Tell us what you'd like to see us work on for Object Desktop this year.
New apps? Update existing apps? You let us know.
Yes, it can work on Win 10 ...I have it on most of my 10 boxes [as well as the primary 7 box], but technically it's not designed for 10 having predated the OS by several years...
I am sad to hear that desktop customization software no longer has the demand it used to have; it were the Windows 10/8 UI changes that made me discover the Object Desktop suite, and many programs in it remain among my must-haves on a Windows system.
However, I can also see some of the problems; I'd love to use WindowBlinds, but it crashes a program I use daily, thus I was forced to uninstall it. Perhaps increasing compatibility further is very hard to do at this point, but if I'd have to make a feature request for Object Desktop, this would be it.
I came back to Stardock for Windowblinds. I must be an odd ball to want things to look like I want.
One thing I miss is RightClick. I really found that handy. I love WindowsFX and deskscapes also. I hope these stick around.
Did I say I was still on Windows 7?
I am sorry to hear that WindowBlinds, IconPackager and WindowFX is less popular than the other Object Desktop software. However, the only reason why I started using Object Desktop is due to WindowBlinds. ObjectDock always freeze on my PC, now I have to go, elsewhere. Sad! I do not know of any other programs that work any better. Updates and tweaks definitely, needed. Money is always the bottom line however, Window Blinds is the backbone of Object Desktop, along with ObjectDock. Please do not let me down… again. P.S. Happy to hear that, DeskScapes 8 is getting an update.
I use WindowBlinds, Cursor FX, Start 10 and Object Dock on Win 10 without any issues. Don't know why latest email newsletter said OD doesn't work on Win 10. It may perhaps depend on Win 10 release because early on there was a file corruption issue on one of three Win 10 machines that required uninstall and reinstall, but that's only a guess on the basis that this has never occurred before or since. I find OD far more useful than any other system for launching apps, and the desktop is nothing but beautiful wallpaper. Love it!
What we are probably going to do is build a new program to replace ObjectDock that would become part of Object Desktop.
We used to make a program called Tab LaunchPad.
This is what the OS/2 version of Object Desktop looked like:
Well, there is sometimes quite a difference between aesthetic issues and usability issues, and for me OD actually offers the best of both. I'd prefer seeing two different products that give customers a choice. I don't use Fences or Groupy, for example, because I have alternative ways of organization that keep desktop very clean. Below is the current desktop with wallpaper.
Nothing to see, and yet OD, Taskbar and Win menu are readily available. I've had numerous people ask about appearance of Windows and I tell them to take a look at Stardock. This is why.
I'm an object desktop subscriber. All I have installed right now is Fences and SpaceMonger. I used Start10 for quite a long while and I do really prefer it to the Windows 10 start menu. However I was forced to uninstall it. 95% of the time, to launch a program, I hit the start key on my keyboard and then type a part of the name of the program I want to launch. However, I eventually realized that Start10 was omitting (not able to find) programs that the stock Windows 10 start menu can find. For my use case this totally destroys the functionality of Start10 and I have to limp along with the Windows stock start menu instead.
The reason I prefer Start10 to the Windows 10 start menu is the other use case that delivers 5% of the total value, which is if I want to browse the start folders. Windows 10 removed one level of nesting and it very negatively affects my ability to access certain utilities when I have multiple programs installed from the same developer. Start10 keeps the full nesting making it much easier to find the right program.
None of your offerings that customize the way Windows looks are interesting to me. It looks good enough already. The productivity tools are more interesting but they have to work. I haven't tried Groupy because I actually think tabs are a much overused metaphor that just makes it harder to find things, but I might give it a shot at some point.
I thought I was your major demographic but judging from the responses that may not be the case. I have subscribed for a few years. The failure of Start10 really made me think hard about resubbing this last time. The app world is in a race to the bottom as you said in your email and I believe in funding the projects I find useful ... but not being able to use Start 10 really calls the value exchange into question for me.
I am disappointing that it appears that you are going to stop development of ObjectDock. That is my favorite and most used app of yours. I understand the economics of it, but I for one would be willing to pay up to $20 for it. I am limping along with it now on Windows10, but I did not trust it on my new SurfacePro. I purchased the full version of Nexus Dock, which I do not like nearly as much.
Please, consider continuing with ObjectDock. I am a big fan.
Don
PLEASE DO NOT KILL WINDOWBLINDS! I JUST READ THE LATEST STARDOCK MAGAZINE AND YOU ARE SCARING THE HELL OUT OF ME!
