Is DesktopX really that usefull?
Friday, February 6, 2004 by GoatRider | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
OK, I know I’m at risk being labelled as a troll for this post. But I really have to ask this:
What the h*ll are people doing with DesktopX??? Apart from making useless little fish, weather objects and framed pictures that is….
I know I’m missing out on something, but what???
That said, I’m a huge fan of the Stardock products (renewed my OD subscription for the 3th time now). I’m an avid user of WB and I simply LOVE Object Bar! Object Bar alone is worth the subscription money IMHO. The only thing I can’t understand is the apparent popularity of DesktopX. so please, enlighten me...
Anyways, Keep up the good work!
What the h*ll are people doing with DesktopX??? Apart from making useless little fish, weather objects and framed pictures that is….
I know I’m missing out on something, but what???
That said, I’m a huge fan of the Stardock products (renewed my OD subscription for the 3th time now). I’m an avid user of WB and I simply LOVE Object Bar! Object Bar alone is worth the subscription money IMHO. The only thing I can’t understand is the apparent popularity of DesktopX. so please, enlighten me...
Anyways, Keep up the good work!
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GoatRider
Reply #2 Friday, February 6, 2004 5:20 AM
Reply #2 Friday, February 6, 2004 5:20 AM
Hi Stumpy. thanks for the reply
I’m really glad you think it’s just a matter of taste. You know, for a while I feared I was just missing out on something.
I guess the DX kind of customisation is not my cup of tea. Now don’t get me wrong. I’ve downloaded pretty amazing themes for DX, created by very talented people.
And eyecandy-wise (is that a word?) I can dig it (very much so). For daily use it just won’t do (for me).
Peace
I’m really glad you think it’s just a matter of taste. You know, for a while I feared I was just missing out on something.
I guess the DX kind of customisation is not my cup of tea. Now don’t get me wrong. I’ve downloaded pretty amazing themes for DX, created by very talented people.
And eyecandy-wise (is that a word?) I can dig it (very much so). For daily use it just won’t do (for me).
Peace
Stumpy
Reply #3 Friday, February 6, 2004 5:32 AM
Reply #3 Friday, February 6, 2004 5:32 AM
Yes, I agree, Personally I don't use it as a daily setup, I prefre to use the other seperate programs - Windowblind, Iconpackager, CursorXP, etc
But there are many that have DesktopX run at startup and use it all the time, and are very happy with that, which is great for Stardock, but personal taste always comes into being on everything from Fashion to Computers to Food etc, mostly I have ignored all trends and gone my own way, no matter what people say.
Choose you own setup and stick with it, and always think that you are right, everyone else is wrong
But there are many that have DesktopX run at startup and use it all the time, and are very happy with that, which is great for Stardock, but personal taste always comes into being on everything from Fashion to Computers to Food etc, mostly I have ignored all trends and gone my own way, no matter what people say.
Choose you own setup and stick with it, and always think that you are right, everyone else is wrong
GoatRider
Reply #4 Friday, February 6, 2004 5:52 AM
Cool!
Reply #4 Friday, February 6, 2004 5:52 AM
| Choose you own setup and stick with it, and always think that you are right, everyone else is wrong |
Cool!
BoXXi
Reply #5 Friday, February 6, 2004 5:57 AM
Reply #5 Friday, February 6, 2004 5:57 AM
This is the theme that I use on a daily basis: https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=31&SkinID=1954 It has everything I need, suits the way I work, and (I think) it looks cool. And that is the whole point really, DX can be anything you want it to be. 
digital_trucker
Reply #6 Friday, February 6, 2004 6:52 AM
Reply #6 Friday, February 6, 2004 6:52 AM
I think you're going to see some things soon that will really show off the power of DX. Stuff that could very well push it into the mainstream as much as WB is. A great deal of the potential of DX has yet to be tapped.
GoatRider
Reply #7 Friday, February 6, 2004 8:01 AM
Reply #7 Friday, February 6, 2004 8:01 AM
BoXXi, that's an extremely cool looking theme you've made! And it's really practical to.
The only thing that keeps me from using theme's like these on a regular basis: the menus.
