Need some front end software for my whole house PC

[mazeroth]

I'm installing an in-wall LCD touchscreen in my kitchen that will run the whole house audio system. It will also be used to listen to FM, watch HDTV via a tuner card, look at the front porch with a camera and check the weather and traffic. I don't want it to look like a typical Windows setup with icons on the desktop but rather something fancy looking with nice icons for the programs I want to run and nothing else.

Does anyone have insight as to which programs will allow me to accomplish this? I have zero experience with something like this so sorry for the ignorance!

Thanks in advance.

 

[manutdc]

You could try use WindowBlinds to customize the Windows GUI, but I'm not sure how much you can change with it (it's been a long time since I last used it).

 

[Zstream]

Originally posted by: mazeroth
I'm installing an in-wall LCD touchscreen in my kitchen that will run the whole house audio system. It will also be used to listen to FM, watch HDTV via a tuner card, look at the front porch with a camera and check the weather and traffic. I don't want it to look like a typical Windows setup with icons on the desktop but rather something fancy looking with nice icons for the programs I want to run and nothing else.

Does anyone have insight as to which programs will allow me to accomplish this? I have zero experience with something like this so sorry for the ignorance!

Thanks in advance.

Create a .Net Gui that host all the native apps.

 

[mazeroth]

Originally posted by: Zstream

Originally posted by: mazeroth
I'm installing an in-wall LCD touchscreen in my kitchen that will run the whole house audio system. It will also be used to listen to FM, watch HDTV via a tuner card, look at the front porch with a camera and check the weather and traffic. I don't want it to look like a typical Windows setup with icons on the desktop but rather something fancy looking with nice icons for the programs I want to run and nothing else.

Does anyone have insight as to which programs will allow me to accomplish this? I have zero experience with something like this so sorry for the ignorance!

Thanks in advance.

Create a .Net Gui that host all the native apps.

I wouldn't even know where to begin. I Googled and couldn't come up with much.

 

[CKTurbo128]

Hmm, you could try out MediaPortal: http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

Although it's designed for traditional HDTV PC setups, you should be able to adapt it to suit your needs, given the amount of third-party plugins available for MediaPortal. You can also use custom skins as well. I'd recommend getting the StreamedMP skin.

 

[strikeback03]

Centrafuse would probably serve your needs, though probably rather expensive for what you need out of it.

 

[Nothinman]

I don't want it to look like a typical Windows setup with icons on the desktop but rather something fancy looking with nice icons for the programs I want to run and nothing else.

You want a special looking launcher app for each of the tools to control the stufff or you want a full customized UI that actually does the controlling? The former should be pretty simple, you might even be able to get away with a web page if that's easier for you. The latter would require you know how to control the devices and it doesn't sound like you want to get that in depth with it.