Winstep releases Xtreme Public Beta 3

Monday, July 3, 2006 by JcRabbit | Discussion: WinCustomize News

Winstep Xtreme is a complete integrated Desktop Environment featuring the next generation of award winning Winstep user interface enhancements: NextSTART and WorkShelf. While most Windows customization software focuses on eye candy, Winstep applications raise the usability bar to another level: they give added functionality to Windows and complete control over every aspect of the user interface. All this without forcing you to edit complicated configuration files or switch shells - it's all point and click! All of the hundreds of freely available Xtreme themes are totally resolution independent and can be switched to at the click of a button - it's that easy!

  

NextSTART is a complete Start Menu, Taskbar and System Tray replacement, famous for its unmatched flexibility. The number of options you can configure is truly outstanding: configurable menus - via drag and drop or using the built-in Menu Editor - customizable menu behavior, an amazing number of ways to activate menus and run programs through hotspots, plus taskbar and systray management and more! 

WorkShelf is a desktop replacement and tabbed program launcher (like a dock, but better). It enables you to organize your most often used applications and documents into categorized shelves while taking as little screen space as possible: WorkShelf automatically collapses into a small strip of tabs when not in use. It also gives you access to system folders like My Computer, Control Panel, etc... Throw in it’s task management abilities and built-in modules such as a speaking Atomic Clock, Recycle Bin, SSL POP3/IMAP Email Checker, Weather Monitor, CPU, Net and RAM Meters, and a 'fortune cookie' reader (with more soon forthcoming) and you have an incredible utility you’ll soon find out you can’t be without. 



Per-pixel alpha support: this allows incredible eye candy effects and themes that will blow your mind! You don't have to wait for Windows Vista: the next generation in user interfaces is already here!

Task Snapshots: the NextSTART tasklist and WorkShelf's Tasks shelf display snapshots of the actual windows, which are automatically refreshed to keep the contents always up-to-date. Snapshots make it much easier to identify documents in a taskbar filled with identical icons. With NextSTART you can also manually re-order task buttons via drag & drop and easily specify the opacity of each application through handy task context menus.

Image and Video Thumbnails: context menus allow you to visualize image and video files. This is extremely useful to help you identify pictures when, for instance, using NextSTART menus to browse your hard drives.

Send To, Open With, context menu options: Context menus not only provide all the options you would expect to find on Explorer's context menus as they manage to add a few more!

PNG Icon support: you can now use PNG files to specify object images for anything that previously only allowed ICO files.

Special FX: lots of new special effects, such as icons zooming on selection, shifting to make room for items about to be dropped onto WorkShelf, an incredible water ripple effect that makes the shelf behave like a liquid surface whenever you click on it, new sound events, a mind warping menu 'ripple' animation, and more!

Proxy Support: transparent proxy support for all functions that depend on the Internet to work. No need to configure anything since Proxy settings are automatically retrieved from Internet Explorer itself, although, if necessary, you can also specify them independently.

WorkShelf Hotkeys:  You can now open, activate shelves and run programs using nothing but the keyboard! All key combinations are system wide, WorkShelf does not need to have the focus for the hotkeys to work.

Desktop Module Animation Support: This means that the email module can display a rotating envelope whenever you have new mail, that the Recycler can light up like a furnace when you move items over it, and that Wanda the fish can be given a new face.

There are literally HUNDREDS of other new features, changes and fixes, far too many to list here. Become part of the Xtreme experience now and enjoy them for yourself! 

Winstep Xtreme works under Win9x/ME/NT4/2000/XP/XP64 and Windows Vista and is fully compatible with all Stardock applications.

Download: Winstep Xtreme (includes NextSTART v4.0, WorkShelf v2.0 and FontBrowser v 1.0)

More Information: Winstep Web Site

First Previous Page 1 of 2 Next Last
starkers
Reply #1 Monday, July 3, 2006 5:40 PM
I purchased Xtreme a few days ago and updated to beta 3 yesterday....a very nice package indeed, and worth every penny. I'm still learning what does what and how to tweak things, but it compliments my Stardock apps to a tee and I'm thoroughly enjoying its use...a top shell enhancement program with many, many great features.
George Rogers Jr
Reply #2 Monday, July 3, 2006 9:33 PM
THX Sir starkers!!! I was praying someone with "tech" knowlege would comment as I don't have interest in anything that doesn't augment the Stardock apps & I really hate messing with the shell of your system like Aston.
JcRabbit
Reply #3 Monday, July 3, 2006 10:03 PM
Don't be afraid to download and install Winstep Xtreme because it is still in beta: Winstep betas are well known to be more stable than many 'official' versions of other software vendors. They also go through a lenghty period of private beta testing before being released to the general public.

