Task Panel to replace Task Bar
I hope we can use something like that...
Sunday, November 27, 2011 by RogerCamp | Discussion: OS Customization
For quite some time, i've been thinking about what a computer interface should be nowadays. There were many attempts to replace the old fashioned windows taskbar. I've tried many of them and to be honest, none was able to deliver a really better solution.
So far, the best option is the object dock, it's small but it doesn't bring many of the features we can find in the taskbar.
I believe most of us have already seen the new Windows 8 metro interface, although it gives the flexibility to set whatever the user wants there, it is not very functional, it takes too much screen space just to make it look nice.
There must be another way to replace the windows taskbar by a more functional, clean and fast interface, bringing all the features found in the usual taskbar plus a few more handy ones, in just one panel.
So I thought about a panel that works along with a notifier top bar, that slides in showing last messages from the messengers applications, e-mail client, RSS, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
The panel can be configured to use the aero blur effect (with options to choose from different collors) or can it can use an image (wallpaper) in the background (as long as it doesn't compromise the viewing experience).
The panel is called by pressing the windows button (therefore a tweak in windows must be used, to disable the taskbar completely) or by moving the mouse pointer left edge of the screen. It goes off by pressing "esc" or by clicking an icon on it.
The notifier bar can be dragged down (as seen on iOS 5.0) showing more info about the updates. It stays showing until the user clicks on it or press the escape button. It can be slide in by moving the mouse pointer to the top edge of the screen.
See the screenshots, it gives the visual idea of the concept.
http://browse.deviantart.com/customization/screenshots/#/d4hhc8r
http://browse.deviantart.com/customization/screenshots/#/d4hhclg
This is just a startpoint, I'm sure there are many ways to evolve the idea.
The question is: Is Stardock interested in take this idea and make a product out of it?
Reply #3 Sunday, November 27, 2011 5:44 PM
Very well-thought out idea. Should be doable (by someone). We can always hope. 
Reply #4 Monday, November 28, 2011 5:11 AM
Thank you Heigar. I'll be updating the images as the idea progresses.
Reply #5 Monday, November 28, 2011 5:14 AM
Thank you Daiwa. I'll create a flash video simulating the concept and post it on YouTube so people can understand it better and post comments. Let's see what happens...
Reply #6 Monday, November 28, 2011 5:30 AM
I didn't notice this yesterday when I looked but it is a task panel by Roger Camp. We're touting our own inovation. (toot toot) I know, I'm kind of slow at times.
Anyhow, I can see that you've done a lot of work and it looks nice in a cluttered kind of way, which brings up what came up yesterday, it's all about a personal feel that one has to their screen. With no programs open all I show is the wallpaper and the taskbar. As a skinner, I like to skin the taskbar.
Good luck with your endevor, maybe you should attempt a direct pitch to Stardock, looks sort of like OD, tiles and widgets all rolled into one.
Reply #7 Thursday, May 3, 2012 4:34 AM
And none of those can hide it completely..
Aston2 is much better and faster coupled with a nice dock..
Reply #8 Thursday, May 3, 2012 4:50 AM
Stardock Tiles has the potential to be a completely new and innovative taskbar - if only they would allow it top/bottom positioned.
Oh well... One is allowed to dream....
Reply #10 Thursday, May 3, 2012 8:49 AM
I value horizontal real estate higher than vertical - hence why I'd rather have Tiles top/bottom, if I could. 
At the moment I do not use Tiles....
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Reply #1 Sunday, November 27, 2011 3:28 PM
One is called DesktopX https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/desktopx_themes
and another is called Winstep https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/winstep
Take your pick. Both work with and without the taskbar.