Seems like yesterday, but it’s more than 14 years when the first Blackbox for Windows build was released to an enthusiastic audience. Blackbox, a Windows shell based on its Linux Window Manager counterpart, owes its existence to many creative developers that I won’t mention here in fear of forgetting someone. Of course, topics about What Blackbox Is and A History of The Shell, including main contributors, can be found in other sections of this site.
That original build bloomed and diversified and at the peak of its popularity included more than 6 different branches. At the same time, Blackbox 4 Windows sites grew and bloomed. bb4win and boxshots by NC-17 offered news and styles respectively, while lostinthebox by tres’ni was a Blackbox forum that sometime included over 4,000 members. And I had the pleasure and honor of being an administator/moderator for all three sites.
Sadly, they all went recently down, due to attacks and/or lack of interest leaving behind a void I felt had to be covered. Members may be fewer nowadays, programmers may have left for other pastures, but there are still developers working on Blackbox (xzero450, nocd5, qwilk, DBlake, mojmir, diabol to mention a few) and there are hundreds of people still using the shell. And themers and ardent fans, like me, that hated to see something so beautiful and powerful go down the drain.
This site is for you. Created by me and my good friend adni18, one of the most prolific Windows artists/themers around, it will be our new niche, where all aspects of Blacbox (news, forum, uploads and downloads) will be discussed and analyzed. In short, it’s all three old sites merged into one, where each one of us can contribute in one way or the other.
Here you can ask for help or give help, you can download any build and plugin released so far, you can upload your screenshots, your styles or even your themes, you can discuss Blackbox and anything that has to do with the community. Feel free to add topics and chat live. The site is still under construction and you can contribute to its looks, subject matter and diversity. This goes not only for Blackbox users, but for artists who may honor us with their wallpapers, their icons, their visual styles and their input. After all, Blackbox needs decoration too. And, lastly, this is more than true in the case of Linux users, the place where the original Blackbox started. There is a special section for you, *box WM users, where you can upload your skins, themes and screenshots and a forum thread just for you.
So, my deepest and humblest respects to the creators of Blackbox and all who worked for/with it all these years and, all of you Blackboxers out there, this is YOUR site. Because it’s up to us to keep one of the most beautiful and powerful Windows shells alive.
Welcome home!
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