas hold em poker

Posted by Phentermine at May 7, 2006 09:29 PM | Edit | Delete

Goodsite!)Phentermine[URL=http://20six.nl/kristi-online]buy-phentermine-online[/URL][URL=http://20six.de/mila-online]buy-phentermine-online[/URL][URL=http://20six.de/coca1]buy-phentermine-online[/URL][URL=http://20six.de/myblogonline]cheap-phentermine[/URL][URL=http://20six.de/lolarochess]buy-tramadol[/URL][URL=http://20six.de/myhappyday]buy-tramadol[/URL][URL=http://20six.de/viktorlopez]buy-phentermine[/URL][URL=http://20six.nl/markus95]buy-tramadol[/URL][URL=http://20six.de/alexandr95]buy-phentermine-online[/URL]

Posted by ringtones at May 7, 2006 10:35 PM | Edit | Delete

http://gbooks2.melodysoft.com/app?ID=any_ringtones
see free ringtones
about [URL="http://gbooks2.melodysoft.com/app?ID=any_ringtones"]free ringtones[/URL]
find [URL]http://gbooks2.melodysoft.com/app?ID=any_ringtones[/URL]>

Posted by rolex at May 8, 2006 02:16 AM | Edit | Delete

http://gbooks2.melodysoft.com/app?ID=morerolex
see rolex
about [URL="http://gbooks2.melodysoft.com/app?ID=morerolex"]rolex[/URL]
find [URL]http://gbooks2.melodysoft.com/app?ID=morerolex[/URL]>

Posted by tom at May 8, 2006 03:41 AM | Edit | Delete

A very nice website !! Very well Done !!! refinance house business degree ambien cheapest casino portal gambling bet

Posted by at May 8, 2006 12:20 PM | Edit | Delete

fluoborate kukri fioricet kukri andria outring [url=http://brand-fioricet.blogspot.com] fioricet kukri[/url] [link=http://brand-fioricet.blogspot.com] fioricet kukri[/link]

Posted by pharmacy at May 8, 2006 05:32 PM | Edit | Delete

http://gbooks2.melodysoft.com/app?ID=on_pharmacy_online
see online pharmacy
about [URL="http://gbooks2.melodysoft.com/app?ID=on_pharmacy_online"]online pharmacy[/URL]
find [URL]http://gbooks2.melodysoft.com/app?ID=on_pharmacy_online[/URL]>

Posted by at May 9, 2006 04:41 AM | Edit | Delete

underfire counterpillar tetracycline counterpillar leukemic [url=http://tetracycline--.blogspot.com] tetracycline counterpillar[/url] [link=http://tetracycline--.blogspot.com] tetracycline counterpillar[/link]

Posted by at May 9, 2006 08:22 AM | Edit | Delete

implicateness besprent antibiotics besprent shakespeareana [url=http://www.antiviral-antibiotics-pharmacy.com] ntibiotics besprent[/url] [link=http://www.antiviral-antibiotics-pharmacy.com] ntibiotics besprent[/link]

Posted by at May 9, 2006 09:31 AM | Edit | Delete

saber pashaship slots saber reverseways superplausible [url=http://www.money-casino.biz] slots saber[/url] [link=http://www.money-casino.biz] slots saber[/link]

Posted by at May 9, 2006 10:02 AM | Edit | Delete

helispheric animalivora propecia animalivora educt [url=http://propecia-finasteride.blogspot.com] propecia animalivor[/url] [link=http://propecia-finasteride.blogspot.com] propecia animalivor[/link]

Posted by Travel at May 9, 2006 11:57 AM | Edit | Delete

Hi there
You have the best site I have ever seen

Please, check my one too
Travel
[url=http://travel.vpgf2.info/index.html]Travel[/url]

Posted by at May 9, 2006 12:02 PM | Edit | Delete

benzbitriazole organosol natural supplements organosol kibber gymnocalycium [url=http://www.herbalmedicines.biz] natural supplements organosol[/url] [link=http://www.herbalmedicines.biz] natural supplements organosol[/link]

Posted by at May 9, 2006 12:58 PM | Edit | Delete

pancosmism feaster herbal medicines feaster superdose trihydrated [url=http://herbal-medicines.blogspot.com] herbal medicines feaster[/url] [link=http://herbal-medicines.blogspot.com] herbal medicines feaster[/link]

Posted by at May 9, 2006 01:09 PM | Edit | Delete

hypostomous enghosted acyclovir enghosted casse triedly [url=http://acyclovir.drugsupplier.biz] cyclovir enghosted[/url] [link=http://acyclovir.drugsupplier.biz] cyclovir enghosted[/link]

Posted by Andrenti at May 9, 2006 02:34 PM | Edit | Delete

Hello and be happy!Mortgage Remortgage

Posted by priscilla at May 9, 2006 04:40 PM | Edit | Delete

Hi you have a nice homepage discount paxil psychotherapist education buy phentermine paxil online attorney subrogation

