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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

61,918 views 131 replies
Reply #76 Top
I agree with smoke-tetsu.
That ODNT could be custamisable by the end user in terms of what is in the subscription. Perhaps some kind of points system. So for your 35 a year you get x number of points with which to pick programs and fill your subscription.
This would work better for me, since I only use windowsblinds, skin studio and icon-packager, and to be honest I could live happily without icon packager. Then you could include the more development heavy apps like ODock, which I also use.
Reply #77 Top
The idea of points sounds pretty cool. You could buy more points, of course, but what about the next year? And the next?

But no, I couldn't live without IconPackager. I have a pathological icon fetish.
Reply #80 Top
I use True Launch Bar heavily and I also have dual monitors - but if the proggie lives up to the screenshots then I'm going to be hard pressed NOT to dump TLB in favour of it.

I shall have THE killer desktop in my company.
Reply #81 Top
I am a long time ODNT member, and I love it. The purpose behind ODNT is to package productivity and customization tools together with continual updates on all its apps. Application made by Stardock that do not fit the Productivity portion do not belong in ODNT. This is why CursorXP+ is not in ODNT and should not be. However, TabLaunchpad is in ODNT and rightly so it helps me dramaticaly with productivity. ObjectDock, in its Freeware existance was almost as much a productivity boost as Tablaunchpad. Now the two products have been merged, with some nifty new things and lives in a world by itself. A freeware app and a valued member of ODNT are merged and not placed in ODNT where it belongs. Does this mean TabLaunchpad is never going to get an upgrade? I pay for ODNT because it constantly updates my WB, IP, Skinstudio, and tablaunchpad. If tablaunchpad is now sucked up into OD+, I have a stagnant app I am paying for updates that will never come. I have no issues paying for OD+, because it's benifit well outways the cost. I am sitting here waiting for that purchase link to light up as I type. But the purpose behind OD+ requires it to be a part of the ODNT. Now if you have to fiddle with the price points or work out a new pricing scheme (Point system discussed above) have at it, but don't make it seem like OD+ does not fit into the ODNT's purpose because it does and you know it!!

PS: When is TreeView gonna get updated? I want my explorer to default there -n- stuff and it still doesn't.

* NOTE *
Can't seem to find 15$ for your OD+ copy, have you tried a Topless Car Wash? or Topless House Cleaning? or Topless Lawn Care? Then you haven't tried everything.

Reply #82 Top
Wow, some of you really don't understand business at all. About this choose your own subscriptions, yes its cool and everything...BUT... don't you realize you would have to be paying more in the end anyway. The point is ODNT is only $50 because Stardock knows that you won'e use EVERY last one of the programs. If they did they wouldn't offer it for this price, instead they'd make you buy each program separate. Add it up people, there is no way the ODNT right now is not the best deal you could ever imagine. You get access to the best portions of Stardock (about $200 worth) and then free updates. Can you say this for any other company out there.
Reply #83 Top
Hey and just for some comparison, people have been mentioning DragThing for MacOSX is similar to this. Well it is not similar in price, DragThing is $29. Still think $15 is too much for OD+, then look around and you'll see its the best price you can imagine.
Reply #84 Top
zonaxboxdotcom : Some people (like You) would call me crazy for my supportive feelings towards Stardock, yes. As for Wincustomize, Pixtudio and Skinplant, too... Must be an old community thing, You don't have any idea of, obviously. So go on whining about a piece of software nobody forces You to buy.
Reply #85 Top
Hey, Stardock!! Let's get that OD+ "Buy" link working! My credit card is sitting on my desk, vibrating with excitement, ready to give you MY $15.

Seriously, I've been an ODN subscriber for ~6 years now, and have no problem with having paid extra for CursorXP and, now, OD+. Just the fact that we don't have to pay extra for version upgrades (unlike most other apps we buy) is enough reason to support Stardock.
When you add in the discount for ODN subscribers, and the fact they still give us (and, so far, continue to further develop) nice little freebies like OD, BootSkin and LogonStudio, I think they give us really good value for our bucks.

Gotta go now, and see if that "Buy" link is working yet...
Reply #86 Top
Just let me say I've been a fan of Stardock for years. I started with the beta of windowblinds and I'm presently towards the end of my third ODNT subscription.

Of that subscription I use Windowblinds and Iconpackager 100% of the time. Every so often I use DesktopX and WindowsFX. And I'm ok with that. I use my subscription for what I paid for, WB and IP and the ability to have all the betas for those for a year. Users of the free versions don't get that opportunity.

