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DesktopX 3 is coming!

▼

DesktopX 3 is coming!

And a new website is on the horizon...

http://www.desktopx.net
from WinCustomize Forums

Stardock, the world's leading developer of OS enhancement utilities, announced DesktopX 3 and DesktopX 3 Pro today which will be released on March 1st.

DesktopX is the program that helped introduce the concept of desktop content that does more than icons but aren't traditional applications (what later became known as "widgets"). With DesktopX, users could design their own mini-applets or entire desktops and export them for others to use. First released in 2000, DesktopX has received millions of downloads, including over 2.5 million downloads on CNET's Download.com alone making it one of the most popular OS enhancement programs of all time.

DesktopX 3 includes a host of new features over DesktopX 2. But most importantly, it is being presented in a whole new way.  In DesktopX 3, the development environment is separate from the user portion. In previous versions of DesktopX, the content creation aspects were integrated with the end user portions. With DesktopX 3, users who just want to use widgets and desktops created by others can do so without interacting with the development environment.

"The entire presentation of DesktopX is being streamlined and simplified," said Alberto Riccio, Project Manager of DesktopX. "The people who want to add calendars or media players or stock tickers to their desktop can do that without ever having to deal with the full DesktopX configuration interface as they did before."

The part that Stardock expects to make the most waves is the release of DesktopX Pro at $69.95.  DesktopX Pro allows users to take their widgets (exported content that requires DesktopX to be installed) and turn them into gadgets (stand alone programs that can be sent to any Win2K/XP user without additional downloading).

DesktopX Pro opens the door for ambitious software developers to create new, innovative software at a fraction of the time.

Shae Petersen, founder of Dmense Solutions and known widely for his efforts at 545 Studios (developer of Aimutation, Greybook, and countless other programs) sees DesktopX Pro as a way to create small, high quality programs quickly and easily. "DesktopX Pro will let Dmense to create slick, highly functional mini-programs that we can then provide to our customers in a timely manner."

To facilitate developers and customers, Stardock is also announcing a new website called DesktopGadgets.com. This new site will enable developers to upload their gadgets, set their price, and if they pass moderation become available for sale with the revenue split evenly between the author and the site. DesktopGadgets.com is expected to launch in April.

For widget/gadget developers and users, DesktopX 3 has a significant advantage over other widget enabling programs in that ActiveX controls and WMI features are directly accessible from DesktopX enabling a much wider range of widgets to be developed (i.e. a whole world beyond clocks, weather widgets, and RSS feeds). For example, where other widget enablers might have to include explicit support for developers to create battery meters, DesktopX provides direct WMI access to the complete WMI interface for battery information. In other words, developers aren't limited to what Stardock thought of for creating content.

DesktopX 3 will be available in three forms on March 1, 2005: 

  • A DesktopX run-time for $14.95 for those who just want to run objects, widgets, and desktops created by others.
  • DesktopX Standard for $24.95 which will allow users to design their own desktops, widgets, and objects for personal use or for sharing with others.
  • DesktopX Pro for $69.95 which allows for objects and widgets to be exported as gadgets (Stand-alone programs) that anyone can use.

The home page for DesktopX is http://www.desktopx.net.  DesktopX 3 standard will also be part of Stardock's Object Desktop suite of desktop enhancements (www.objectdesktop.com).

42,804 views 91 replies
Reply #51 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I still fail to see the downside you seem to be trying to draw out of this.
.

pjpowell I don't know who the 'you' is - but I note that you come to this as someone who writes blogs around coding in DesktopX - always appreciated . So for you I'm sure it represents a greater field of opportunity and more power to you - I think it's great . (Of course I also recognise and appreciate the wider possibilites are there for anyone who puts the effort into learning).

But isn't it reasonable as an end user of DesktopX to wonder if the present coders/developers that contribute to Wincustomize libraries are going to concern themeselves with Widget Development when they can earn from Gadgets over at Gadget.com?

Its the proportion of developers that go this route that is the potential downside for the Widget library and end users. Its how much the very reasonable price tag of DesktopX Pro is traded off against my having to pay for Gadgets that would once have been presented as Widgets, because potentially some Widgets won't be developed anymore by the more accomplished coders.

Like I said - I don't know how these differing relationships will actually evolve. It's quite possible that DesktopX 3 will attract additional developers who will also contribute new & exciting Widgets that we wouldn't otherwise have had.

