ObjectDock 1.2 Released

New mouse over effects, re-designed zoom effects and more!

http://www.objectdock.com
from WinCustomize Forums

ObjectDock 1.2 has been released.  ObjectDock is a freeware program for Microsoft Windows XP/2000 that lets users have a highly customizable dock on their desktop.  ObjectDock can respond to mouse-over events with zooming and now in v1.2 with new effects such as gentle rocking and glowing.  ObjectDock 1.2 also includes a completely redesigned icon zooming system to provide much smoother looking mouse-over effects.

Stardock also makes ObjectDock Plus which adds the ability to create tabbed docks, supports the Windows system tray (system tray items can appear in a tab or as a dock for instance), taskbar grouping, multiple docks, fly-out-menus and more.

Version 1.2: Change Log

Three new mouse-over effects are now available for non-tabbed docks! Effects include Swing, Gentle Rock, and Afterglow. Let us know which you love the best, as we're experimenting with more for the future. You can configure the duration and magnitude of the effects (Rock and glow are only available in Plus).

  • New smoothness setting is now available for the zooming effect! Combines the ultra-fast mouseover animation with gradual entry/exit animation.
  • Redesigned "Appearance Tweaks" properties tab for zooming docks.
  • Settings "Backup" system in case of crashes rewritten, strengthened.
  • Added options to temporarily disable Docklets (for troubleshooting). Look in the Advanced options (Plus) or in the Dock Contents tab (Free).
  • Fixed jumpy zoom-animation when dragging within a zooming dock.
  • Fixed error message on startup for users with no C:\.
  • Fixed issue wherein upon exiting a zooming dock, if the cursor passes over an item's title the dock would take a step in the reverse direction.
  • Fixed issue wherein the dock animation could get stuck in the "zoomed" position after the cursor has left the dock.
  • Fixed conflict between IconPackager 3 and ObjectDock, which prevented dragging of icons, and at times would prevent program from loading. IconPackager 3.0a also corrects this.
  • Adjusting the tab alignment will now take effect immediately.

ObjectDock's home page is http://www.objectdock.com.  ObjectDock is freeware, ObjectDock Plus is $19.95.

Screenshot: ObjectDock - standard dock
Screenshot: ObjectDock Plus - tabbed dock
Screenshot: ObjectDck Plus - fly-out menus
Video: ObjectDock mouse-over effect demo
More Info: ObjectDock Media Guide

22,674 views 32 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Great job.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
When will it hit SDC?
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
already has.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
already has.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Cool! This new version fixed my problems! Way to go guys!
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Stardock Central is still showing 1.11 as the latest version here. Anyone know how to make it show the newer version? Pre-Release is checked.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Overall great release! Just a question, and a problem.
Is the glow mousover effect Plus only?

and

When IconX is running, it causes the animations to become sluggish.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Great but when will the new version of windowblinds be realesed. It seems to me that guys from stardock have some problems with that glowing effect becouse it was long time now since they annouced a new version was on its way. Hurry up please!!!
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Great but when will the new version of windowblinds be realesed. It seems to me that guys from stardock have some problems with that glowing effect becouse it was long time now since they annouced a new version was on its way. Hurry up please!!!


There are NO Problems at all ... as First OFFICIAL Beta of LongHorn (Code Name for Microsoft new OS) comes, new version will be available. For more info. read brade's forum post (Link)
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
already has.


Not for me. Showing 1.11.022 installed, and no update available through SDC...
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Updated and everything working great.

Thats two upgrades in a row with no problems
objectdock 1.2 and Iconpacker 3.0a

Thanks and keep up good work.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Updated and everything working great.

Thats two upgrades in a row with no problems
objectdock 1.2 and Iconpacker 3.0a

Thanks and keep up good work.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ObjectDock+ 1.2 caused a number of my third-party applications to fail to run, including Maxthon browser, Norton SystemWorks (crap anyway, but still), PowerDesk 6, WS-FTP Pro 9, ThumbsPlus 7, and several other applications. It also prevents Outlook 2003 from communicating with a browser (clicking a link in an e-mail causes nothing to happen).

Even after uninstalling OD+, cleaning the registry, and reinstalling the above apps, I cannot use those apps. System Restore didn't help either, which means whatever DLL OD+ changed, it isn't managed by System Restore.

Stardock has really been slacking off on its quality control and testing the last couple of months. Each "stable" release of software breaks more often and more other applications than the typical alpha release.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can only speak for myself, but Maxthon is working perfectly for me since the update.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That new rocking effect is the coolest!
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Does it have virtual desktop support yet? I can't ditch my taskbar until I have a replacement for BandVWM.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I Am Pariah:

I can assure that ObjectDock does not have any architecture that would interfere with the execution and normal operation of other programs, barring video card driver issues which would still not cause the kind of thing you're describing. It does not modify system DLL's upon installation. I would recommend inspecting other areas of your system.

