iPod Video Theme Question - MODding existing theme?

[ImagoX]

  I have some questions, technical and other, about a possible new theme for my iPod (running Rockbox).

 BACKGROUND:

   I have several themes I really like (progress bars, fonts, etc.) but I'd like to MOD the theme to replace the wallpaper used in both the WPS as well as the menu screen with an image featuring a MINI logo (I use the player a lot in my car).

  TECHNICAL QUESTION:

  I've been reading the dox on WPS screen and other, and it SEEMS as if all i need to do to accomplish my goal is to edit the .WPS file in the theme to use a different BMP image - is this all there is?  According to the Rockbox dox, the LCD size of the iPod Vid 5G is 320x240 - so I just make a BMP at this size with my logo and save it, then point the .WPS file to that image location?  Will this file also be used on the menu screen or will I need to edit a different WPS file?

  OTHER QUESTION: 

  Since I plan to use the theme for myself only, and do not plan to redistribute it, is it ethically OK to MOD someone's theme?  I see other themes that have credits like "Based on the original theme by <NAME>", so I assume this is OK, but I want to be sure.  There's the possibility that other MINI Cooper enthusiasts may want a copy (I've been making converts away from iTunes and MINI people love their MINI stuff), so I want to be sure to not tread on anyone's toes.

  Thanks!

  EDIT:  Something like this as a BG/Menu screen (just whipped it up real quick as a sample):


edit:  removed image - BigBambi

[jswetzen]

TECHNICAL QUESTION:
You are almost right. You have to edit the wps file (wps/themename.wps), but also the backdrop property in the configuration file to change the menu background(themes/themename.cfg).

OTHER QUESTION:
For personal use, I think it would be all right to modify any theme to your liking (someone please correct me if I'm wrong), but if you want to share it with others you need to know that the theme you are modifying have a license that allows you to produce derivative works. GPL and Creative Commons are examples of licenses that gives you the right to modify and redistribute.
If no license is mentioned in the theme description, that means that it's copyrighted and modifying it is not all right.

I hope this answers your questions.

[AlexP]

You would not be able to distribute that image without permission of the copyright holder, which I assume is BMW.  I've removed the image you posted for this reason.  If you do have rights to redistribute it, I apologise.  Please let me know and I'll put it back.

[ImagoX]

  The logo came from a car club support site - so long as we don't get monetary benefit from the logo we're allowed to re-use it.

[AlexP]

In which case my apologies.  I'll put it back in a bit, or you can do it.

[Llorean]

We need an explicit license to go with that logo, so other people can know what parts of your theme may be reused, re-distributed. Where exactly did it come from?

[ImagoX]

  No need to repost the graphic - MINI supports the car club community so I know I'm good to re-use it, but I'm not going to bother with obtaining a redistribution license...  That said, I understand why YOU guys want one to cover yourselves.  No biggie - I'd redistribute via MINI-centric car club sites anyway not through here (where the odds are slim that people are interested in MINI stuff).

  I'm still trying to decide which theme to use as a starting point, but I'm thinking possibly Black Glass (used by other mods distributed on the themes site so I assume it's OK to repackage with proper credit) or Aurora Black, which is itself a derivitive of Black Glass...  Crashbox has the song info at the top of the WPS screen as well, which make it a very good bet too.

  What I really need is a theme with:

  1.  Large/clear fonts - usable in a car.  Must be visible at a distance, in daytime AND at night
  2.  Dark - not too bright - in the night time, a white theme can be dazzling in a car and
  3.  Off-center WPS text - having the song title info in the middle of the screen would obscure the logo and might, I fear, result in visual clutter/unreadability.  If I can remove someof the extra, unneeded stuff from Black Glass (bitrate, year, etc - basically all but the title and artist info) that might work. 

  If anyone else has a theme they'd suggest I try, please let me know.


  Thanks!