Your honest opinions please

from Stardock Forums

Greetings to you all!

I have been watching this program for a good while now and seeing that Object Desktop and the awesome programs it contains is now functional for all Vista users and not just the Vista Ultimate crowd, I want it!

My question is quite simple... what is your opinion of the program? I see the awesome potential in the screenshots of custom works for desktops, look at some of the cool animated wallpapers, see the fun customized icons, etc. and like the looks of what I see but how easy is it to make these things?

Lastly, is the program stable? I have nightmares about installing these types of programs that allow for such extreme customization in that I get afraid I will get "custom-crazy" and then the whole thing crashes my system. I have Vista Home Premium, 2 gig RAM, 32-bit.

Thank you all for your time and I hope to hear from some of you soon!

Doc, a thankful future customer

14,193 views 32 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ha ha.  You are asking a bunch of fanatics if they like what they are fanatical about.  YES! YES! YES!

ODNT is a great subscription  I've been renewing for years now. (I became  a member here in 2001).  Most of the programs are stable.  Depending on your setup things can get screwy but everything lets you back out cleanly and start again.  You also have the forums here and tech-support at Stardock available to help.  Nicer folks you will never meet.

Two things:
  • Start small, install an app a day until you have everything you need working.  That way if there is a problem you can identify it.
  • Creating content is easy for some and harder for others.  Much is dependent on your artistic skill and not the tools.  Some components are easier to skin than others.  Island Dog wrote a tutorial for CursorFX yesterday that made it seem very clear and easy to make a cursor set.
ODNT is worth every penny.  Welcome to the community!



Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What Zubaz said.  :D 
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Zubaz about said it all.

I will tell you this, once you have it and if for some reason you lose it, you will cry like a little baby. Honest, I wouldn't kid you about something like that.  ;) 
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm new to this (about a month now) and had those exact same fears. The software is very stable and I have never seen a better support forum. Some people get addicted to games - I found my addiction. This is such fun!
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I will tell you this, once you have it and if for some reason you lose it, you will cry like a little baby
End of quote
. . which reminds me . . Stardock Central (soon to be Impulse) manages downloading, archiving, restoring all teh ODNT apps.  If you have to format your drive or lose your apps, by installing this one app you can be up and running in no time.  And . . if you decide not to renew after your year is up (although it happens rarely) you can use the last good version you have forever.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Skinning offers many things to each person. you can be a mild user to a full on Artist making the skins or somewhere in between. Ive found theres pretty much a niche for most everyone.

As Zubaz suggested. Take on a bit at a time and read up on what program does what. Then you can choose which ones you want to use.

You can always post questions, folks here are pretty decent about helping new members out :)


Most of all have fun and welcome to the community :)
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Ha ha. You are asking a bunch of fanatics if they like what they are fanatical about. YES! YES! YES!
End of quote


LOL

Of course...

Okay, well, it seems as though the 6 of you reflect the general feelings towards this program and all I really needed was a bit of a nudge... after all, how can one pass on the awesome potential!?!

So, that said, off I go to dl the lot of it!!!! Wish me luck!

Oh, and thank you for your input... awesome to know members here actually contribute. :)
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
All right DrSuess, that's worth an early welcome to the community. :CONGRAT: 

Don't forget that once you download you can always come to the forums to ask questions and seek assistance. Just remeber that if a serious problem comes up the best way to get it resolved is by emailing support@stardock.com. ;) 
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have the exact specs you have. In all honesty, if I had to give up Object Desktop at this point I would hardly ever use my computer again. Take the plunge. You won't regret it. Any problems I have experienced,which have been minimal, have been totaly manageable and I am no computer technican.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've been here 6 years. Enough said. :D 
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
For a basic user like me all I need from the Object Desktop bundle is WB6, CFXplus, and IconPackager. I installed all the apps at first but then uninstalled them and only left the basics needed to skin this machine. That's like 23 uninstalled and unnecessary apps in my case. I don't know if it would be cheaper to only purchase the programs I need next time round, and get a subscription on those, or if it's cheaper to pay for the bundle. Well, I have 9 months to think about it anyway.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
To answer fontinalis question, you would only have to add up the cost of about 3 programs to see that you could/would quickly exceed the cost of Object Desktop.

Plus, during the subscription period you have the capability to use the other included programs as you become more familiar with their functions. You don't need to be a skinner to appreciate the value of Object Desktop when it comes to desktop customization.  ;) 
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WB6 + CFX (Plus) + IP = $20 + $20 + $15 = $55
ODNT = $50 (and all the other apps too!!)

 :SURPRISED:
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I would say buying ODNT would be more cost effective in the long run. You get discounts and product upgrades are automatic. Example: I bought CursorXP way back and the new CursorFX only cost me $9.95 instead of $19.95 because I have ODNT. I received DeskScapes beta (for my laptop) and automatically got TweakVista.

So yes ODNT is worth buying!!! :CONGRAT: 
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Lastly, is the program stable?
End of quote


There are 2 ways to go....

1. use only "release" versions and you should have very few problems.

2. Live on the bleeding edge and use the latest versions (BETAs) in which case you will encounter an issue from time to time. This way is still much more stable than Po Smedley.

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This way is still much more stable than Po Smedley.
End of quote
  :LOL:  :LOL:  :LOL:


"Nothing on earth is forcing you to install the beta versions. It can get rough on the bleeding edge. "
-- Kris Kwilas, 'Essays on Mind and Matter'

:)
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This way is still much more stable than Po Smedley
End of quote


And don't forget the spell checker. Welcome aboard Dude :CONGRAT:  :LOL: 
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WB6 + CFX (Plus) + IP = $20 + $20 + $15 = $55ODNT = $50 (and all the other apps too!!) 
End of quote


To avoid confusion, CFX Plus isn't included in the OD subscription is it? Just a 20% discount?

Example: I bought CursorXP way back and the new CursorFX only cost me $9.95 instead of $19.95 because I have ODNT.
End of quote


I'm pretty sure this $10 discount was the result of having purchased CursorXP previously, not due to being an OD subscriber.

Not trying to nitpick, just don't want him to be dissappointed and start off on the wrong foot. Point is still the same, OD is certainly a good value, CFX just isn't so much a part of it.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm pretty sure this $10 discount was the result of having purchased CursorXP previously
End of quote


Actually is was because I had CursorXP AND an OD sub.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I would advise against buying any of this software. You will not like it. I HATE it!

















*Those statements have no truth to them at all. HE made me type them...I'm scared of HIM.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
To avoid confusion, CFX Plus isn't included in the OD subscription is it? Just a 20% discount?
End of quote
Correct, sorry to confuse.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just want him to know what he's getting and be happy...

 :) 
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Windowblinds alone is worth the $50 What talent! What imagination!What a crazy bunch! Support the skinning community, help keep 'em off the streets. LOL
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't know if I can give you a competely unbiased Honest "Object"ive opinion because I LOVE OD. Seriously though, if you like a customized look for your desktop and you want the best software available for both XP and Vista then buy Object Desktop. :D