Looking for folks who use ObjectBar to provide some helpful tips on how to set it up. I've looked in the WC Wiki, some help there but I would rather talk with some users.
I am currently using ObjectDock Plus, Impulse Dock, DesktopX Widgets and Objects (down the right side of the screen some what set up to look like a sidebar) WindowFX and SVD. Would make for a cluttered desk if I didn't use the hide of screen feature when not in use.
Because of using ObjectDock Plus I think is would opt for the sidebar look. Can you add DX items to the bar? If it makes a difference I run XP.
If you want to add a screenshot that would be cool. Not looking for skins but more of seeing how you use ObjectBar.
Any and all responses will be appreciated. Who knows, we just might get ObjectBar being used by more folks.
mimiibelle I appreciate your reply.
I sort of was doing this a little tongue in cheek. ObjectBar seems to be one of the forgotten desktop elements. This will be my fist time really trying to use it. I have only played with it briefly and that's been at least a year ago.
Most of the the stuff here is intuitive, in other works start using it and just about everything makes itself clear or opens up to you.
Thanks again for your reply
Okay, I have now successfully modified the Vista Bar in ObjectBar for my desktop. Made of copy of it, took off what was on it and put on widgets that I liked. Not that hard and only with using minor four letter words.
It would be nice to be able to also use DX objects or the sidebar elements folks made for the Vista Sidebar.
Did learn that the smaller in width of the widget used the smaller in width the sidebar will be. Finding a calendar that isn't too big and works with the other widgets isn't all that easy. Oh, and transparency makes all the difference. Being able to change the background and the widget transparency independently helps blend the bar into the theme.
Hmmm, widgets and objects made to be used with the ObjectBar, nah, no one would want that.
So, another desktop element from Stardock has been incorportated into my desktop and it hides off screen when not in use. It also gets some of the widgets I use off the desktop. Using ObjectDock and now ObjectBar, what else is out there that I'm not using?
I really appreciate this ObjectBar2 application - it is really powerful and so very useful.
I haven't found anything to match it's clever abilities.
It seems to me, it's a work of genius...
... can't do without it...
I made a sidebar with ObjectBar and the widgets work nicely (most of them). I sure wish there would be more widgets: calculators, and useful tools... So far I have a calendar, k-clock (spinning), recycle bin, url shooter, memory and drive status, countdown clock (would like to have one for a specially selected "day" - counting days instead of minutes). There is one widget calculator, but it is too big!
I too have found that Object Bar is very usefull. What you might try doing is if you see a DX widget that you like but it might too big is contact the skinner to see if they are willing to make a smaller version. I would also do the same if you find a DX object that you like.
It looks like Object Bar will be part of Object Desktop 2010 so the more people who use it maybe the skinners will take notice and star makeing widgets to be imported into it.
Nice tip... thx
[quote] It looks like Object Bar will be part of Object Desktop 2010 so the more people who use it maybe the skinners will take notice and star makeing widgets to be imported into it.
Yeah, that's true to some extent...
but I think it also works the other way around - they should develop it more so people will catch on - promote it! That's the weakness for ObjectBar. They need to develop the promotional aspect... what an extraordinary application...! People are not catching on enough because it leaves the impression that it has been shelved... true as it might be, THEY need to stimulate attention by promoting it the right way. I can't believe something so good like this is left on the shelf... when will they wake up...? I don't use ANY of the other APPS - objectdock, fences, rightclick, etc. because I eventually get weary of them and ObjectBar is so much more fascinating...! I think they need to change their approach - Stardock.
You don't put something on the shelf and afterwards - hope - things will change. You have to create the change...! (Stardock) and basically, you don't need so many widgets apart from the standard ones such as: calendar, clock, calculator, days countdown, recycle bin, drive and memory meters, weather, email checker - the only thing is - they need to look good and they need to follow a "standard" size so we can work with ObjectBar sidebars more efficiently. If everything falls into place (size), then the task is simplified. I find the transparent ones make a good "standard" interface as they adapt to your theme. Standard interface... standard size... If they make even more sidebar widgets, then we can opt (with a large screen) for dual sidebars. Maybe they can create a designated section for sidebar widgets that all comply to a pre-defined guideline. A "transparent" collection would be very appropriate - they fit with all themes - and everyone is happy. Stardock can launch a promotion with a basic transparent collection and author/designers can contribute with their own widgets later on... this would make the sidebar appealing... attractive and easy to implement. And so Stardock can launch the 1st collection for promotional purposes and give ObjectBar a little bit of a workover with some added abilities, change it's icon... and fix the "theme" issue in vista.
If the approach would be structured and organized, then people will appreciate the application. If you really think about it, when you attempt to use widgets for sidebars in ObjectBar, it's somewhat discouraging because of the current trend... in order to get everything in line, you need to go through the entire widgets collection (page by page) and by trial and error, go through each widget to see if it fits in your configuration of things - no information is posted about the sizes of the widgets and you are forced to go off-theme to complete your sidebars. With all Stardock's experience, it can't be that hard and long to come up with a "basic" collection as mentioned. Organize it and draw people to the application with a piqued promotional offer. I figure there is not that much work to be done - if they would just roll up their sleeves and make an effort, I'm sure the results would follow...
Although Fences is conveniant, it is very limited. I find it rather annoying especially considering that ObjectBar does the job much better. ObjectBar is so customizable - there is hardly anything to compare to it... when you are used to something of this caliber, you won't settle for something like Fences.
