Lack of DX creativity ?
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 by _Martin_ | Discussion: WinCustomize News
DesktopX is an amazing tool. For $20 you get software that can do pretty much anything on your desktop. DesktopX is NOT just eye candy, it can be an awesome productivity tool. The problem is that it's just not as popular as it should be.The main issue is the lack of really useful objects. There is some real creative talent out there and a few developers really push the boundary, but personally I get a little depressed when every other object uploaded is a clock, calendar or weather object. There's nothing wrong with these objects 'per se', they just become a little tedious after a while.
Do you want to help do something about this? If so read on ...
What I propose is a concerted effort by the DesktopX community to get some really cool objects on there. You don't need to be a great scripting or artistic talent, ideas are probable even more useful! I'm not looking for this to be a competition, no prizes, just a lot of self satisfaction.
Think about what you do and need during your everyday life. OK, so you wake up and read to news, check the time and date, look outside at the weather - we have these things nailed. What do you do after that? Do you have kids and need to check that the school is open? Do you need traffic reports to check the way to work is clear? When you get to work/school - what do you use - what tools would be handy or cool to have?
What I'm suggesting is the following
1) A core of USEFUL DesktopX objects
2) Simple graphics to allow easy customization
3) No "ownership" as such. If someone wants to use these objects I'd like to think that permission is not required - though credit is nice.
4) A team effort to improve objects over time. If you can provide an object containing the suggested improvement then even better
5) The creation of Widget versions of all these objects so they can be run "stand alone"
What we need is:
1) Ideas for objects - even if you have no idea how to make them
2) Developers willing to turning these objects into a reality
3) People will to provide patient support and help to those who want to TRY to create objects themselves
4) Any ideas on how to improve this process? e.g. Do we upload under a new consolidated user account?
If you can contribute on any of the above points, please do so.
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UpsideDownGC
Reply #22 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 11:59 AM
Reply #22 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 11:59 AM
Okay, after my AP Test on Friday I have a party to go to on Friday niht so Satruday Evening I sohuld be able to upload it. Please if anyone wants to help make theme for the foumrs then please do. Also we need a person good at designing a PHP-Nuke or Post-Nuke theme that way it will be easy to put news on teh site. If it gets too big though (over 5gb's transfer per month or if my host gets mad at me whic is unlikely then I willhave to put Google Ads. Anyways please contact me with subject wincustomize if you are interested in helping. All moderators who do a decent job will get an email forwarding accoutn and later on I will do it for art and programmin contributors. We need a tutorial writer and someone who known either post nuke or phpnuke to do the news submission. It will require many things. Anyways here goes the firealarm...g2g
TasT
Reply #23 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 12:03 PM
Reply #23 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 12:03 PM
With the power of DX is it finally possible to create a NeXT like "dock" that would function more like a cross between the windows start menu and the OSX dock?
for example I would like to drag a folder from my start bar to the the dock and have it expand in next style blocks for say the first eight blocks then have a more button that would open a list.
Also I would like to have Next style app running indicators for short cuts in the dock.
look at the old Next style themes by myself and moremegil.j like these only much better and more dynamic out flyouts had to be hand configured for each block I like for it to be dymanic like the startmenu, but only for folder that you drag to it.
Jeez I hope some of this makes sense! This has been what I wanted form DX from the beginning.
for example I would like to drag a folder from my start bar to the the dock and have it expand in next style blocks for say the first eight blocks then have a more button that would open a list.
Also I would like to have Next style app running indicators for short cuts in the dock.
look at the old Next style themes by myself and moremegil.j like these only much better and more dynamic out flyouts had to be hand configured for each block I like for it to be dymanic like the startmenu, but only for folder that you drag to it.
Jeez I hope some of this makes sense! This has been what I wanted form DX from the beginning.
eieio
Reply #24 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 12:04 PM
Reply #24 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 12:04 PM
One idea I think of is similar to multiple desktops, as in Linux, etc. But not necessarily multiple desktops.
I'll explain.
The way I tend to use that feature is I'll have programs grouped by task on different desktops. So say if I'm skinning, I might have a button or object representing group 1 that I've put SkinStudio, PS, and maybe Explorer in.
And I might make another group that would be, say for browsing where I might have a couple of browser windows open.
