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Object Desktop 2007 nears

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Object Desktop 2007 nears

A big year for skinning is about to begin...

from WinCustomize Forums

Stardock is starting to put the final touches onto Object Desktop 2007.  Object Desktop is the company's flag-ship product and it is content for Object Desktop that make up most of the top galleries here on WinCustomize.com.  Object Desktop 2007 is essentially a CD snapshot of where Object Desktop is today. 

Object Desktop is a suite of utilities that enhance the Windows experience. Popular programs of Object Desktop include WindowBlinds, DesktopX, IconPackager, WindowFX, and more.  The entire package is only $49.95 and it includes a full year of free updates (and users can continue to get additional updates after that year at a discounted rate).

Object Desktop 2007 is scheduled to come out later this month. The timing is specifically such that users of Windows XP will be able to take XP to its true zenith but also be amongst the first to be able to enhance Windows Vista when it arrives early next year.

A lot of Stardock's development has centered around preparing for the release of Object Desktop 2007.  New enhancements to Keyboard LaunchPad, DesktopX, WindowBlinds, IconPackager, Theme Manager, and more have all be either already done in recent weeks or are in the works for the launch.

One of the new pieces is the Object Desktop Manager which allows users to treat Object Desktop as a single, integrated product.  The manager organizes Object Desktop into its three primary functions: Personalizing Windows, Creating new things for Windows, and extending Windows.  Object Desktop allows users not only to transform how Windows looks, feels, and functions, it also provides the tools necessary for users to create their own enhancements.  In addition, Object Desktop includes utilities that seamlessly extend the functionality of Windows such as the Enhanced File Dialog, RightClick, Virtual Desktops, and much more.

You can learn more about Object Desktop at www.objectdesktop.com.  The next year will be amongst the most exciting times for PC enthusiasts and Object Desktop 2007 is poised to help users make the most of it.

27,216 views 62 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OK....this time..not everyone at once....

OK….Seems to me, that what is being said or not being said………If someone has a current subscription to OD, when OD 07 is released, then you will be able to update to OD 07. But in order to receive updates that will allow OD 07 to work with Vista, you will need to have a current subscription when those updates are made available. And that most likely would be sometime after Vista is release to the public. So, could someone from Stardock/Wincustomize tell us, in a language everyone here can understand, how it will work???
Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Some definitions:
ObjectDesktop Suite - A set of apps by Stardock for customizing your PC
ODNT or Object Desktop Subscription - a year worth of updates of the Stardock Suite and access to betas through Stardock Central
ObjectDesktop 2007 - A CD with all the released versions of the suite apps. Usually Stardock polishes a few apps , adds some good skins, maybe adds a little something.

If you are a subscriber, your good. You'll get all the apps as part of your subscription. You might want this as an easy archive mehtod.

If you are not a subscriber, this could be an inexpensive way to get all the apps you might want. You get access to all public updates until the next point release of the apps (i.e. if a app is IconPackager 1.0, you would get 1.1, 1.2, etc until 2.0).

If you move to Vista, you will need to get new versions of any apps that are not compatable. I would imagine that they would be new point releases.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So................... could someone from Stardock/Wincustomize tell us, in a language everyone here can understand, how it will work???
Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hey Jafo - I am not trying to sound too dumb (I'm not a skinner or developer, just subscribe for all the skins, icons, docks, and the like) but if I understand right, my WB, IP, and most of my stardock app's will still not work right (even with desktop 2007) on a vista beta 2, and not till the final release of vista in Jan 07?!?

nctarheel  ...it is only reasonable to assume that any/all proggies that currently work just fine with XP, etc will have some degree of issue with a new OS for which it/they were not designed.  Needless to say Stardock will be sure to have suitably amended proggies for Vista use.

Remember...the current 'releases' of Vista are still beta...and will change functionality with each release...so having a proggy working well on Beta 2, say and releasing it is pointless...as Beta 3 [if any] will/could likely break it again, anyway...

Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top
To echo a previous question that went totally unanswered:

"looking at some of the new features and reading about the ones that will be included with the final release…..I’m not sure that I will need to run OD with the new Windows. Can you tell us a little more about how the 07 OD will benefit those of us that upgrade to one of the Vistas’"

Exactly what will OD do for Vista? Also will OD 07 w/ all the new updated apps fix/have these features:

1. Console Skinning by WB
2. Bootskin that actually works (full color skins etc...)
3. Better intergeration through out? (i.e. SkinStudio allows you to desing skins for all OD products (WB, BootSkins, Winlogon, etc...)

If it does you got a customer... Heck, get me 1 and 2 and you got customer... Else I'll wait until you guys polish these programs up a bit....
Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The OD GUI in the screenshot would make a nice WB-Skin.
Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Because OD 07 is going to be released before Vista goes gold "later this month", you can expect that it will not be Vista compatable. I'd get an OD subscription if Vista is on your horizon.

To quote the original post, "Object Desktop 2007 is essentially a CD snapshot of where Object Desktop is today".

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ObjectDesktop 2007 - A CD with all the released versions of the suite apps. Usually Stardock polishes a few apps , adds some good skins, maybe adds a little something.

CD snapshots of Object Desktop are updated with each major version release to the programs on Object Desktop. They contain the Stardock Central and installs for each of the major released Object Desktop components. Beta versions of components are not included with the snapshot CD's.


