AppScout Interviews Brad Wardell on DeskScapes

Thursday, April 5, 2007 by Zoomba | Discussion: WinCustomize News

AppScout, a website run by the editors and analysts of PC Magazine, just the other day sat down with Stardock CEO Brad Wardell to talk a bit about Stardock DeskScapes, the software that extends Windows Vista DreamScene beyond simple videos and into the realm of dynamic animated content for your desktop.  Describing DeskScapes as "one of the first third-party apps to truly take advantage of the OS's graphical capabilities..."  they proceed to grill Brad over what DeskScapes is and how it is different (and better) than the standard DreamScene utility currently available from Microsoft.

Some of the topics covered:

  • Difference between DeskScapes & DreamScenes
  • What's possible with dynamic Dreams
  • Creating & sharing user-created work
  • DeskScapes on Non-Ultimate Vista???

The interview is probably one of the most informative articles on DeskScapes on the net so far.  If you're at all curious about the technology, and what may be coming in the future, head over and check it out.

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Erk.
Reply #1 Thursday, April 5, 2007 10:24 AM
Dugg...

MySecret
Reply #2 Thursday, April 5, 2007 10:35 AM
Great interview and the first concrete report about dreams becoming available for other vista platforms.

It's My Secret

Drop125
Reply #3 Thursday, April 5, 2007 10:44 AM
Yeah...Big deal...Why dont you make this available to ALL Users..Instead of the Ultimate only ...I see you are now in leauge to push people to have to drop an arm and a leg to buy Ultimate just to run your stupid dreams...Yes it is stupid...Maybe Ill renew when you start making all the programs available to every one.....

Drop125
Reply #4 Thursday, April 5, 2007 10:46 AM
So, theoretically, in the future, it might be compatible with more OSes.

Right. At some point in the future, we might make it run on other Vista platforms, as well
Brads words above....

Gee Brad..How wimpy of you to bow down to Microsoft....

Adamness
Reply #5 Thursday, April 5, 2007 12:27 PM
Things cost money. I'm sure Microsoft spent a while figuring out what feature goes in what version, and I don't think it's Brad's or Stardock's place to tell MS they're wrong. Premium features come at a premium cost. That's why there are different versions of Windows, why cars have different trims, why there's McDonald's and fancy restaurants, etc.

Drop125
Reply #6 Thursday, April 5, 2007 12:43 PM
No I am talking about keeping a new software to only one level of the software it runs on...It is obvious from this interview that it would run on other levels of Vista..But instead for the people who bought Object Desktop one of the cooliest new proggys will only be available to a very limited number of users...I checked out the prices on new PCs that come with Ultimate and very few if any even offer ultimate...Ultimate is also almost 300 dollars to buy as an OEM self builder version..So gee I have to spend 300 dollars and Buy a motherboard or Harddrive in adition to get the version of Vista to run this app..then My other option is to buy a new 1000 dollar plus PC that is capable of running said version....I have yet to find a quality machine that comes with Ultimate that was less than 1000 dollars...So to run OD new proggy you have to shell out a grip..Tell me how nice that is to all the faithful subscribers and actuall purchasers of The entire OD packages....Ive been keeping my OD subscription up for about 3 years with no real new additions that aren't already free, (ObjectDock)..Yeah you have to pay for the better versions of ObjectDock, but There has been little to no new apps added other than IconX and Standard development of All the other apps...This whole new redirection of effort from the vast majority of users to focus on just the Vista and Ultimate development leaves alot of users out side getting dissed....I have several friends who are geeks out of all the 200 employees at my work only 2 have Vista..Our IT head and one sales guy..Neither have ultimate..One has Buiness profesional and the other Home basic..So why limit this to only a tinest faction of users...How are you going to use this to entice new users to sighn on???...I dont think so..They will feel like they are getting left out or cheesed on...Like me....I was hopeing for the new Sound packager to come out soon...I remember voting for that proggy along time ago...So has anyone seen or heard about that devolopment much at all.?? No...it is al about Vista Ultimate and the new dream crap that will only run on Ultimate...Geez....How elitest......

vStyler
Reply #7 Thursday, April 5, 2007 12:45 PM
Theres Whisky and theres Scottish Whiskey    

ZubaZ
Reply #8 Thursday, April 5, 2007 12:47 PM
Theres Whisky and theres Scottish Whiskey


I would suggest there is only Scottish Whiskey.  That other stuff should have a different name.  And truly, there should only be single malts.

vStyler
Reply #9 Thursday, April 5, 2007 12:48 PM
(no edit)..

I do however agree with the whole focus on Vista though. I know of no one personally that has or uses it the couple of guys I know that want to try it out.. can't run itand I have it.. and hate it... go figure.

ZubaZ
Reply #10 Thursday, April 5, 2007 12:54 PM
On the other note . . Stardock is not restricting DeskScapes and Dreammaker.  Microsoft is restricting Windows DreamScene to Ultimate.

Island Dog
Reply #11 Thursday, April 5, 2007 1:03 PM
But instead for the people who bought Object Desktop one of the cooliest new proggys will only be available to a very limited number of users.


DeskScapes is a free download, it's not restricted to Object Desktop users. 