-Jeff Bargmann
ObjectDock Developer
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jeff,

I'm an experienced technical troubleshooter with 3 years experience doing in-house white-box tshooting for one of the world's 5 largest software publishers. I'm capable of recognize when I've upgraded a product and not installed or changed any other program on the system inside a 2 minute period.

I updated OD+1.2 simultaneous to updating to the latest WB and OB builds. Within two minutes of that combined action, all the problems began and have not abated since.

After uninstalling OD+ 1.2 some of the functionality lost on my system came back--but not all. Uninstalling WB, then OB, then SDCentral and all of the ODN apps no additional functionality was restored beyond what came back after OD+ uninstall.

During the (custom option) uninstall I was prompted to choose several DLL files in the Windows/System32 folder, including MFC40.dll. The only reason an uninstall would ask about those is if the install log listed them as having been replaced or modified during install.

I would recommend you look at your own software's install log.

I understand you're proud of your product--it's a good, solid product in most releases. But it's code: Bugs and conflicts happen. There's no reason to circle the wagons.

Instead of defensively looking for a support boundary to glibly push aside a user experiencing difficulty, try to help. Try doing some troubleshooting. Find out what's really going on with users; systems to understand and then attempt to replicate the difficulties users are experiencing.

Why not ask me about the system on which I installed it? Why not collect information about my particular environment and what other applications may be running? Wouldn't you like to know if the software generated any error messages during install? Why not ask how I installed the software to see if it was user error?

Don't just blow off a potential issue with your software as "other areas of [a user's] system" when you virtually no information to go on. That's irresponsible. Do some troubleshooting. You may find that your software has a bug or conflict you can resolve, or you may find your software isn't at fault, which you can then say with authority because you have proven it.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The free OD 1.2 crashes on my system whenever I try to open the Dock Settings dialog. Has anybody else noticed this?
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
1.20 is finally showing in Stardock Central. No idea why it failed to show earlier.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm an experienced technical troubleshooter with 3 years experience doing in-house white-box tshooting for one of the world's 5 largest software publishers. I'm capable of recognize when I've upgraded a product and not installed or changed any other program on the system inside a 2 minute period.


Why is it whenever someone is about to demonstrate their complete ignorance of how computers work they insist to the world that they have tons of experience at this sort of thing.

ObjectDock launches programs. It isn't blowing up your other programs. If it were, these forums would be filled with countless reports of similar problems.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Why is it whenever someone is about to demonstrate their complete ignorance of how computers work they insist to the world that they have tons of experience at this sort of thing.


Yeah, that was pretty foolish to begin my comment that way. Regardless of whether what I said is the truth, it was a dumb way to begin the topic. I was irked that Jeff a (foolish) technical assumption with no evidence or troubleshooting, and, knowing nothing about me or my skill level, treated me like a moron who doesn't know what buttons he pushed.

ObjectDock launches programs. It isn't blowing up your other programs. If it were, these forums would be filled with countless reports of similar problems.


First, the product was only released 24 hours ago; the forums haven't had time be be "filled with countless reports of similar problems". Moreover, as this thread alone demonstrates, not everyone had access to it, nor does everyone upgrade daily. Don't be naive, John.

Just because you like a product or company doesn't make it infallable.

I've been using StarDock products for five years now. I like them, and, until the last couple of releases, they've been pretty good.

Additionally, I was among the first to post about the issues with IP 3x and OD. Granted, I didn't have the exact cause down--I was looking in the direction of the MCP--but I was trying to help troubleshoot. The point, however, is that when I posted about it, it was not filling the forums--but it did shortly afterward. That issue was researched, replicated, and resolved by Stardock personnel who took the time to investigate why people who used their products were having trouble with their products and with other applications.

ObjectDock is an application that uses various components, including DLL and OCX files, provided by the operating system to perform its function of launching programs. If it replaces any of those common files or system libraries it can destablize other applications or even portions of the OS.

It can even have a conflict with other programs. Even in largely secular environments like OS X, applications have conflicts. Under Windows, it's far more common for a variety of reasons I shouldn't need to detail.

As Jeff himself noted, OD has "video card driver issues." How does he know that what I'm experiencing isn't related to those issues? He hever asked what I see on my screen when I attempt to launch the applications. He never inquired about what processes Task Manager might show as running. Indeed, he never even asked what video card and driver pair I'm running. Anyone in the software business knows that what users report is not always what's really going on, that perceptions are not always accurate.

So, maybe what I'm seeing and what I'm interpretting as the issue is not the real issue here. Jeff has no way of knowing that--he never asked a single question. Instead he dismissed an issue with his software from a customer of his company without even trying to ascertain if it really was an issue with his software.

I've got a support ticket in--no word after 24 hours, but I understand it can take 48.

So what's it going to be, Jeff? Are you actually going to try to troubleshoot my technical issue with your software, or are you going to take the position of a twenty year old who can't be wrong about his kneejerk reaction?

-P
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i updated object dock *plus* last night and it works better than before - use to lag a little but since other performance options were added, it moves better than ever, and have had no problems with any programs at all on my computer.