So will they be major releases or betas? Becasue i dont want to buy a cd with all the old updates.
Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top
They will be released (non beta) versions, some of which will have recent updates.

If you have a subscription to OD, everything on the CD will be available to you through your subscription.
Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok thanks I do have a subscription to OD, but i want a cd with the recent updates. In case my computer screws up i woundnt have to wait all day for everything to update in SD Central(I have dial up )
Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In case my computer screws up i woundnt have to wait all day for everything to update in SD Central


SDC has a archive function. See Corky's tutorial here: http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?SID=5463&AID=83629

Burn the archives and a version of SDC to a CD and you are set!

Or, buy the cool CD and support Stardock a little more!
Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top

OK….Seems to me, that what is being said or not being said………If someone has a current subscription to OD, when OD 07 is released, then you will be able to update to OD 07. But in order to receive updates that will allow OD 07 to work with Vista, you will need to have a current subscription when those updates are made available. And that most likely would be sometime after Vista is release to the public. So, could someone from Stardock/Wincustomize tell us, in a language everyone here can understand, how it will work???

SIXX21 - You are correct, if someone has a current OD subscription when OD 2007 is released then you will get the OD 2007 updates.

If your OD subscription is up-to-date when the "Vista-ready" versions of the OD programs are released, then you will get those updates as well.

Object Desktop 2007 is basically a "snapshot" of the Object Desktop suite of products with the latest and greatest updates. One of the more significant changes you will see is a cool new launcher for all of the programs. If you have a current subscription you will not be required to purchase anything new to get the updates. If your subscription isn't current then you will not receive the updates.

Vista-ready versions will be out sometime after Microsoft says Vista is complete and ready to go. We can't put them out any sooner than that, because Microsoft keeps making changes that require us to make changes. They are currently saying that Vista will be ready to go at the beginning of 2007, but that could change.

You can most easily receive updates to any of your programs through Stardock Central. If you don't already use Stardock Central you really should try it! https://www.stardock.com/products/sdcentral/

If you upgrade to Vista or for any other reason need to get your account information with serial numbers and download links, you can get them by going to www.stardock.com/support and typing in your e-mail address (the one associated with your account). This will generate an e-mail with all of your account information and links. You can do this at any time to receive your account information.

I am a Stardock employee. Have I answered all of your questions? If not, please let me know and I will do my best to answer.

Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am a Stardock employee.


I'd add an exclamation point to that if I were you. Or maybe "Weeeee!"

Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Excellent point, Zubaz.

 I am a Stardock Employee!!!! Yeeeehaaaa!!!          

How's that for enthusiasm?

Reply #40 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I know about the archive thing, Thanks though, but id rather just double click one file and everything is done. And when i format my computer i like a clean install of everything. Now if you could backup the whole suite and restore it with one click that that would be cool.
Reply #43 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So how about Ms. Cordelia?

Exactly what will OD do for Vista? Also will OD 07 w/ all the new updated apps fix/have these features:

1. Console Skinning by WB
2. Bootskin that actually works (full color skins etc...)
3. Better intergeration through out? (i.e. SkinStudio allows you to desing skins for all OD products (WB, BootSkins, Winlogon, etc...)
4. SoundPackager makes an appearance...

If it does you got a customer... Heck, get me 1 and 2 and you got customer... Else I'll wait until you guys polish these programs up a bit....
Reply #45 from WinCustomize Forums Top
http://skinartistry.com/request.php?download.134
Dragon Style VS...

oops...went "back" too far. Check it out anyway.
Reply #46 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I guess Stardock has no interest in new costumers...


Fri, July 07, 2006 8:34 PM


Sat, July 08, 2006 9:57 PM


It's the weekend. Chill.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #47 from WinCustomize Forums Top
An Idea to save some postage.
Create an ISO image of the CD and make it available for download.
Reply #48 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I guess Stardock has no interest in new costumers... 

I know a few repertory companies who would be interested, especially if you can make period costumes...   

Reply #49 from WinCustomize Forums Top
An Idea to save some postage.
Create an ISO image of the CD and make it available for download.



What about us poor dial up users!!
That would take week.
Reply #50 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Exactly what will OD do for Vista? Also will OD 07 w/ all the new updated apps fix/have these features:

1. Console Skinning by WB
2. Bootskin that actually works (full color skins etc...)
3. Better intergeration through out? (i.e. SkinStudio allows you to desing skins for all OD products (WB, BootSkins, Winlogon, etc...)
4. SoundPackager makes an appearance...

If it does you got a customer... Heck, get me 1 and 2 and you got customer... Else I'll wait until you guys polish these programs up a bit....

1) console skinning in Vista is likely going to happen since they've changed it.

2) Making true color boot skins is not our idea of determing whether something "works" or not. BootSkin is freeware.  What it will or won't be able to do on Windows Vista depends heavily on what they end up doing with Windows Vista's logon screen.

3) LogonStudio - hence the name - has its own editor.  I believe SkinStudio already has something to maek it easier to make boot screens.

4) SoundPackager is in internal beta. The main issue is how to handle the requirement that it needs .NET.

We won't list all what we're doing with Windows Vista until it's much closer to release for obvious reasons.