Windows Vista: Will it be good or bad?
Friday, September 16, 2005 by Cyberworld | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Another interesting is whether Vista will be good for the skinning world?
Any opinions?
Reply #22 Saturday, September 17, 2005 12:14 PM
| If you're an end user, gadgets are gadgets. |
So i assume the site is only for end-users.
Thank you for the clarifications Frogboy.

Reply #23 Saturday, September 17, 2005 12:16 PM

Reply #24 Sunday, September 18, 2005 9:14 AM
| Buy the Expression Suite ($499) + Visual Studio 2005 ($1999) in order to make gadgets. |
You can get VS2005 Express for $49. It's meant for beginning and hobbyist programmers.

Reply #25 Sunday, September 18, 2005 10:44 AM
I think Vista will be incredibly good for skinning. The types of programs we can make for customization is severely limited under windows XP for performance.
But in Windows Vista, it's all a 3D surface with 3D acceleration. So we'll be able to create all kinds of things.
Reply #26 Sunday, September 18, 2005 10:45 AM
| You can get VS2005 Express for $49. It's meant for beginning and hobbyist programmers |
I mean't VS 2005 being $199 not $1999 btw. It's the Expression Suite that matters more though. It's not going to be practical to make MS gadgets without it (unless you get DesktopX Pro of course).
Reply #27 Sunday, September 18, 2005 11:00 AM
| I think Vista will be incredibly good for skinning. The types of programs we can make for customization is severely limited under windows XP for performance. But in Windows Vista, it's all a 3D surface with 3D acceleration. So we'll be able to create all kinds of things. |
I'm very excited about Vista and skinning, espesially form what I've heard from your PDC reports.
| I mean't VS 2005 being $199 not $1999 btw. |
heh! I found that one a bit odd. I was wondering if you where talking about a Super Ultimate Enterprice Edition or something. ;(
| It's the Expression Suite that matters more though. |
What's the Expression Suite?
I'm very excited about DesktopX 4. Will DX support then gadgets you can use on displays embedded on laptops and such?
And in Vista you can put gadgets in the sidebar, but can it also be added to the taskbar? Like for instance a toobarband that enables you to add gadgets to it.
(I know OB can add gadgets to it, but I don't really feel like replicating the entire taskbar just to add gadgets...)
Reply #28 Sunday, September 18, 2005 12:18 PM

Reply #29 Sunday, September 18, 2005 6:02 PM
| But in Windows Vista, it's all a 3D surface with 3D acceleration. So we'll be able to create all kinds of things. |
Yeap i agree totally with this. BTW is Avalon going to be implemented with the first Vista Beta edition,or it will come later alongside with WinFS?

Reply #30 Sunday, September 18, 2005 6:23 PM
| What's the Expression Suite? |
It's a new graphics suiite MS is preparing. It'll be consisted of three proggies:
1. Acrylic - A raster graphics program,with many capabilities,it was rumored that it'll be the future opponent of Photoshop,but i guess rumors are just rumors (Adobe is years of developing ahead). I think it will come with a new file format called Metro,something like Adobe's pdf file format,it'll support layers,but you won't need any excuisite program to open it.
2. Sparkle - A vector graphics designer,with ability to add media elements such as vectors, pixel images, 3-D content, video, high-quality text, and animation for rich, cinematic user interfaces. Content can be contextualized by applying custom styles and layout to assist end-user interaction and comprehension. It's the one in which gadgets can be created.
3. Quartz - An advanced web page creator with many features.
For more info:
- By Microsoft: Link
- Expression Suite Home: Link
- Article by Brad: Link