Also, because it is a shell enhancement and not a shell replacement, getting back to 'normal' Windows is a simple matter of quitting the applications, so you won't get in trouble there. You also have a large community of Winstep users in the Winstep Forums at http://forums.winstep.net which are always willing to help with any questions and/or issues - plus you can always contact Winstep support directly at [email protected].
ckamc
Reply #4 Monday, July 3, 2006 10:08 PM
Great input JcRabbit I was quite unsure of winstep as I have been a aston user in the past. Aston as previously mensioned is a shell replacement which could turn out trouble-some to some users and overall unfriendly if you do not have time to tweak/learn shell. I will be checking out Winstep later this evening
JcRabbit
Reply #5 Monday, July 3, 2006 10:18 PM
Let us know what your conclusions are, if you have the time. Feedback is always appreciated.
basj
Reply #6 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 12:23 AM
I designed My Jaluran for winstep on my trial beta 2 version. Its all good for me. I wonder if I download and install the beta 3 version the trial period will reset? so I can have another month to design another skin?
JcRabbit
Reply #7 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 12:34 AM
Basj, yes it will - but please send me an email to [email protected], I need your email address.
Jafo
Reply #8 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 12:49 AM
Kinda fun running Nextstart at the same time as Litestep.....bit like two shells.....and so far no issues with that....
JcRabbit
Reply #9 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 12:54 AM
Ah-ah! Which just proves Winstep Xtreme works (or should) with any shell... Please let me know if you run into any problems, Jafo.
Jafo
Reply #10 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 1:18 AM

Found one....Winstep grabs its quicklaunch from  docsettings-user-appdat-ms-ie-quicklaunch ...and you get a 'permissions' error if you try to run one.... My guess is that's closely linked to exploder.exe...

Jafo shall see if there's a way around that...

Gregory2001
Reply #11 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 1:19 AM
Still the best! I've tried them all and no one even comes close. I've been using Winstep since 2001 and as far as functionality and stability (not to mention just plain pretty) my desktop wouldn't be complete without it.
JcRabbit
Reply #12 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 2:10 AM
Gregory, your check is in the mail.

Jafo: "you get a 'permissions' error if you try to run one"

Weird. Are you running as Admin? Also, NextSTART Quick Launch items are actually hotspot buttons - try right clicking on one of the problematic items and selecting Properties. Do you see anything 'funny' in the Filename path or the other settings? Can you run the same item if you use NextSTART menus to navigate to docsettings\user\appdat\ms\ie\quicklaunch ?
Jafo
Reply #13 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 2:41 AM
Jorge...it may be a reboot issue....I'd only just finally got around to installing...and as yet hadn't rebooted....we shall see...
kin242
Reply #14 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 3:45 AM
So I can use this alongside objectdesktop? Or do I have to quit certain programs like windowblinds etc?
basj
Reply #15 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 3:55 AM
i am a happy man today..i believe Mr JcRabbit have make my day today...thanks so very much...yeh..now.i can get to work again
JcRabbit
Reply #16 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 3:59 AM
Mr.Kin, Winstep Xtreme is fully compatible with ALL Stardock applications.
Wet Monkey
Reply #17 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 4:47 AM
I have been using WinStep for a long time and their builds just get better and better. Extremely stable, flexibility second to none, great technical support and really fun to use. Congratulations WinStep!! The best just keeps getting better.
kin242
Reply #18 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 5:00 AM
Thank you JcRabbit. Ive given it a whirl and it is very nice- seems extremely powerful and customizable- almost daunting!

It does seem a bit slow to react though sometimes- whereas objectdesktop is ultra-fast. I think thats theme specific though as it doesnt seem to affect all of them. I'd say nextstart is the weakest area- workshelf is what Objectdock should be. It is so much better than OD and the widget integration is very well designed.
Jafo
Reply #19 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 8:07 AM

New error...something about proggy or coding corrupted...and it closed.

[I didn't pay enough attention to it...thinking it was something else]...

Jafo
Reply #20 Tuesday, July 4, 2006 8:34 AM
Looks like quicklaunch is fine.....even without a reboot...just shut down the proggy and restarted...

Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

  • Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
  • Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
  • Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
  • It's simple, and FREE!



web-wc01