Blog: ObjectDock, pizza, and DesktopX 2.2

from WinCustomize Forums

I've been having a ball with ObjectDock Plus. I've got 4 different docks going on my desktop but you can barely tell because I have itty bitty tabs  on 3 of them.  The 4th dock I don't have docked to an edge but instead I have it activate when I put my mouse to the very bottom. The biggest glitch I've run into with it is that I can't drag and drop links to a dock (well I can but they don't work).  What I want to do is have my "favorite" websites as a series of tiny tabs over on the left edge of my screen.  I mostly use Keyboard LaunchPad for getting around my sites (Ctrl-Alt-1 for WinCustomize, 2 for Joeuser.com, 3 for Stardock, 4 for Neowin, and so forth).  But what I want to use the docks for is more "temporary" favorite websites. Ones that I want to check out later when I have more time but know I'll forget but don't want to have permanently in my "favorites" list.

BTW, if you've got a particularly clever ObjectDock Plus setup, take a screenshot and upload it and I'll try to feature some of them in my next WC blog. 

One thing that ObjectDock Plus's availability has brought forward is an issue that affects most shareware developers and that is pricing.  Go to a shareware conference or just hang out with other shareware authors and the topic is sure to come up: Why does the same guy who happily pays $8 to watch "White Chicks" and spend $4 on pop corn or $18 on two pizzas turn around and bitch about paying $15 to $20 for a software product that took an immense amount of effort to create that they'll be able to make use of for years?

What bugged me the most was the idea that because we have had ObjectDock (freeware) available that we somehow have no right to make a plus version.  That somehow we're the greedy ones for wanting to be compensated for years of effort.  Rather than being thankful that we make a free program like ObjectDock used by hundreds of thousands of people, one that we continue to update for free, we get guff for putting out a Plus version.

There were also the people who felt ObjectDock should be part of Object Desktop. I could at least, philosophically, understand where they were coming from. I'm not sure at what point Object Desktop came to equal "All of Stardock's stuff in a single package for $50".  But my view is, anyone who's paid us $50 for Object Desktop is a customer and we're going to listen to their view point a lot more seriously than the kid who's never contributed anything back but feels entitled to call us greedy for making ObjectDock Plus. 

The reason ObjectDock Plus isn't part of Object Desktop is very straight forward: Economics.   Object Desktop has something like a dozen and a half programs in it. For $50. And most of these programs are really quite powerful.. I could go on for hours about how DesktopX should be a $100 product on its own given the things it can do for corporations but we target power users and consumers instead so we have to price it appropriately.  The bottom line is that Object Desktop is a really really good deal.  And it's such a good deal that it's very tough to sustain it even as is at the price it is. 

Personally, and correct me if I'm mistaken, I think half the coolness of Object Desktop is that many of the components get very frequent updates.  If you bought Object Desktop in say 1999, the main components in it have continually been updated in it year after year after year with more components being added over time.  I don't want to name specific products but I suggest checking out other desktop enhancement programs that have come out during that time and note how often they've been updated (or heck, when the last time they were updated).  Meanwhile, we've been cranking on DesktopX, WindowBlinds, WindowFX, IconPackager, and other pieces on a regular basis year after year after year. Heck, wait till you see ObjectBar 2.  And we're working on some other cool new things too. Point being, this coolness is only possible as long as Object Desktop is economically viable. It's not like we're driving around in Porsches or something. Things that don't remain viable end up fading away.

I think at the end of the day the question is simply are people glad we made ObjectDock Plus? Based on the reaction we're seeing, we think yes. If it hadn't been released the way it is, it would never have been made.

Speaking of new stuff, later this Fall we hope to finally come out with the beta of ThinkDesk. This is an entirely new suite of products. Where Object Desktop is about extending your desktop, ThinkDesk is about managing your information.  Pricing will be the same as Object Desktop (though unlike Object Desktop the price will probably go up once it leaves beta). It'll be XP only and we'll be focusing a lot of energy on .NET features.

Meanwhile in Italy, UK, and US where the distributed DesktopX team works, version 2.2 is nearly done.  I think a new beta of it showed up on Object Desktop tonight along with IconX which is now separate (but if you have both installed, the IconX tab will show up in DesktopX). We learned from that WinCustomize poll that lots of people had no idea what IconX was. That needs to change as it's (in my biased opinion) one of the coolest programs on Windows.