If it sounds like I'm sitting on the fence - it's because I am. That was my point, it's not just about the ability of the program, its partly about the relationship of the program and the developers with Wincustomize, its libraries, end users etc. I'm not sure how it will change, if at all - so as I said, I'll wait and see.

Ultimately my point was - I'm not sure how folks are going to make a judgement about gains and losses until this has been out in the wild for a bit.

(This was edited slightly because Martin's post came inbetween)
Reply #52 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Journeyman, I expect that most current DX developers will both release a free widget for Desktop X user and as well as sell the standalone gadget for people who don't have Desktop X. The point for gadgets is that it doesn't require DesktopX, so they are quite pointless for most people here.
SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #53 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi Paxx Sure - that may be the case with many Gadgets - possibly even some programs will be produced as a premier Gadget and then a Lite version available as a widget. I'm sure there are many possibilities.

As I say my point is not that I make a value judgement - my point is that there is no mileage in doing so until we actually see how these relationships work out.
Reply #54 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't understand what the big issue is here. ODNT subscribers have always had access to the "enhanced" version. That is going to be changing. The functionality of the version of DesktopX that us subscribers get will not be "degraded" in any way. Stardock is simply capitalizing on a successful product by creating a "super-enhanced" version of the program that tailors itself towards developers. CygnusXII , you'd have a complaint if the version of DesktopX on ODNT LOST features due to DesktopX PRO but it isn't. What you are asking for is something like this... Speaking hypothetically, you buy a copy of Windows XP Home Edition and at the time, hypothetically, it is the ONLY version of Windows XP available. Microsoft guarantees you free updates until "Longhorn" comes out. 6 months later, Microsoft, seeing a new market, releases Windows XP Professional Edition with business/professional related features. Microsoft guaranteed you that your product would be kept up to date and would not loss any features due to a new product that is a "pro" version. If this were the case, you'd be out of your mind to expect Microsoft to give you a feel copy of WinXP Pro... yet that's what you're asking of Stardock! It makes no sense from your perspective and makes a ton of sense from their perspective.

I do I have to agree with one complaint, though... ODNT is supposed of be a group of software that "is a desktop extension suite designed to allow Windows users to turbo-charge their Windows experience." (Stardock Central description) It has always been implied that ODNT is all about customization... WindowBlinds, DesktopX, ObjectBar, IconPackager, EnhanchedDialog, WindowXF, etc.... yet products that don't really "customize" windows such as: ObjectZip, DriveScan, ControlCenter, OjbectEdit, ObjectSweeper, etc. have been included while "customization" applications such as CusorXP and ObjectDock have not been included. Now, I'm not complaining that I didn't not recive the "pro" versions of CursorXP and ObjectDock with my ODNT subscription, but I do think it should be more clearly stated what the goal of ODNT is and the programs in ODNT more thoughtfully thought out. Just due to the fact that ObjectDock has the word "Object" in it, I would have thought it would have been part of "Object Desktop". Perhaps I'm looking too deeply into things, but I think, in the future, more thought should be given to product names and placements within ODNT as to not confuse subscribers. Anyway, just a few thoughts… Thanks Frogboy for everything you and the rest of Stardock does... my computer would not be complete without you!

Reply #55 from WinCustomize Forums Top
possibly even some programs will be produced as a premier Gadget and then a Lite version available as a widget


I also see the possiblity of companies who want their name on your desktop working with developers to create gadgets that are free, but have branding on them. It's already happening with suites like Zippo from Pixtudio and with WMP skins from The Skins Factory. Best two examples I can think of.
Reply #56 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Cygnus - DesktopX 2/3 can already export its content as EXEs.  You are confusing Stand-alone programs (DesktopX Pro) with DesktopX dependent programs (DesktopX's widgets).

There is nothing inconsistent with what I've written.  DesktopX 3 Standard can export your objects as EXEs that run on any system that has DesktopX installed.

Reply #57 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I really appreciate whomever deleted my last message, that was a real sign of maturity, and it really convinces me I wrong here. So wrong in fact that my post got deleted. Now ain't that a hoot.

I deleted your message because you couldn't tell what you wrote because you didn't close your quote tag and so the entire comment had become unreadable.  So whatever you wrote, feel free to rewrite but remember to close your tag.