DX is not capable of handling menus in the same convenient way as Object Bar does. Or at least I couldn't find a way to create more or less flexible menus with the ability to be controlled in an effective way by a hotspot (or touching the edge of the screen). But of course, tips are always more than welcome.
digital_trucker, I sure hope you are right!
The only thing that keeps me from using theme's like these on a regular basis: the menus.
DX is not capable of handling menus in the same convenient way as Object Bar does. Or at least I couldn't find a way to create more or less flexible menus with the ability to be controlled in an effective way by a hotspot (or touching the edge of the screen). But of course, tips are always more than welcome.
| I think you're going to see some things soon that will really show off the power of DX. Stuff that could very well push it into the mainstream as much as WB is. A great deal of the potential of DX has yet to be tapped. |
digital_trucker, I sure hope you are right!
Frogboy
Reply #8 Friday, February 6, 2004 9:26 AM
Reply #8 Friday, February 6, 2004 9:26 AM
I think DesktopX 2.1 will radically change people's perceptions. Particularly in the area of widgets. Widgets are basically DesktopX dependent programs. You can run them without DesktopX running (i.e. it uses DX's DLLs and such), just installed on your system somewhere.
IPlural
Reply #9 Friday, February 6, 2004 9:27 AM
Reply #9 Friday, February 6, 2004 9:27 AM
DTX is still something that interests me a bunch
[Message Edited]
[Message Edited]
HG_Eliminator
Reply #10 Friday, February 6, 2004 3:15 PM
Reply #10 Friday, February 6, 2004 3:15 PM
desktopx is almost a shell in its self. as a long time litestep user i have come to respect the utilities of desktopx. it has all the abilities of litestep. and theres no fear of loseing your desktop. i infact run both together.the abilities of desktop x are virtually unlimited. i see at the moment a short pause in the development of new objects , but i think that is just the calm before the storm...i have seen some new and exciteng developments that are just around the corner
bakerstreet
Reply #11 Friday, February 6, 2004 3:53 PM
Reply #11 Friday, February 6, 2004 3:53 PM
I think the confusion comes from the whole "object" thing. Though I see immense potential for them, I have little interest in stand-alone objects for my own use. The power of desktopX is customizing your desktop to the most minute detail, bypassing all the abstraction and obfuscation of the Windows desktop.
It is probably temporary, but I wish they'd start focusing more on the 'total desktop' aspects. The fish and stuff are neat, but there is immense usability that never seems to make the front page. People understand this with older shell replacements, but not with DesktopX so much.
**
My current grump is the limitations of the 'label'. In Talisman I can overlay whatever text I want on a generic button graphic, but in DesktopX I have to pre-make graphics for each, unless I want the label riding beneath the button. I'm hoping the 'label' field will attain a coordinates field so you can decide where on the object to put it.
It is probably temporary, but I wish they'd start focusing more on the 'total desktop' aspects. The fish and stuff are neat, but there is immense usability that never seems to make the front page. People understand this with older shell replacements, but not with DesktopX so much.
**
My current grump is the limitations of the 'label'. In Talisman I can overlay whatever text I want on a generic button graphic, but in DesktopX I have to pre-make graphics for each, unless I want the label riding beneath the button. I'm hoping the 'label' field will attain a coordinates field so you can decide where on the object to put it.
Hus
Reply #12 Friday, February 6, 2004 7:32 PM
Reply #12 Friday, February 6, 2004 7:32 PM
RE: BakerStreet
A simple solution would be to make 2 objects, one object will be your button graphic, the other object, a text label. Lay one over the other and group them. A bit cheezy...but it should work none the less.
---
DesktopX is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I mean it! The only problem with DX is it's become more a programmers tool than a skinners tool. Most skinners don't know coding very well, and most coders don't know graphics very well. Imagine if you combine some of the great DX coders with some of the great skinners...imagine what kind of objects you will end up with. I feel like a sucker because I can't do either... 
I do find DX lets you make quick simple meters EXTREMELY easily, which I do like. I'm trying to pick up on the DXScript slowly but surely...as I have a slight knowledge of the Basic language. The new DX beta does come with some great documentation, especially for the coding part...a 30 page PDF explaining every attribute. Lot's of reading up to do...but I agree, I think DX has more potential than even Windowblinds.
