Opportunity for Vista-haters

Apparently your mother tongue is Zubish. Don't worry, you're not alone.

Let me make it clear:

It's uninstalled

spudmachine I just can not say that I agree with any of the points that you were attempting to make.

I believe it is safe to say that you felt that your experience using the software fell far below you expectations. That kind of things happens everyday.

I have ObjectDesktop so I use quite a few of the programs customizing my desktop. No problems here using it or understanding it. Have not experience and thing in the way of performance dropping with using the software.

You might want to check out the WinCustmize Wiki. WWW Link There are tutorials and some videos there that just might improve on you experience using the software.   

WHAT??? :SURPRISED: I don't even notice it running.I can load every app in ODNT and get no slow downs or take any performance hit,except for dreams.(My $300 HP came with a cr@p video card)

I'm 53,haven't used a PC since the AppleIIc and I am finding my way around ODNT.DX was a little intimidating at first,but I'm learning.That's 1/2 the fun,not getting it "packaged" for me.

Perhaps you should try asking for advice here at WC instead,it will help you get the most out of your programs. You are simply playing the "I hate Vista" tune.There are many who played it,went over to Vista,and now are humming"Hey this actually is as good,maybe better" (even if only to themselves). These same people will most likely bash the next OS as well.Ah,progress!

Personally, I'm a little confused about what your issue is with the software. It's "too programmable"? In other words, it has many more options for configuration than you would use personally? Isn't the answer to that to configure what you want? Have you used WB6? It's pretty easy to install skins. In fact, try downloading one from the gallery. When the tooltip pops up in the lower righthand side of your screen, click it and WB will install that skin automatically.

Regarding OD, if I'm not mistaken, it comes with several background skins, and it's actually not that difficult to install new ones. Here's what it could use (and people have probably mentioned these items before): an easy way to navigate skins, a uniform location for skins (My Documents/Stardock/ObjectDock/Skins/Backgrounds, .../Skins/Icons/, .../Skins/IconPacks/, et cetera), and a simple way to install skins into these respective locations.

I use it on 256mb memory and none of my programs slow down. I've heard that some skins can make your computer faster than normal GUI.

Must be something wrong with your computer.

I have to agree that at the beginning all the different programs are a bit overwelming. My suggestion would be to not try to understand them all at once, and if you have specific questions about a piece of it or the differences between the pieces post them around here individually, you'll probably get lots of help with more specific questions. I would also suggest starting with WindowBlinds and getting it working, it does work well, and if you are having problems you can either try asking these forums or official Stardock Support
WWW Link

Also, Stardock has addressed the "Point-click-load-it-all" approach with the MyColors packages WWW Link,
perhaps that is more what you are looking for.

Regarding Object Dock, it has a lot more usefulness than the Start-up dock (the "application helper" error), so you might want to have another look at it and just not use the system docks. It's a specific issue, you're not going to hurt yourself by using the other features of Object Dock and just dodging that error.

Hope that helps to get you going. I'd hate to see you give up on it all so soon and stare at that friggin' XP screen for another 5 years.   

I can't see what Vista, as opposed to XP has to do with Stardock products... for the most part they work equally well on both OSes and do NOT drain/hog resources in either. If anything, Vista runs more efficiently with Windowblinds installed, because it is optimised to draw from the video/graphics card rather than the CPU. Furthermore, Windowblinds does not introduce instabilities. While it could be considered a gimmick to some extent, being it is primarily for customisation, most report that their GUI became more stable under Windowblinds.

As others have said, trying to load and understand the functions of all the products can be/is overwhelming, so the best way to learn/navigate around them is to load one at a time and move onto the next when you're comfortable. As Stardock programs for being too programmable/configurable, that's the way most of us want them... to offer customisation choices, adaptability and versatility... something the default Windows GUI does not provide.



Yes, if ObjectDesktop is more than you want or need, then MyColors could be the answer to your "I can't stand the default XP GUI any longer" feelings.

Well outside that rock you happen to be under plenty of people are getting it, its far from a rejection.

I agree, I honestly don't understand what this guy is getting at... probably just trying to make yet another "OMG VISTA LOL WTF?" thread.

I think the fact that he/she has failed to respond to any post's on this thread has spoken volumes about the validity of the thread. Coupled with the fact that some if not most of it makes no sense leads me to believe that the actual point of the post was to view the responses. RAD

Yes, and the next thing he'll say is ObjectDock makes his computer work like a slug.
Really folks,if you've got issues with anything, it can always be learned. More than once I've started top quality, intermediate level apps which demand a lot, and all I do is stare at the blank canvas, thinking," What now?"

If it doesn't work for you, there's always something called resources. If its a Stardock product that's boggling, check the Wincustomize Wiki.



C#, Java? When do you need them with Stardock apps? WindowBlinds doesn't ask you to write some code to load a skin. ObjectDock doesn't refuse to load if you don't make some Java apps for it.
Everything is laid down in simple, easy to use user interfaces. For example, WindowBlinds has separate sections for separate areas of customization. If you want to change the skin, there's a tab for it. A tab for transparency, colors, font, animation, etc. Every setting has it's own section.

How much easier could they make it?