Reply #58 from WinCustomize Forums Top

All I am asking is for Brad to fix and clarify in writing the issue at hand and delineate they differences between the two, different products and state the difference on the ODNT Web Site, and remove the White paper or fix it to reflect the current state of affairs. Is that so, wrong. Unless the written word is fixed, there is too close a similarity, and Stardock intent is not clearly defined. I am sure I am not the only one that feels like this. I am sure that I am the one saying something though. If Brad doesn't fix the discrepencies then he is condoning misrepresentation, and furthering it, by trading on the similarity.

The product differentiations are pretty straight forward.  DesktopX Enhanced has ALWAYS come with Object Desktop. It continues to be enhanced and updated. DesktopX 3 is a MAJOR new version of DesktopX and Object Desktop users continue to get it.

DesktopX Pro could have been called anything, it could have been called GadgetBuilder (which, believe it or not, was thrown around as a possible alternative name to DesktopX Pro).

But it touches on a greater issue and that is, Object Desktop as a value.  Right now, someone who buys Object Desktop for $49.95 gets the following programs (and more):

  1. WindowBlinds
  2. WindowFX
  3. IconPackager
  4. IconDeveloper
  5. SkinStudio Pro
  6. DesktopX
  7. Keyboard LaunchPad
  8. TweakShell
  9. Theme Manager
  10. RightClick
  11. Object Sweeper
  12. IconX
  13. ObjectMedia
  14. Enhanced Dialog
  15. DriveScan
  16. ObjectBar
  17. ObjectEdit
  18. Tab LaunchPad

And a couple other things.  That's 18 programs for $49.95. The user also receives any updates to these programs plus any new programs that we add to this mix (Enhanced Dialog is new for instance, RightClick is new, and we have other things coming out in this).

On average, the user is paying less than $3 per program.  I would argue that's a pretty good deal.  Even if the user only uses say 3 or 4 of these programs, it's a very good deal.

We have never ever implied that every program we make (universally) is going to be part of Object Desktop. Any more Object Desktop programs we make will be added here.

No features from regular DesktopX have ever been stripped out and put into the Pro version.  At some point we decided to work on the corporate market and decided to make a program that would allow us to easily create super-customizeable programs.  One of the results of that was DesktopX Professional which could take DesktopX (enhanced) content and export it as a stand-alone program.

A stand-alone program with DesktopX Pro therefore includes a copy of DesktopX's runtimes in order to work.  When you purchase Object Desktop, you get a license to use DesktopX for yourself.  You obviously don't get the right to start handing out copies of DesktopX to friends, companies, colleagues, whatever.  But with DesktopX Pro, that is exactly what happens. Therefore, we have to charge more for it.

Previously we charged $499 for DesktopX Pro.  The problem was that the cost of it was too high to entice developers.  So with the coming of DesktopX 3, we decided to lower the price of DesktopX Pro to $69.95 and see how well it does there.

But it was never designed to be part of Object Desktop. It was never part of Object Desktop.  And it never will be.

Even as-is, we're having a hard time adding more features to Object Desktop at the current price point. While most software goes up in price over time for the same thing (look at MS Office), Object Desktop's price has not only stayed the same but the user gets a lot more with it. 

Cygnus, you bought Object Desktop at the beginning.  So you know how much was added to it during that time.  I can't understand how anyone could possibly feel they aren't well treated by us with regards to it.  Every year we add new things to it. We are constantly enhancing our components. In the past few weeks, SEVEN of the programs of it have been updated.  Some of which were pretty significant updates (WindowBlinds 4.5, SkinStudio 4.5, Enhanced Dialog added, RightClick added). 

If you want to see a very straight forward difference between DesktopX and DesktopX Pro go here: https://www.stardock.com/products/desktopx/downloads.asp

 

 

Reply #59 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I did close qoute. It acted funky and I edited it and fixed it, and it acted funky and kept showing the /quote... the whole thing ( you know what I mean.) Anyhow I am over this whole thing. I could care less. I am now going to sit back and watch the life get bled out of DX, ODNT and everything else, as the community get fractionalized by the widget vs Gadget, crap.


I will say this for you Brad, you are a Marketing Wizard. I do not think anyone can manipulate the masses as well as you seem to be able to.
Reply #60 from WinCustomize Forums Top
as the community get fractionalized by the widget vs Gadget, crap.

