ObjectDock vs ObjectBar vs ObjectDock Plus - and OD "Ultimate"

Let the confusion begin!

from Stardock Forums
Okay - so, here I am with Object Desktop, looking for a possible Windows task bar replacement. Turns out OD does indeed come with two: ObjectDock and Object Bar.

Which appear to be the same thing, with one just being a bit more like Mac OS X, and the other more like Windows. But they seem to have the same functionality - they're program launchers, and they both look like they're very flexible.

So - my primary question is, is one replacing the other? What's the big difference?

Both seem to support skinning, although neither is respecting my WindowsBlinds skin! ObjectDock does not appear to have any Windows Blinds skin integration at all, and ObjectBar basically ignored my WindowsBlinds skin, even when I specifically told it to use it. Really, does Stardock need a new skinning engine for each new application?

Why is it that Stardock feels that all applications - except Stardock's own applications - can be skinned?? For a company that makes most of its money on customization and skinning, you'd think their own applications would be a shining example of skinning compatibility.

Also, what's up with Object Desktop "Ultimate?" It appears I do not have "ObjectDock Plus" - which makes my "Ultimate" Object Desktop seem not so "Ultimate." Frankly, that's very disappointing. The very reason I bought the entire bundle is so I wouldn't have to pay separately for each application! I wanted the ultimate desktop experience, with the best of everything - now it turns out I didn't get it. Very disappointing.

In any case - back to the original topic - is ObjectDock or ObjectBar the product that Stardock will be pushing forward in the future?
objectdock
7,097 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I doubt you'll ever see ObjectDock disappear. The two are similar but vastly different if that makes any sense.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
And I say that you use ObjectDock. It's far more flexible, easier and it's more visually pleasing too.
Plus, you'll find endless pages full of skins for ObjectDock compared to a very smaller number of skins for ObjectBar :)
TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
First, ObjectDock is NOT part of ObjectDesktop.

Second, OD is a dock.  It can have docklets.

OB is a  . . a. . a magic thing that can do so much more.  It can replace the taskbar with DX widgets and menues and clocks and meters and oh  . . it's wonderful.

I wrote a tutorial on making your own bar here:  https://www.stardock.com/products/objectbar/docs/Creating_OB.asp

(there's a bug in OB that prevents it from pickin up a WB skin but it should be able to)
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
First, ObjectDock is NOT part of ObjectDesktop.
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Which totally explains why I have it under the "My Desktop" tab.

OB is a . . a. . a magic thing that can do so much more. It can replace the taskbar with DX widgets and menues and clocks and meters and oh . . it's wonderful.
End of quote


Okay, I stick with OB, then. *uninstalls and hides OD*.

(there's a bug in OB that prevents it from pickin up a WB skin but it should be able to)
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Okay, I hope they fix the bug soon.

There also seems to be a bug that causes the OS to lock up when it closes.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There also seems to be a bug that causes the OS to lock up when it closes.
End of quote
I've not seen that.  What OS and Ver?
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OB unloads fine here running xp prof SP2 ,the only odd thing that happens is the OB icon in system tray becomes non functional & will no longer work so to close the program i have to use task manager

edit: not that it matters since i don't use OB
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OB is a . . a. . a magic thing
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Now that's tellin' 'em like it is Zu!

 :LOL:  :LOL:  :LOL: 
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
I've not seen that. What OS and Ver?
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Vista Business, 64 bit with SP1 installed. WindowsBlinds is running with a custom skin.

It may have been ObjectDock. I just closed and re-opened ObjectBar, and no ill effects.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I just closed and re-opened ObjectBar, and no ill effects.
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See? Magic!
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
See? Magic!
End of quote


LOL!

Now all I need is the magic WB skinner.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nice Tutorial Zubaz .. I don't use Object Bar at present ... DS / Winstep does it for me atm ... But now you've got me 'finkin maybe I should !!

Only one spelling mistake too ... Good on yer, bud ... hehe !! :D 
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Only one spelling mistake too ... Good on yer, bud ... hehe !!
End of quote
Sunovvabich!
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ObjectDock does not appear to have any Windows Blinds skin integration at all,
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True but check out the galleries of WebGizmos and messiah1 along with quite a few others and you'll find a lot of OD skins that will match your windowblinds skins perfectly.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
check out the galleries of WebGizmos and messiah1
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Their OD collections are so extensive, they alone will match damn near every windowblinds you've got and even the ones you don't have yet!

While you're in the OD gallery drooling, don't forget to stop by these other tremendously talented Dock designer's galleries as well...

Mirsguy, Cavan1, Zakai1369 and RobJK

 ;)