Drop125
Reply #12 Thursday, April 5, 2007 1:32 PM
Ill really break it down for you then...Last year I bought a new PC, It has a P4 3.0Ghz HT proccesor, it has a 60 gig SATA HD and 512DDR Ram..It has 16meg AGP that is not upgradable and this machine will not run Vista at all..I just shelled out 600 dollars for a 19inch and the tower together...So I would have to buy an all new machine to even run this stuff..I shouldn't have to buy a new machine with every new application that comes out...It doesnt make sense.....My PC does everything I need it too but run those new Vista only apps....Just like the several 100 people I know...So instead you market your newest thing to a limited crowd....Development should benifit the larger majority of its supporters and less on the few.....

ZubaZ
Reply #13 Thursday, April 5, 2007 1:51 PM
I shouldn't have to buy a new machine with every new application that comes out.


You are not required to buy a new machine for every app.  You can choose to do without what ever app it is or you can upgrade.

I am sorry you feel cheated but Microsoft (nor Stardock) have harmed you any more than you want to feel harmed.  The cool thing is that it's OK for you to feel harmed, it's your world and your right.  I wished you didn't feel that way, but I can't control that; only you can.
My PC does everything I need it too but run those new Vista only apps

As an aside, I cannot think of any "need" for any Vista apps at this time, just "want".

And to reinforce what ID said, the apps offered by Stardock are free.  They are not responsible for Microsoft's choices in limiting the technology.

MadDeez
Reply #14 Thursday, April 5, 2007 2:17 PM
i don't know where you found the oem of ultimate for 300 bucks. i bought it from newegg for 200 and didn't buy a new mobo, hdd, or any other piece of hardware with it.  i also don't understand how brad and stardock are the bad guys concerning dreamscenes and deskscapes running only on ultimate. it seems to me that it is a decision by microsoft that limits what flavor those apps run on, not stardock. maybe deskscapes will run on premium or business. right now, we don't know. unless microsoft allows it, stardock can't release versions for those flavors of vista.

Frogboy
Reply #15 Thursday, April 5, 2007 2:22 PM

Some of this sounds a lot like the flame wars when Stardock started developing Object Desktop for Windows rather than stay exclusively to OS/2.

We continue to work on new software for Object Desktop that runs on Windows XP.  But Windows XP has been out for 6 years now, we've pretty much tapped it in terms of technology and for the most part it's going to be enhancements and improvements versus some brand new technology.

By contrast, Windows Vista is brand-new.  I don't run Vista as my main desktop (I'm typing this on XP). But we'd be fools not to start tapping into what's new on Windows Vista.  DeskScapes is but one example.

But a user who purchased Object Desktop in the past year has seen for Windows XP:

  • WindowBlinds 5.5
  • Theme Manager updates
  • ObjectBar 2.0
  • WindowFX 3.0
  • The Object Desktop LaunchPad
  • DesktopX 3.2 (which was a pretty major update despite being a point release)
  • Enhanced File Dialog 1.0
  • Stardock Virtual Desktops 2.0 (a total rewrite)
  • Keyboard LaunchPad 1.5 (a significant update that added shell integration)
  • RightClick 1.2 (which added Gadget support)

So if someone really thinks that we haven't been doing a good job updating and enhancing Object Desktop this past year, then I really don't know if I want them as a customer.

 


Drop125
Reply #16 Thursday, April 5, 2007 2:44 PM
Okay fine....Ill just go get it somewhere else....Never said you werent doinf updates on all the old stuff...I was strictly speaking about new stuff...That is actually cool to use....Sorry I already have All the below mentioned things..
WindowBlinds 5.5
Theme Manager updates
ObjectBar 2.0
WindowFX 3.0
The Object Desktop LaunchPad
DesktopX 3.2 (which was a pretty major update despite being a point release)
Enhanced File Dialog 1.0
Stardock Virtual Desktops 2.0 (a total rewrite)
Keyboard LaunchPad 1.5 (a significant update that added shell integration)
RightClick 1.2
But these have all been around for awhile...
So go get bent Frogboy...You still only choose to hear what you want to hear in this area...Seems stuff never really changes arouind here......
Fry's Electronic offers a full version of Ultimate for 289 Dollars or the OEM Install..But you have tyo buy a piece of hardware...Yes you can get JUST THE UPGRADE FOR ONLY 200..So unless you "Cracked" it I dont see how you got a full version for only 200 dollars
WWW Link

I think you will see that it is 378 for a full install of Vista...So were did yuou get your 200 dollar version from newegg???? That is were you said it was from... right???
Quoted above."don't know where you found the oem of ultimate for 300 bucks. i bought it from newegg for 200 and didn't buy a new mobo, hdd, or any other piece of hardware with it."

Really well follow the link above to new egg for that bit of false info...Really..Who would want to go pay 300 plus to run the extras...
But I guess everyone on this site just has money falling out there butts like monkeys and flying pigs...

Drop125
Reply #17 Thursday, April 5, 2007 2:48 PM
Apperiantly I cannot afford to be your customer....then..correct?

CerebroJD
Reply #18 Thursday, April 5, 2007 2:55 PM
OEM versions of Vista cost less than the retail versions.  I got Vista Ultimate for 254 dollars, Canadian.  

kenwas
Reply #19 Thursday, April 5, 2007 2:56 PM
So if someone really thinks that we haven't been doing a good job updating and enhancing Object Desktop this past year, then I really don't know if I want them as a customer.



So much for stating a contrary position. Why do you feel it necessary to say these things?

NightTrainthedark
Reply #20 Thursday, April 5, 2007 3:07 PM
I gotta admit.. since Vista was released, the crew at Stardock have been WAY bigger people than I would have been in dealing with some of the completely irrational people that have cattled through the doors. Kudos to you all for keeping it professional.   

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