I don't think it will happen. Hasn't happened with folks like essorant, Pixtudio and SkinPlant creating premium skins and suites I'll give our community much more credit than you have.
Reply #61 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I do not think anyone can manipulate the masses as well as you seem to be able to.

Are you sure it's not just you failing to understand what the 'masses' have no difficulty in doing?

Seriously, it's a bit like the proud mother looking at his son in the marching parade....'Isn't my boy wonderful....he's the only one marching in step'...

Reply #62 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Cygnus, I tend to have faith in the common sense and intelligence of people.

If everyone else seems to understand but you alone seem to not, perhaps the problem isn't with the "masses" but with you.  The other people participating on this thread aren't sheep or "sycophants".  I think you do some disrespect from trivializing their intelligence. You're not the only person who's been around a long time.

Besides, in terms of bleeding the life out of Object Desktop, I don't see how that argument holds any weight.

Consider the components of Object Desktop 2000  (and compare that to what we have today):

  1. WindowBlinds
  2. DesktopX
  3. WindowFX
  4. ObjectZIP
  5. ControlCenter
  6. IconPackager
  7. Tab LaunchPad
  8. BuilderBlinds
  9. DriveScan

Price: $49.95.  Now, in 2000 you're talking WindowBlinds 1, DesktopX 1, etc.  9 programs total. There's over twice as many today, of much higher quality, and the same price.

I don't think it takes a "sychophant" to recognize that Object Desktop has become a much better value over the years.  And DesktopX 3 is a major upgrade and is part of Object Desktop still.

Reply #63 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Then Call it what it is CorporateDesktop, or DevelopersDesktop, or DevDeskX, but comingling the name is an obvious obfuscation. Or Call a spade a Spade and Change the Name in the ODNT to reflect DesktopX's standings as a non self standing exportable version. Make the distintion obvious to the purchaser. Because all you showed prior to 2004 was two distinct Versions. And for the record I have never disagreed with the content of ODNT, and I have always known the value of the software in it. Also for the record, I have turned more than my share of folks onto WB and WC (when I was in the field), and been an evangelist for the whole ODNT concept.Whether they bought into it I do not know, but I tried. I will more than likely renew my subscription when it runs out, I always do..eventually. I simply am asking that the distinction be made properly, and the ODNT documentation be made to reflect the actuality of the Product Lines. Because that is what has led to this mess in the first place. The misunderstanding lies in the direct reflection of 'Published Documentation,' and a murky Product distinction.


I have addressed my comments to you in this thread Brad, and everyone and their brother is trying to get me to see the Status Quo, and rather than accept that there might be a problem, I am told that I am the Problem. Fine... "yeah... you all are right, and I am wrong"


There are very few ways that threads around here end, when a person disagrees with you. My participation in this goes this far. "I am not wrong." nothing you can say will convince me "you are right." That is the jist of it. I do not agree with you at all. God forbid, anyone should question you, or think they are going to hold you to task.
I am wrong for believing in something that is right before my very eyes, in print?
Flame Me, Character Assisinate me, make fun of Me, Delete my Post or Ban Me, that is your perogative, but you will never convince me that you are right and I am wrong.


But Sire, You have on no clothes...
Reply #64 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Cygnus....the single guy marching out of step with the rest of the regiment is still marching in step with the music...and he will always maintain he is right.....but....so will all those others.  When put to a vote it is he who is declared 'out of step' as majority rules.

In this case, the majority [bar one] sees no issue with the product, or its description, or its perception as a separate entity.

Sure life would be crystal clear if DX Pro WAS called 'Aardvark Pro', but then again, naming rights are neither yours nor mine.

Bottom line is...last year a proggy cost 499...this year 69.

No matter how you swing it or try to read between lines it's a good thing, as it's a saving of 430.

Really, it's a bloody good thing...

Reply #65 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A whole programming and ability to create odd-shaped skins for 70 bucks? Hmm maybe I'll be owning DesktopX PRO soon. But meanwhile, I still has everything I need with DesktopX enhanced.

So far I see, only difference is price and ability to export stand-alone programs for sale or give away.
Reply #66 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm not arguing the price, heck it is a great price I admit that. A great bargain from the original price, I'll readily agree to that any day. If it was a seperate distinctive product from what is described in the ODNT. That is what I have been trying to say all, along. If I want the product I'll buy it. If I don't I won't. I never believed I would get it, and that actually was never my goal. This was the very same argument I had previously a year or so ago, when the $499 version was for sale. I am not suprised the issue wasn't redressed then, as I am not suprised now.
Reply #67 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have been reading this all day and I am just amazed this one person just can't get it.
Reply #68 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Cygnus: Where have I character assassinated you?

