FrogBlog: March 2008 (sorry I'm late)

I'm not dead, just..well okay, yes I'm dead.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News

I mentioned in a post here that I've been ill. I don't like getting sick. I particularly don't like getting stick while on a 10-day business trip where I have to walk miles. Obviously I died. But I'm getting better, slowly.

I don't know how many deadlines were missed last month. I think quite a few.  I do know that SkinStudio 6 made it out and that's a pretty big deal.  Seems like there was a time when skin editors and such were "cool".  SkinStudio 6 is certainly cool. And CursorFX came out, that's very cool too.

Now, one of the things I hope people have noticed is the quality of releases lately.  You could almost say we had a New Year's Resolution to really bump up the quality of new releases. It has required quite a bit of work but if compare SkinStudio to older versions or CursorFX with older versions and the upcoming Impulse with Stardock Central and so forth, hopefully you're seeing a positive trend.

This Wednesday we're scheduled to release Object Desktop 2008.  And just because we love you, here's a sneak peek at the new Object Desktop website. The web team is going to kill me for showing a page that hasn't officially launched yet but by the time they see this news item, I'll be safely hidden somewhere in South America.  Compare that site to the current site. Big difference.  And guess who designed the new site? Alexandrie. 

Which reminds me, one of the coolest changes over the past year has been the coming together of the community. I get to work with Treetog and Alexandrie and MikeB and Voo and Hippy and Essorant and Danilo0c and more every day. It's just awesome.  The projects they're working on you guys will get to see in the relatively new future.  That's the one down side of working at a software company, everything you guys see is stuff that was done last year and we often can't talk about the cool stuff being worked on for next year.

This year will definitely be the best year ever for Object Desktop users. Particularly Object Desktop Ultimate users.  For one thing, we've finally gotten the MyColors discounts in. So on MyColors themes where there isn't a big licensing royalty, we are able to pass on big discounts to Object Desktop users.  Best of all, when a MyColors theme is installed, it inserts the individual components into the proper application data directories (i.e. WindowBlinds skin in the WindowBlinds skins folder).  Why is that a big deal? Because let's say you want to use the cool icons from Aqua Marine as clipart? No problem, it's in the IconPackager folder where MyColors installed it.

Speaking of MyColors, for early adopters, let me express my heart felt thanks for your patience.  As any techie users can explain, MyColors is an engineering accoplishment that's never been seen before, well basically anywhere.  MyColors not only has self-healing tech for the components but will automatically update itself or the content when there's updates.  I can't think of any other software out there that can update both itself and external content in such an integrated way.  Which meant, naturally, while it was first released it was a pain in the rear.  But it's looking pretty good now I think.

And lastly, for those of you into games, you may have heard Stardock's big announcement: Gas Powered Games (makers of Supreme Commander and Dungeon Siege) has signed on to have Stardock as its exclusive world-wide publisher.  Here's a funny statistic from NPD: In February, Stardock was the 7th largest PC game publisher in the world.  Not bad for a skinning company!

 

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zakai1369
Reply #1 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 12:11 AM
The new Object Desktop website looks fantastic. Great work Alexandrie.
In February, Stardock was the 7th largest PC game publisher in the world.
Congrats Stardock
aufisch
Reply #2 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 1:14 AM
The new Website looks great, much cleaner and more professional!