The objective would be to be able to create groups on the fly, adding open windows as needed, and being able to call up a group when I want to work on a particular task and all the programs associated with that group are available.
Make sense?
I'll explain.
The way I tend to use that feature is I'll have programs grouped by task on different desktops. So say if I'm skinning, I might have a button or object representing group 1 that I've put SkinStudio, PS, and maybe Explorer in.
And I might make another group that would be, say for browsing where I might have a couple of browser windows open.
The objective would be to be able to create groups on the fly, adding open windows as needed, and being able to call up a group when I want to work on a particular task and all the programs associated with that group are available.
Make sense?
Vanilla Ice
Reply #25 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 12:14 PM
Reply #25 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 12:14 PM
my guess is Stardock put a lot of work in DX and now nobody is really using it. I don't. To me it's just overdoing it. I don't need a bunch of crap on my desktop,I don't need clocks - there's one in the systray, i don't need a calender - i can double-click the systray, i don't need a media play - i have several, i don't need news or other content shown to me - there's websites for that, and i don't really care about what percentage of memory i'm using right now.
i don't need anything to be more productive - if there's something i want to do i just hafta launch a program from my start menu.
i think DX is a good idea (in theory) and is a good piece of software, but is it really worth it?
i don't need anything to be more productive - if there's something i want to do i just hafta launch a program from my start menu.
i think DX is a good idea (in theory) and is a good piece of software, but is it really worth it?
JDavidHarper
Reply #26 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 12:35 PM
Reply #26 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 12:35 PM
Some people have made e-mail notification objects, but right now they only tell you whether or not you e-mail. Is it possible to make an object that scrolls the subject lines of e-mails too?
TasT
Reply #27 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 12:47 PM
Reply #27 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 12:47 PM
^^Good Idea^^^
Maybe even a dropdown list with the subject lines...
Maybe even a dropdown list with the subject lines...
smoke-tetsu
Reply #28 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 1:18 PM
Reply #28 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 1:18 PM
I would like to see an object that shows contacts from Miranda IM floating on the desktop with their status as it's icon to the left of the name label. I would like to have it horizontally along the top of my desktop but it should be able to go vertically too. http://forums.miranda-im.org/viewtopic.php?t=18847&highlight= Someone at miranda IM just released a program with samurize in mind called mirandaRPC.dll and it makes things that would make that possible available.
I would like a to do list thing that shows each item in it's own bar graphic with it being resizable to fit the biggest entry.
Is there a sticky notes object? If not there should be.
It would also be nice to see objects that can interact with cygwin or other command line things.
DesktopX needs a plugin to interact with Foobar2k. I would like to see something using that which shows a jewel case on the desktop with a drop shadow which shows the cd cover downloaded from amazon.com and a generic cd if none found. Then show and empty case if player is open an nothing is palying and hide when player is not open.
I would like a to do list thing that shows each item in it's own bar graphic with it being resizable to fit the biggest entry.
Is there a sticky notes object? If not there should be.
It would also be nice to see objects that can interact with cygwin or other command line things.
DesktopX needs a plugin to interact with Foobar2k. I would like to see something using that which shows a jewel case on the desktop with a drop shadow which shows the cd cover downloaded from amazon.com and a generic cd if none found. Then show and empty case if player is open an nothing is palying and hide when player is not open.
Phar0e
Reply #29 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 2:18 PM
Reply #29 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 2:18 PM
If these do not already exist:
1 - Virtual desktops - skinnnable and showing snapshots of each desktop, much like linux pager.
2 - User configured Start Menu. Like the Litestep or NextStart popup menu, skinnable and activated anywhere on desktop via configured action.
3 - I imagine this is already in place, but I see many themes that aren't resolution independent. The ability to stretch objects based on screen resolution (ie a filler graphic, or even a task list, etc.)
1 - Virtual desktops - skinnnable and showing snapshots of each desktop, much like linux pager.
2 - User configured Start Menu. Like the Litestep or NextStart popup menu, skinnable and activated anywhere on desktop via configured action.
3 - I imagine this is already in place, but I see many themes that aren't resolution independent. The ability to stretch objects based on screen resolution (ie a filler graphic, or even a task list, etc.)
sifacomp
Reply #30 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 2:29 PM
Reply #30 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 2:29 PM
Hi
I am not currently a developer with the DesktopX package, and I am certainly no artist, but have been considering what to do with DesktopX for a couple of years now. I am a professional developer working in several environments from .NET Java and web work. The problem that I face is dealing with the clumsy UI of the tools and the sheer size of them. I want a system that will present me project architecture and file editing/project building tools in an intuitive manner.