Now let's take a look at ObjectDock. There are some lucky skins in the ObjectDock format [ie: .dockzip]. A .dockzip file can be double clicked, and it does the job. You get the skin/icons/docklets in your OD directory.
For those other icons/backgrounds/skins in zip files, all you need to do is right click, press extract files and point it to your ObjectDock folder and choose a subfolder. Then preess Extract. Done.

And if you're too much of a newb [I don't blame you, I'm a newb too] then go with Starkers suggestion: Try MyColors. A one click option and you'll get a different skin/icon pack/etc. No more ol' boring XP.



Tell you what, Xp will e here another five years. It will go to the grave in 2014, when it will be officially unsupported. Check this page to know more right from Microsoft.
And imagine, if Win 98 was around here today, still being supported, would we want to skin it? Would we use ObjectDock on it? No. We'd stay away because better OSs exist. Right now many people [including me] still use XP because it still works great. That doesn't mean we'll keep using it till the very end. Someday, we'll have to make the switch, because like many other companies, Stardock will also switch over directly to Vista, wouldn't it? That day is still far, but yet many people think Vista isn't up to the mark.
Vista is being treated today like XP was treated when it was released.

I can see us all as proud Windows Vista users a couple of years from now, with no mark of XP's existence in our hearts, and then we'll jump onto the " I hate Windows 7" bandwagon when it comes out

And I thought the thread starter was actually here ;p

You're right RAD, he's more of a coward now that he knows he didn't actually make any sense.

I don't think RAD called him a coward, which is a bit over the top really Pixeleo.

Now now Guys...be nice and cut her/he some slack...some people do take naps and it was only posted yesterday.


I can understand how some people are taken back by everything you get in ODNT...when I first got it I didn't know my ass from a whole in the ground so it took to time getting comfortable with everything...and everyone that's ever bought it knows there is a lot to get comfortable with.

I'm sure once they come back start asking more questions they'll see they may have jumped to conclusions.

OK...I'll apologize...maybe I haven't had a good rant lately...

*Pixeleo runs off to shout at his teddy bear*

Orright!! :SURPRISED: So what did your teddy bear ever do to you??? :LOL:

Actually I think I'll bow out of this thread.

I didn't realise I was expected to monitor the thread in real time - especially as I wasn't reporting a bug or anything that required immediate action. I'm afraid I have a day job, and I don't live in a US timezone either. I usually post to boards in coffee breaks.

Apologies to Pixeleo - I'm usually the one who cringes at the misuse of English (it's usually when the word "loose" is used instead of "lose"). I will always uninstall in the future

Dave RI, thanks for the understanding. And also thanks to you and starkers for the suggestion on MyColors. It does look like something a novice could get to grips with. But I did like the way OD could actually be used to change the way I interacted with the PC (as opposed to just making windows look different). If they ever get that "helper" bug sorted I'll be back.

To those of you who recognise my attempt at constructive, but naive, criticism about a product I genuinely have been impressed with (sorry Pixeleo - had to end that clause with a preposition) I'd like to assure you I won't be abandoning the product. But I do still find the whole thing confusing.

Cheers,
Geoff

You didn't take the time to use it/know how to use it right. If it doesn't work on your computer than there is something wrong with your computer. That's Object Dock. WB doesn't make a computer run slower, again than there is something wrong with the computer. You are pretty much wrong. Sorry, that's just how I see it.

Once you have gotten to know how to use OD,you'll wonder how you could function without it.
Just start out slow,use what is supplied with the program to get a feel for it.Put a dock on,add a docklet or two,and a few shortcuts to "practice" with.
Then change things around to what you need.Drag some desktop shortcuts onto it,change backgrounds,etc.
Most importantly,if you need help never be afraid to come to WC and ask for advice.We may joke around a bit,but everyone here sincerely wants your software to work for you. Take care.

P.S.Think how impressed those IT guys will be.

That's good to hear, that you're not abandoning the product on the basis of finding it a bit little daunting at first. I am not a programmer and found it all a bit confusing at the start, but it didn't take long until I was fairly comfortable with the desktop enhancement aspect of Stardock apps. Creating for them is more involved and another story, but they usually have default settings that suit most users to begin with, so are fairly easy to use once you've become familiar with the interface... and most skins are self-installing, so all you have to do is double click on the skin file to access it in the relevant program's skin list.

For the most part, Stardock programs are pretty much self-explanatory, user friendly and trouble free, but should you ever run into difficulties, you'll never be left floundering because there's always plenty of support here in the Stardock Support forum and/or via email to WWW Link

Besides, while MyColors offers a convenient one click approach to desktop customisation, the ObjectDestop experience is a much more rewarding one, because it offers greater scope and mix and match options, so I hope that you will persist with it and get value for your money.

And just what did ObjectDesktop have to do with that??  :LOL: 

ROFL   Good question!:LOL:

:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

spudmachine: I think if you take a little time, when you have it to spare, and search the forums you will find exactly what you need to get you caught up with ways to best use OD.






:LOL: :LOL:



Dammit and now I'll have to take a walk and see if I can find a whole in the ground.

Be very, very careful where you're treading, then... a friend of mine works for the Parks & Wildlife Service and was sent out by his boss to dig up and remove a hole weekend campers had dug for a toilet and had left behind them... didn't see it in the long grass and fell in.