ObjectDock Plus.....Features
Thursday, July 22, 2004 by Essencay | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I bought ODP to replace using the WinXP Toolbars, because it's skinnable 
There are some features I'd like to see. Maybe they're already there and I just missed them.
* Flyout Menu - function like a regular dropdown menu (16x16 icon and text to the right) instead of the spinning wheel - it's a neat effect, but not practical for quickly finding a file
* Accept other icon appearance changing programs icons in shortcuts - If I change a shortcut's icon using either the shortcut's properties or microangelo's appearance, both xp and microangelo recognize the change ODP doesn't and I have to change the icon using Dock Entry Properties - In comparison, changing icons was much easier with XP Toolbars.
* Dock Entry Properties - Change Image - Choose Image Browser (for lack of a better name) - doesn't allow for the use of icon libraries (*dll or *icl) to an icon from. Only *ico, *png and *exe
* Systray Icon(s) - This is probably one of the things I'm missing - I've only got one tabbed dock running at the top of my desktop (I closed the default zoomer dock at the right side of the screen - one of the reasons I stayed with XP Toolbars for so long was because I never cared for this dock in the free version). In my systemtray I'm showing two icons, one for ObjectDock Plus and one for ObjectDock Cabinet. What do I do to get just one icon to show that gives me access to all the menu options available in both icons.
I know this proggie is still in beta, but so far I like what I see and I think it was money well spent. I think if there was some way to incorporate the above, it would make it just that much better/easier to use utility. Right now as it stands, setting up and configuring XP Toolbars appear to be easier.
[Message Edited]
There are some features I'd like to see. Maybe they're already there and I just missed them.* Flyout Menu - function like a regular dropdown menu (16x16 icon and text to the right) instead of the spinning wheel - it's a neat effect, but not practical for quickly finding a file
* Accept other icon appearance changing programs icons in shortcuts - If I change a shortcut's icon using either the shortcut's properties or microangelo's appearance, both xp and microangelo recognize the change ODP doesn't and I have to change the icon using Dock Entry Properties - In comparison, changing icons was much easier with XP Toolbars.
* Dock Entry Properties - Change Image - Choose Image Browser (for lack of a better name) - doesn't allow for the use of icon libraries (*dll or *icl) to an icon from. Only *ico, *png and *exe
* Systray Icon(s) - This is probably one of the things I'm missing - I've only got one tabbed dock running at the top of my desktop (I closed the default zoomer dock at the right side of the screen - one of the reasons I stayed with XP Toolbars for so long was because I never cared for this dock in the free version). In my systemtray I'm showing two icons, one for ObjectDock Plus and one for ObjectDock Cabinet. What do I do to get just one icon to show that gives me access to all the menu options available in both icons.
I know this proggie is still in beta, but so far I like what I see and I think it was money well spent. I think if there was some way to incorporate the above, it would make it just that much better/easier to use utility. Right now as it stands, setting up and configuring XP Toolbars appear to be easier.
[Message Edited]
yrag
Reply #2 Thursday, July 22, 2004 6:32 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, July 22, 2004 6:32 PM
Steve: make sure you have the second beta https://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/
Essencay
Reply #3 Thursday, July 22, 2004 6:42 PM
Reply #3 Thursday, July 22, 2004 6:42 PM
Thanks Gary
The Readme file says I'm using ObjectDock Plus 1.02 BETA2 [7/16/2004] I just bought and downloaded this puppy (from the link provided on the purchase confirmation screen) about an hour ago. Is there somewhere within the proggie itself (an about screen) to verify which version I'm actually using.
The Readme file says I'm using ObjectDock Plus 1.02 BETA2 [7/16/2004] I just bought and downloaded this puppy (from the link provided on the purchase confirmation screen) about an hour ago. Is there somewhere within the proggie itself (an about screen) to verify which version I'm actually using.
Fuzzy Logic
Reply #5 Thursday, July 22, 2004 6:54 PM
Reply #5 Thursday, July 22, 2004 6:54 PM
Great little program - having lots of fun with it. Looking forward to skinning it too... 
Essencay
Reply #6 Friday, July 23, 2004 1:14 PM
Reply #6 Friday, July 23, 2004 1:14 PM
Just bumping this up one time in case someone missed it and has features that they'd like to see. Ya never know what your gonna catch unless you ask
knatzz
Reply #7 Friday, July 23, 2004 2:23 PM
Reply #7 Friday, July 23, 2004 2:23 PM
I'd like to see the foreground option work for the tabbed docks. And some kind of mouseover option for the icons too. More text configuring options Fonts, colors and margins. A mouseover state for the tabs would be nice too. Right now there's only normal and ed.
Koasati
Reply #8 Friday, July 23, 2004 3:38 PM
Reply #8 Friday, July 23, 2004 3:38 PM
Pretty much wasting your time post feature requests here. Best to go to the ObjectDock newsgroup.