To achieve this, the Toolbar Virtual Window tool, the Object bar and Desktop X must be tightly integrated and this integration must be open to third-party developers. If I click on a zoomer that has appeared from an Object Dock object, operating in the context of a DesktopX object, I would also want the 'screen' to change to another panel oriented to editing source files - for example. This integration and control is not yet possible, objects are not aware of the change in state of these other objects and have no behaviour in response or control defined.
I think there needs to be a big push in trying to bring together these applications in a robust and formal manner, so that they are reliable, quick to load, have the ability to share data and communications, have some synchronicty in their interactions and system responses and do this without having to create a shed-load of hWnds.
There is an absolute need for some reusable components, I would like to see object dock objects contain other object docks, zoomers/objects that are placeholders for any other zoomer/object. Common Calendar, Clock, Weather interfaces so people only need to produce a skin and not develop the whole thing over and over and over.... There are some good generic objects out there, but they all reinvent the application they are modelling. There are no objects that know how to integrate into the Address Book, or the MAPI system, or TAPI, or Exchange, hooks into BizTalk etc etc etc. These common communication tools, when developed for skinners, will open up the market share no end and enable individuals to create the environment they need.
There are lots of others to think of, competant system tray objects, objects to contain the system quicklaunch, not reinvent it, hooks into Media Centre and Windows Media (does this exist already?).
There is a long way to go before the suite of applications can be used sensibly, in a professional environment and manner. Until then, I fear it will only be a toy, and I have so many ideas of how to apply this great technology to add massive value to mundane application areas, such as Operations and support and so on.
It will be interesting to see how these tools develop, they deserve to be far more widely developed for. Lets hope.
I will soon be kicking off some development in DesktopX and ObjectBar/Dock objects, to see what is *actually* possible.
Cheers
I am not currently a developer with the DesktopX package, and I am certainly no artist, but have been considering what to do with DesktopX for a couple of years now. I am a professional developer working in several environments from .NET Java and web work. The problem that I face is dealing with the clumsy UI of the tools and the sheer size of them. I want a system that will present me project architecture and file editing/project building tools in an intuitive manner.
To achieve this, the Toolbar Virtual Window tool, the Object bar and Desktop X must be tightly integrated and this integration must be open to third-party developers. If I click on a zoomer that has appeared from an Object Dock object, operating in the context of a DesktopX object, I would also want the 'screen' to change to another panel oriented to editing source files - for example. This integration and control is not yet possible, objects are not aware of the change in state of these other objects and have no behaviour in response or control defined.
I think there needs to be a big push in trying to bring together these applications in a robust and formal manner, so that they are reliable, quick to load, have the ability to share data and communications, have some synchronicty in their interactions and system responses and do this without having to create a shed-load of hWnds.
There is an absolute need for some reusable components, I would like to see object dock objects contain other object docks, zoomers/objects that are placeholders for any other zoomer/object. Common Calendar, Clock, Weather interfaces so people only need to produce a skin and not develop the whole thing over and over and over.... There are some good generic objects out there, but they all reinvent the application they are modelling. There are no objects that know how to integrate into the Address Book, or the MAPI system, or TAPI, or Exchange, hooks into BizTalk etc etc etc. These common communication tools, when developed for skinners, will open up the market share no end and enable individuals to create the environment they need.
There are lots of others to think of, competant system tray objects, objects to contain the system quicklaunch, not reinvent it, hooks into Media Centre and Windows Media (does this exist already?).
There is a long way to go before the suite of applications can be used sensibly, in a professional environment and manner. Until then, I fear it will only be a toy, and I have so many ideas of how to apply this great technology to add massive value to mundane application areas, such as Operations and support and so on.
It will be interesting to see how these tools develop, they deserve to be far more widely developed for. Lets hope.
I will soon be kicking off some development in DesktopX and ObjectBar/Dock objects, to see what is *actually* possible.
Cheers
Hitchhiker427
Reply #31 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 2:47 PM
Reply #31 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 2:47 PM
What about an object that connects to Instant messengers? Like a buddylist that stays on the desktop, with alerts, and can send messages.
