Nervous purchaser & his questions...

from Stardock Forums

We all know the difference between the Standard package and the Ultimate package is $20.  For some that's no big deal but $20 is $20!

Question #1:
With that said the following additional programs come with the Ultimate package.  There are some other ones but I'm not interested in those.  The ones I am interested in are:

  • WindowFX
  • SkinStudio
  • IconDeveloper
  • ObjectBar
  • IconX
  • LogonStudio
  • Keyboard Launchpad
  • RightClick

Now of all those programs listed about...who's using them all extensively & getting a lot of use out of them?  Are those programs above more suited for people that want to design themes/icons/etc. for WindowBlinds?  I see there are literally thousand of themes, skins, templates available for download.  I would like to know how many people REALLY use the programs above. 

Question #2:
If WindowBlinds is purchase seperately you have 3 flavors to choose from:  Standard, Bundled, Extreme.  Which flavor comes with the standard purchase of Object Desktop?  I don't want to "assume" it's Standard so I wanted to ask.  If it is Standard, is the Wincustomize subscription available still?  I guess I'm sort of confused there.

I hope my questions weren't too confusing or vague or stupid.  I'm very anxious to finally be able to buy this software & just want to make sure my hard earned money is spent wisely.

Thanks to all that reply!
15,907 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
ObjectBar and RightClick are worth the $20 and are for the average user.  KLP is worth $10 easy for a power PC user.  Some of the others are for skin designers and some are a bit old in the tooth (especially for Vista users)

WB:Bundle comes with ODNT:Ultimate. You can get the WC sub at any time later.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
LogonStudio is actually a freeware program, I don't know why it's listed there.

I use SKS (skinstudio) but the free version will also work (unless you're actually planning on making skins, then pro would be recommended, I just edit/mod ones I've downloaded).

I don't use any of the rest.
Curtains - Customize Windows with additional styles
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've gotten lot's of use from IconDeveloper and IconX. RightClick I don't use but, it too has a fair following. ObjectBar is a fun program to explore.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Of the programs you listed, I use Right Click and Skin Studio....I make blinds, so I have the Professional version. I also use Icon Developer for re-coloring icon packages. I don't use any of the other stuff.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Skinstudio only, been using ODNT for a few years now, haven't found a much use for anything else listed.

You may love them all.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
R-Click is very useful.Depending on how often you log off/reboot LogonStudio is also nice.
You didn't mention DesktopX but if you check it out,you'll be amazed at what it can do.I like the Soundpackager as well.
Get your feet wet,so to speak, and you may want these or others later,but it will cost more.Bottom line,for $20 you can't go wrong.
P.S. I'm artistically declined so I've never used SKS,but the skins that it can produce in the hands of those who do are amazing.Have Fun!
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
I just bought the ultimate package so may not be the right person to ask - being new to it all myself.

* WindowFX - this is pure eye candy but very nice eye candy

* SkinStudio - I'm finding this useful for tweaking WindowBlinds skins that I have downloaded - there always seems to be something that you don't quite like - but as someone has said there is a free version.

* IconDeveloper - haven't used much yet - but expect it will be handy as per Skin Studio - tweaking the bits I don't like in other peoples packages

* ObjectBar - I tend to prefer RightClick assigned to a keyboard hotkey (I don't like too much desktop clutter). It's personal taste tho' - it's a very capable tool.

* IconX - eye candy again - but quite nice.

* LogonStudio - haven't bothered with it much - since I cant seem to find the XP version?

* Keyboard Launchpad - haven't fired this up yet.

* RightClick - as I said above - I find this very useful.

* DesktopX - very powerful but unless someone can point me to more useful pre-made widgets just how many time and weather and CPU usage widgets do you need? To do something REALLY useful with this you would have to spend time writing code. Being a software bod I can see myself spending quite a bit of time in here.

Hmm, reading over the above it sounds quite negative but I should say I am very happy with what I have and expect more things to open up to me as I get used to them.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks for the link.