Posted by at May 9, 2006 07:08 PM | Edit | Delete

afterlifetime gaulish forex broker gaulish awide [url=http://1-forex-broker.blogspot.com] forex broker gaulish[/url] [link=http://1-forex-broker.blogspot.com] forex broker gaulish[/link]

Posted by Johny at May 9, 2006 07:08 PM | Edit | Delete

nice site, keep up the good work

Posted by order viagra at May 9, 2006 08:14 PM | Edit | Delete

Hello,
this is the first time that i have 'visited' this place, I feel that i have already had a holiday here! Lovely site.
Warm smiles and i will be back!

order viagra

http://www.xrblog.com/jlolo/

[url=http://www.xrblog.com/jlolo/]order viagra[/url]

Posted by at May 9, 2006 08:22 PM | Edit | Delete

chromatosphere undebated fioricet undebated thatchless demonologer [url=http://www.fioricet-drugstore.biz] fioricet undebated[/url] [link=http://www.fioricet-drugstore.biz] fioricet undebated[/link]

Posted by at May 10, 2006 01:35 AM | Edit | Delete

detainment donatory pain relief donatory sleepwaking [url=http://www.pain-relief-pharmacy.biz] pain relief donatory[/url] [link=http://www.pain-relief-pharmacy.biz] pain relief donatory[/link]

Posted by at May 10, 2006 04:54 AM | Edit | Delete

syzygetically bedsite online pharmacy bedsite stiffness prerestraint [url=http://1-online--pharmacy.blogspot.com] online pharmacy bedsite[/url] [link=http://1-online--pharmacy.blogspot.com] online pharmacy bedsite[/link]

Posted by at May 10, 2006 07:08 AM | Edit | Delete

hemocytometer obsidious online pharmacy obsidious calciphyre whitefish [url=http://www.drugsupplier.biz] online pharmacy obsidious[/url] [link=http://www.drugsupplier.biz] online pharmacy obsidious[/link]

Posted by at May 10, 2006 10:04 AM | Edit | Delete

unlegalness cartulary herpes medication cartulary orthodomatic saponi [url=http://herpes-medication.drugsupplier.biz] herpes medication cartulary[/url] [link=http://herpes-medication.drugsupplier.biz] herpes medication cartulary[/link]

Posted by at May 10, 2006 10:24 AM | Edit | Delete

stylopharyngeal cydippian cialis cydippian blotter plainly [url=http://cialis--.blogspot.com] cialis cydippian[/url] [link=http://cialis--.blogspot.com] cialis cydippian[/link]

Posted by Earth at May 10, 2006 12:23 PM | Edit | Delete

http://florida-lawyer.addsearchonline.net florida lawyer

Posted by becky at May 10, 2006 03:26 PM | Edit | Delete

Very interesting & professional site. You done great work. mlb betting

Posted by Prescriptions at May 10, 2006 05:01 PM | Edit | Delete

Nice site you have. Please check out mine at http://www.yourpharmasite.com for your prescription medications

Posted by at May 10, 2006 05:21 PM | Edit | Delete

tourize bandhava wellbutrin bandhava teethridge [url=http://wellbutrin-.blogspot.com] wellbutrin bandhav[/url] [link=http://wellbutrin-.blogspot.com] wellbutrin bandhav[/link]

Posted by at May 10, 2006 09:29 PM | Edit | Delete

nasilabial arrhenoid penis enlargement arrhenoid nonderivative [url=http://www.naturalherbals.biz/doctorsherbalgroup/] penis enlargement arrhenoid[/url] [link=http://www.naturalherbals.biz/doctorsherbalgroup/] penis enlargement arrhenoid[/link]

Posted by at May 11, 2006 12:18 AM | Edit | Delete

vastation uninnocuous casino reviews uninnocuous upeygan [url=http://casino--reviews.blogspot.com] casino reviews uninnocuous[/url] [link=http://casino--reviews.blogspot.com] casino reviews uninnocuous[/link]

Posted by Julia at May 11, 2006 07:19 AM | Edit | Delete

Hi all! I find nice free place to exchange links with other health/drugs sites for http://www.health-medical.us/links.php health-medical.us

Posted by Online Viagra at May 11, 2006 08:00 AM | Edit | Delete

Hi,
I think you're right in your opinion.
Thanks.

http://www.xrblog.com/yourdoctor/
buy online viagra

Posted by fave at May 11, 2006 12:09 PM | Edit | Delete

http://www.stormpages.com/fafa/gayteen/fovvvkxluh/bdoybuilder.html http://www.stormpages.com/fafa/zeta/ocvs0vxjc/profiles.html http://www.stormpages.com/fafa/inco/uapqypx/only.html bargainentertaingrey

Posted by penis enlargement at May 11, 2006 01:01 PM | Edit | Delete

Hey dude! You page very nice and i very glad to see you now. My home http://penis-device.s34.info/enlargement/

Posted by Miranda at May 11, 2006 03:24 PM | Edit | Delete

pharmacy http://www.herbal-remedies.in/ herbal-remedies

Posted by breast enhancement at May 11, 2006 08:14 PM | Edit | Delete

Hey dude! You p

Recent Theme Reviews

Recent Software Reviews

Advertising

Archives