Microsoft put on a fresh face to the world when it released Windows XP in 2001, but the candy-coated Luna UI certainly isn’t for everyone. While Microsoft never made it terribly obvious, the introduction of Luna also allowed the UI to be reskinned. Soon enough, fresh interpretations of the Windows XP UI were popping up all over the map, and it has grown into a large community catering to every preference. If you’re tired of Luna or an ugly selection of greys, take a peek at these six hand-picked styles which will give XP’s appearance some punch.

Before taking a crack at the visual styles below, make sure you patch your installation of Windows XP with the UXTheme Multi-Patcher utility. This will unlock the ability to install third-party themes that don’t carry the Microsoft stamp of approval.

Lastly, make sure you carefully follow the installation instructions provided by each author. Some shell styles may require you to take extra steps to ensure your installation matches the picture.

Royale Vista VS by dobee

Easily my personal favorite, dobee’s Royale Vista VS theme is clean, easy on the eyes, and delightfully compact. While some themes cling to visual gimmicks and bright colors, Royale Vista VS treats XP’s UI to gentle gradients and a touch of plastic. This shell style exudes class.

Image courtesy of DeviantArt user dobee

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Metku has a guide on how to get started with microcontrollers. Get your soldering iron and go to town.

Viperlair adds bling with the CrazyPC EL neon wire kit.

How to build a PC in a briefcase for your LAN needs.

TweakTown has a nice summary of the sweet case mods found at QuakeCon 2008.

Add some color to your box with the CrazyPC electroluminescent wire kit.

For years Newegg.com has been the primary “go-to” site for computer and technology enthusiasts. Often they have the lowest prices on their massive selection of inventory, and their customer service and quick shipping cements their place in the hearts of consumers – as long as they’re in the USA.

Often our Canadian readers and forum members would longingly glance at the prices and selection available to their American counterparts, and let out a resigned sigh as they went to their own online retailers.

Apparently, that is about to come to an end. NewEgg has a teaser page at newegg.ca. While no launch date has been announced, the page does mention “2008″ – which leaves us with, at the worst, four months of speculation :)

I wonder if they’ll change their slogan. “Once you know, you Newegg, eh?”

Can I get a dispenser here? Bit-Tech shows off a great TF2 dispenser case mod.

How to replace your lame heat spreaders.

Ubuntu Netbook Remix on the OLPC XO

Ubuntu Netbook Remix is a slick new user interface for Ubuntu on sub-notebooks like the Asus eeePC and the OLPC XO. Installing Netbook Remix on the XO is not for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking to get some extra geek points then strap in: it’s going to be a long ride.

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Icrontic’s Andy Ingraham wanted to rotate his Samsung 245BW flat panel 90 degrees to use it in “portrait mode”, which can be helpful for certain tasks. Other monitors swivel on their mounts and allow you to do this, but the 245BW is fixed.

Until Andy came along with a screwdriver and “unfixed” it….

Read on to find out how…

MadShrimps has a how-to on converting an old PSU into a hardcore fan controller.