SuperBlinds?
Monday, January 27, 2003 by Ken Browder | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
hello everyone.
I am a complete newb so the following statements and questions will probably (maybe more than probably) be pretty stupid.
In my limited knowledge, all the studio suites and object desktops, etc. merely call into operation another program which then runs and displays all the graphics in a particular spot and manipulates any animations.
Since I can't afford to buy all the different programs (old, retired and on SS) I was wondering why some (or one) of the brilliant programmers I have seen on the various sites couldn't write a program that cuts out the "middleman" program and run all the graphics, etc. directly rather than needing those intermediate programs like object bar, windowblinds and so forth.
Why? Am I dumb to think someone couldn't write such a program? That way everyone could make their creations for ONE program to activate.
A reply (including e-mail) would be greatly appreciated then I can stop worrying about it !
E-mail me at [email protected]
Thanks
Ken
I am a complete newb so the following statements and questions will probably (maybe more than probably) be pretty stupid.
In my limited knowledge, all the studio suites and object desktops, etc. merely call into operation another program which then runs and displays all the graphics in a particular spot and manipulates any animations.
Since I can't afford to buy all the different programs (old, retired and on SS) I was wondering why some (or one) of the brilliant programmers I have seen on the various sites couldn't write a program that cuts out the "middleman" program and run all the graphics, etc. directly rather than needing those intermediate programs like object bar, windowblinds and so forth.
Why? Am I dumb to think someone couldn't write such a program? That way everyone could make their creations for ONE program to activate.
A reply (including e-mail) would be greatly appreciated then I can stop worrying about it !
E-mail me at [email protected]
Thanks
Ken
da_zman20
Reply #2 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:09 PM
Reply #2 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:09 PM
Object Desktop is an after market addon for windows... it doesn't do something windows already does, it adds alot of functionality... and you use it, you'll never understand how you lived without it... it makes prductivity easier, and gaming easier, and it even makes your computer faster in some cases... all of this is done while creating a custom environment that is unique, and easier to use than the windows default.... does that make sense to you? 
stark23x
Reply #3 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:38 PM
Reply #3 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:38 PM
To clarify something about an ODNT subscription: You get access to ALL the software put up on ODNT, including alphas and betas, for one year. At the end of that year, your software still works forever, you just can't upgrade anymore unless you pay for a renewal license. The bang-for-your-buck factor is pretty high, if you enjoy skinning and changing the look and function of your Windows environment. And your software will ALWAYS work, it's not like it times out at the end of the year.
You could ask someone to get a subscription for you as a gift, or set aside 10 dollars a month for awhile...or sell something on eBay (that's what I do when I need a small amount of "luxury capital"). It's a fairly small amount of $$, even for a fixed-income person like yourself (and I do understand you have to watch your money, believe me!).
You could ask someone to get a subscription for you as a gift, or set aside 10 dollars a month for awhile...or sell something on eBay (that's what I do when I need a small amount of "luxury capital"). It's a fairly small amount of $$, even for a fixed-income person like yourself (and I do understand you have to watch your money, believe me!).
Ken Browder
Reply #4 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:43 PM
Reply #4 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:43 PM
Thanks Paxx and da_zman20.
However, I still don't understand why someone can't write a program that does what windowblinds, objectbar, cursorXP, and all can do with only one program rather than 5 or 6.
I guess my logic doesn't run right.
Ahh well. Oh, btw, I tried desktopX and my system just can't use it. I'm running a 500mhz AMD
chip and somekinda taiwan MB.
I tried Aston which runs VERY well, but there's not many creations for it as there is here.
I'm not very programing oriented so these thoughts come up.
Thanks for the time you took to answer.
Ken
However, I still don't understand why someone can't write a program that does what windowblinds, objectbar, cursorXP, and all can do with only one program rather than 5 or 6.
I guess my logic doesn't run right.
Ahh well. Oh, btw, I tried desktopX and my system just can't use it. I'm running a 500mhz AMD
chip and somekinda taiwan MB. I tried Aston which runs VERY well, but there's not many creations for it as there is here.
I'm not very programing oriented so these thoughts come up.
Thanks for the time you took to answer.
Ken
Ken Browder
Reply #5 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:48 PM
Reply #5 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:48 PM
Thanks Stark23x.
Maybe so. I just find it so hard to turn loose of 50 dollars when it could be used for food or something else for the family. I am already stretched just affording an ISP.
I do appreciate all the help I get here. You guys and gals are great!
Thanks again.
Ken
Maybe so. I just find it so hard to turn loose of 50 dollars when it could be used for food or something else for the family. I am already stretched just affording an ISP.
I do appreciate all the help I get here. You guys and gals are great!
Thanks again.
Ken
JamMeister33
Reply #6 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:53 PM
Reply #6 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:53 PM
Speaking of Aston, there is a Copper Desk II port for Aston on ArtUproar.com...
Does anyone know if this is legitimate or is it a rip?
