Stardock has put the BETA version of DesktopX 3 Standard onto Object Desktop (via Stardock Central). This version is a warm-up towards Monday's release and is nearly feature complete with just a few more tweaks left before next Tuesday's official launch.

DesktopX is a program that enables users to enhance their Windows desktops by adding new content to it in the form of desktop objects and widgets (the Windows desktop traditionally only supports static images called "icons").  In addition, users can use DesktopX to build entirely new desktops.  Stardock will also be releasing DesktopX 3 Pro next week which adds the ability to export content as "gadgets" (stand-alone programs that can be used by any Windows 2000 or Windows XP user).  A new website called DesktopGadgets.com is being developed to enable gadget developers to create premium gadgets in which they can submit them, name their price, and if they pass moderation be available for sale.

Users who have pre-ordered DesktopX are expected to be able to start receiving their orders the night before the official release.

DesktopX 3 has a vast number of major improvements that have been in development for a long while.  Some of the highlights include:

• Vastly easier to use interface.  Now users who just want to use widgets, objects, and desktops created by others can do that without interacting with the sophisticated DesktopX developer environment.
• A new program called "Widget Manager" is included that provides quick access to widgets that are installed.
• A whole batch of brand new widgets modeled after Microsoft's Aero but with Stardock's own spin called "Silica".
• Widgets can have their own custom preference dialogs.
• User Interface threading -- scripts and the objects they are part of run synchronously. This allows DesktopX developers to create much.
• Lots of enhancements to ActiveX controls which can now be used seamlessly with other DesktopX objects (so every COM object on your Windows PC can be treated like a DesktopX object potentially).
• Centralized script development. Before each object that needed any scripting logic had to have its script associated with it. In DesktopX 3, scripts can easily access and manage messages for object objects (and can create and destroy objects as well).
• Scripts can access particular frames of animation (this is a big deal because now someone can make a bitmap strip of animation frames and access a particular frame and show it).
• Text objects will word wrap.
• Lots and lots of fixes, usability enhancements, etc. (Users who create desktops should be particularly pleased with enhanced system tray support, better taskbar support, etc.)
• Much faster performance and uses less memory.

If you already have Object Desktop, just go to Stardock Central to get it (v2.99b.003). If you don't have Object Desktop you can purchase it here (Object Desktop includes WindowBlinds, IconPackager, SkinStudio, ObjectBar, as well as DesktopX and many other programs).