One of the most asked about applications is ObjectDock. Specifically, people have been wanting to know about ObjectDock 2.0. Some have speculated that we have simply given up on ObjectDock, and that is simply not so. It is in development, but since it is early there is no time estimate about release, nor about upgrading.
First off, what is ObjectDock?
Objectdock is a smoothly-animated, customizable 'shelf' on which you can place shortcuts, docklets, system tray icons, and view running applications. The program is available in two versions: Plus and Standard. The Plus version offers multiple docks, tabbed docks, and a unique feature called flyout menus. The free version, while still demonstrating the capabilities of the 'zoomer' docks, limits you to only one dock. You can customize ObjectDock to be anything from a taskbar replacement to a fancy docklet-filled information center.
ObjectDock is certainly one of the most popular desktop applications around, and a lot of work is going into the new version. Maybe in another week or so, a video might be in order.
Let me make note, this is an early screenshot and is still subject to changes in the final version.
With that being said…..
Will there be a beta in 2010 or is the project just a tease?
If peoples wish lists for OD are still being considered, I would appreciate...
1) an option to make the icons slightly transparent
2) an option to make tabbed docks slightly transparent
3) to be able to move a dock closer to the screen's edge
4) be able to open a different saved dock without closing one that's already open
thx for info neil good things come to those who wait i guess.
I would hope there would be a beta and a release version in 2010, but I am not involved in ObjectDock development so I cannot promise anything.
Maybe someone could urge the one who is involved in ObjectDock development to give us an update...
I did so last week...
Thanks, Neil! You're always so helpful!
You can make tabbed docks slightly transparents already, I believe.
You can? How?
Thanks for the sn ID!
Waiting eagerly for the real deal!
What you need to do is download a semi-transparent skin, and install it using the New Super secret installer program that only Object Desktop Mega Ultra Super Ultimate members have (only $999.95 a year), then this will give you the option of running the skin in semi-transparent mode, once you are running it in semi-transparent mode you download the update for Lightweight Ninja called LWN-SP2 and this will allow you to run it in mostly transparent mode, until you install the ObjectDock.net framework through Component Manager which gives you the option of running the Fauxs-X Applet for object dock, which gives the option of Running Slightly transparent mode on most skins,
if you want all skins to run in slightly transparent mode, however you will have to wait for the update... lol
Quite the imagination!
I have the version above that, the 'Extra Super Duper ObjectDock Mega Ultra Super Ultimate' version, and it doesn't do any of that for me.
Maybe I need to upgrade to the 'Dynamic Heavenly Super Duper All Bells and Whistles ObjectDock Mega Ultra Super Ultimate' version, then.
naaah....just leave your 'puter out in the mid day sun. you'll have it begging to do what you want.
Nah, then I'd have OD and WB, etc, wanting to take a siesta.
Not sure how: I just know I have one up right now. I think the skin needs to be semi-transparent (i.e. have an alpha channel). I don't know of a setting that says "make my dock transparent", though.
Only way to do it currently is call up the actual graphic in a photo program and make it more or less transparent. Rocket dock has that feature so why can't OD?
ObjectDock does have this feature on standard docks. The issue here is over the fact that OD+ does not have this feature for tabs. Rocket dock does not have tabs.
Only Pepsi had Tab. See?
What I would like to see in the latest version is the ability of ObjectDock to save the positions of your Docks for a given resolution. I've had software change my resolution (games mostly) automatically because it didn't support my res and when I stop using the software and my resolution is restored my Docks are all f'd up and I have to manually reposition them. Maybe many of you are only using a few so it doesn't matter too much, but I have one separate tab for each category of apps I use (8 in total). Yes, I know I can make one tabbed dock with 8 tabs. I don't like it that way. Anyway, it would just be nice to have it save the positions manually adjusted by the user at a given resolution and restore them when changing back to that resolution.
Oh, on another note/rant. I totally agree with the user who has poor vision. My vision is fine but there can be a huge issues in asthetics and useability when a program doesn't respect the system defined settings. Text colored too similarly to the background and UI's which have hardcoded layout sizes are the most common issues I see in software UI. Don't bother changing the DPI in windows because you'll only be able to read the text which doesn't overflow out of the layout. This is necessary for me because I use a large screen TV for my monitor and sit ~7ft (eye to screen distance) away from it, but I imagine this would be accessibility issue as well as many people need to increase the size of the font due to poor vision. I realize it is probably difficult to have a pane adjusted to the width of some text, font metrics are quite complex as I understand it. But once it's done it's done and can be applied to all your software UI.
Stardock's software is supposed to allow you to customize your UI so it will look -good- and be -useable-. Useability is even one of the criteria that WindowBlinds were being judged upon during the contests as I recall. I can understand the desire to have a uniform interface across the product line and that's great. But accessibility, usability, and asthetics all have to factor in equally and should all be of paramount concern to Stardock.
As a final note. I'm not trying to bash Stardock. I love your software and have used it for years. Regardless, these issues (accessibility, useability, asthetics) need to be addressed and should be part of some sort of mantra for any company involved in UI software. If you actually read all of this: Thanks for putting up with my rants!
Remembering position by resolution would be great. I use multiple monitors, and have to "remind" the docks which monitor they go on sometimes. Fences has this, so perhaps ObjectDock could borrow whatever algorithm it's using.
Well for me.. 2.0 might very well be the value I am hoping it could be.
however if the free version is still crippled...that may cchange things.
I never bother trying software that is crippled in some way that makes it unlikely to determine value.
Time limit crippling is fine..that does affect functionality only how long u can use it.
Disabling a major part of the product makes it unlikely to buy because one has to trust that it will work in the purchased version.
Btw, I do trail software all the time, incuding MIcrosoft products and even other stuff..
Whatever happened to that pretty black UI?
I am hoping the next beta will allow WB to skin it.........please.
Anything is better than the Windows refuge near-luna blue it's stuck on now.
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