Stardock Virtual Desktops 2

FINALLY!

https://www.stardock.com/products/vwm/
from WinCustomize Forums
At long last the "BandVWM" has gotten its much needed, long overdue overhaul.  For something like 50 years (something like that) we've been telling people that a version 2 is "in the works".  Well, now you will be able to see what we've been working on. This is a complete, 100% rewrite.

Stardock Virtual Desktops enable people to split their single monitor into having  multiple "virtual" desktops.  What's new in version 2 over previous incarnations would be:

  • Each desktop can have its own wallpaper (and it doesn't slow down switching at all - no other program that we know of has managed to be able to have per desktop wallpapers and not slow down the changing, we figured out a way).
  • Per desktop hot key switching.
  • A hot key for toggling through the various virtual desktops
  • It's even faster than the original BandVWM.
  • Can have each desktop only have the tasks that are in that desktop show up on the Start bar.
  • Lots of other little nice tweaks and touches that make it highly useable.

It's only available on Object Desktop. If you already have it, it's a 1.9x beta called BandVWM. Just download it and you can currently use it in your Windows Start bar.  Support for DesktopX, ObjectBar, RightClick, and ControlCenter 2 is forthcoming.

25,343 views 33 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Very nice!

A great improvement, been waiting for this!
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I like it. I have been using the previous version quite a bit recently. These are really nice.
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Very nice.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
~~it doesn't slow down switching at all - no other program that we know of~~

Im using Dexpot 1.3 Link and I have no slow downs at all when switching between desktops. My computer isn't top of the line, and I end up having some heavy apps running on each desktop (ide's, photoshop, oracle, etc) so is not an easy switch.

Before I get flamed, I am NOT saying this program is bad in any way, just pointing out that another program can switch between desktops which have different wallpapers without slowing down.

Might fit into one of those "we know of" categories
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I never really used the old one, but thought I'd try this one out.

BUT ITS SO SLOW, taking 5+ seconds to switch. I've never really a bad time with any of Stardock software, but this one is really slow on my machine. I'm sure its something I have going on on my end. Just FYI to anyone from stardock, I have a Pentium 4 Processor 3.0 w/ HT 1 GB ram, 128MB Radean 9700 Pro (ATI) GC, a only two visible apps open with quite a few in the background/task bar (may be one of these).

I think I'll wait till its out of beta and try again.

Thanks though for keep adding to the Object Desktop Lineup.
--Update-- runs GREAT on my laptop (which is a WHOLE LOT SLOWER than my PC) so it must be something on my PC or in the hardware.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A few hickups here and there. Once in a while when I switch, it takes a few seconds to respond, but most of the time it switches instantly.
Otherwise very nice. But here are a few suggestions for improvement:
- Allow mouse following: Be able to switch desktop when draging the mouse on the edge of the screen, as if if was one huge desktop 4 screens wide.
- Be able to have Desktop X widgets resident on every desktop
- Be able to change the wallpaper on every desktop even while running DX.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Have been waiting for this for a LONG time Will be putting together a review of skinnable VWM's soon. Was going to include the old BandVWM because of its wallpaper changing capabilities, but this is much, much better. Kudos to the programmers!
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have yet to test the last version.

What I like and remind me of Unix is the "drag windows from desktop 1 to desktop 2"
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You can drag windows between desktops.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Works well, when running ICONX the wallpaper does not change between desktops. Widgets do not remain resident as well. Hope that can be ironed out. Looking good so far.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh, how I wish it worked. I installed it, but it never added itself to the list of toolbars for the Taskbar.

Then again, I've got two instances of Windows Media Player, and I know that ain't right.

On the other hand, it installed without hassle and works wonderfully on my Thinkpad T20. So it looks like I've got some fiddlin' to do with my desktop PC.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I found the same problem as Mark Busekroos. IconX hangs it up. Other than that I'm really digging it!
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can't wait for the compatibility with RightClick and others! Seems to work great.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use oject dock with the taskbar hidden.

It would be nice to be able to configure VD (not the disease) without having to enable the windows toolbar, then enable the VD toolbar to use the hotkey (or any other configuration changes).

Working OK otherwise.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This sounds good. I never tried this before and at times wondered why someone would use it anyway, but I can see a great use for it now.

Combine this with Muliplicity and you got some real power to the term 'power user'.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well it is slow for me too. About 3 seconds per shift. Right click, rainlendar and object dock follow, but widgets and winstep apps don't. I normally use Alt-Desk which is instantaneous and doesn't lose anything. Will definitely consider switching once the speed issues are worked out.

AMD Athlon 1.33, 512m DDR RAM, ATI Radeon ViVo 64m DDR and all the latest OS stuff.

Nice job bringing this out of the ashes, so to speak
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ah, just what I want I don't really need the entire OD suite. Been a subscriber before (and even had the OS/2 version) but I'm not that interested in the other components. Would really like the option to buy this separately. Please?
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Works good, and looking forward to any improvements. Like the hot key options. Glad I have the OD suite, because of all the changes in the applications during the subscription period.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
does this work out when not using a start menu or task bar? for example, using object dock.. could object dock appear on each desktop with its individual tasks?
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I need some help, as I can't connect to newsgroups on the corporate network.
Could someone post to the relevant newsgroup the following error on a win2k machine with local admin rights:
-It won't show up as a new selectable toolbar
-regsvr32 "c:\program files\stardock\object desktop\bandvwm\sdvdesktops.dll" results in
Load Library ("c:\program files\stardock\object desktop\bandvwm\sdvdesktops.dll") failed - The specific module could not be found.

thanx
Andras

P.S.: This is just terrific on my home XP, changes desktops in basically no time.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm also seeing it take several seconds to change screens. I have a 3.2GHz P4 with HT and 1Gig of memory, with a nVidia 5200 with 128MB on two monitors.

Speaking of two monitors, the second one doesn't show on the virtual desktops.

I've tried both mode 1 and mode 2.

Thanks,
Mark