Questions about using OD as the taskbar

from Stardock Forums
I have OD Plus and I have three docks, one on the top of the screen, a second one on the right bottom and I just set up a third dock that I want to use as the system tray. But there are a few things I can't figure out.

1.
I can't find out a way to keep the bottom of the screen set exclusively for the OD Taskbar. When a window is maximized, it takes all the screen, including the space where the taskbar should be. The original taskbar is set to auto-hide.
Screenshot:



In the screenshot, the OD taskbar is overlapping the Firefox's status bar. Is there a way I can keep that section of the screen exclusively for the status bar?

2.
The original taskbar is set to auto-hide, but that only works when the pointer is on the desktop. The taskbar doesn't pop-up when when any window is max'd.

Nevermind that one, somehow it got sorted out by itself. :SURPRISED:

3.
I'd like to keep the OD taskbar in a similar arrangement as the original taskbar's: Start menu - Open Windows - Some additional icons like battery and time/date. But there are only two options keep the Taskbar either one the left side or the right side. Can I keep the system tray icons on the right side and the open windows in the middle.

4.
I had a 4th question but I forgot all about it :(


Thanks
objectdock
4,205 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'd like to keep the OD taskbar in a similar arrangement as the original taskbar's: Start menu - Open Windows - Some additional icons like battery and time/date. But there are only two options keep the Taskbar either one the left side or the right side. Can I keep the system tray icons on the right side and the open windows in the middle.
End of quote


To have something similar to this, you could have a dock with a start button launcher, then taskbar to the right.

I personally recommend using a bottom (un-tabbed) dock for misc. icons and taskbar; then having a single-tabbed dock somewhere (mine is in the lower-right of my screen) dedicated to the sys tray.

Currently, there is no way to have sys tray icons on the same un-tabbed dock with the taskbar icons. Though, if you search through the ObjectDock icons or docklets libraries, you may find a sys tray docklet that could work for you.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
1. Under the positioning tab in ODFree is a 'reserve edge of screen' = should be something similar in plus


2. keep on top? ;)


4. that's okay, I can't remember the answer.
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Thank you, that's brilliant, I hadn't thought of that. Now I have 3 docks at the very bottom of the screen, which is what I wanted.

There's still the problem of the maximized windows overlapping the bottom of the screen.

Also, what do you have to display the time? The OD's clock is to tiny and Windows clock is not displayed on the OD's sys tray.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
3.
I'd like to keep the OD taskbar in a similar arrangement as the original taskbar's: Start menu - Open Windows - Some additional icons like battery and time/date. But there are only two options keep the Taskbar either one the left side or the right side. Can I keep the system tray icons on the right side and the open windows in the middle.
End of quote


I use 2 non-zooming docks. Dock on the left has a Startmenu button, and few fav shortcuts, with the running tasks to the right. Dock on the right is the systray.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There's still the problem of the maximized windows overlapping the bottom of the screen.
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Birchur gave you the answer.... Reserve edge of screen.
In Plus you'll find it in OD Properties > Positioning
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
1. Under the positioning tab in ODFree is a 'reserve edge of screen' = should be something similar in plus2. keep on top? 4. that's okay, I can't remember the answer.
End of quote


Thanks but it's not working, I've already checked 'reserve edge and keep on top'. I also restarted OD to make sure all the settings are running. But as on the screenshot above, the max'd window and the docks are overlapping.


Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
'Edge of the screen'

I just realized that reserving the edge of the screen works only on the Top of the screen. There's no difference whether I check or unckeck 'Reserve edge' if the dock is placed at the bottom.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What OS are you using for this? Also what service pack for that OS?
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Vista SP1. It's now working, but I had to re-start my computer for the changes to work. Thanks a lot y'all.

PS. Is there a way to add a visible clock with OD? I miss having a clock on the sys tray. OD'clock is tiny.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
there are clock docklets

but they will be the size you set for your bar - same as the icons
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you are looking for quick visable clocks for Object Dock I highly recommend looking for one of the digital docklets. This is based on the idea you might keep the bar small or have a high resolution. You can tweak the settings just right with ODP plus.