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DeskScapes 1.01 Released - Introducing Dynamic Dreams!

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DeskScapes 1.01 Released - Introducing Dynamic Dreams!

Say goodbye to looping video...

http://dream.wincustomize.com
from WinCustomize Forums

DeskScapes 1.01For the past month, Windows Vista Ultimate users have been enjoying the benefits of the Stardock DeskScapes, an extension Microsoft DreamScene (an extra given only to owners of Vista Ultimate Edition).  DeskScapes took basic DreamScenes one step further by allowing authors to retain credit for their work through the use of the .Dream format.  Anyone who made a video could attach their name to it, a brief description, and a link back to their website.  In addition to giving artists the ability to receive credit and recognition for their work, we also launched the community site Dream.WinCustomize.com, the premier site on the web for Dreams on Windows Vista.

However, providing a basic by-line and a link for artists wasn't all DeskScapes would do.  From the beginning we have been working to not only allow users to play videos on their desktop, but also be able to run  triggered content that could change based on time of day, local weather, or other set events, not to mention dynamically generated content, rendered on-the-fly on their system.  A looping video is cool, but what about a rotating planet Earth that accurately shows where it is currently day or night?  Or maybe a lake scene that changes from day to night based on your computer clock? 

Desktop Earth draws the day/night cycle of the planet in real time.

Today, we're ready to unleash DeskScapes 1.01 upon the world!  1.01 includes support for triggers and dynamic dreams.  Users of Object Desktop have been testing dynamic dreams for a week now, and the response has been great.  DeskScapes 1.01 is a free update and comes with an updated DreamMaker so you can start creating your own triggered animated wallpapers!

Head over to Dream.WinCustomize.com now to get the latest version and start experiencing what Stardock has made possible for Windows Vista!

If you're a current Object Desktop Subscriber, you can get the latest update via Stardock Central.  Subscribers also get the Desktop Earth dynamic dream for free!

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52,826 views 65 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks for taking the time to explain. At least you get some truth out you wanted to be heard. I've always wanted to get my eyes pop out, throw it all at me.   
Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top
\programdata\stardock\Deskscapes


Yeah, because that's a much better place then the following.

transfer them to user name\docs\stardock\dreams


Who comes up with these decisions anyway? I haven't checked to see if this is correct, but why would they put in under personal files? They should have programmed it in such a way that it keeps the dream files in the same freaking place that MS's side of things keeps their own animated wallpaper files. Wouldn't that make much more sense. WTF?
Star Control: Origins
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you saw what we had in development, your eyes would pop out.


Carmen Elektra "live" on your desktop? Hell yes !!   
Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top
jrsccivic98, i'm thinking the location change was because when most people back-up their data, they back up the entire "documents" folder. by having the dreams inside that folder, the user's dreams are backed up, also. to me, the current location of the dream files is completely logical.
Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Glad I know where old files are located. I thought they were all deleted. I did not know where Stardock kept them. That's a lot of space that would have been wasted (Over 500MB the least. Some files are over 80MB.) since I already downloaded them all again. It seems with the newer version, the size gets smaller now


UPDATE:


I went to Program Files > Stardock > Object Desktop > DeskScaped but they aren't there. I won't say they were deleted. I see people mentioned about "Pragamdata" There is no such folder.   



Whenever I download them, I always cut and paste them in the DeskScapes Animated wallpapers in Personalization window , so I never knew the direct folder where they are being kept.
Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I haven't checked to see if this is correct, but why would they put in under personal files?

There's a common push these days to locate user-specific data into the 'my doc' section of the directory...eg the default location for [what can be really huge] VMWare files is /my documents/my virtual machines/.

As Snidely said...it can be a simpler method for people to backup user-specific files...

Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Both programs look really cool, but what concerns me is the need to fork over a small fortune for Windows Vista Ultimate Edition to take advantage of them. What about the lowly users of Windows Vista Home and Home Premium? I really wish MS would open up the program to other Vista versions as well. Does anyone have stats on what are Vista sales by version?
Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Some help to those who's existing Dreams weren't automatically moved over for them! Try the following:

Open up the run dialog, enter in the following and press enter:
"%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Stardock\DeskScapes\Dreams"

This will take you to the old place Dreams were stored. (That above path is equivalent to your "C:\ProgramData\Stardock\DeskScapes\Dreams" where "C:\" is the drive Vista is installed onto)

Do the same with the following:
"%HOMEPATH%\Documents\Stardock\Dreams"

That will take you to the new place Dreams are stored. (Takes you to the Stardock\Dreams subfolder of your Documents folder)

Move everything from the old to the new, and you'll be all set. There was code in there to do this automatically, but I'm feeling perhaps security dealings got in the way for some users, not sure at this point. If the folder doesn't exist, then chances are your Dreams have already been moved over.

