Winstep releases Xtreme Public Beta 3

http://www.winstep.net
from WinCustomize Forums

Winstep Xtreme is a complete integrated Desktop Environment featuring the next generation of award winning Winstep user interface enhancements: NextSTART and WorkShelf. While most Windows customization software focuses on eye candy, Winstep applications raise the usability bar to another level: they give added functionality to Windows and complete control over every aspect of the user interface. All this without forcing you to edit complicated configuration files or switch shells - it's all point and click! All of the hundreds of freely available Xtreme themes are totally resolution independent and can be switched to at the click of a button - it's that easy!

  

NextSTART is a complete Start Menu, Taskbar and System Tray replacement, famous for its unmatched flexibility. The number of options you can configure is truly outstanding: configurable menus - via drag and drop or using the built-in Menu Editor - customizable menu behavior, an amazing number of ways to activate menus and run programs through hotspots, plus taskbar and systray management and more! 

WorkShelf is a desktop replacement and tabbed program launcher (like a dock, but better). It enables you to organize your most often used applications and documents into categorized shelves while taking as little screen space as possible: WorkShelf automatically collapses into a small strip of tabs when not in use. It also gives you access to system folders like My Computer, Control Panel, etc... Throw in it’s task management abilities and built-in modules such as a speaking Atomic Clock, Recycle Bin, SSL POP3/IMAP Email Checker, Weather Monitor, CPU, Net and RAM Meters, and a 'fortune cookie' reader (with more soon forthcoming) and you have an incredible utility you’ll soon find out you can’t be without. 


Per-pixel alpha support: this allows incredible eye candy effects and themes that will blow your mind! You don't have to wait for Windows Vista: the next generation in user interfaces is already here!

Task Snapshots: the NextSTART tasklist and WorkShelf's Tasks shelf display snapshots of the actual windows, which are automatically refreshed to keep the contents always up-to-date. Snapshots make it much easier to identify documents in a taskbar filled with identical icons. With NextSTART you can also manually re-order task buttons via drag & drop and easily specify the opacity of each application through handy task context menus.

Image and Video Thumbnails: context menus allow you to visualize image and video files. This is extremely useful to help you identify pictures when, for instance, using NextSTART menus to browse your hard drives.

Send To, Open With, context menu options: Context menus not only provide all the options you would expect to find on Explorer's context menus as they manage to add a few more!

PNG Icon support: you can now use PNG files to specify object images for anything that previously only allowed ICO files.

Special FX: lots of new special effects, such as icons zooming on selection, shifting to make room for items about to be dropped onto WorkShelf, an incredible water ripple effect that makes the shelf behave like a liquid surface whenever you click on it, new sound events, a mind warping menu 'ripple' animation, and more!

Proxy Support: transparent proxy support for all functions that depend on the Internet to work. No need to configure anything since Proxy settings are automatically retrieved from Internet Explorer itself, although, if necessary, you can also specify them independently.

WorkShelf Hotkeys:  You can now open, activate shelves and run programs using nothing but the keyboard! All key combinations are system wide, WorkShelf does not need to have the focus for the hotkeys to work.

Desktop Module Animation Support: This means that the email module can display a rotating envelope whenever you have new mail, that the Recycler can light up like a furnace when you move items over it, and that Wanda the fish can be given a new face.

There are literally HUNDREDS of other new features, changes and fixes, far too many to list here. Become part of the Xtreme experience now and enjoy them for yourself! 

Winstep Xtreme works under Win9x/ME/NT4/2000/XP/XP64 and Windows Vista and is fully compatible with all Stardock applications.

Download: Winstep Xtreme (includes NextSTART v4.0, WorkShelf v2.0 and FontBrowser v 1.0)

More Information: Winstep Web Site
20,044 views 28 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I purchased Xtreme a few days ago and updated to beta 3 yesterday....a very nice package indeed, and worth every penny. I'm still learning what does what and how to tweak things, but it compliments my Stardock apps to a tee and I'm thoroughly enjoying its use...a top shell enhancement program with many, many great features.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
THX Sir starkers!!! I was praying someone with "tech" knowlege would comment as I don't have interest in anything that doesn't augment the Stardock apps & I really hate messing with the shell of your system like Aston.
SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Don't be afraid to download and install Winstep Xtreme because it is still in beta: Winstep betas are well known to be more stable than many 'official' versions of other software vendors. They also go through a lenghty period of private beta testing before being released to the general public.

Also, because it is a shell enhancement and not a shell replacement, getting back to 'normal' Windows is a simple matter of quitting the applications, so you won't get in trouble there. You also have a large community of Winstep users in the Winstep Forums at http://forums.winstep.net which are always willing to help with any questions and/or issues - plus you can always contact Winstep support directly at [email protected].
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Great input JcRabbit I was quite unsure of winstep as I have been a aston user in the past. Aston as previously mensioned is a shell replacement which could turn out trouble-some to some users and overall unfriendly if you do not have time to tweak/learn shell. I will be checking out Winstep later this evening
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Let us know what your conclusions are, if you have the time. Feedback is always appreciated.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I designed My Jaluran for winstep on my trial beta 2 version. Its all good for me. I wonder if I download and install the beta 3 version the trial period will reset? so I can have another month to design another skin?
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kinda fun running Nextstart at the same time as Litestep.....bit like two shells.....and so far no issues with that....
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ah-ah! Which just proves Winstep Xtreme works (or should) with any shell... Please let me know if you run into any problems, Jafo.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Found one....Winstep grabs its quicklaunch from  docsettings-user-appdat-ms-ie-quicklaunch ...and you get a 'permissions' error if you try to run one.... My guess is that's closely linked to exploder.exe...

