Some people have made e-mail notification objects, but right now they only tell you whether or not you e-mail. Is it possible to make an object that scrolls the subject lines of e-mails too?

^^Good Idea^^^

Maybe even a dropdown list with the subject lines...

I would like to see an object that shows contacts from Miranda IM floating on the desktop with their status as it's icon to the left of the name label. I would like to have it horizontally along the top of my desktop but it should be able to go vertically too. http://forums.miranda-im.org/viewtopic.php?t=18847&highlight= Someone at miranda IM just released a program with samurize in mind called mirandaRPC.dll and it makes things that would make that possible available.

I would like a to do list thing that shows each item in it's own bar graphic with it being resizable to fit the biggest entry.

Is there a sticky notes object? If not there should be.

It would also be nice to see objects that can interact with cygwin or other command line things.

DesktopX needs a plugin to interact with Foobar2k. I would like to see something using that which shows a jewel case on the desktop with a drop shadow which shows the cd cover downloaded from amazon.com and a generic cd if none found. Then show and empty case if player is open an nothing is palying and hide when player is not open.

If these do not already exist:

1 - Virtual desktops - skinnnable and showing snapshots of each desktop, much like linux pager.

2 - User configured Start Menu. Like the Litestep or NextStart popup menu, skinnable and activated anywhere on desktop via configured action.

3 - I imagine this is already in place, but I see many themes that aren't resolution independent. The ability to stretch objects based on screen resolution (ie a filler graphic, or even a task list, etc.)

Hi
I am not currently a developer with the DesktopX package, and I am certainly no artist, but have been considering what to do with DesktopX for a couple of years now. I am a professional developer working in several environments from .NET Java and web work. The problem that I face is dealing with the clumsy UI of the tools and the sheer size of them. I want a system that will present me project architecture and file editing/project building tools in an intuitive manner.

To achieve this, the Toolbar Virtual Window tool, the Object bar and Desktop X must be tightly integrated and this integration must be open to third-party developers. If I click on a zoomer that has appeared from an Object Dock object, operating in the context of a DesktopX object, I would also want the 'screen' to change to another panel oriented to editing source files - for example. This integration and control is not yet possible, objects are not aware of the change in state of these other objects and have no behaviour in response or control defined.

I think there needs to be a big push in trying to bring together these applications in a robust and formal manner, so that they are reliable, quick to load, have the ability to share data and communications, have some synchronicty in their interactions and system responses and do this without having to create a shed-load of hWnds.

There is an absolute need for some reusable components, I would like to see object dock objects contain other object docks, zoomers/objects that are placeholders for any other zoomer/object. Common Calendar, Clock, Weather interfaces so people only need to produce a skin and not develop the whole thing over and over and over.... There are some good generic objects out there, but they all reinvent the application they are modelling. There are no objects that know how to integrate into the Address Book, or the MAPI system, or TAPI, or Exchange, hooks into BizTalk etc etc etc. These common communication tools, when developed for skinners, will open up the market share no end and enable individuals to create the environment they need.

There are lots of others to think of, competant system tray objects, objects to contain the system quicklaunch, not reinvent it, hooks into Media Centre and Windows Media (does this exist already?).

There is a long way to go before the suite of applications can be used sensibly, in a professional environment and manner. Until then, I fear it will only be a toy, and I have so many ideas of how to apply this great technology to add massive value to mundane application areas, such as Operations and support and so on.

It will be interesting to see how these tools develop, they deserve to be far more widely developed for. Lets hope.

I will soon be kicking off some development in DesktopX and ObjectBar/Dock objects, to see what is *actually* possible.

Cheers

What about an object that connects to Instant messengers? Like a buddylist that stays on the desktop, with alerts, and can send messages.

Here are some ideas that I would do myself If I knew how to script:
a Wincustomize top downloads list
updated skins list
newest editions list
a wc file watcher that can watch skins that are "waiting approval" and updates by itself
we need more animated wallpapers
Weather objects that show doplar radar
A text\notepad like object that can save .txt files
a way to do virtual desktopX desktops
here is my fav one: a way to open games such as halo in a small window on the desktop (or just the entire desktop )
a script that indicates night and day better then the weather scripts so its easier to make those "desktops that reflect the users outside enviroment (weather) via lots of wallpapers for different conditions"
A way to open programs in desktop X
a desktop x theme that automactilly detects the currnt windows blinds skin and utilizes the WB skin's graphics to make a theme
this one is also a must have : A SCRIPT THAT ALLOWS MOVIES TO BE YOUR BACKROUND (cool)
A theme that is completely independant from the windows ui and lets everything run on the desktop
a rain object (kinda like the snow one only rain)
a cpu moniter that goes up and down like a heart rate moniter