A simple solution would be to make 2 objects, one object will be your button graphic, the other object, a text label. Lay one over the other and group them. A bit cheezy...but it should work none the less.
---
DesktopX is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I mean it! The only problem with DX is it's become more a programmers tool than a skinners tool. Most skinners don't know coding very well, and most coders don't know graphics very well. Imagine if you combine some of the great DX coders with some of the great skinners...imagine what kind of objects you will end up with. I feel like a sucker because I can't do either...
I do find DX lets you make quick simple meters EXTREMELY easily, which I do like. I'm trying to pick up on the DXScript slowly but surely...as I have a slight knowledge of the Basic language. The new DX beta does come with some great documentation, especially for the coding part...a 30 page PDF explaining every attribute. Lot's of reading up to do...but I agree, I think DX has more potential than even Windowblinds.
bakerstreet
Reply #13 Friday, February 6, 2004 8:27 PM
Reply #13 Friday, February 6, 2004 8:27 PM
Hus: yeah, that seems to be how it is done on most of the themes I have downloaded to look at. I'm not crazy about it, since it makes it difficult to do mouseovers (when you mouse-on the text you are mouse-out on the button itself). I have played with scripts that fix it but it is honestly a lot faster for me just to crank out a single graphic. Thanks though.
**
re: "WindowBlinds only makes what is currently available pretty"
I used it a while and I found several themes that had some decent features, like winamp controls, a clock, etc. DavidK made a nice one with some odds and ends on it if I recall.
re: desktopX
I hate to say it, but pound for pound Talisman is more comfortable for me, since it has some native items that need to be scripted in DesktopX. That said, DesktopX is a more advanced app, extensibility-wise. I think a great deal more can be accomplished with it, but it requires a lot more comfort with higher-level theming and scripting. I just kind of wish there was less scripting on the low-end.
I'm putting my spare time into DesktopX at the moment, but I haven't had much to spare, lol.
[Message Edited]
**
re: "WindowBlinds only makes what is currently available pretty"
I used it a while and I found several themes that had some decent features, like winamp controls, a clock, etc. DavidK made a nice one with some odds and ends on it if I recall.
re: desktopX
I hate to say it, but pound for pound Talisman is more comfortable for me, since it has some native items that need to be scripted in DesktopX. That said, DesktopX is a more advanced app, extensibility-wise. I think a great deal more can be accomplished with it, but it requires a lot more comfort with higher-level theming and scripting. I just kind of wish there was less scripting on the low-end.
I'm putting my spare time into DesktopX at the moment, but I haven't had much to spare, lol.
[Message Edited]
mr.bo
Reply #14 Friday, February 6, 2004 9:35 PM
Reply #14 Friday, February 6, 2004 9:35 PM
I agree that desktopX has the potential to be a very powerful app, but for those of us that are less programmer oriented it doesn't offer nearly as much as some of the other apps out there. I really wish I knew scripting, but I have had a rough time trying to learn. It's frustrating when I know what I want to do, and can make it look awesome, but can't get it to work right.
Shameless Designs
Reply #15 Friday, February 6, 2004 9:53 PM
I think that if Desktop X is really going to capture the hearts and minds, Hus is right, and that is exactly what needs to happen, and hopefully will. Right now what I see a lot of in the new DX listings is either "Sorry for the graphics, but look at this cool object," or "Thanks to Coder for letting me use his script, so I could make this."
The Skins Factory is a classic example of the kind of success you can have with great coders working with great skin artists as a team. I know that a lot of skinners take great pride in doing their own "code work," and rightly so. But what most are doing in other apps is more complex configuration work than true coding. To me, DX is a whole new ball game, and I think we'll see some of the truly awe-inspiring themes, widgets, and objects that DX is capable of delivering coming sooner from those that take a team approach.
[Message Edited]
Reply #15 Friday, February 6, 2004 9:53 PM
| Imagine if you combine some of the great DX coders with some of the great skinners...imagine what kind of objects you will end up with. |
I think that if Desktop X is really going to capture the hearts and minds, Hus is right, and that is exactly what needs to happen, and hopefully will. Right now what I see a lot of in the new DX listings is either "Sorry for the graphics, but look at this cool object," or "Thanks to Coder for letting me use his script, so I could make this."
