DesktopX 2.2 killer feature: Overlays

Tuesday, August 24, 2004 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News

One of the things that I think makes some people not want to use widgets is that they don't want to clutter up their desktop with them or that they always have apps on top of their desktop so objects/widgets are covered up and hence inaccessible.

A feature new in DesktopX 2.2 is the overlay feature. With it, you can use a hot key (default if F9 and F10) to either activate your widgets (F9) or toggle showing and hidding them (F10).

Widgets on your desktop:
user posted image (zoom)

Now hit the F9 key and they'll pop up on top of your app so you can get to them:

user posted image (zoom)

I think it's been said before that normally ones desktop is covered up, so that would reduce the usability of widgets. This way, those widgets are always accessible. And if you're worried about a cluttered desktop, you can hit F10 and hide/show them completely.
17 Reply 1 Referrals
Nutshell69
Reply #1 Tuesday, August 24, 2004 1:00 PM
Nice - That is a great new feature - thanks for pointing that out.

To note: what happens when you have other applications that use f9/f10 for their features?

You can simply change the Overlay keys in the Configure DesktopX -> Overlay area

Great job!

nocool
Reply #2 Tuesday, August 24, 2004 1:20 PM
Shame you can't make them stay on the screen when you press "show desktop".

Mannlister
Reply #3 Tuesday, August 24, 2004 3:31 PM
i just upgraded to DX v2.2 via SDC and there's no tab for the overlay feature. it was in the betas but after i read this article i went to use the feature and realized that the tab was gone.

4letterword
Reply #4 Tuesday, August 24, 2004 3:34 PM
This is a great new feature, indeed. Well done!

Phar0e
Reply #5 Tuesday, August 24, 2004 3:40 PM
The toggling feature is very handy.

It might be handy to be able to custom define which keys are used in triggering the toggling.

Phar0e
Reply #6 Tuesday, August 24, 2004 3:42 PM
If this feature is already there...great.
If not it would be good to be able to define "groups" of object or widgets and be able to toggle specific groups.

DPG
Reply #7 Tuesday, August 24, 2004 4:26 PM
Re: SS - Debbie Gibson?

Frogboy
Reply #8 Tuesday, August 24, 2004 6:18 PM
mannlister - contact [email protected] there was a problem where files wre coming from the wrong server last night. You may need to uninstall/reinstall DX 2.2.

jjlucsy
Reply #9 Tuesday, August 24, 2004 7:10 PM
I gotta say, two of the worst key combinations. I use them heavily for other things and got really confused when I upgraded and things stopped working. I say, pick some slightly less obvious key combos.

Nutshell69
Reply #10 Tuesday, August 24, 2004 9:38 PM
IRT : Miss Mannlister Tuesday, August 24, 2004

I have DX 2.20.026 from SDC and I see the Overlay tab

I simply start DX- double click on the DX in the systray to get the Settings dialog and the Overlay tab is on the far right
(Desktop, Appearance, Defaults, Overlay)

Works great for me

Frogboy
Reply #11 Tuesday, August 24, 2004 9:58 PM
jj - they're settable by the users. What would you suggest for the default?

FROGBOY : I CAN EDIT YOUR TOPIC. SEEMS TO BB A LOOP HOLE HERE. FROM PLANETMONKEY

planetmonkey
Reply #12 Wednesday, August 25, 2004 8:29 AM
It would be good if you could tell different widgets to always be on top.

That way, your picture frame widget can stay on the desk, but your mp3 player can always be on top.

Or can you do that?

chadlachlanross
Reply #13 Wednesday, August 25, 2004 9:30 AM
Funny, as much as I use DesktopX this will be a feature I never use. I don't see what the big deal is. But I do LOVE all the new things I can do with DesktopX.

JoeWang
Reply #14 Wednesday, August 25, 2004 9:55 AM
What about using that Scroll Lock and Pause/Break keys as default. I think, they are the most unused keys (at least for me).

paxx
Reply #15 Wednesday, August 25, 2004 11:22 AM
Chad: I already use this feature a lot actually with the few widgets I got I don't need to see them all the time, only when I need it, like the calendar, the battery meter, etc.

Frogboy
Reply #16 Wednesday, August 25, 2004 12:30 PM

I think overlays help make DesktopX into something that is more useful to casual users.


Mannlister
Reply #17 Wednesday, August 25, 2004 7:03 PM
i uninstalled and reinstalled and the overlays are there now. the only problem that remains is that now the overlay forces some of my objects to snap to the edges. i have some simple text obects for time, dat eand uptime and if i move them anywhere near the top or bottom of my screen i can't position them exactly wher ei want them but instead they snap up or down despite the object settings. >

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!
Login

Home | About | Privacy | Upload Guidelines | Terms of Service | Help
Copyright © Stardock Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


web-wc01