I've only made a few themes. I would like to be more creative, But I find that a lot of the information I would like to have isn't readily available. I took the advice that was given and tore apart other creators work, But some information can't be found that way. I have read the articals on how to make faders and dials and such, And they were informative, But along with the how to, It would be nice if you were to give us some suggestions as to how they could be used. Not all of us are techies, Some of us need more help than others. I know that you can't answer every guestion, And I wouldn't expect it. What would work though is a list of creators that would answer questions, and help us with scripts or other ideas that we need help with. Martins dock was a great idea, I like the way you can compact a lot of information in a small space. I have ideas that I have wanted to use in my themes but I just can't find a way to do it. All said a done what we need is a page with a list of ideas and people willing to help out. Its a great program, But can be fustrating at times.

the cpu moniter would be able to go below its line too which would make it different from a histogram

yeah ive been looking round for about a day and have taken a good look at all the DX objects, maybe a nice interactive trash bin would be cool. Like if you started with a pot and every time you stuck trash in it it would grow( it could be a bonsai tree ). That would be awsome

Here are a couple of things that I would like to see in DesktopX:

1) An easy way to re-size themes for use on different resolutions. Gef's theme's for example are beautiful, but useless to me, since I don't run at the same resolution that he does.

2) A more configurable right-click menu (as others have stated, like the one in LiteStep).

DesktopX and Objectbar are two of the main reasons (along with WB) that I bought OD, but are rarely used, since for me at least they seem to be more form than function.

The one object I've always wanted to have...a small bar the stretches across the top of the screen that acts as VERY configurable program launcher. Have buttons that trigger animated drop-down trays, with the links to all the shortcuts. Another feature is along the same lines, a customized menu from right-clicking the desktop, they way Litestep and Nextstart work.

I've been using DX quite regularly since the beta's of DX2, the one setback I've noticed is the lack of "coolness" about the objects. I don't really know how to describe it, but when you compare it to some of the Samurize objects...or even Konfabulator, they all seem to have that look about them. Like this for example... http://www.durhamstudents.co.uk/samurize/userfiles/11563/screen-1.jpg There are some really good artists creating DX objects, but there are also a lot of famous names missing. Most of the uploads are ports of other coders objects with new graphics, maybe if it were easier for a skinner to just skin something, rather than worry about writing code. If you could setup a way for people to submit working coded objects for people to skin them, one person can submit an object, and another takes it, and re-submits it skinned. A lot of this has already been said, but if DX made it easier for coders to code...and for skinners to skin...we would see the creativity go up. Just my personal opinion...

Most of the Samurize configs I have seen that are cool are ones ported from Konfabulator.

Which reminds me...I just wanted to add to my post, that it could work both ways. Skinners can submit skinned objects...which coders then download and put them to use. Perfect example would be https://www.wincustomize.com/msgboard.asp?BID=WCH&id=277163

I'm thinking along exactly the same lines as Hus...

I originally got DesktopX because I was sick and tired of all of those icons cluttering up my desktop, and DesktopX saved my sanity with those fadein or dropdown menus! Now, that's all I use on my desktop, and it's been a real lifesaver! BUT...

I had to go out and buy a large monitor, 'cause most of the themes are in 1280x1024, and I haven't mastered building themes. So I wind up installing ready made themes, and deleting all of the objects except for the menus, and using those with a WB skin that matches, and almost always a different wallpaper. Having the menus available starting at 600x800 would be great for a lot of users, I'm sure... as well as being something I could use on our second PC... Funny thing is, I've actually looked through the DesktopX objects archives for just exactly this, and there's nothing I ever found. I always wind up disassembling someone's theme... but the results are wonderful, and that's why I plan to continue to be a DesktopX user forever!!!

Hope This Helps, BK.

http://joedoug.com/dxforums/index.php

THAT IS THE LINK TO THE FORUMS
The Desktop X Project, as I am calling it now has forums. No website though, I am looking for a designer and for moderators and other thigns. Look at the post in the news if you wnat to become a moderator. Please register. If anyone wnats to design a PHPBB skin for the forums please contact me and I will give you details on what skin requirements are. Hope you guys enjoy, again the link
http://joedoug.com/dxforums/index.php

A lot of the problem seems to be that we're used to working with things in specific ways, so, for instance, if we want to access a word document, we either go to our document folder or open up word and open it from the most recent documents or navigate to wherever the document is directly. There's really only so much functionality a desktop needs unless you're replacing the windows UI interface paradigm.