Reply #31 Sunday, September 18, 2005 6:26 PM
| Will DX support then gadgets you can use on displays embedded on laptops and such? And in Vista you can put gadgets in the sidebar, but can it also be added to the taskbar? Like for instance a toobarband that enables you to add gadgets to it. |
As Microsoft says:
Gadgets come in three flavors:
- Gadgets for Windows Sidebar will run on your desktop or dock into Windows Sidebar, an upcoming feature in Windows Vista alongside other applications. Desktop Gadgets can developed using Windows Presentation Foundation, DHTML/Atlas, and even ActiveX controls. The beauty of Desktop Gadgets is that they are visually and programmatically rich – scaling from vector-based graphics and managed code to standard techniques you’d use for the Web. You’ll be hearing more about Windows Sidebar over the coming months here as we approach release around Beta 2 of Windows Vista.
- Gadgets for Start.com (a.k.a. Web or Server-based Gadgets) provide a fast, customizable homepage with a clean user interface – putting the user in control of more of their online experience. Currently in incubation/public preview, Start.com is a place where consumers can customize the web to their liking by adding their own sources of content including RSS web-feeds and web-based Gadgets that extend functionality of their site- anything from custom calendars to service integration. Start.com demonstrates the use of DHTML and ASP.Net Atlas, which separates the data from the UI resulting in significant performance improvements. In addition, Start.com Gadgets can easily support docking into the Windows Sidebar.
- Gadgets for Windows SideShow(tm) (a.k.a. Auxilary Display Gadgets) allow users to view their information on devices. Users can view their data where they want it, whether it is for instant access on the lid of a laptop PC, for notifications on a keyboard display or for convenience on a detached device like a cell phone. Gadgets for Windows SideShow run on the PC and use COM interfaces to send data to devices. This Windows SideShow platform combined with the power of desktop applications allows for new scenarios and opportunities.
Infosource: Link

Reply #32 Tuesday, September 20, 2005 3:35 AM
| Actually i read that Vista took the place of Longhorn,whilst Longhorn still remains in the projects,but it has been moved to some years later,maybe in 2008 they'll release Windows Lognhorn. |
No, the next version of Windows will be called Sooner.

Reply #33 Tuesday, September 20, 2005 5:43 AM
| Actually i read that Vista took the place of Longhorn,whilst Longhorn still remains in the projects,but it has been moved to some years later,maybe in 2008 they'll release Windows Lognhorn. |
again from WIKI
CodeName: Longhorn
Final Name: Windows Vista
(period)
Reply #34 Tuesday, September 20, 2005 6:38 AM
| No, the next version of Windows will be called Sooner. |
| again from WIKI CodeName: Longhorn Final Name: Windows Vista |
| You are right Frogboy,only the magazine i read writes that Longhorn has been postponed.All others say that Vista IS Longhorn. My fault i guess...man is sooo difficult to find a decent PC Magazine in Greek. |
I believe i corrected myself already once.

Reply #35 Tuesday, September 20, 2005 7:35 AM
| As Microsoft says: Gadgets come in three flavors: - Gadgets for Windows Sidebar will run on your desktop or dock into Windows Sidebar, an upcoming feature in Windows Vista alongside other applications. ... |
I read that, but I was donering if DesktopX will support gadgets for Windows Sideshow. And if it would be possible to put gadgets in the Taskbar, not only the sidebar.
Reply #36 Tuesday, September 20, 2005 3:53 PM
| I was donering if DesktopX will support gadgets for Windows Sideshow. |
That is a site mod or Stardock employ to be answered.
| And if it would be possible to put gadgets in the Taskbar, not only the sidebar. |
Like what kind? Already Media Player integrates in the taskbar and you can have all sorts of toolbars inside it (Google,MSN,etc),you can modify the clock to display any font you like,can have shortcuts on it. Only ones i can think of are an RSS Feader,a stock or news ticker and maybe a weather gadget. But dunno if DX is planned to do that. OB does a pretty well job as you already know.

Reply #37 Tuesday, September 20, 2005 4:37 PM
Reply #38 Tuesday, September 20, 2005 5:21 PM

Reply #39 Wednesday, September 21, 2005 6:34 AM
| Windows Vista needs to offer major security I think. |

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Reply #21 Saturday, September 17, 2005 11:43 AM
What does Microsoft having a gadget site have to do with anything? Microsoft also has a site for downloading media player skins.
If you're an end user, gadgets are gadgets. For developers, Microsoft having a gadget site means nothing. DesktopGadgets.com will support gadgets in all their forms.