[HTC Excalibur] Cyclonezephyrxz7:
I have been researching how to make this theme work since probably July...I'll tell you I exhausted almost every method I could think of.

The way this theme works, is rustic...and that is all I want to say for now since I don't have a beta 'build' yet (it'll be soon though).

This theme has its limits for sure...and I can tell you for sure that the beta will only work FOR SURE on Ookba's 3VO 2.5.080809 ROM running the 96 DPI Mod, overclocked to 240 (although overclocking is optional it makes a smoother transition as will all homescreens). This is because this is the phone I am using, and the only ROM i have access to at the moment, since i don't want to go flashing everything all over again.

When i have the beta, I can't assure anyone that I will release it, there's a chance...but I would rather have this as a one-hit thing...avoid big issues, etc. I may be inclined to pull in private beta-testers...All this is still in the works....My main goal for now is to get a Beta working on my phone.

To stop dilly-dallying around the inital question, no...as of now custom panels WILL NOT work without some modifications. How about people post a couple of custom plugins (that aren't included in the screenshot) and I'll see what I can do...However, the INITIAL RELEASE will be what is in the screen-shot, and from there I will add in other panels (as popularity demands).

To sum up what I have basically said here:

1-The way these themes [will] work is very rustic, and that is all I want to say for now...

2-The first release, be it BETA or V1.0, will be fully compatible ONLY with Ookba's 3VO 2.5 ROM with the 96 DPI mod running

3-The first release, be it BETA Or V1.0, will NOT BE COMPATIBLE with custom panels without some serious modifications taking place.

4-While this may be a big downside to some, the theme will ONLY WORK with the panel set-up that i have demonstrated, and in that order...Like I said, this is a very rustic way that I am making this horizontal theme possible, and the only way to really get it totally personalized is with taking time to modify.

4-After i get a working release (as shown by the screenshots) I will work on my next theme , but will also try to put in the most popular custom panels...Adding the extra panels isn't too big a priority for me since I am using the basic panel's provided by Ookba's 3VO ROM (as shown by the screenshots)and those panels cover just about everything...Keep in mind...the first post has 3 proof-of-concepts for 3 different themes...but I have a total of 7 semi-unique themes i plan to release at some point in the not so far future...

5-I am still looking for someone with some knowledge and ability to make a simple program for Windows Mobile (for this phone and theme). If someone is interested, please PM me or Email me...

6-As far as beta testers go...I am not totally sure. I may be inclined to select a few private-beta testers, but I don't know how that is going to work. Basically, I want this to hit the community with a boom...with a working version, not a buggy disappointing version.

I hope that what I have clarified here doesn't deter people from wanting to use this theme...but hey..its the first horizontal theme for our phones that i have seen since i joined the community! Please be patient...more news will be coming soon enough...