Does anyone know if this is legitimate or is it a rip?
Chris
Reply #7 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:54 PM
Reply #7 Monday, January 27, 2003 1:54 PM
The advantage of having separate programs is that it allows the user to use only what he/she wants without incurring the overhead of a large, monolithic program, the majority of who's functionaliy may go unused.
For instance,someone may just want to skin windows but doesn't want any additional customization like DesktopX or ObjectBar.
Additionally, from a developer's perspetive, such a large monolithic app becomes harder to develop and maintain. Logistically, it requires more coordinaation between more developers. Smaller individual programs mean teams of developers can focus on their given tasks at hand independently of one another.
This means, that invividual programs can be released on their own schedule rather than waiting for everybody to finish their part of a largeer monolithic program. It also means there's a reduced possibility of the diffrent developer teams stepping on each others toes
For instance,someone may just want to skin windows but doesn't want any additional customization like DesktopX or ObjectBar.
Additionally, from a developer's perspetive, such a large monolithic app becomes harder to develop and maintain. Logistically, it requires more coordinaation between more developers. Smaller individual programs mean teams of developers can focus on their given tasks at hand independently of one another.
This means, that invividual programs can be released on their own schedule rather than waiting for everybody to finish their part of a largeer monolithic program. It also means there's a reduced possibility of the diffrent developer teams stepping on each others toes
da_zman20
Reply #8 Monday, January 27, 2003 2:02 PM
Reply #8 Monday, January 27, 2003 2:02 PM
do you mean that aston does all that Object desktop does in one skin?? or were you talking about another program??? their are features of object desktop that nothing else does, aston won't change the system icons, it doesn't have IconX, it basically is a replacement for one of the programs in object desktop and that is desktop x, and does very little of what windowblinds does. It has none of the features of Object Zip, and I don't know if has a control center type app, and object desktop is alot easier to use and modify... object desktop does more than any single appliction you can buy and that is the truth... trust me i've researched
IPlural
Reply #9 Monday, January 27, 2003 2:03 PM
Reply #9 Monday, January 27, 2003 2:03 PM
Aston is fast, ok, for what it does it does it very well. But it is limited in it's abilities really.
I have 1.8.1 installed on this system and also altdesk which is very good at what it does also. they are both worth the money sepnt on them, yet, Aston itself is limitied...
I have 1.8.1 installed on this system and also altdesk which is very good at what it does also. they are both worth the money sepnt on them, yet, Aston itself is limitied...
Koasati
Reply #10 Monday, January 27, 2003 2:37 PM
Reply #10 Monday, January 27, 2003 2:37 PM
I think Chris has summed up why you wouldn't want a program that does it all. Just a couple of points, I'd like to add.
1 The do it all program would be very complex, and probably difficult to understand.
2 Who could possibly do that much work, programming, and testing and disturbing for free?
1 The do it all program would be very complex, and probably difficult to understand.
2 Who could possibly do that much work, programming, and testing and disturbing for free?
Alexandrie
Reply #12 Monday, January 27, 2003 3:31 PM
Reply #12 Monday, January 27, 2003 3:31 PM
I personaly prefer seperated programs, because if I don't want to use all those options I don't want to use. Not everyone need same things.
IPlural
Reply #13 Monday, January 27, 2003 7:29 PM
Reply #13 Monday, January 27, 2003 7:29 PM
yeah alt-dsk is sweet
although needs more skinning
on the things to learn and do list
serperate programs is best as is being said, for me it is because of mixing and matching.
It really gives people the tools lending ability to create new and diverse gui interfaces.
WB4 is looking really good, though I'd like to see the internal security in it like NextStart Corp has to some extent.
but then again, there are plenty of applications out there that do that very well, kind of re-inventing the wheel so to speak
I have learned though, you do NOT run Aston for the shell and desktop, the load WB for skinning application windows
It go's BLEWY
although needs more skinning
on the things to learn and do list
serperate programs is best as is being said, for me it is because of mixing and matching.
It really gives people the tools lending ability to create new and diverse gui interfaces.
WB4 is looking really good, though I'd like to see the internal security in it like NextStart Corp has to some extent.
but then again, there are plenty of applications out there that do that very well, kind of re-inventing the wheel so to speak
I have learned though, you do NOT run Aston for the shell and desktop, the load WB for skinning application windows
It go's BLEWY
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Reply #1 Monday, January 27, 2003 12:15 PM
1- You're asking for a programmer to program something that cuts out the programs and run all the graphics directly. Well, isn't that a little contradictory? How can you program something that is not a program?
Anyway, in short: Windows is not capable of allowing all the customization Windowblinds, Objectbar, etc. offer you. So you need the programs. It's like asking, why can't I play DVD's directly on my TV? Can somebody program a way for me to be able to play DVD's directly in my TV, without needing to buy a DVD player?
2- Object Desktop is only $50 for a whole year. I think everybody, even on a tight budget can affort that. And it gives you unlimited access to all those cool programs for a whole year.