The Skins Factory is a classic example of the kind of success you can have with great coders working with great skin artists as a team. I know that a lot of skinners take great pride in doing their own "code work," and rightly so. But what most are doing in other apps is more complex configuration work than true coding. To me, DX is a whole new ball game, and I think we'll see some of the truly awe-inspiring themes, widgets, and objects that DX is capable of delivering coming sooner from those that take a team approach.
[Message Edited]
JerryHat
Reply #16 Friday, February 6, 2004 10:47 PM
Reply #16 Friday, February 6, 2004 10:47 PM
Bakerstreet: I've just been playing around with DX2.1 after reading your comments. It would be nicer to allow the label to move, I agree. However, there's a simple way to stop the mouseover text problem when using a text layer - go to the text layer's properties and set Activation to 'none' on the Relation tab page.
As an aside, I've just found out you then need to hold down control to right-click the text layer to edit its properties.
regards, Jerry
[Message Edited]
As an aside, I've just found out you then need to hold down control to right-click the text layer to edit its properties.
regards, Jerry
[Message Edited]
bakerstreet
Reply #17 Friday, February 6, 2004 11:37 PM
Reply #17 Friday, February 6, 2004 11:37 PM
JerryHat: Does that make the text layer click-through, though? I mean, when you click the text layer does the button beneath activate? I was thinking I tried that, but I may have overlooked it. I'll try in a couple of hours when I have skinning time.
Thanks very much for the heads up.
Thanks very much for the heads up.
JerryHat
Reply #18 Saturday, February 7, 2004 12:18 AM
Reply #18 Saturday, February 7, 2004 12:18 AM
Bakerstreet: Yup it clicks through here.
regards, Jerry
[Message Edited]
regards, Jerry
[Message Edited]
kongit
Reply #19 Saturday, February 7, 2004 1:40 AM
Reply #19 Saturday, February 7, 2004 1:40 AM
I have been thinking that the graphic people and the coder people should team up for a while. just think what would happen to dx if adni and brazen started working together. nothing could stop them.
Shameless Designs
Reply #20 Saturday, February 7, 2004 3:22 AM
Reply #20 Saturday, February 7, 2004 3:22 AM
That's exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about, Travis. The more I explore DX, the more I see possibilities for truly personalizing the interface, functionally as well as aesthetically. If we can get the creative energies of both sides working together, I think we will all see some amazing things showing up in the Newest Additions list.
I have a lot more learning and exploring and experimenting to do yet, but I am very excited about the possibilities. Just think of the potential... completely new interfaces adapted to fit the way you work, instead of you adapting to the interface... and it looks cool! And the commercial possibilities for skinners are tremendous in my opinion. Entire corporate networks with a custom designed corporate interface... Ka-Ching$$$...
I have a lot more learning and exploring and experimenting to do yet, but I am very excited about the possibilities. Just think of the potential... completely new interfaces adapted to fit the way you work, instead of you adapting to the interface... and it looks cool!
And the commercial possibilities for skinners are tremendous in my opinion. Entire corporate networks with a custom designed corporate interface... Ka-Ching$$$... Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
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Reply #1 Friday, February 6, 2004 4:54 AM
But the whole idea is to get away from the standard desktop set set my MS, tha standard setup is a background a taskbar (Usually at the bottom) icons placed on the desktop background (either in order or specific places), whic after some time can become a bit boring
DesktopX, is an excellabt way of changing all of the above, in some cases no taskbar (or hidden taskbar), and an animated background (somrthing you mentioned above) with not only fishes, but walking people, skatboarding kiddies, snowflakes, and many more, a great improvement over the default MS desktop
Along with Windowblinds which of course change all elements of a standard MS window, in many cases with skins matching a DesktopX theme, makes for a new and brighter desktop, rhis i believe is how useful it can be, and many people agree it would seem.
Having said all that I refer to the first sentence, DesktopX may not be for all people, I personally use it to impress visitors, some of who cannot believe that I am running MS Windows
End of speach