So that's all for now. Gotta re-setup my crashed laptop. It's running plain Luna right now! Eeew!

34,152 views 73 replies
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I agree with most of the OD+ stuff although I never bought it or anything. Im not complainnig about anything at all. My dad might get me Object Desktop
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
nocool check Stardock central, it should be there as a separate app (if you have the "show pre-release versions" button checked.

And Frogboy, I for one LOVE OD+ and am having a blast with it. I really can't wait for these new apps, any idea when ObjectBar 2 will be out?

Anyway, keep up the awesome work.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I agree with everything you say pretty much, but I do feel Stardock neglects a key component of OD, namely ObjectBar. It should get the same time and attention to detail as WB and DX.

Cheers!
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think the OD+ price tag is a good idea. Somewhere along the line, somebody has to get paid for their services. I know I don't want to work for free. And kudos for keeping the regular version free so that the folks who don't necessarily need or want the extra features can still enjoy a neat little program. That seems to be a growing trend. Have a free version and then a "plus" version for users who need or want the extra features. And usually, the plus version is reasonably priced. Well, that's my two measily cents. Take it easy.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well put Frogboy!

Object Desktop has some amazing and fun applications all of which I have tried and am running with the exception of WindowsFX (which is only due to my onboard graphics not being up to the task).

Will soon build a PC from the ground up with a strong focus on being capable of running the complete suite of Stardock programs including the fabulous ObjectDock Plus - while running some graphic editing programs and being online at the same time.

From all I have seen and experienced with Stardock's programs, this should easily be within reach.

Thanks a million for the great opportunity to enhance and extend my desktop experience. Looking forward to the updates and coming attractions with great anticipation.

A dedicated customer.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have downloaded IX seperatley, but cannot seem to find a way to launch it. Maybe I'm just being dumb
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
*thwaps frogboy* Quit taking criticism so personally. The critics of your pricing scheme will moan for a coupla days, then they'll go away. Shrug and go on.

That said, OB+ looks pretty cool I'll have to try it.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
IconX - turn off DesktopX, click on IconX, set it up, turn on DX.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, I have to admit, as a recent purchaser of Object Desktop I think that $50 is really a steal for all you get. I can see and understand the folks who want OD+ to be part of Object Desktop, but it just isn't reasonable to expect there to be yet another program in there. I haven't purchased OD+ yet because I still don't really us the vanilla version, but am seriously considering it. The customer support from Stardock alone makes it worth the purchase.

It is no different than those who whine about the limit on their downloads from WC. You just cannot get away from folks who think everything should be free. Ignore them and keep up the good work.

Oh, and any idea on a release for Object Bar 2? The current version has a lot of potential, but I don't think it has beem realized yet. Looking forward to updates.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
nocool......after installing the IconX app. you should see a new icon in your systray...right click and configure...


....ThinkDesk....very interesting.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow..................

I just installed OD+.... this is incredible. Definitely worth 15 bucks. Wow.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I could really care less about OD+ but it still does bug me that it wasn't added to ODNT. Mainly because when CursorXP was added to stardock the excuse for not adding it to ODNT was that it was not a productivity enhancing app. Here with OD+ we have an app that is much like Tab launch pad On roids. But instead of making it an upgrade to TLP it becomes a seperate app.

I have supported stardock since near the start of ODNT even bought a wincusto account that I never use ( don't like the browser thing). And now I hear Brad try to use big words to explain to a bunch of kids why he did something.

Brad it's getting old.



>
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
BTW I do believe that OD+ is worth the money I just get tired ot the excuses...
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
No offense, Frogboy, but the Blog's and editorials might more rightfully belong in the Forums. It's just the fact that these are opinion pages which make it "to the front page," so to speak, because you're the president of the company whose software is promoted on this site.

Not that you don't deserve to: StarDock fronts the majority of the funding for WinCustomize, and may even contribute server space (I have no idea). In favor of objectivity and respect for the WC community, which has grown larger than just the nice StarDock products, I'd recommend simply moving these front-page journals somewhere less conspicuous.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I really like all the stardock products I use and I'm excited to see what the new stuff you mentioned is. I bought ODNT and OD+ and CursorXP though I ended up not using cursorXP much.