Some ideas, though:

A full-featured script that easily takes a music play list (.mp3, .wma, whatever) and consolidates them into virtual albums which are readily available from the desktop. If I want to work, for instance, I highlight the object, rest the mouse on the shuffle-through-lists button, and stop on my "Work Music" icon, which automatically launches and plays the playlist. Being able to nest playlists ("All Day Work") would also be useful.

Similarly, an object which acted as a virtual document file cabinet would be useful as well. Something where I could hit a couple of toggles and open up the file cabinet for "Project 1" and be faced with either: All the files for project 1, all the .doc files for project 1, all the .xls files for project 1, etc. The ability to make new directories from this object, to copy/paste, etc would also be crucial. How does this differ from shortcuts and the native filesystem? Simple: It allows me to easily shortcircuit through as many directory paths as necessary. I don't want to have to build a web of shortcut links to have easy, multi-heirarchical access to my files. I like a clean heirarchy (I manage a lot of data), but I hate drilling down through 7 layers of directories to get places. Especially for reasonably infrequently used things. It's a great method of archival storage, but pretty lousy for access, and I switch between one mode and the other reasonably often.

I have to agree with "Shakey (the Original)", Fully Agree! "An easy way to re-size themes for use on different resolutions." I woiuld Just like to be able to use some of the great themes already available.

or maybe a kind of Skin Studio for DX.

I would have made some more complicated objects and updated themes but I am tired of DX crashing on me with every other build and losing all my work I have done before. See ? So I converted to user only.

Oh and thanks for ponting out that calendar and weather flood I have complaining about for months now... There are nice neutral onjects out there to use with every given configuration, no need to have a cut-and-paste background for every new skin one's using... But as long as wb-skinners give permission for that, the 'problem' will exist.

My only wish for DX is that You, Martin keep up the great work and Mormegil would proceed with his great AlienBone concept along with doing new zoomers again.

How about a CallerID object? One that will display the Name and Number of a call coming in? Not sure if that could be done via scripting or not.

I'm with you all the way Martin, this is a wonderful idea! I also like a lot of the ideas placed already, but one thing I haven't seen yet sub-tutorials on each of the sub-sections of the DX Objects. Not a generalisation, nor a "all encompassing" tutorial, but an example of each type alongside a working object with properly commented code.

Also, I'd be willing to help with coding objects, but need to know the abilities of each. A simple cross-referenced list of DX object properties, attributes, and/or default values would be wonderful too!

Let me know if I can help make anything or organise anything!

It would be nice to have a screensaver run in a DX object. That way you could always have your photo slideshow, not only when you are away from the pc.

Just an idea.

bottom line, DX in its current form is totally useless to me. i am running at 800*600, and i currently have 25 windows open.

a program on my desktop that i can only interact with via my mouse...

if i didnt know better i would say you are joking arent you?

give me a plugin that allows me to bind a keyboard hotkey, that will bring a given DX object, or set of DX objects to the top of all my windows (setting them to always on top) and then hiding them again when i press the same key a second time.

unless i have some way of finding the DX utils, then they are useless to me *shrug*. unable to use the keyboard to interact with DX, this is a major issue for me, since i am keyboard centric.

it is clear that i am not the only person with this experience.

Only lately have i really got into trying to make a desktop object side menu bar that everything including the wather, calender etc will collapse too..almost finished and will post the theme soon.

DesktopX is really a good tool...once you get into it and take the time to get over the initial bewilderment. I found that the manual was a bit hard to get into (im a visial learner) and the idea of 'scripting' initially humbled me.

But after perseverance...it really is something that can be used really cooly. It can do everything Sysmetrix can and more...and I'm at a loss as to why there are such great Sysmetrix skins and hardly anything comparable in Desktop X.

I'd like to see a better manual for beginners, because alot of the stuff as to 'how' to get the effect u want wasnt in the one i got so i had to redo the manual with pics for it to make sense to me...and fumble around to find the setting and ways to put it all together.

Old habbits die hard I guess and those who use Sysmetrix are used to that progy, but Desktop X gets a really good rave from me (apart from the sometime crashes).

Id like to see more people take the challenge to do a Sysmetrix type desktopX object...I will post mine in the next week and hopefully generate some inspiration....glad this topic is here..just talking about this is going to hopefully create interest.