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[Fixed] Pidgin: 2.7.1 GTK Themes

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June 4, 2010 - 2:18am
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pkeffect
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[Fixed] Pidgin: 2.7.1 GTK Themes

From official Pidgin website: http://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/Using%20Pidgin#win32_gtk_theme

As of version 2.7.0, Pidgin ships with a private GTK+ runtime and doesn't include extra themes or a GUI theme switching application.

There is an easy way to use the GTK+ theme binaries and theme switcher that Alexander Shaduri maintains. Note that we don't recommend you use the GTK+ installer he distributes unless you know what you're doing and have a good reason for doing so.

Download the GTK+ Themes and GTK+ Theme Switcher zip files and extract them to a temporary directory.

Copy the lib and share directories from the GTK+ Themes zip file into your \Gtk directory (you want to merge those with the existing lib and share directories). Copy the gtk2_prefs.exe from the GTK Theme Switcher zip file into your \Gtk\bin directory.

You can now run the gtk2_prefs.exe applications to choose a theme. You probably will want to use the "Apply for all users" checkbox so that the changes are made to Pidgin's private GTK+ runtime.

If you follow their recommendation you will notice when you try and run the theme selector exe you will get tons of missing dll errors. I am looking around for solutions now and will post as soon as I find one that is simple for most users. What I had to go through to get this working correctly was not feasible by any standards.

*** If anyone has a fix I would love to see it, I can't get it working using any of Pidgins suggestions or any of my own tinkering.

Ticket posted at Pidgin: http://developer.pidgin.im/ticket/12091

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June 4, 2010 - 12:27pm
Amarus
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Noooooooo

Why this now. Why make it so that we can't change our own themes as easily as it one was?

Now the problem I was having with pidgin are finally addressed, but now I find out I can't use my theme RRrrr
----------

Now I have read and followed the steps to install and properly use the Gtk+ switcher and the engine I need to use my own personal theme. Everything seems to work good.

Now I can't stop thinking about the team behind Pidgin own recommendation to not use this installer unless the users know what he is doing and how they are using this new private Gtk+ environment.

Is it possible to just create a theme that can work with the new Gtk+ runtime?

Does this means that themes are to be handle under /Preferences/Themes ? If so, how can I get my theme working with it? Or is there a website that has themes for pidgin's new private Gtk runtime?

in_vino_veritas,_in_aqua_sanitas.

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June 4, 2010 - 12:55pm
(Reply to #2)
pkeffect
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How did you get it working? I

How did you get it working? I tried both their suggestions and a few of my own with 0 luck.

"We exist in a multidimensional polymorphic hyerspacial internode of neurotranslinguistic manifestations subjugated by hyperbolic quantum entanglement."

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June 5, 2010 - 12:06pm
(Reply to #3)
Amarus
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Here is how I got it working

As you stated on your previous post, download the "GTK+ Themes" and "GTK+ Theme Switcher" zip files and extract them to a temporary directory. ex: Desktop or some other easy to find place in your PC.

|Files found here:
http://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/Using%20Pidgin#win32_gtk_theme

Now in the X:\PidginPortable directory you will find two different folders that share the same name but in different letter casing.

The directory we need to use is found at "X:\PidginPortable\App\Pidgin\Gtk"

The files found in the

    "gtk2-themes-2009-09-07-win32_bin"

file under the "lib" and "Share" folder are to be transfer to their respective equivalent folder under the PidginPortable directory.

---Like this:

Files on "gtk2-themes-2009-09-07-win32_bin\lib\gtk-2.0\2.10.0\engines"
are to be transfer to: "X:\PidginPortable\App\Pidgin\Gtk\lib\gtk-2.0\2.10.0\engines"

Files on: "gtk2-themes-2009-09-07-win32_bin\share\themes"
are to be transfer to: "X:\PCPortableApps\PidginPortable\App\Pidgin\Gtk\share\themes"

NOTE: yup, all those folders are the themes.

The second files you downloaded

    "gtk2_prefs-0.4.1.bin-gtk2.10-win32"

contains the theme switcher. This file is gtk2_prefs

This file is to be transfer to:
X:\PCPortableApps\PidginPortable\App\Pidgin\Gtk\bin

--------------
Now when everything has been transferred to is rightful place [as I always say] do a refresh and take it for a test run.

Click on gtk2_prefs [now found under its new PidginPortable directory home] and you should see the theme switcher. Enjoy!

TIP: When applying a theme, make sure to check "Apply for all users" checkbox so that the changes are made to Pidgin's private GTK+ runtime. If you don't do this, the change maybe or maybe not apply, but they always do apply if you do check the box.

NOTE: I hope my explanation is clear enough. I like to get my hand dirty with these stuff, but I'm one of those that learns as it goes.

--Now, isn't this theme switcher better than the last? It is great for those like me who like to come up with their own themes since you can edit the file live on notepad++ [save changes] and just switch between themes on the list to see your changes take effect. No more having to restart pidgin over and over.

in_vino_veritas,_in_aqua_sanitas.

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June 5, 2010 - 1:23pm
(Reply to #4)
pkeffect
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Awesome

You rock Amarus. My whole issues was working in the wrong directory. It's all good now.

Your explanation was easy to follow and on point.

*pats you on the back* Biggrin

Mark this one as SOLVED.

Hey Amarus, do you use any instant messengers ? I have a couple things about this I would like to talk to you about.

"We exist in a multidimensional polymorphic hyerspacial internode of neurotranslinguistic manifestations subjugated by hyperbolic quantum entanglement."

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June 5, 2010 - 10:17pm
(Reply to #5)
Amarus
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Good

Thanks. It isn't my area but sometimes I'm able to manage. ^_^

I use IRC. If you are on freenode then it is possible to chat.

in_vino_veritas,_in_aqua_sanitas.

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June 16, 2010 - 12:56am
John T. Haller
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Fixed in 2.7.1 Rev 2

This is fixed in 2.7.1 Rev 2. I added an unofficial theme package that you can add on to Pidgin Portable and instructions on changing themes.
https://portableapps.com/news/2010-06-15_-_pidgin_portable_2.7.1_rev_2
https://portableapps.com/support/pidgin_portable#themes

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

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June 16, 2010 - 8:42am
(Reply to #7)
Gizmokid2005
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Typo

John - In your instructions for themes, you have a typo.

It reads:
Be sure to click off "Apply to All Users" so it will be saved to Pidgin Portable's settings and then click Apply.

and it should read:
Be sure to click "Apply to All Users" so it will be saved to Pidgin Portable's settings and then click Apply.

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June 16, 2010 - 7:24pm
(Reply to #8)
Amarus
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Thanks

for a well appreciated revision ^_^

in_vino_veritas,_in_aqua_sanitas.

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