aufisch wants "Aquamarine" - can these Themes only be purchased through MyColours? If yes, do you already have an ETA on when MyColours will be Vista64 compatible?
wrigleys
Reply #3 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 2:32 AM
hey glad you got better mahn..being sick is no joke,,on some skinnerd stuff..the new site looks dope along with those icons
WebGizmos
Reply #4 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 6:59 AM
Brad....all I can say is....despite the occasional bugs/glitches or being asked if we want to exist anyway... ....that happens with the stuff you put out...as is expected in development...it still beats anything else I've every bought for my PC hands down. I've said it before and I'll say it again...I have never ever been sorry for anything I've bought here. And if you ever really decided to take up beekeeping....it would be sad day and great loss.
Vampothika
Reply #5 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 7:13 AM
bloody awsome.........  
Bushman
Reply #6 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 7:20 AM
I"m a little confused here, Why upgrade OD when there is Impulse that is said to be replaceing OD, or do I have things mixed up?   
ShelbyGT_The_Car
Reply #7 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 7:54 AM
You are pretty much still on schedule "Brad"... which also fits with a lot of other things planned here this week. Zargon and The Impulse team has done well and has gotten Impulse going very well now. Most of all the problems with IP and IP Developer has been solved. CursorFX has been doing very well and has also been updated via Impulse too! I also see there is now an Alpha Logon Studio for Vista; it is working very well. So Object Desktop 2008 and Ultimate should be ready to go. Really does look good !! Oh and Ray - it all works together. I have both Object Desktop and Impulse installed here. Which I use both for different reasons. This is the way it is suppose to work with the new 2008 and Ultimate version being released. If you have not already upped your sub - you should ASAP! Thank you everyone at Stardock for working hard and giving us all the best there is for customizing Windows. I really do like all of this and unlike some I've seen here lately... I'm not going anywhere for any reason whatsoever. I would suggest to anyone a member already to get another year or even two years ASAP for there are some of the best programs ever made being produced right now by Stardock. At a very good price too! Won't be too much longer and all of the prices are going to change. If your not a member yet or do not have Object Desktop... You should consider buying this program ASAP. Again Thanks Brad and all the hard working people at Stardock for all you have done to make all this possible. Some of the best work I've ever seen. SGT  
Vad_M
Reply #8 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 8:22 AM
This Wednesday we're scheduled to release Object Desktop 2008.


WOW!!!!    Can't wait...   
pmac7
Reply #9 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 8:57 AM
ZOMG Wednesday? That's tomorrow!!!
angus1949
Reply #10 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 8:59 AM
I"m a little confused here, Why upgrade OD when there is Impulse that is said to be replaceing OD, or do I have things mixed up?
Bushman, Impulse is replacing Stardock Central the updating utility. OD is the suite which is being upgraded to Ultimate.
PixelProphet
Reply #11 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 9:02 AM
Bushman - Impulse will eventually replace Stardock Central, although for a time, both programs will coexist. Object Desktop is a suite of some of Stardock's most popular software and will now be available in two packages: Object Desktop 2008 will have the programs used more frequently by most users, and Object Desktop Ultimate will include additional programs that are important in the creation of skins and other functions. Check out the link Brad provided if you would like to see the difference between the two Object Desktop versions.
angus1949
Reply #12 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 9:06 AM
Man, what a great new site. I'm like a kid at Christmas waiting for tomorrow. Ultimate...Whoo Hoo! Thanks for all the hard work by everyone at Stardock.  
APB
Reply #13 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 9:31 AM
Stardock is getting better and better as time goes by. Congratulations!
warreni
Reply #14 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 9:50 AM
Glad to read about the MyColors discounts. I'm still wondering about whether MyColors is intended to ultimately replace ThemeManager or not? Reading between the lines of everything I've seen about OD08 and also the fact that the new site link labelled "Premium Suites" takes you to the MyColors website leads me to think that Stardock is abandoning the old .suite files in favor of .theme packages and will henceforth be producing .themes exclusively. If this speculation on my part is accurate, will the MyColors application eventually be able to recognize and handle .suite files too?
Frogboy
Reply #15 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 12:16 PM
I should also mention that Stardock Central isn't going away either. For users who prefer it for whatever reason, we plan to continue supporting it for a long time.
Philly0381
Reply #16 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 12:30 PM
I'm a little older than some folks around here Frogboy, could you slow down the your releases a little, it's hard for me to keep you with you and your folks.       

Doing a great job Brad. I'm still trying to get over your statement in another post that you made, "You guys rock". It's amazing that the boss thinks so highly of the members of the community.

I'm starting my Christmas list early, what do you want?  
skybright
Reply #17 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 1:25 PM
I am thrilled with all the new programs coming out. The future is in your hands and we reap the benefits; can't get any better then that.   
Lantec
Reply #18 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 3:51 PM
Looking forward to the "Ultimate" thrill Thanks Stardock


I'm a little older than some folks around here Frogboy,


actually Philly....you're a LOT older than some folks around here

Philly0381
Reply #19 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 4:19 PM
Well, that's one less name on the Christmas list!   
Bushman
Reply #20 Tuesday, April 8, 2008 6:42 PM
If the site is cirrect when I click on your Philly0381 then you're a youngin' (something like that)   

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