I really would like to see developments for this...
An interesting discussion. One that has been had before.
For some history:
Feedback is always welcome though.
Yes, those were interesting discussions...
In those posts, ObjectBar is well appreciated by power-users - and that just tells of it's importance. It fits in nicely in the Object Desktop package bringing variety in the deal. It has it's place... but it needs an uplifting...
Working with sidebars adds so much usefulness. It's the customizations in ObjectBar that makes it unique. After that, you can create multiple themes for various jobs or purposes. With ObjectBar, you are so well organized. I like the fact that my desktop is personalized according to my needs. I can have a theme for "work" and another one for "home", and so on...
Maybe a section can be created for scripts - I guess I have many ideas... but, if we had access to scripts, (published on a page), we could "try" to make some of those widgets ourselves. Those who know little about scripting, like myself, can enjoy access to these scripting templates so we can eventually contribute in the development of the site and it's content. Maybe there is a place for this...?
Anyways, for roughly a dozen standard widgets, scripting templates would possibly come in handy. The rest we could figure out on our own... with the aid of tutorials and help pages.
Stardock plays the vital role in the development trend for all applications in the desktop package. After that, user contributions are add-ons to the main line of work. Feedback is good - but more from both ends...
On the ObjectBar public page this is written:
Such specialized programs tended to do what they did very well. ObjectBar, by contrast, has been a generalist -- you could create a Sidebar with it. A fully skinnable sidebar at that. And since ObjectBar 2 supports embedding DesktopX widgets, you could create some pretty spectacular sidebars. But here's the problem with that -- the widgets and skins would have to be made with that particular sidebar theme in mind.
So what Stardock has done is re-imagine how ObjectBar is likely to be used. First off, it made it so that the people who spend the time to create the bars can export them as programs. Secondly, it has begun to try to separate the skinning from the bar creation part
This wouldn't be the case if you made them transparent. It's like... one-size-fits-all... the transparency works with all themes [universal]. Now if you do this and change the public page advertizing to show widgets that can go with any theme, there would be no setback to download/purchase. But you are presenting a stumbling block to the public would-be users instead of having a transparent approach that incites them to purchase and use ObjectBar. Most people do not want to make their own things... they would rather buy it with no hassles. And so, why send them somewhere else when you can do the job here at Stardock? Fix it! Get more clients... make more competition... instead of presenting a problem, show them a solution... so for what concerns widgets, transparency is the solution - I think... And so if I change my windowblind skin, all my transparent widgets would automatically adjust to the new theme... I've tried it with one "transparent" like widget and it looks good for any theme.
And so when people take loads of time to surf the net for the "ultimate" desktop solution, they see that they more or less have to contribute towards the development community. Off they go...! Move on to something else... "we've seen that kind of stuff before" and "I have no time for that"...
but if up front you show them a workable environment that adapts to their theme selections with a solid variety pack of most wanted widgets, then they'll most likely consider... the user contributions can work in the background. It shouldn't be announced like that. You tend to scare people away. Most people see that as a big problem. I wonder what the percentage might be of users contributing to the website... and so I'm saying: the way you present ObjectBar can make a difference...
Here is a snapshot of one of my ObjectBar themes. It's dual sidebars without widgets. It would be nice to make a dual sidebar theme for smaller transparent widgets... currently, I have a 22" monitor and will eventually switch to a 24". The icons are fairly big: 96 X 96 in size - but it's interesting to run applications in between the sidebars.
A good example for a transparent widget is the "hyalo-calendar" by adni18...
a little too big - but the concept is great! (widgets that blend with your current theme) ... love it!
I really would like to have the full collection as mentioned above... (all the same size) - so the sidebars can be streamlined...
boy, that would make me happy...!
well... maybe one day...
Thanks for the link.
Anyways, I like the idea of transparency... They are (to my opinion) the most useful widgets you can have as they blend in with any skin in Windowblinds. And seeing that I'm an ObjectBar freak!, they are very useful on my ObjectBar sidebar. The other important thing is to have them all the same width as that would streamline my sidebar. It looks a lot better when the widgets are all the same in width. Height can be different. I really would have liked for Stardock to design and implement the transparency pack and embed it into ObjectBar; and then, when I change my WindowBlind skin, I don't have to change all the widgets so everything can match. In most cases, widget packs for WindowBlinds themes are never "complete". And so, it gets difficult sometimes to complete the sidebar... but the "transparency" pack would solve this. Isn't Stardock in the game for solutions...?!
The hyalo collection provides only 3 that work with ObjectBar [calendar, media player, email checker]. The others are "gadgets" or exe files that will not import into ObjectBar. I think I read somewhere that there was a way to change a gadget to a widget and/or vice versa... is that correct? Other than that, the author for this collection has no time to make the changes... maybe somebody else can... that is really a beautiful collection. It looks like the job is almost done...! Can something be worked out from there...? I would even pay for this...
Yeah, i use it all the time. Fantastic app! If your brave enough, you can check out how i use it. pjdark.deviantart.com
I use it primarily for a taskbar replacement. Much more powerful than people think! I HIGHLY recommend it. So yeah, go for it Philly. I think you will really enjoy using it.
Wow... very nice usage...
I guess I'm not the only one who sees "value" in the transparency concept...
Currently, the Silica collection is embedded into ObjectBar.
It would be nice to replace that with the transparency pack.
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