Anyway people will always moan about something no matter what is done so it's best to just ignore them a lot of the time.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I understand people's frustration with buying all of these programs and services. It's why I was reluctant to renew my ODNT subscription, because then I'd be compelled to purchase the other programs, and end up paying possibly over $100 each year on desktop enhancing products. It's still a bargain though, because when you think about it, it's less than 8 dollars for each major product and service (I don't feel like doing the math).
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Rather than being thankful that we make a free program like ObjectDock used by hundreds of thousands of people, one that we continue to update for free, we get guff for putting out a Plus version.


I am extremly gratefull that the "one that we CONTINUE to update" is not past tense. I only hoped there would be a word WILL also.

As for those who question the charging thing, I dont think they are concerned with the "charging" part. I am concerned for the "carging for the BETA" part.

With remaining memory leaks and 100% CPU usage issues in OD classic, you guys jump and just create a new work-in-progress.

You finish OD classic, I'll kick in my pizza money. So far, I'm greatfull for what I have, but hedging my bets...
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sits back and wonders if the same people that are complaining ObjectDock Plus not being a part of Object Desktop are the same ones that complain about Microsoft bundling everything into Windows.

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'd just like to say that I too am concerned that this is still a beta product. I like the new features for the plus version and it is definately at the right price point but I will wait for a proper release before purchasing, as there have been a few people raising issues with it and the free version contains a bad bug which I am worried features in the plus version(clicks passing through all my windows onto the dock beneath and activating icons when the dock is set to stay at the bottom). I am looking forward to a solid release, no way will I pay for a bugged program, look forward to it guys!!

Feature Request:
1. I am disappointed that plus does not zoom in on the icons. Zoomer please
2. Built in KK Menu option!
3. Less CPU usage!
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm liking OD+, though I do have one request.

When the tabs are at the left or right screen edge could you please allow the icons to sequence down the draw that appears instead of left to right. Hope that makes sense.

Looking forward to ObjectBar2 as well.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can't wait for ObjectBar2, but could you possible give us some videos of OD+ in action, I really want to see what the fuzz is about before I buy it. I just bought ODesktop two days ago, and want to wait before I buy anythin else.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have been on ODNT since it came to the windows world, and I must say that most of Stardocks products are right on the money. I have OD+ but not CursorXP+ and the usefull parts of ODNT on all the machines I do work on. However, something is bothering me about all this OD+ talk. Control Center, Tab Launchpad, and Objectbar all are valued members of the ODNT. I could not work without them at this point. Now comes along OD+ which could (with a little effort) take the place of all three of these programs, bringing shared functionality/Code. I can understand wanting to get paid for your work on OD+, but what I don't understand is why my TLP/CC/OBar are getting ignored for soo long, while OD+ gets worked on. I want my TLP to zoom/animate/hide2tabs. I want my CC to have the objects dockable and animated. I want OBar to be dragNdrop objects w/ Docklet Power.

It's not like these apps are so far apart in form and function that this can't work. In fact, I would bet you could duplicate the functionality of CC/TLP/OBar right now with the Beta of OD+. It wouldn't be as nice as it could be if Stardock would roll with it, but I think I am getting my point across.

When I say OD+ should be apart of ODNT it has nothing to do with the price. I have gladly paid for just about everything Stardock has done since 1998-9. It's about 2 or 3 of my favorite pieces of ODNT getting barely any inovative changes in about 2 years, and out comes some seperate product that does everything I wanted in both the CC/TLP. Either go back to CC/TLP and get them some nice inovative features or have OD+ replace them in ODNT.

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sept1mus,
You're asking to have the docked tabs on the left and right align so they go up and down not the normal left and right, correct?

If so temporarily undock it from the side so you have some room to work, then put your cursor on the edge of the dock, it will show you a resize mouse cursor just like any normal window. You can adjust the size of the edges and manually create one going up and down (or any shape you would like), then you can dock it it will be as it should.

Hope they add an option to make this easier,

Hope that helped