Object Desktop Development?

from Stardock Forums
I have been updating my Object Desktop subscription for quite a while now but. . . for the last year or so it really doesn't feel like I'm getting much out of it. Everything feels stale. I love Windowblinds, DriveScan and IconPackager but most of the others, including DesktopX, ObjectBar, RightClick, ObjectMedia etc. all seem as though they are early betas of things that could have been great but just aren't being developed any more. And then there are things that are being released by Stardock that just aren't included. Like ObjectDock 2. Why isn't that part of the Object Desktop collection? Its the only "new" thing for quite some time and we don't get it? I know Stardock has been concentrating on their games and have mentioned that they are going to get back to supporting Object Desktop but. . . so far. . . nothing. I felt like I belonged to something cool before. Now I just feel like I'm being taken advantage of.   
5,497 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There isn't any ObjectDock 2. There is ObjectDock 1.3+ and then there is ObjectBar 2. ObjectBar 2 is part of the ODNT package, but ObjectDock 1.3+ isn't.

And there has been a steady release of version for DesktopX, WindowsBlinds, Iconpackager. Drivescan even has had a couple of beta updates lately.

And the SD team has said that they have been working on quite a few new things for Vista, so in a couple of months when Vista gets shipped I think we'll begin to see some more new goodies.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ObjectBar just released its 2.0 version. I think we're keeping up with that, though I fully admit that for a time we were having problems getting updates of it out. RightClick is based on ObjectBar technology, so if there is enough of a call for it and if there are features that can be moved across I suspect it will be updated as well.

DesktopX is pretty much being held off on until we know where Windows Vista is going to turn out. Will sidebar gadgets be important enough to turn it into a creator for them? Maybe, maybe not. If so, we will probably be looking to develop that technology and incorporate it into the product.

ObjectMedia is something that gets very little attention because very few people actually seem to use it. This post has actually been the first I've heard of it in a month. It's a neat little thing, but it's not much of a product, and we cannot realistically turn it into a competitor with Windows Media Player or iTunes.

ObjectDock has never been a part of Object Desktop. The simple reason is that doing so would make Object Desktop into a bad deal for Stardock. There is a limit to how much we can put into a $50 package - the money can only be split so many ways. (I'm not a manager and so don't know the full terms of Object Desktop for its developers, but I do know external developers tended to be allocated a percentage of revenue in the past, and ObjectDock's programmer was external when it was created.)

If you think we are not providing enough in the way of updates for Object Desktop, then you should hold off on renewing until you think there's enough new stuff to justify the price. We don't want to take your money and then not give you what you want. Check back in six months and see what it's like then.
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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If your subscription lapses . . is it a renewal or a new sub when you return?
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

There is no time limit to renew your subscription. You're perfectly okay doing this no matter how long your subscription has been expired.

Just make sure you still have the information of your initial subscription somewhere or access to the email address to whom it's registered so the information may be looked up

-Mike
[Stardock Support]

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Zubaz: Very good question. I'd like to know the answer to that as well. GreenReaper: I guess the main reason I am using Object Desktop in the first place is because I hate Windows. I prefer being on my Macs but the apps I use/need aren't on that platform. Vista doesn't interest me at all. An OS that requires me to upgrade my hardware? Shouldn't the goal of any OS be to use less and less system resources in order for applications to perform better on that platform? I don't "get it". Windowblinds and a few of the other goodies in the Object Desktop suite are the only things that allow me to tollerate Windows at all. It gives me back control. I guess I'm just not in sync with your vision any more if Vista is the future. You guys gave XP everything (visually) Vista is going to give to the masses so why do I need to upgrade?   

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You may renew at any time after your subscription lapses and you get a full year from the point at which you renewed, not the point at which your subscription lapsed.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
not the point at which your subscription lapsed.


good, cuz that would really suck.

"Thank you for your order. You subscription is now on it's 2nd year of expiration instead of it's 3rd."

  
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

We are working on making it so that DesktopX content can be exported as MS .gadget files which will be a pretty big deal for a lot of people.

I happen to know that ObjectDock (which isn't part of Object Desktop) has a 1.5 version coming out soon.

As others mentioned, ObjectBar 2 JUST came out and that was a pretty big deal.  Moreover, Keyboard LaunchPad 1.5 just came out and that had some very helpful new features.

 

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OD 1.5? what ahppend to 1.4? Did I miss anything?

Oh, btw, thumbs up for DesktopX and .gadget support! I really hope that DesktopX will be contiuned developed.