Frogboy Frogboy

ObjectDock Plus arrives on Friday!

ObjectDock Plus arrives on Friday!

ObjectDock is a freeware program that gives users the ability to easily manage their tasks and programs in a very slick way. It also supports plugins in the form of "docklets".

But...

Stardock has also been working on ObjectDock PLUS! The plus version features a ton of new features based off of our own use of ObjectDock and feedback from the thousands of ObjectDock users out there. Things that make ObjectDock Plus a very powerful yet simple program for turbo-charging your Windows desktop. 

Check out this preview to get an idea of what's coming.  ObjectDock Plus should be available in BETA form quite soon.  It will cost $19.95 for new users or $14.95 for current Object Desktop users.

 

ObjectDock Plus supports multiple docks on the desktop of different styles (tabbed and untabbed)

Tabbed docks can have the system tray in them. Hold down the left mouse button on a system tray item and you can change its image.

Taskbar items can be grouped together like the default Windows taskbar.

Docks can be moved to the edge and then docked where only the tabs show until the mouse goes over them. The size of tabs and docks are controlled from the easy to use configuration dialog.

Example of having multiple tabbed docks with just the tabs showing. 

Docks can be set up so that they're always on top (such as where the tabs show up on top of windows) or behave like normal windows that show up on top when you move your mouse to a specific position.

The tabs and dock backgrounds are skinnable. Use the ones in there or download more made by others. Change the color to any color you choose.

Organize your work as you like.

ObjectDock Plus supports Stardock fly-out menus (you have to see it in action to appreciate how cool this is). A great way to zip through graphic files drives, etc.

 

Manage your various docks through the ObjectDock Plus system tray item. Very straight forward to create and modify

61,915 views 131 replies
Reply #26 Top
Looks awesome Brad, I can't wait to replace my objectdock with this.

Just one request though... Please, Please, Please concider some how making the popup & context menus skinnable. I hate the old boring windows menus.

Reply #27 Top
Check out https://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/ it's been updated, but the purchase link is not active yet!
Reply #29 Top
Heh. I remember when Stardock bought CursorXP['s developer] and the excuse was "First, this is not software that was developed in-house Second, it's only eye-candy, ObjectDesktop is about helping productivity".

I guess Stardock got used to it, and now it's just "ODNT is a suite of _specific_ desktop enhancement utilities". Yeah, you might want to tell that to your webmaster, because objectdesktop.com says an ODNT subscription includes "all updates and new programs added to it you automatically get during that year". I know it doesn't say, and never said, "everything Stardock ever releases", but it's a far cry from "a suite of specific utilities".

Stardock had made up interesting excuses for CursorXP. They don't even bother now. No matter how good of a bargain ODNT is indeed, this feels greedy.



I wonder... If I bothered to look through Google and web-archive, maybe I could even find Frogboy stating that all productivity enhancement software Stardock would ever release (as opposed to games and eye-candy-only CursorXP) would be included in ODNT. Because that's really how I remember it.
Reply #30 Top

Last year Object Desktop added Keyboard LaunchPad and IconDeveloper both as totally new components.  If ObjectDock were to be part of Object Desktop we simply wouldn't have made it at all. We wouldn't have been able to afford it.

Reply #31 Top
So, to keep Stardock a profitable company and to justify charging for software, releasing desktop goodies outside of the ObjectDesktop realm is the modus operandi?
Reply #32 Top
I'm sorry but I have to agree with what all Frogboy has said.

And at least as far as I've been around I've always understood that Object Desktop covered a specific set of components. The website (on the Information tab) clearly states the components that are part of the subscription. About the "all updates and new programs added to it" quote, well, it answers its own question. New programs added to it would have included IconDeveloper, because it was specifically added to Object Desktop, but the point here is Object Dock is not. It has never been hinted that it would be or that there would even be a Plus version until recently.

Some of you really need to understand this thing from a developers side of it. This is not greed, this is trying to recoup cost. (BTW I am not affiliated with Stardock this is just my ideas from a struggling student)

Keep up the good work Stardock and don't let things like this discourage future products.

And come on people, you don't have to buy it if you don't want to. You will still get FREE access to the plain version, which is still a GREAT piece of software.
Reply #33 Top

Yes.  (i.e. we have never implied that Object Desktop = everything Stardock makes). If a program fits into our Object Desktop vision and it's economcially viable to be part of it it'll be part of Object Desktop, otherwise it'll be on its own.

Reply #34 Top
I really don't think a developer making a business of products should discontinue future products just because a couple of users. When I said I wis it could be added to Object Desktop it wasn't a demand or anything just like someone saying, "I wish for world peace". One can still dream right?