You know, it really gets old seeing people make the assertion that I demand that eveyrone agree with me.  I put in some significant time and effort in this thread to try to lay forth my position.  I don't demand that you agree with me. I just ask that you read it with an open mind. 

You don't agree with me. That's fine. All I can do is put forth my position. We don't have to agree.

Reply #69 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Perhaps my timing is atrocious, but I just wanted to stick my head in here and say I am freaking excited for DX 3 and the possibilities that I can see opening up with DX Pro being such an amazing price. Thanks guys.

*BlueDev supposes that makes him a sycophant now, and is okay with that*
Reply #70 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey Frogboy feel like your talking to a brick wall yet?
Reply #71 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, either you're a troll or you just don't get it.

Enchanted and Pro is same. Only thing that differs is ability to create a EXE file that don't need any DesktopX runtime files. Since anyone can use those without buying DesktopX, the $70 price is for LICENSE to give away or sell those stand-alone programs.
Reply #72 from WinCustomize Forums Top
wait wait...there's an 'enchanted' version now?

all joking aside, perhaps a name change to DesktopGadgets or something would have stopped this 'misunderstanding' Cygnus seems to have before it started. either way you slice it though, it's still a deal for the value - Pro, enhanced or 'enchanted' if you will or even the simple version for those not worried about changing the widgets.

in fact, i can even see widgets becoming better by having to keep the fact that you can't change objects in the simple version. maybe they'll come with modify dialogs or something...

now do i have to worry about pixie dust clogging my cpu fan i wonder...?
Reply #73 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's not that I do not "get it" as you all say. That's not the issue with me. I get what you are saying, entirely. I understsand what you are trying to say. But I also feel that I have enough proof to support my points, and that is why I cannot budge on what I believe.


Brad, I listed options available to you. I do not think you would do such, but you never truly know someone.


XX I do not Troll, I usually say what I mean and mean what I say. I am not witty enough to be an effective Troll'er.

There is no convincing you guys, and there is no convincing me. This is not a matter of enough people feel a particular way, so that must be right. It's not a matter of Brad being the CEO of Stardock and telling me I misunderstand and am wrong. Its simply a matter that I feel I have enough data (in writing} to support my view, and I am man enough to stick to it till the end. If I was unsure and not fully couched in my belief, then a chance of conversion would be available, but this is not the case. I have not written all that I have to attempt to stir up trouble. I made my case and defended my undestandings, showing every point that they based on. That is all. Now when the time comes for you to do the same, I hope you remember the road you have to go down, because you are paving it right now.


Thank you for your time.
Reply #74 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have been following this message and I think I need to chime in.

To start with I can completly understand where Stardock is comming from.
Brad gets alot of heat but its a company and he sticks his head out cause he is interested in his customer base.

And while I am looking forward to buying DX3Pro I have to agree with cygnus.
The EXE issue was gray for a while. More on this at the end.

When DX->Exe was first talked about I was so excited, only to find out that it required everyone that wanted to use these new EXE's had to have DX. That was my first dissapointment but after thinking about it for a few minutes I understood and said it is still a good idea the way they did it cause it allowed me to "lock" my object from prying eyes. After that was clear in my head I got the announcement of the $499 product. I was upset/dissappointed. But again after some thought I understood why it was separate. The price I thought was fair but I was again dissapointed cause it was out of my price range. And so I blew off all my grandiose plans went back to life. Then Stardock announced the price cut. Was I shocked but excited.

So the way I see it Cygnus's issue isnt that stardock is an Evil lying company but that they were not clear enough in the early documentation. And this is where an "active" customer oriented company is a double edge sword. So they(the developers) start talking up what their doing. FOR GOOD REASON They are excited and want to get us excited. And alot of things can happen between development and release. Including price changes and Product grouping. And from what I can gather this is Cyg's issue. That there was not enough information about the change. BUT I believe Stardock (especially brad) has done an excelent job in keeping us informed of these "Changes" and what they mean.

This is my 2 cents. I hope it made sense as well.

And one last thing is I would like to thank Cyg for speaking up.

--Clayton MeIsMan
aka: Playdough