1. WB to replace the look or DesktopX to create your own desktop

2. Windowblinds skin, yes SkinStudio

3. DesktopX can create standalone desktop themes but you would need the Enterprise version I believe, in order to put out themes that can be used by others not using sd products

I believe the ODNT page is more accurate - the bundling changed a while back, on the WB pge one it looks like the old bundle

I'm confused about what you get in the BUNDLE as well. However, let me highly recommend getting ObjectDesktop, because you get ICONPACKAGER, which will change all your system icons, and DESKTOPX, which enables you to use widgets, gadgets and desktop themes. Some of these are weather tools, system metrics and so on. With a DesktopX theme, you can pretty well eliminate the need for the start menu. The great advantage of these two programs is that your WindowBlinds skin could have matching icons and tools, if somebody has made them. You will probably want to customize everything on your desktop sooner or later, so getting ObjectDesktop is the way to go.

Creating a skin is not for the faint of heart. You will need skills in creating graphics using programs like Photoshop, which is very expensive, or a free program like GIMP, then you will have to master Skinstudio.

Theme Manager is a free program. It only APPLIES various skins like WindowBlinds, IconPackager, and various others; it doesn't create anything.

You can't use a WindowBlinds skin without having the WindowBlinds program.

For some WB skins, there are matching docks, icons, wallpaper, DesktopX widgets and themes, RightClick, and so on, and that's why ObjectDesktop is highly recommended.

You might also want to check out ObjectDock, which is a launch bar that has shortcuts to whatever you want on it in the form of icons. The docks are SKINNED as well, and a lot of WB skins have matching docks. There is a free version that you can try out that allows you to use one dock; the paid version can create multiple docks, and best of all, tabbed docks; that being many docks in one.

ODNT is a one year subscription - so You would get 6 and 7 beta would be available to try out - and you would get 7 when released

I hadn't checked out DesktopX - wow, that looks nice!  .. and leads to more questions

According to https://www.stardock.com/products/desktopx/purchase.asp there are 3 different versions of DesktopX.

Would I be right in thinking that DesktopX Pro can create widgets for non-windowblinds users but the other 2 versions (DesktopX Standard and DesktopX Client) can't.

Which leads to the question of which version of DesktopX is included with the Object Desktop Standard package at $49.95 and which version of DesktopX is included with the Object Desktop Ultimate package at $69.95?

My brain is starting to hurt with all these versions, packages, package versions and versions within packages!

Desktop x client is the most basic version, allowing you to basically run widgets, gadgets but without any way of creating them

Desktop x standard enables you to not only view and operate the widgets but also to build them for others who have desktop x to use. The widets/gadgets are not stand alone. It is this version that is on object desktop and object desktop ultimate

Desktop x Professional is able to create stand alone gadgets that do notneed desktop x in order to function properly

Price: $14.95 Load objects and widgets as well as alternative desktops created by others.

you can't create, just use

Standard/Ultimate packages should be the same DesktopX which would be DesktopX Standard

Price: $24.95 Load objects and widgets as well as alternative desktops created by others.

Create and export objects, widgets and desktops with scripting support via JScript and VB Script.

can create objects, widgets and desktops (but dtx has to be installed on the other machine to use)but not standalone gadgets other than vista sidebar

Price: $69.95 Load objects and widgets as well as alternative desktops created by others. Create and export objects, widgets and desktops with scripting support via JScript and VB Script. Also, export widgets as gadgets as stand-alone programs.

Recommended for Content Creators

external gadgets can be created other than vista sidebar gadgets (weather, mail, webcam, etc)

desktops will need still need dtx installed on the user machine to work

for standalone desktop themes you will need to purchase a different license

objects - need desktopx installed and running to work

widgets - need desktopx installed to work (dtx doesn't have to be running)

gadgets - external engines - run without DTX being installed

I think I'm starting to get it - so say a friend has only windowblinds (but doesn't have DesktopX) and I've got Desktop x standard and I create a widget,my friend who has windowblinds but not DesktopX wouldn't be able to run my widget?

correct

double

Yes for gadgets not widgets, but one has nothing to do with the other. They are separate apps that do different things, you need to think of them that way.

SkinStudio to make skins for Windowblinds, DTX to make theme widgets etc for DTX, or gadgets that the whole world could use, as they will be a .exe.

Themes-fan, these are all excellent answers from guys who really know.

I would like to relate to one minor point they didn't address (unless I missed something...always possible):

You'll need a graphics program like Adobe Photoshop or Gimp (free but a steep learning curve) to create the graphic images.

For anyone running Vista, yes. For gadgets for anyone at all DTX Pro is needed.

Here's some more stuff to make your brain spin: These are free.

RAINLENDAR: A calendar and notepad/reminder that is commonly skinned to match a WindowBlinds skin. Make sure you DO NOT get Rainlendar Lite, as it will not work properly. Get it here: 

http://www.filehippo.com/download_rainlendar/725/  This is a direct download link.

CURSORFX:  Some cursors are awesome in their animations, and are worth getting just to watch them, such as a Les Paul guitar that comes apart when you click on something. Get it here: 

https://www.stardock.com/products/cursorfx/downloads.asp  

Theme Manager 3.0

Applies numerous skins like WB, IconPackager, wallpaper, cursors, DesktopX, etc. You can create a copy of your desktop with it as well. Get it here:

https://www.stardock.com/products/thememanager/

IMPULSE: Use this to update your Stardock programs, games and a lot more. Get it here: 

http://www.impulsedriven.com/

SYSMETRIX 3.41:

This shows system metrics, the weather and can have a media player, depending on how it's skinned. A lot of older WB skins have Sysmetrix skins. Get it here:

http://www.xymantix.com/sysmetrix/download.html 

OBJECT DOCK (Free version) A launchbar, commonly skinned to match WindowBlinds skins. Icons are changeable. Get it here: 

http://www.filehippo.com/download_objectdock/ 

There is also Logon Studio, to make and apply logon skins, and Bootskin, to make and apply bootskins. There are XP and Vista versions.

You still need the necessary software to apply the relevent parts

(ex:  Theme Manager can't apply an icon package unless you have iconpackager installed)