That being said I'll be here tomorrow to get this and I have been a subscriber to ODNT for a long time so I'm a supporter.
Reply #35 Top
lol.. this is all funny. Being an ex-developer myself, I know what kind of work goes into something like these products, especially to make them so compatible on so many different platforms. I hate paying for stuff as much as the next guy, but thats kind of how things work. Stardock makes a program, they choose to sell it, you choose the buy it. Pretty simple. I could also say its pretty greedy to say everything Stardock makes should be under ODNT. with so many killer apps in ODNT already, I've scratched my head at the price for years now. It IS the best deal in software.
Reply #36 Top
In my view OD+ adds significant features that warrant an added charge. I am amazed by some of the features added. I am eager to use the product as well. I used the freeware version but always found it limiting.
The price is in line for what I would expect, and certainly the increase in productivity is worth it as well.
Reply #37 Top
I think Attila has a point, and this News, Item is a perfect place for Him/Her to express H/H views. I have repurchased, Object Desktop, this is my second, Subscription. Sometimes, I feel like this is Gracenote all over again. Don't get me wrong, in the end it is Brads', Company and He is free to do what he wants, and will do so, and if you want the Plus Version, you can Pony up to the Bar, and puchase it, or Not. You can exercise your ideals by using your $$$ as your influence. I am sure, if that enough revenue is not garnered, by selling OD+ as a standalone, some other arrangement will have to be made, to make it a productive IP Item. It's a shame, that the Object Desktop, users' are made to feel like they are getting niggled, to death. Oh, Well!
That's the way the Cookie Crumbles.
Reply #38 Top
Perhaps there's an opportunity here.  For instance, we could come up with a PowerUser package where for $99.95 the user does get all of our non-game software?
Reply #39 Top

BTW, here's a blog I wrote on this issue that gives the developer side of this:


http://draginol.joeuser.com/index.asp?AID=20541


 

Reply #40 Top
Will this have a trial version, much like windowblinds & iconpackager do? I think it would help to promote the item for those of us who may be interested in objectdock plus, but who are unsure of it's preformance and features. I know for a fact that had windowblinds not had a trial version, I would still be using the uxtheme patcher to use msstyles instead.
Reply #41 Top
I have to adree with Attila. Couple more buttons, and it's fifteen more bucks. Greedy.
Reply #42 Top
Woot. I'll be standing first in line for this!

And about this "PowerUser Package," let's add it up

ODNT (50) + CursorXP (10) + ObjectDock Plus (15) + BootSkin Plus (20?) = 95ish

Well, it seems like a good deal to me! But would it include a WC subscrip?
And how about a premium package that includes all of the premium suites and icons?
Reply #43 Top
Forgot. I had so many problems with Object Dock, I took it off. Oh well.
Reply #44 Top
I agree, Object Dock has never been part of Object Desktop. But, now that there is a plus version, suddenly it should be part of it? I think the word "cheap" fits better than the word "greedy". You can always find someone to "poo" on a new great idea. All I can say is, "take me into the 22 century Stardock, I'm glad to be here for the ride". (Chas asks his boss for a raise tommorrow)
Reply #45 Top
I think an everything-you-can-download(-but-games) ODNT Plus could be quite the good idea. But if you want to market it at $99, you better have big projects in the works at Stardock.

In my opinion, what would make most sense commercially would be to have an ODNT Light around $30-40 (with only the essentials: WB, WFX, IP, whatever you find acceptable to release for that price) and the full ODNT between $75 and $100. But I don't know how feasible it would be to get existing ODNT customers to accept it.


Context: I was an ODNT subscriber for one year two years ago, didn't renew because I was really strapped for cash last year, have been considering subscribing again for a couple of months now, am sincerely put off by the idea I'd have to purchase OD+ separately if I did, and would likely be ready to pay around $70-80 for an ODNT+ subscription.
Reply #46 Top
all i gotta say is ..Object Desktop is Great, and its not like anyone is forcing anyone to buy the product, its either you want it or you dont, think of it dis way, if it was never offered, none of this woulda been going the way it is now..but ima stay out of this...i do have a question for frogboy though...i had purchased cursorxp plus and well you know how hotmail is..deleting mail like its anthrax infected.so due to that i had lost my product number or serial number for cursorxp plus...and everything i tried..i still couldnt get it back when i asked and sent some of my info to stardock support..can u help? thanks..i am actually looking foward to objectdock plus, but for now, i'll stay with the regular
Reply #47 Top
Well, good thing i'm gonna be able to ask for some cash 2moz. Sweet, i'm buying this shit! w00t. And as for the guys moaning it not being in ODNT. you are one cheap sod, we all have to get paid aswell? pffff cheap sods...
Reply #50 Top
Well like a finely tuned "entrepreneur" get them hooked on the free stuff, give them a little, then once their hooked, create a bigger and better version with a markup and no longer support the freeware-has an idea where this is going-Hail the Almighty Dollar!