I will tell you one thing, you get rid of Windowblinds, I am gone.
Agreed. Not really much point if no WB.
Where'd you read this Tom?
Hmmm... I don`t use fences or croupy at all, but I use a lot of Windows blind, icon packer, object Dock and cursorFX. Most of them would benefit From having theme ability that allows changing the appearance by loading theme packs and allowing you to make theme packs instead of changing individual things by hands.
if I use severals hours to make desktop to look nice, it would be cool to allow to share that work. Or if someone else makes good looking combination of icons and desktop and cursors. It would be nice to be able to load full theme From someone else. There could even be market for sell able themepacks.
Yeah, without Windowblinds changing the entire GUI, there'd be little little to point in cusomising a desktop. As it is too many good/great apps have gone by the wayside in recent years. Windowblinds had better not be another that dies a premature death.
I mostly use Windowblinds, Iconpackager, CursorFX and Start10 in conjunction with each other, but for me, the latter 3 would largely be redundant [in a cusomising sense] without WB changing the GUI. So no, I would not re-up my subs if it goes.
The Stardock Magazine email Don.
I use maybe 4 of these programs. What I would like to have to justify for example OD subscription for yet another year.
- fix WB bugs, although I'm rarely affected. At the moment the continuos update prompt (if I reinstall I can't install again because of licensing?)
- just fix the one bug affecting my Object bar (mouse activation is buggy) that was working perfectly in W10 before "fixing" the installer after certificate expiry (I even bought it again to be able to install it on top of the old installation, then it started to have that issue.)
Yes this is what is in the newsletter.
Also my take.
From all the threads about it I would have to say no. Another one asked about often is SkinStudio for making a WindowBlind. Hasn't been updated for years and my guess it never will. Would be nice to end all the asking if Stardock would just say it is what it is no future updates.
Now it appears WindowBlinds is on the block as it is now. Again from the news letter it sounds like the latest version we have now is it. Again I'm going by what it sounds like on the mews letter. Also over the past 3 nmonths or so there have been reports of things being needed to be addressed but no replies. Better yet Neil the one who did all or most of the fixing of WB hasn't been seen.
Stardock, Brad. Why don't you just say it like it is. Let the people that make Windowblinds and like Object really know your plans. No more updates or plans to continue with certain programs. Just say it.
May I make a recommendation Brad? Why don't you try advertisement on the Internet more for desktop customizing products? I can bet that if you do national TV ad's with lines like "Are you tired of the look of Windows 10, then ...", "Did you really enjoy the look of Windows 7, well then ...", etc. You would be surprised at the return for sure!
I change my WB AND IP weekly. My son uses them too. There may be more folks than you think still addict..., er, using these programs.
Also, if you decide to quit offering Windowblinds/SkinStudio, why don't you offer it to Jeff at The Skins Factory ( http://www.theskinsfactory.com/portfolio/desktop-customization ), I am sure he'd be interested. Right now they only offer a few skins for Windows XP through 7, I am sure they could improve Windowblinds and SKS.
Why would Brad, start a Forum with: "Tell us what you'd like to see us work on for Object Desktop this year.
New apps? Update existing apps? You let us know."
And now, I'm hearing that Windowblinds will be on the chopping block! Why bother to ask for peoples input (Brad), when you apparently have no desire to do such a thing! You get peoples hopes up, then basically, say; "Just kidding, I'm not going to do anything at all, I'm gonna concentrate on gaming, and not desktop customization." If this is incorrect Brad, then tell everyone just what your intentions are here, for I don't subscribe to Stardock News Letter, so all I get is second hand information. Is Wincustomize site going to be shutdown as well? To me, it's like loosing your family.
I agree with Scorpion2000net, I would like to see Object Dock made part of Object Desktop. Even though you say that it "doesn't" work in Windows 10, I have found that it works amazingly well in Windows 10 (Pro). Although I find that occasionally a gap appears in the main dock, which when clicked reveals the following applications (in no particular order) Microsoft Store, Windows 10 control panel, and Microsoft Edge. When these apps are closed the gap goes away and I have no idea why it appears in the first place. I find Object Dock to very useful to me.
- I bet IconPackager would be used more often if it was also able to change and save tiles of the original windows 10 menu
- Start 10 still is missing the option to show shortcuts as tiles WITHOUT the caption-text. my wish for a new version
- WindowBlinds would be a real loss
- I am neutral considering ObjectDock as the lack of updates drove me to Winstep. I still think with a bit of love and advertising it could sell better
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