Essencay
Reply #9 Friday, July 23, 2004 4:17 PM conversation flows more freely here, not everyone uses/or likes using the newsgroups, but you be right. So maybe after a day or so in the cooker, I'll collect up all the ideas here and post one big honkin request from the masses
....in the newsgroup
[Message Edited]
Reply #9 Friday, July 23, 2004 4:17 PM
conversation flows more freely here, not everyone uses/or likes using the newsgroups, but you be right. So maybe after a day or so in the cooker, I'll collect up all the ideas here and post one big honkin request from the masses ....in the newsgroup
[Message Edited]
Essencay
Reply #10 Friday, July 23, 2004 4:55 PM
Reply #10 Friday, July 23, 2004 4:55 PM
Let's put some meat on this puppy
* To be able to set up tabs that are attached to folders on your PC so that you can drag a file from your desktop and drop it in the folder (and vise-versa) without having to open an explorer window.
* To allow it to be skinned by Windowblinds as an option
* To be able to adjust the transparency level and drop shadows
* To be able to add sounds to the different functions (mouseover, pressed, switching tabs, etc.)
* Auto-tabbing - intelligently bring to the foreground whichever tab made the most sense at that time (example: if your using a weather docklet and the weather is updated, the tab that the docklet is on moves to the foreground, same thing for email, Norton security alerts, etc.) Optional have an associated sound and/or flashing (for hearing impaired)
* To be able to set up tabs that are attached to folders on your PC so that you can drag a file from your desktop and drop it in the folder (and vise-versa) without having to open an explorer window.
* To allow it to be skinned by Windowblinds as an option
* To be able to adjust the transparency level and drop shadows
* To be able to add sounds to the different functions (mouseover, pressed, switching tabs, etc.)
* Auto-tabbing - intelligently bring to the foreground whichever tab made the most sense at that time (example: if your using a weather docklet and the weather is updated, the tab that the docklet is on moves to the foreground, same thing for email, Norton security alerts, etc.) Optional have an associated sound and/or flashing (for hearing impaired)
Csurfside
Reply #11 Friday, July 23, 2004 6:51 PM
Reply #11 Friday, July 23, 2004 6:51 PM
Ok I just purchased object dock plus and it was worth every penny. This baby rocks 
Off to play with it.....
Off to play with it.....
Essencay
Reply #12 Friday, July 23, 2004 6:55 PM
Reply #12 Friday, July 23, 2004 6:55 PM
Not really a feature directly for ODP, but add the ability to create ODP skins with SkinStudio Professional (Though I'm going to try my hand at making one without).
BTW this is all knatzz's fault ....his Shiny Black Tabs skin was just the thing to get me hooked on this. I want a dock that's got so many options, so many customizations, so easy to use that it'll make Mac/Linux users look like a pack of stray hounds outside a butcher shop. 
BTW this is all knatzz's fault
....his Shiny Black Tabs skin was just the thing to get me hooked on this. I want a dock that's got so many options, so many customizations, so easy to use that it'll make Mac/Linux users look like a pack of stray hounds outside a butcher shop. 
Koasati
Reply #13 Friday, July 23, 2004 7:37 PM
I second that!
Reply #13 Friday, July 23, 2004 7:37 PM
| I want a dock that's got so many options, so many customizations, so easy to use that it'll make Mac/Linux users look like a pack of stray hounds outside a butcher shop. |
Essencay
Reply #14 Friday, July 23, 2004 9:03 PM
Reply #14 Friday, July 23, 2004 9:03 PM
Just made an ODP skin wicked easy....no need for having the ability to create them in SKS.
wicked easy....no need for having the ability to create them in SKS.
Csurfside
Reply #15 Friday, July 23, 2004 11:58 PM
Reply #15 Friday, July 23, 2004 11:58 PM
Oh My God! I just used the fly out menu for object dock plus on my pictures folder. It is 1:00AM in the morning and I got so excited that I ran into the bedroom and made my grl friend wake up and come look. Fly out menu's change the way you interact with the PC. If your not using them you need to learn how. It's a must have! Another sleepless night. 
[Message Edited]
[Message Edited]
knatzz
Reply #16 Saturday, July 24, 2004 2:09 AM
Reply #16 Saturday, July 24, 2004 2:09 AM
I told ya it was easy Essencay! If we could edit them in skinstudio though that would be cool. Setting font sizes, colors and margins is something I'd really like to see and SS is perfect for that. Even if we can't use skinstudio we really need to be able to edit the text.
If we could edit them in skinstudio though that would be cool. Setting font sizes, colors and margins is something I'd really like to see and SS is perfect for that. Even if we can't use skinstudio we really need to be able to edit the text.Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
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Reply #1 Thursday, July 22, 2004 6:31 PM
I am frusterated by this too, since I have to extract all the IconPackages I download to use the icons on the Dock.