Are there other apps/utilities in my subscription that I would like to use more? Yes, but my current system couldn't handle the graphics load. Oh well...in October when my subscription is up...SD will get another $35.

Guess what I'm trying to say here is that its all in how each individual thinks he/she gets their moneys worth. I feel that I do.

Will I buy OD+? Probably not because I don't currently use the free version. However, this may prompt me to try the free version. If I like it, feel that I would use it enough to upgrade to the plus version I will do just that.

With that I have a simple question. Maybe its been covered above but I got tired of reading all the *RANTS*. Does the pricing cover lifetime upgrades or is this just for "point" releases like ODNT?


Back to our regularly scheduled broadcast
Reply #87 Top
I think this argument is nearly as old as the PC vs. Mac argument. It's simple...if you don't like or won't use it, don't buy it. If the community is something you have no desire to support, don't buy it.

But, if you value the community, if you like the software, if you use the software, support the community and software with a $15 to $20 purchase.

Frankly, for me...it's a choice of support for something I value. No one is gouging anyone and there is a free version available. No one is getting stinking rich or taking advantage of the public. No one is asking you to pay for something and giving you nothing in return.

My God...this is sooo old. Do you think you are the first one to bring up this arguement. There are bigger issues to waste your time with...Go write a letter to your congressman about a real issue and stop ranting about $15 bucks.
Reply #88 Top
hmmmm.....the ObjectDock page on stardocks site shows a 7/13/04 date. Is that release date or is it today - Friday 7/9/04? I'm going bonkers checking the page every 5 minutes lol. I obviously want this bad
Reply #89 Top
I'm all for the ODNT+ subscription. I do agree that OD+ does fit into the ODNT framework. However, the more killer apps that are put in, the more its gonna cost! Some things need clearing up though. Such as just what would be included in an ODNT+ subscription. When/if you buy OD+ what does that cover?
Reply #90 Top
WIll Object Dock Plus have the ability to be user specific, so that different users on an XP machine can customize the dock to their liking? And I personally don't feel insulted that you're charging for it. When I purchased OD Suite it was because I thought it was worth the cost. Nothing has changed, Stardock has a new product and they have every right to charge for it. If they gave everything away for free then they wouldn't be in business for very long, and pretty soon there wouldn't be any Object Desktop, Stardock, or Wincustomize, and we'd all be back to whatever look Microsoft dealt to us. SO to all the whiners, take it somewhere else, you got what you paid for and probably more. Stardock is even picking up the tab to post your whining on their site!
Reply #91 Top
I've been subscribing to ODNT for something like 5 years now. The thing that bothers me a bit is that the Plus version incorporates a lot of the functiopns that were in Tab LAucnh Pad which is/was part of ODNT. I am worried that this trend might continue greatly reducing the value of ODNT. Please consider carefuly before orphaning a product that is part of ODNT and then moving the funstionality into a product that is separate and additional cost. Long term supports such as myself will only put up with a very limited amount of that before disgruntlement moves in.
Reply #93 Top
It's much of a moot point. Give the product a couple of months in the public eye and someone will make a freeware of it.

A couple years ago I inventoried all the shareware I'd paid for and how many I was still using:

WinZIP - countless better freeware apps
Windowblinds - patching dlls to use styles
DesktopX - for my purposes, Samurize beats it
Collectorz.com stuff - all supplanted by better freewares
disk catalog tool - several better freeware apps

I just don't purchase little utilities anymore I just wait for the alternatives.

Objectdock nearly killed off the competing dock-like freewares from sheer quality. Now that it will cost, expect the masses to rally again.
Reply #94 Top
For the nth time the themes service doesn't have as many features and uses more memory than WB. WB = 2mb Themes Service (uxtheme) = 25mb

For me it's not just a competition on which is free and which is not free, it's which has the most and best features. So I have a mix of freeware and commercial applications.

Repeat after me: A program isn't better simply because it's free.
Reply #95 Top
ObjectDock is still free, and updated recently too. For all the additional development on od+ it should cost something. However I think uping the price of the odnt subscription is the way to go.
Reply #97 Top
dartba, here ya go

https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=1&SkinID=4364
Reply #98 Top
seriously guys, i dont know why all these arguements have to be made..like some ppl say, you either like it or you dont, think of it like this, if you were on the other side, would you still feel the same way, theres noone forcing you to buy the software though, from what i seen objectdock plus looks great, and the thing is, i dont really use the regular one much anyway, but with some of these complaints, how many of the yal really use objectdock anyway
Reply #100 Top
I'm looking forward to buying this but I'm curious... the headline says it's available Friday but Stardock.com shows it won't be available until Tuesday. Which is right?