A BIG own goal by Microsoft

[Guest toon9]

A sad end for a GREAT website - I'm sure some of you will agree as this guy produced some really great homescreens for the MS Smartphone platform.

Link -

Why could Mr Gates team not embrace this kind of enterprising individual - especially when they do not offer anything nearly as good ?

[Guest sporkguy]

That is ridiculous - stopping him from posting his themes because the screenshot contains the windows logo from the START MENU?!

When will these monster companies cease picking on the small guys who actually provide us with decent goods?

[Guest toon9]

Its crazy eh ?

I've no doubt it was just a hobby for the guy - so why can "they" become heavy handed and force him to stop "sharing" his works.........beats me for sure.

Edited May 10, 2006 by toon9

[Guest sporkguy]

Surely they have a case against modaco, mobile9, esato etc as well - as every site provides a preview link to the themes. All of which contain the start button.

Madness, utter madness.

[Guest mandt]

Very sad day, had a bunch of these homescreens on my C550. All this ruling will do is stop talented people helping others,

I hope w411y's site doesn't get stamped on...

[Guest awarner (MVP)]

Surely this then applies to every site that has homescreens?

I would have expected the MS legal team and not the marketing team to get involved in this though so it sounds strange.

[Guest LarsDK]

I wondered what happened to the guy. He is without a doubt the greatest home screen designer around, why oh why do they do that? Would it be possible to do something where we can enter our names in support for him and turn that in to MS... If we join forces, we can make a difference and help kleinweder out. Isnt this a job for Paul to spread the word and make some noise... ?

[Guest Jamma14]

What are they thinking??? Why make the homescreen a configurable xml if they aren't going to allow you to share your xmls?

Wonder what they think of my Xp screen then *lol*

Think we need a petition...

Edited May 11, 2006 by Jamma14

[Guest awarner (MVP)]

Hopefully it is just someone getting over zealous in their job and it's a big mistake.

[Guest drblow]

I think this story is TOO strange. I'm not convinced we're getting the whole truth ...

[Guest w411y]

Ye I agree its kinda strange. I mean, he could always produce themes with a screenshot showing the keys locked so no Windows Flag shows up, just the word 'unlock'. Plus, most of his C500 screens did not contain the start and contacts button so why did he remove them? ;)

Edited May 11, 2006 by w411y