Winstep releases NextSTART 3.2 and WorkShelf 1.6!

http://www.winstep.net
from WinCustomize Forums
So what are NextSTART and WorkShelf? Let's start by saying what they are not: they are not shell replacements and they are not unsupported system hacks. This means you will not be forced to abandon Explorer, modify Windows system files or be stranded with no shell if something goes wrong - nor will you be forced to learn complicated scripts just to install, configure or make it work. Winstep applications have an easy to use Graphical User Interface from which you can control all aspects of the environment. Since NextSTART and WorkShelf are shell enhancements rather than replacements, getting back to normal Windows is a simple matter of quitting the applications, so, if you are looking for a quick and easy way to give your PC a makeover, NextSTART and Workshelf it is.

NextSTART is a complete Start Menu, Taskbar and System Tray replacement. Why choose it over the standard features available in Windows? The answer begins with it's flexibility. If you've ever worked with other Operating Systems, you know that the "Windows way" of doing things isn't necessarily the best. Indeed, in many instances it has been watered down for the lowest common denominator with kludges and "features" that get 'in the way' rather than 'out of your way' when there's work to be done. NextSTART is the answer and the number of options you can configure to your needs are truly outstanding: among its many features are completely configurable menu structures - either via drag and drop or using the built-in Menu Editor - customizable menu behavior, an amazing number of ways to activate menus and run programs through our innovative use of of a feature called HotSpots, plus extended taskbar and systray management. You can use it to effortlessly navigate your hard disks and, if you are one of the lucky people who have them, it even takes full advantage of multi-monitor systems! The point is that absolutely everything in NextSTART is configurable: within it's small footprint NextSTART carries an incredible power. The possibilities are endless and suffice to say you must try it to truly experience the increased productivity and usability available to you.

In the world of Windows, WorkShelf is the Swiss Army knife of UI enhancements. Intended as a multi-leveled desktop replacement, it is equally at home functioning as a tabbed program launcher. Like a dock, but better. It enables you to organize your most often used applications and documents into categorized shelves while taking as little screen space as possible: when not in use, WorkShelf automatically collapses into a small strip of tabs. It also gives you access to frequently used system folders like the Windows Control Panel, My Computer, Network Neighborhood and more! Throw in support for built-in modules such as a speaking Atomic Clock, Recycle Bin, CPU Meter, Email Checker and Weather Monitor (with more forthcoming) and you have a software marvel you'll soon find you can't be without.

The true power of both applications, however, really comes to a league of its own when you use them together, since they were designed from the ground up to integrate seamlessly with each other: change a theme in NextSTART and WorkShelf automatically follows up (and vice-versa). WorkShelf also uses NextSTART context menus and can activate NextSTART hotspots. NextSTART in turn can capture WorkShelf desktop modules into its taskbar for an integrated look. Winstep applications bring Windows customization to another level!

You can learn more and download Winstep applications by visiting the Winstep web site at http://www.winstep.net .
6,084 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i came really, really close to purchasing the winstep suite.. but i had just renewed my OD subscribition and i thought.. this is silly. let me see what i can do with what i already have. if you are an OD subscriber and you have object bar and object dock or desktopx, you already have these winsetep features in your current programs. object bar itself is the nextstart start menu (see the Object Bar theme 'simple' or my 'on call') - and it is faster and uses better resources than winstep. desktopx or objectbar + handles the rest.

however- if you arn't an OD subscriber, winstep basically provides the interface boost of having said programs in one seemless suite, and it is a little less expensive. another bonus is that one skin will apply to all peices of winstep. and, like rabbit said, there is a lot of power behind the program. the workshelf is very useful - and the winstep suite even comes with a cute little font browser. additionally, winstep is a very stable platform, in my experience. so - if you're not on stardock apps, give winstep a shot. if you are - as nice as this suite is, you already have the power you need under your fingers.


