This past year we've been recruiting developers to begin doing some major updates to Object Desktop over the next year.
First, I'm going to post what our thoughts are on what to focus on but then we want to hear what you would like to see updated. As always, our choices are determined by a combination of factors including technical challenge and market demand.
Definitely getting big updates next year
Fences
CursorFX
SoundPackager
Keyboard LaunchPad
DeskScapes
New Apps
We have three new programs for Object Desktop slated for release next year
Maybe getting big updates IF there's demand
Multiplicity
Tiles
Start10
On the bubble (for getting major update)
WindowBlinds (usage of desktop skinning is becoming less common and skinning has gotten more and more complicated). What would go into v11?
IconPackager (making icons today is a lot of work due to resolution and most people don't bother changing them anymore)
What are your thoughts?
What do you use Object Desktop for and what sorts of things do you want to see updated as well as what new things do you think people would like to see?
Let us know in the comments area.
WindowBlinds (usage of desktop skinning is becoming less common and skinning has gotten more and more complicated)
SkinStudio should be updated and be more user friendly and maybe there will be more skinners.
I can't believe that WindowBlinds, and Skin Studio maybe on the chopping block, if it's true, or the very least; not updated, then it'll be a sad day for us Skinners.
SkinStudio
SkinStudio for sure! I could point out at least 50 bugs in the program right now.
Also Windowblinds of course, and IconPackager, and CursorFX, and ObjectDock.
Nothing else really matters but those for me.
A definite good bye Stardock for me, if WindowBlinds goes away.
That said, I'd like to see it updated along with SkinStudio.
DeskScapes needs work. Every other live wallpaper program I have tried out performs it. ( Less to no bugs.)
I use Multiplicity KVM Pro daily. It has issues as well, that I'd like to see addressed.
Can we fix WinFX to work even if the start menu has blur?
Please keep Windowblinds and SkinStudio alive and updated! They are a must for me.
Secondary would be IconPackager. I still like to change icons every now and then.
The only reason I am a customer, is Windowblinds (+Skinstudio) & Icon Packager. Start 10 is great, but there are also other great alternatives and maybe more important, it's not used as much as before.Deskscapes is a fun app, but honestly, it's never active during daily use. Fences have always been too buggy for me, so if you can make a version that is stable for more than a week, I might consider trying it some time again. CursorFX is nice, but not a necessity, and Soundpackager... well, most people I know really don't care about the Windows sounds and I never use any sounds on my PC. Always and only music.New apps? Make Object Dock great again! And a program to make/run gadgets in the spirit of DesktopX, Rainlendar & X-widget.
DESKSCAPES :
Add Music / Sound Effects Buttons to Deskscapes app.
Asst. sound effects i.e. waterfalls, rivers, ocean, waves, Rain, Thunder, Lightning etc.
Holiday sound effects .i.e. Halloween , Christmas, New Years , etc.
Shorts Music clips i.e. 15sec. 30sec. 60sec. etc.
Another Idea, I might be out of line here, but how about an update to the website that fills the whole screen. All that wasted space on either side that you could add more content.
2cents
FWIW, here's what I, as a long term customer, still use on all my rigs routinely:
Windowblinds
IconPackager
It would be great to have new/updated skins, icons and cursors but if the source material is drying up, please do what you can to sustain the usefulness of what is available for those apps.
Windowblinds: Agree 100%. It's a dying horse and if your seeing revenue streams decline from it you have to dump it. Face it, there are a very small handful of skinners left. You can't justify the expenses based on a few that will be upset about it.
IconPackager: For me, has been the single piece of buggy software I've ever put on a device. Works pretty well as long as you keep it installed but if you ever uninstall it the thing hoses your system pretty badly. I haven't changed my Icons in years.
Are you talking about v5 or v10 there?
v5 had a problem on 64 bit OSes which would mess up your associations on uninstall, but v10 fixed that.
Here's what I have installed:
WindowBlinds
DTX (I know, but I still use it.)
IconDeveloper (I use it as a conversion tool between ico's and png's, going both directions)
SpaceMonger (I mainly use it to clear the junk "~" files out of the WB skins.)
CursorFX (Honestly, I hardly ever have it running, but sometimes.)