Latin4567
Reply #32 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 4:03 PM
Reply #32 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 4:03 PM
Here are some ideas that I would do myself If I knew how to script:
a Wincustomize top downloads list
updated skins list
newest editions list
a wc file watcher that can watch skins that are "waiting approval" and updates by itself
we need more animated wallpapers
Weather objects that show doplar radar
A text\notepad like object that can save .txt files
a way to do virtual desktopX desktops
here is my fav one: a way to open games such as halo in a small window on the desktop (or just the entire desktop
)
a script that indicates night and day better then the weather scripts so its easier to make those "desktops that reflect the users outside enviroment (weather) via lots of wallpapers for different conditions"
A way to open programs in desktop X
a desktop x theme that automactilly detects the currnt windows blinds skin and utilizes the WB skin's graphics to make a theme
this one is also a must have
: A SCRIPT THAT ALLOWS MOVIES TO BE YOUR BACKROUND (cool)
A theme that is completely independant from the windows ui and lets everything run on the desktop
a rain object (kinda like the snow one only rain)
a cpu moniter that goes up and down like a heart rate moniter
a Wincustomize top downloads list
updated skins list
newest editions list
a wc file watcher that can watch skins that are "waiting approval" and updates by itself
we need more animated wallpapers
Weather objects that show doplar radar
A text\notepad like object that can save .txt files
a way to do virtual desktopX desktops
here is my fav one: a way to open games such as halo in a small window on the desktop (or just the entire desktop
)a script that indicates night and day better then the weather scripts so its easier to make those "desktops that reflect the users outside enviroment (weather) via lots of wallpapers for different conditions"
A way to open programs in desktop X
a desktop x theme that automactilly detects the currnt windows blinds skin and utilizes the WB skin's graphics to make a theme
this one is also a must have
: A SCRIPT THAT ALLOWS MOVIES TO BE YOUR BACKROUND (cool)A theme that is completely independant from the windows ui and lets everything run on the desktop
a rain object (kinda like the snow one only rain)
a cpu moniter that goes up and down like a heart rate moniter
Murex
Reply #33 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 4:08 PM
Reply #33 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 4:08 PM
I've only made a few themes. I would like to be more creative, But I find that a lot of the information I would like to have isn't readily available. I took the advice that was given and tore apart other creators work, But some information can't be found that way. I have read the articals on how to make faders and dials and such, And they were informative, But along with the how to, It would be nice if you were to give us some suggestions as to how they could be used. Not all of us are techies, Some of us need more help than others. I know that you can't answer every guestion, And I wouldn't expect it. What would work though is a list of creators that would answer questions, and help us with scripts or other ideas that we need help with. Martins dock was a great idea, I like the way you can compact a lot of information in a small space. I have ideas that I have wanted to use in my themes but I just can't find a way to do it. All said a done what we need is a page with a list of ideas and people willing to help out. Its a great program, But can be fustrating at times.
Latin4567
Reply #34 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 4:21 PM
Reply #34 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 4:21 PM
the cpu moniter would be able to go below its line too which would make it different from a histogram
bnetffxii
Reply #35 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 5:31 PM
Reply #35 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 5:31 PM
yeah ive been looking round for about a day and have taken a good look at all the DX objects, maybe a nice interactive trash bin would be cool. Like if you started with a pot and every time you stuck trash in it it would grow( it could be a bonsai tree ). That would be awsome 
Shakey (the Original)
Reply #36 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 6:04 PM
Reply #36 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 6:04 PM
Here are a couple of things that I would like to see in DesktopX:
1) An easy way to re-size themes for use on different resolutions. Gef's theme's for example are beautiful, but useless to me, since I don't run at the same resolution that he does.
2) A more configurable right-click menu (as others have stated, like the one in LiteStep).
DesktopX and Objectbar are two of the main reasons (along with WB) that I bought OD, but are rarely used, since for me at least they seem to be more form than function.
1) An easy way to re-size themes for use on different resolutions. Gef's theme's for example are beautiful, but useless to me, since I don't run at the same resolution that he does.
2) A more configurable right-click menu (as others have stated, like the one in LiteStep).
DesktopX and Objectbar are two of the main reasons (along with WB) that I bought OD, but are rarely used, since for me at least they seem to be more form than function.
