Aston2 Christmas edition 1.6 released

The original fully customizable Explorer shell replacement

http://www.astonshell.com
Aston2 is an original Windows shell replacement application with the enhanced functionality. Aston2 consists of three components: Menu, Desktop and Panels which, keeping up with the latest tendencies, turn your desktop into a yet more convenient and attractive environment. Every element of Aston2 can be tweaked and customized, thus letting one create yet more convenient working area. In this version welcome the new widget "RSS reader"! It will keep you up to date with the latest news and most important events. This widget provides integrated context search which enables you to quickly find the feed. Also easy RSS channels addition/deletion and their key word search is provided. What's new in Aston2 1.6 +Added new X-mas theme +Added new widget "RSS reader" +Added ability to place widgets on Desktop +Added 3D task switching(flip3D) option for XP and Home edition of Vista and Windows7 +Added ability to vary panels emerging delay +Added displaying removable disks in "Disks" widget +Added widgets context menus optimization *Fixed several bugs Website Download URL
13,302 views 29 replies
Reply #1 Top

What advantages does it offer over Object Desktop, or Winstep Extreme?

I'm sure you are an Aston enthusiast judging from the fact that announcements like this are the only subject

you post about, but I feel a frame of reference and comparisons would be a far more useful service to the Community.

 

Reply #2 Top

Meh. Aston kinda blows.[That's my technical opinion.] lol. Seriously though, It has always been a bit clunky to use. Never  as smooth as OD. I rarely even see people use it. Sorry. But i pass on all things Aston.

Reply #3 Top

*sniff--sniff--sniff*  Is that the aroma of SPAM, I smell? 

"Gladiators Software announces the release of long expected Aston2, software that replaces the standard Windows desktop and makes it more usable, beautiful and customizable."  from here:

http://www.astonshell.com/aston2/

Reply #4 Top

Indeed. My original response was that the OP sounded a tad spammy....but didn't wish to be hostile. Good pickup Karen. It's spam alright.

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Reply #5 Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 4
Indeed. My original response was that the OP sounded a tad spammy....but didn't wish to be hostile. Good pickup Karen. It's spam alright.
End of DrJBHL's quote


I grant you karma for being non-hostile.  One of these days, I'll learn how to not be hostile also....or not.  They'll give me better meds in the geezer home if I'm hostile. ;P

Reply #6 Top

It's spam alright.
End of quote
While it is advertising ,calling it spam may be a bit harsh. More like customizing news from "the other guys", much like a Winstep or Hyperdesk announcement. I think it has a place here at WC as a news item. It may not win any converts but it is informational.

Reply #8 Top

It's not spam.  We are still a skinning community site and people are welcome to post their news to a certain extent.  :)

 

Reply #9 Top

It's not spam. We are still a skinning community site and people are welcome to post their news to a certain extent.
End of quote

Was just about to say the same thing....good that I panned down, then...;)

Skin-related news is usually NOT spam.....and is accepted.

Reply #10 Top

I apologize for thinking this was spam.  :blush:

Reply #11 Top

Since other Apps rate Galleries, perhaps news of this variety should have a special place in Forums....ie in General or Community "Other Skinning Systems News".

 

Reply #12 Top

The General Discussion ... New Releases is appropriate for this post.

Reply #13 Top

It fits well here as WC is a skinning site and this is the "general areas, new releases" section. Tho it could have easily fit in "OS customization, Customization software" as well.

As long as its skinning related and conducive of the community at large, I dont see the harm in other devs posting goodies to play with.

 

Remember folks, while we are a petty good chunk of the skinning community, were only but a part of a greater whole.

Reply #14 Top

Meh. Aston kinda blows.[That's my technical opinion.] lol. Seriously though, It has always been a bit clunky to use. Never as smooth as OD. I rarely even see people use it. Sorry. But i pass on all things Aston.
End of quote

So you have used Aston and from using it what you say is the truth as you know it.

What advantages does it offer over Object Desktop, or Winstep Extreme?
End of quote

I've used it and it's pretty cool. The advantage is that it is very low on resources and is pretty easy to skin. It's different because instead of using explorer it uses it's own engine if that's the right word. It's an actual shell replacement. It's very narrow minded of you to act the way you did and say those negative things without trying it first. Try it and then you can say those things.

Reply #15 Top

Quoting Hankers, reply 12
The General Discussion ... New Releases is appropriate for this post.
End of Hankers's quote

I thought that related to SD products, although for some reason I posted about Winstep in this forum also and I.D. made his recent Post about Nexus in Home>WC News...oh well, just an idea. To each his own.

