ObjectDock Plus arrives on Friday!
Thursday, July 8, 2004 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
ObjectDock is a freeware program that gives users the ability to easily manage their tasks and programs in a very slick way. It also supports plugins in the form of "docklets".
But...
Stardock has also been working on ObjectDock PLUS! The plus version features a ton of new features based off of our own use of ObjectDock and feedback from the thousands of ObjectDock users out there. Things that make ObjectDock Plus a very powerful yet simple program for turbo-charging your Windows desktop.
Check out this preview to get an idea of what's coming. ObjectDock Plus should be available in BETA form quite soon. It will cost $19.95 for new users or $14.95 for current Object Desktop users.
ObjectDock Plus supports multiple docks on the desktop of different styles (tabbed and untabbed)
Tabbed docks can have the system tray in them. Hold down the left mouse button on a system tray item and you can change its image.
Taskbar items can be grouped together like the default Windows taskbar.
Docks can be moved to the edge and then docked where only the tabs show until the mouse goes over them. The size of tabs and docks are controlled from the easy to use configuration dialog.
Example of having multiple tabbed docks with just the tabs showing.
Docks can be set up so that they're always on top (such as where the tabs show up on top of windows) or behave like normal windows that show up on top when you move your mouse to a specific position.
The tabs and dock backgrounds are skinnable. Use the ones in there or download more made by others. Change the color to any color you choose.
Organize your work as you like.
ObjectDock Plus supports Stardock fly-out menus (you have to see it in action to appreciate how cool this is). A great way to zip through graphic files drives, etc.
Manage your various docks through the ObjectDock Plus system tray item. Very straight forward to create and modify
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Reply #3 Thursday, July 8, 2004 6:21 PM
Reply #4 Thursday, July 8, 2004 6:24 PM
Suggestion:
On the grouping, I'd like to be able to have the taskbar items grouped together, but not collapsed down to one item with a menu. So, if I had six Internet Explorer windows open, I'd still have six Internet Explorer items, but they would all be next to each other and not spread out over the dock items.
You probably already thought of this, but I thought I'd put in my 2 cents.
Looks like a great program. Can't wait to use it.
Reply #5 Thursday, July 8, 2004 6:31 PM
Can't wait to grab this when it emerges....Reply #6 Thursday, July 8, 2004 6:35 PM
Reply #7 Thursday, July 8, 2004 6:40 PM
I really can't wait to get my hands on it.
Reply #8 Thursday, July 8, 2004 6:46 PM
Reply #9 Thursday, July 8, 2004 6:50 PM
Two questions I have are: 1) will users be able to have multiple non-tabbed docks on screen, and 2) will users be able to use their current ObjectDock skins with the new version.
In any case, I am in line already for the new stuff!
Thanks again.
Reply #11 Thursday, July 8, 2004 7:02 PM
Reply #12 Thursday, July 8, 2004 7:16 PM
[begin]
The "plussing" as I like to call it, of freeware annoys me. If you're an ObjectDesktop OWNER, then ObjectDock Plus should be free or I'd settle for reasonably priced. I just hate when people try to make money hand over foot, despite looking completely gready for it.
*Someone mentions getting a crack or keygen* Stealing it won't make the silly notion of a company providing a shareware version of a freeware product any less silly, now will it? With its name and functionality, I see ObjectDock as a part of the Object Desktop brand of products.
*Someone asks me what ObjectDock is, exactly* I don't even think ObjectDock is worthy of being paid software, it's a utility that is an extensible, customizable equivalent to the native Taskbar. It mimics the new apple launch bar. I can understand the business strategy of creating a freeware utility and then releasing a *fee-based* version of the SAME utility (I am a Marketing major), but more than that, I'm a business major and know that this isn't good business, despite being good marketing. The two must work hand in hand, and I feel Stardock has failed here.
*Someone mentions, "They'll do anything they can"* I wonder if they'er selling it, just because they can, or do they truly believe they have a userbase that's loyal enough to fall for this crap. *Probably the former someone says* It's just like CursorXP, the shareware version offers little to no benefit over the free version, yet they charge you an unbelievable price for it, despite being an ObjectDesktop owner.
So, my complaint is that.. I'm a paying user of ObjectDesktop.. Stardocks flagship application that's supposedly a bundle of their desktop enhancement utilities. WHY ON EARTH, make your users pay for an addon? $14.95 at that!! And that's AFTER you've already dropped $50 for ODNT!
*Someone says: attila, write a fierce aggravating email demanding justice* I'd rather just rant here on IRC, it feels better. Then it dawned on me, the point of ranting is for people to feel your pain, so here you are, my rant, FEEL my pain. Does it make sense?
[end]
Reply #13 Thursday, July 8, 2004 7:21 PM
I kinda wish this would be put on Object Desktop (don't hit me it is just a wish).
Reply #14 Thursday, July 8, 2004 7:23 PM
Reply #15 Thursday, July 8, 2004 7:26 PM
Reply #16 Thursday, July 8, 2004 7:28 PM
If it's not worth the price, people will not pay it. ObjectDock users continue to get ObjectDock, just as CursorXP users continue to get CursorXP. They just don't get the features considered to be "Plus".
If you think it should be in OD, complain enough and I guess it might get in - that's how capitalism works, right? I wouldn't bet on it, but it might. Of course, renewal fees would be likely to go up for everyone, as well.
Reply #18 Thursday, July 8, 2004 7:37 PM
Object Desktop != everything Stardock makes. It's a suite of specific desktop enhancement utilities. And for $50, it's probably the world's best deal on utility software as-is. If we were to throw in ObjectDock and CursorXP and everything else we'd have to charge a lot more for it.
BTW, there is nothing like ObjectDock Plus out there that is "free". Some of the technologies in it are pretty exclusive.
Reply #19 Thursday, July 8, 2004 7:40 PM
Reply #20 Thursday, July 8, 2004 7:45 PM
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Reply #1 Thursday, July 8, 2004 6:17 PM