/me shall see if there's a way around that...

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Still the best! I've tried them all and no one even comes close. I've been using Winstep since 2001 and as far as functionality and stability (not to mention just plain pretty) my desktop wouldn't be complete without it.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Gregory, your check is in the mail.

Jafo: "you get a 'permissions' error if you try to run one"

Weird. Are you running as Admin? Also, NextSTART Quick Launch items are actually hotspot buttons - try right clicking on one of the problematic items and selecting Properties. Do you see anything 'funny' in the Filename path or the other settings? Can you run the same item if you use NextSTART menus to navigate to docsettings\user\appdat\ms\ie\quicklaunch ?
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jorge...it may be a reboot issue....I'd only just finally got around to installing...and as yet hadn't rebooted....we shall see...
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So I can use this alongside objectdesktop? Or do I have to quit certain programs like windowblinds etc?
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i am a happy man today..i believe Mr JcRabbit have make my day today...thanks so very much...yeh..now.i can get to work again
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Mr.Kin, Winstep Xtreme is fully compatible with ALL Stardock applications.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have been using WinStep for a long time and their builds just get better and better. Extremely stable, flexibility second to none, great technical support and really fun to use. Congratulations WinStep!! The best just keeps getting better.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you JcRabbit. Ive given it a whirl and it is very nice- seems extremely powerful and customizable- almost daunting!

It does seem a bit slow to react though sometimes- whereas objectdesktop is ultra-fast. I think thats theme specific though as it doesnt seem to affect all of them. I'd say nextstart is the weakest area- workshelf is what Objectdock should be. It is so much better than OD and the widget integration is very well designed.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

New error...something about proggy or coding corrupted...and it closed.

[I didn't pay enough attention to it...thinking it was something else]...

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looks like quicklaunch is fine.....even without a reboot...just shut down the proggy and restarted...
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Does this change window borders? Are there different themes for this?


No, it does not change window borders, but runs perfectly alongside WindowBlinds and all Stardock products without issue....and yes, there are hundreds of themes available, many of which are the same as/or complimentary to WindowBlinds/other themes here on WC.

Workshellf is a trial. Is nextstart a trial also?


Yes, but both are included in the Xtreme beta 3 package, which is highly functional (not just pretty) and is more than worth the purchase price, which as I recall, is about $35.00.

Also, because it is a shell enhancement and not a shell replacement, getting back to 'normal' Windows is a simple matter of quitting the applications, so you won't get in trouble there.


That's what convinced me to purchase Xtreme, the ease of use and returning to normal Windows start menu/taskbar, if desired/needed.....but what I like also, is being able to bring up the normal start menu with the Windows key while NextStart is loaded. It's not necessary with everything available from both WorkShelf and NextStart, but my start menu is personalised to suit my needs, skinned with WB....and I like to see it every now and then.

I did notice a slight performance drain to begin with, but once I had tweaked my settings/preferences, the startup speed returned to normal and general usage seems to be a little faster....so all in all, next to ObjectDesktop, Winstep Xtreme is the best customization software purchase I've made.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It does seem a bit slow to react though sometimes - whereas objectdesktop is ultra-fast

That's because WorkShelf is able to show the contents of physical and virtual folders (My Computer, Control Panel, Desktop, etc....). As I'm sure you've noticed when you open a folder in Explorer and see it slowly getting populated with each application and document icons, fetching icons from folders is a very 'expensive' operation. Anyway, WorkShelf caches the icons in memory after getting them, therefore it only reacts 'slowly' when you click on a large shelf for the first time.

I'd say nextstart is the weakest area

Hehe. You say that because you only just started using it. Just wait until you find out about hotspots, horizontal menus, tasklist and startbar flexibility and a ton of other features.

New error...something about proggy or coding corrupted...and it closed.

Hmmm... Jafo, maybe I should install LiteStep on my other PC and check this out for myself.

Does this change window borders?


No, that's WindowBlinds department.

Are there different themes for this?


Tons, right here at Wincustomize: https://www.wincustomize.com/Skins.aspx?LibID=7

Workshellf is a trial. Is nextstart a trial also?


WorkShelf and NextSTART are part of the Winstep Xtreme suite, just like Excel and Word are part of Office, and cannot be sold separately.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The program looks fantastic but I need to clarify a point so please excuse my ignorance. I'll number the points for convenience.
As of now I'm running a WindowBlind with all the appearance changes that result. Lets call that theme "WBTheme".

1.If I install and run WinStep do its elements get skinned with that WBTheme if I don't load a NextStart Theme?

2. Say I the like the look of the "Coyote" NextStart theme and want to use it. Obviously I can tell NextStart to load and apply it. If I did that, should WindowsBlinds be set to Windows classic and unloaded first so that it doesn't load on the next system reboot or does the WBTheme run concurrently?

If these questions are naiave I apologise and I do understand the note about Winstep being compatible with Stardock apps but I'm interested in the "how".