Also to note, we decided to keep dreams inside the Documents folder by default as we felt Dreams were personal files that belonged in the common place for personal files. Makes it easier for backup too. We were thinking a similar place to where Microsoft keeps theirs at first, but then upon thinking further, doesn't seem to make much sense to keep personal data off of a subdirectory of your windows folder. Seems bad practice! hah. Anyways, sorry that the change caused troubles for some... but I hope everyone's enjoying the new dynamic dreams
Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't know if i missed it or not
DeskScapes and DreamMaker new version
is this working with Vista 64bit now ???
had to unload first version has it been updated
Thanks for any info you can pass along -
Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Please! Where do I get the Desktop Earth ????
See reply #8 in this thread.
Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top
See reply #8 in this thread.


Thanks i know where to get it - I just wondered
if the update is ready for 64bit vista ??
can you help with that , please ?   
Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top
it has always run on vista 64, azdude. i've used it all along.
Reply #40 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks Zoomba...


DeskScapes requires tech that is only in Windows Vista.


But so is the alpha transparancy, and WB5 does that. Any chance at all of XP dreams?  


Reply #41 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Some help to those who's existing Dreams weren't automatically moved over for them! Try the following:

Open up the run dialog, enter in the following and press enter:
"%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Stardock\DeskScapes\Dreams"

This will take you to the old place Dreams were stored. (That above path is equivalent to your "C:\ProgramData\Stardock\DeskScapes\Dreams" where "C:\" is the drive Vista is installed onto)

Do the same with the following:
"%HOMEPATH%\Documents\Stardock\Dreams"

That will take you to the new place Dreams are stored. (Takes you to the Stardock\Dreams subfolder of your Documents folder)

Move everything from the old to the new, and you'll be all set. There was code in there to do this automatically, but I'm feeling perhaps security dealings got in the way for some users, not sure at this point. If the folder doesn't exist, then chances are your Dreams have already been moved over.

Also to note, we decided to keep dreams inside the Documents folder by default as we felt Dreams were personal files that belonged in the common place for personal files. Makes it easier for backup too. We were thinking a similar place to where Microsoft keeps theirs at first, but then upon thinking further, doesn't seem to make much sense to keep personal data off of a subdirectory of your windows folder. Seems bad practice! hah. Anyways, sorry that the change caused troubles for some... but I hope everyone's enjoying the new dynamic dreams


I like how that basically states that the install not only doesn't work properly, but also leaves old directory/files behind... (i.e. doesn't clean up after itself like a proper install/uninstall program should.)

Reply #42 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I used to LOVE XP, but after going Vista, I won't go back. I have left behind a mighty treasure of the most beautiful skins ever made. I hope one day when Skintudio for vista is out, I'll get to upgrade them all to Vista.

By the way, thanks to ChrisNYC on where to get the old .dream files.   
Reply #43 from WinCustomize Forums Top
JRSCCivic98: There was a bug in the code that was to move the files over, it would fail in some cases. We're working hard to resolve it.
Reply #44 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wait a minute, am I misunderstanding something here? I just read this entire thread and the impression I'm getting from the people posting here is that the earth .dream will ONLY be available to Object Desktop users... period.

I was under the impression that such was the case only for beta testing, and that the earth .dream would be released to the general public as a premium dream.

Could someone please clear this up for me?
Thanks
Reply #45 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Anyword on when the Earth dream will be available????


Replies 7 and 8 
Reply #46 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The Desktop earth dynamic dream will be released as a premium dream in the future for those who do not have ObjectDesktop.
Reply #48 from WinCustomize Forums Top
JRSCCivic98: There was a bug in the code that was to move the files over, it would fail in some cases. We're working hard to resolve it.


I'm glad to hear that. BTW, one last thing. I don't like how your program "extracts and cache's" the animated desktop files to the new "%HOMEPATH%\Documents\Stardock\*" location. I don't have a problem with it caching stuff as it needs it because it obviously needs some working room, but I do have a problem with it leaving the files behind... it's just redundent and takes up room for no reason. Why can't it just use the file from it's original location and not do this "extract/caching" thing. I don't think MS's side of things does this... I couldn't find a place to indicate otherwise.
Reply #49 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Are there plans to make Object Desktop subscribers get all the premium dreams for free? Or atleast some of them? That would be a nice benefit to OD owners.
Reply #50 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Are there plans to make Object Desktop subscribers get all the premium dreams for free? Or atleast some of them? That would be a nice benefit to OD owners.


Wouldn't count on it...kinda defeats the purpose of a "premium" dream. Subscribers do get a discount though.