IS THIS A LOOP HOLE : I JUST EDITED SOMEONE ELSES TOPIC>>>>>>>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
DesignCaddy, neither ObjectBar nor ObjectDock - Stardock applications that came out long after NextSTART and WorkShelf first did, by the way - can do everything that the 'equivalent' Winstep applications do. If you are talking in terms of eye candy, sure, in certain aspects those Stardock applications are even superior - but definitely not in terms of functionality. The problem is that beauty is skin deep, and you have to dig deeper than the surface with Winstep applications to strike the gold you are aiming for.

That is why Winstep applications are mainly targeted towards the power user - don't get me wrong, they are easy to use and you can run them for the skinning benefits alone, but if you do that then you are missing the true power of NextSTART and WorkShelf. As a Winstep user once put it:

"It does take a while to get used to a new paradigm. For the longest time I didn't take advantage of NextStart alot and instead had bunches of Workshelf tabs all organized and categorized for my various apps. This was okay for a while until I figured NextStart out. Once I figured out hotspots it was like a revelation.

I know some folks here even have hot spots assigned to various applications. For instance i remember someone here posting that they had a hot spot assigned to their email application so that they can bring up a folder containing files that they frequently use as email attachments."

Hotspots are just one of the many unique usability features in NextSTART. Winstep applications are a complex tool, and, as with all complex tools, it can take a while to learn everything that can be done with them. The benefits in terms of user interface customization and increased productivity more than make up for the time you spend, though... besides, it's fun tweeking all those options and seeing what happens: you get a lot of that nice 'Wow! I didn't know it could do this!' feeling.
SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I really don't think there is any true comparison between the Stardock apps mentioned above and Winstep products. They are each created from an entirely different point of view and the way they achieve their intended results is entirely different.

Certainly the Stardock apps get an A+ for their flexible skinning ability but I've always thought the Winstep apps were focused mainly on usability. The skinning stuff is just icing on the cake (and it doesn't interfere with your highly tweaked setup at all when you switch themes).
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

JcRabbit - I agree that ObjectBar and NeXTStart do not have complete overlap in features, but I think you are being a bit insulting to imply that WinStep apps are somehow good at being productive while ObjectBar and ObjectDock are about eye candy.

Do you really want to do a head to head productivity feature comparison of ObjectBar and NextStart? Or of Workshelf and ObjectDock? I can arrange it.

ObjectBar and ObjectDock do look nice.  But if you think that they're any less productive than NextStart/Workshelf then I suggest you take a closer look at them. They are both very strong in productivity. 

I'd invite anyone who has used ObjectDock Plus for any length of time to try Workshelf for yourself: http://www.winstep.net/default.asp?cat=workshelf

And given that ObjectBar will automatically inherit your current WindowBlinds skin, I think it's safe to say that skinning is its "icing on the cake" too for it.  ObjectBar doesn't support hot spots because it supports hot keys instead.

I'm not trying to argue that one is "better" than the other. I just take offense at the implication that ObjectBar and ObjectDock are somehow about the eye candy. Just because we're good at making our software look visually nice doesn't change the fact that they are exceptionally powerful productivity enhancing utilities.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes, wouldn't it be interesting to see independent usability studies on these types of apps?
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow, this is starting to develop into a Stardock v. Winstep war ala linux v. windows.
I think this is great news from jorge. It is wonderful that he is still actively developing this software. It is even more impressive that it is coded in VB.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My view is that anyone who thinks ObjectBar or ObjectDock Plus are about eye candy hasn't used them very much.


I've used NextSTART and Workshelf extensively and they are very good programs. But other than hot spots, I can't think of anything NextStart can do that ObjectBar can't but I can think of lots of things ObjectBar can do that NextStart can't.


It has been an interesting journey to see NextStart slowly evolve to having features more and more similar to ObjectBar.


Later this month we'll be releasing "RightClick" which will be a skinnable desktop menu replacement that is easy to use, powerful, and has very low overhead i.e. we're not going to throw in the kitchen sink with it, it just does the right click menu.