I'll throw this out in case it gives you any ideas - One of the things I do with DTX is use a png object at "Desktop Level" along with DeskScapes to create a static foreground image on top of the moving background. An example would be the "Stars" dream with a space wallpaper with a static image or two on top. I also use that technique with several other dreams, I think it can create a nice effect. You do need to be able to position it. fwiw.
Since your going to work on CursorFX, I'll throw this out there - Probably my biggest aggravation with it is I often have a visual problem with the "Text select" image included in the cursors. It might be good if you could somehow add a "Use default" option for that, unless of course "it's just me".
I think it would be a huge mistake to put WindowBlinds on the chopping block. Sometimes it's not how much revenue an application makes that matters but the value of all that is associated with it.
For instance, what does mostly everyone here still actively contributing to Wincustomize (in skins and in the forums) have in common? I would say they are all WindowBlinds skinners. Kill WindowBlinds and you lose them. And since people are what keeps this place alive (which in turn attracts more people)...
I'm no WB skinner, per se, but without WindowBlinds I would likely give up windows customization as a whole.
I run WindowBlinds
WinFX
Start 10
Icon Packager
daily. I use Groupy sometimes, even tho it is ugly. And I use DeskScapes some, even with it's bugs.
WindowBlinds holds it all together for me. No WB, no customization.
I have 3 ObjectDesktop subscriptions because I have a lot of computers. But with any talk of possibly losing windowblinds, I am afraid to renew my subs. One of which expires in a few days.
I don't agree with this part at all. It is true SKS could be worked on and greatly improved. However there have been 100's or 1,000's of /WindowBlinds made over lets just say 10 years. Of course we know it's even much higher then that if you want to go way back. There are still enough people here that will help. One situation I got a lot was the lack of which the help was asked. As far as given I would give the entire path to where one had to go.
So if it comes down to anything it comes down to the first part. Also there is a lot of time required to earn but it can be done. In the beginning stages most of what I did was make complete Startmenu parts and Taskbar with explanation for the people. If one gets their mind into it they would be shocked how quickly all the basics would be done.
So if anyone reading this really wants to make a WB it can be done.
I am sorry I won't be able to help except for simple things at this time because of my situation. I'm even having a big problem using PhotoShop. Seems I can't remember most of the short cuts anymore. It's like I have to start over just using the menus. That's just to hard and much to time consuming which I don't have enough of left.
I love you all out there and can only wish I could help to resolve this situation. You can all do it don't give up. If we just keep going what works now WB's can be around for a long time yet.
One more thing please. I'm tending to write way to much lately when I'm able to get on here, for that I'm sorry. But anyone active here has been part of my family for many years. Harder to let go then one may think. Love you all and save what can be saved here.
Dave
I agree with AlMonty, I have stayed away from skinning WB cause it is so challenging. A little more user friendly UI would help. As for Object Desktop, i use cursor FX, WB, Icon Developer, I do use SKS to make some minor alterations. Thats my input.
I dropped KLP for Autohotkey. You'd have to do magic things to have me switch back.
SkinStudio needs to be easier. Look to Xion.
Send me some ObjecrBar and I'd love you forever. (ObjectDock would be nice in the suite and could use an update.)
I've not changed my WB skin in more than a year. I loved so many skins. Remember the fish swimming along the title bar? It wasn't a skin I used regularly but it was a skin I showed off and sold ODNT subs with.
Fences - make it skinable.
Oh, yes, make Groupy make better use of the windowblind titlebar. As is, it is very ugly.
Is there another program where you can run mp4 videos as a desktop? Since DS 10 is still buggy.
I agree 100%, would be a perfect way of skinning, drag and drop into a skin, a little bit of coding, I'd love to have SKS working on the premise of Xion!
Well that would be very nice. This way will take away all the frustrations of finding where to put an adjust things.
The maker will still have to come up with designs and make graphics. That will bring out the talent which is what it's all about. Not the extra hours figuring out SKS. I mean those who do it now or have tried it knows the real enjoyment is making the design and graphics and having other people like it. Rest time for a bit, later.
The reason Windowblinds died for me was the big change to SkinStudio which happened a few years ago.I spent years learning how to skin and overnight that knowledge was gone. I quit at that point.
Making the creation of skins easier would go a long way to restoring some of these struggling and lost programs.
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