Hus
Reply #37 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 8:22 PM
Reply #37 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 8:22 PM
The one object I've always wanted to have...a small bar the stretches across the top of the screen that acts as VERY configurable program launcher. Have buttons that trigger animated drop-down trays, with the links to all the shortcuts. Another feature is along the same lines, a customized menu from right-clicking the desktop, they way Litestep and Nextstart work.
I've been using DX quite regularly since the beta's of DX2, the one setback I've noticed is the lack of "coolness" about the objects. I don't really know how to describe it, but when you compare it to some of the Samurize objects...or even Konfabulator, they all seem to have that look about them. Like this for example... http://www.durhamstudents.co.uk/samurize/userfiles/11563/screen-1.jpg There are some really good artists creating DX objects, but there are also a lot of famous names missing. Most of the uploads are ports of other coders objects with new graphics, maybe if it were easier for a skinner to just skin something, rather than worry about writing code. If you could setup a way for people to submit working coded objects for people to skin them, one person can submit an object, and another takes it, and re-submits it skinned. A lot of this has already been said, but if DX made it easier for coders to code...and for skinners to skin...we would see the creativity go up. Just my personal opinion...
I've been using DX quite regularly since the beta's of DX2, the one setback I've noticed is the lack of "coolness" about the objects. I don't really know how to describe it, but when you compare it to some of the Samurize objects...or even Konfabulator, they all seem to have that look about them. Like this for example... http://www.durhamstudents.co.uk/samurize/userfiles/11563/screen-1.jpg There are some really good artists creating DX objects, but there are also a lot of famous names missing. Most of the uploads are ports of other coders objects with new graphics, maybe if it were easier for a skinner to just skin something, rather than worry about writing code. If you could setup a way for people to submit working coded objects for people to skin them, one person can submit an object, and another takes it, and re-submits it skinned. A lot of this has already been said, but if DX made it easier for coders to code...and for skinners to skin...we would see the creativity go up. Just my personal opinion...
smoke-tetsu
Reply #38 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 9:05 PM
Reply #38 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 9:05 PM
Most of the Samurize configs I have seen that are cool are ones ported from Konfabulator.
Hus
Reply #39 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 10:01 PM
Reply #39 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 10:01 PM
Which reminds me...I just wanted to add to my post, that it could work both ways. Skinners can submit skinned objects...which coders then download and put them to use. Perfect example would be https://www.wincustomize.com/msgboard.asp?BID=WCH&id=277163
Buddy Keister
Reply #40 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 10:06 PM
Reply #40 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 10:06 PM
I'm thinking along exactly the same lines as Hus...
I originally got DesktopX because I was sick and tired of all of those icons cluttering up my desktop, and DesktopX saved my sanity with those fadein or dropdown menus! Now, that's all I use on my desktop, and it's been a real lifesaver! BUT...
I had to go out and buy a large monitor, 'cause most of the themes are in 1280x1024, and I haven't mastered building themes. So I wind up installing ready made themes, and deleting all of the objects except for the menus, and using those with a WB skin that matches, and almost always a different wallpaper. Having the menus available starting at 600x800 would be great for a lot of users, I'm sure... as well as being something I could use on our second PC... Funny thing is, I've actually looked through the DesktopX objects archives for just exactly this, and there's nothing I ever found. I always wind up disassembling someone's theme... but the results are wonderful, and that's why I plan to continue to be a DesktopX user forever!!!
Hope This Helps, BK.
I originally got DesktopX because I was sick and tired of all of those icons cluttering up my desktop, and DesktopX saved my sanity with those fadein or dropdown menus! Now, that's all I use on my desktop, and it's been a real lifesaver! BUT...
I had to go out and buy a large monitor, 'cause most of the themes are in 1280x1024, and I haven't mastered building themes. So I wind up installing ready made themes, and deleting all of the objects except for the menus, and using those with a WB skin that matches, and almost always a different wallpaper. Having the menus available starting at 600x800 would be great for a lot of users, I'm sure... as well as being something I could use on our second PC... Funny thing is, I've actually looked through the DesktopX objects archives for just exactly this, and there's nothing I ever found. I always wind up disassembling someone's theme... but the results are wonderful, and that's why I plan to continue to be a DesktopX user forever!!!
Hope This Helps, BK.
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Reply #21 Tuesday, May 18, 2004 11:52 AM