Reply #16 Top

Yes Aston is a shell replacement like Litestep used to be, (tho it seems LS now runs on top of explorer in vista and win7).  Aston shell was a decent prog  I liked it but, it was incomplete without Icon and Cursor support. That and the number of skins for WB etc, compared to Aston kept me from wandering too far from home.. :thumbsup:

 

All in all a good app, that worked well. But Im hooked on Stardock products. 5* <3

Reply #17 Top

Quoting Chasbo, reply 14
Meh. Aston kinda blows.[That's my technical opinion.] lol. Seriously though, It has always been a bit clunky to use. Never as smooth as OD. I rarely even see people use it. Sorry. But i pass on all things Aston.

So you have used Aston and from using it what you say is the truth as you know it.

What advantages does it offer over Object Desktop, or Winstep Extreme?

I've used it and it's pretty cool. The advantage is that it is very low on resources and is pretty easy to skin. It's different because instead of using explorer it uses it's own engine if that's the right word. It's an actual shell replacement. It's very narrow minded of you to act the way you did and say those negative things without trying it first. Try it and then you can say those things.
End of Chasbo's quote

In your answer to the bold faced type you mixed quotes, Chasbo. The bold face is attributable to me. The former to someone else. I think you should attribute quotes when you differ with a given reply, and when relating to two or more antecedent replies.

What I asked for (as opposed to Mickeko pjdark *edit - thanks Karen) was a comparison [objective] of the various GUI/Shell changers and their pros and cons. I still feel that would be more informative than the ad in it's original form. I did not say anything negative about the app, so try reading before making personal remarks/attacks.

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Reply #18 Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 17

What I asked for (as opposed to Mickeko) was a comparison [objective]...
End of DrJBHL's quote


I think you mean pjdark, not Mickeko.  Mickeko hasn't responded to this thread.

Reply #19 Top

Quoting k10w3, reply 18
Quoting DrJBHL, reply 17
What I asked for (as opposed to Mickeko) was a comparison [objective]...

I think you mean pjdark, not Mickeko.  Mickeko hasn't responded to this thread.
End of k10w3's quote

Thanks, Karen. I edited that.

Reply #20 Top

@chasbo. correct.

Reply #21 Top

Look Doc it wasn't a personal attack. I just didn't like the idea that you seem to have narrowed down the field to Object Desktop and Winstep Extreme. Hence narrow minded.

Answer my question DrJBHL: Have you used Aston Shell?

but I feel a frame of reference and comparisons would be a far more useful service to the Community.
End of quote

What does this mean? Reference to what? Stardock stuff? Winstep? Litestep? Blackbox? Aston is unique.

I feel that someone who has no idea about Aston could have been potenially put off by the way you presented reply #1. As if Gladiators is just the red headed step child and doesn't deserve a place in the skinning community. They have been around since 1998. I used Aston before I used Windowblinds.

Why is this happening? Can't Gladiators just post their announcement and let it be? I don't see Winstep get any lip or people saying they are spamming. I love Winstep and Windowblinds etc., so isn't there room for others without there being some kind of territorial pissing thing going on?

Isn't there room for all? Can't we all just get along? Merry Christmas.

Reply #22 Top

Quoting Chasbo, reply 21
I feel that someone who has no idea about Aston could have been potenially put off by the way you presented reply #1. As if Gladiators is just the red headed step child and doesn't deserve a place in the skinning community.
End of Chasbo's quote


This is just my opinion, which doesn't count for shit, but I don't believe Gladiator DOES belong to the community, and what I find "put off" about Aston is the fact that Gladiator's only contribution to this community is to post "news" about Aston, and when other members of the community post questions to his threads, such as "does it play well with Stardock products", he never comes back to "tend to his thread" and provide an answer.

Also, I believe "news" is presented by reporters and/or people who have discovered things, not owners of products -- owners of products don't present news, they adverstise.  I know the difference is very subtle, but it IS a difference.  From reading the past posts by Gladiator, I've discovered that Zubaz is a fan of Aston.  Now, if Zubaz had started this thread, announcing the news that Aston 2 Christmas edition has been released, I would say, yeah -- thats news.  Does Brad Wardell post to the Aston site that Windowblinds 7 is out?  I know...this paragraph of my rant is petty, but I am posting it anyway so that people who read this thread understand my annoyance.  The bigger issue for me is the fact that the OP never comes back to answer followup questions about his "news".

Reply #23 Top

Quoting k10w3, reply 22
This is just my opinion, which doesn't count for shit, but I don't believe Gladiator DOES belong to the community...
End of k10w3's quote

Well, if you yourself think your opinion "doesn't count for shit" - keep it to yourself ;)

Anyone creating any skinnable application IS a part of the (skinning) community, no matter what.

Reply #24 Top

Quoting Snowman, reply 23

Well, if you yourself think your opinion "doesn't count for shit" - keep it to yourself.
End of Snowman's quote


Fair enough. 

Reply #25 Top

I think i was rude in my first post. My apologies.I could have been much more tactful. Me personally i did not care for it, but ultimately more choices are a good thing. Again my apologies for sounding like a jerk.