Question to Stardock about Object Desktop and the future of Windows XP

from WinCustomize Forums

With all this discontinuation crap about Windows XP , (Lucky me , my new computer is a Nettop and I am going to keep it for as long as I can) What is Stardock's commitment to continuing software support for XP, even when Microsoft discontinues it for good? Will Stardock eventually stop writing customization tools for XP?

1,967 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I can't speak for Stardock, but I believe that Frogboy said something to the effect of "e must keep moving forward" in one of his recent articles. In short, I think Stardock is moving ahead and not focusing on XP, but on Windows 7.  This is my UNOFFICIAL understanding of what I've read here.

ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Here is an excerpt from a recent post by Frogboy: 

"Let’s face it, Windows Vista and Windows 7 in particular look awesome. Microsoft has done a great job improving the experience for Windows users.  Why on earth should people pay money for programs that often make Windows look worse? Or make things behave flakey?

Does this mean that customization is dying? No.  It means that desktop enhancements have to adapt to the OS people actually use.  We’re a long ways from the days of Windows 2000 or Windows XP now. 

Sure, lots of people still use Windows XP. But it’s a dying market. It came out 8 years ago. It’s time to move on.  You can’t focus making software for legacy operating systems if your overall audience are cutting edge power users.  I know that might upset some people but it’s true.

In two weeks, Windows 7 comes out.  I’m running it right now. It’s awesome. And if desktop customization is going to move forward, it needs to start looking at customizing the things that today’s users want to customize even if that means starting from scratch.

Keep an eye on Object Desktop starting today and going forward. You’re going to see some pretty rapid changes coming. "

 

 

From this thread: https://forums.wincustomize.com/365759

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yeah it sucks that in WB7, the "XP Specific" settings, we can't even get a preview anymore of the toolbar icons and animations. Makes it pretty difficult when trying to pick one for a skin that doesn't have them already.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

In 2001 Windows XP had a 'future'.  In 2009 it is a legacy OS, not quite as redundant [yet] as Windows 98 or 2000, but the moths are circling.....

Each time that Microsoft releases a new version of Windows it is clear notification that the prior version is close to its use-by date.

Some software manufacturers may wish to be pre-occupied with maintaining legacy functionality, but most will want to concentrate on moving forward....in tandem with Microsoft [where possible].

XP is an old operating system. 8 years of patching/bandaids just shows its wrinkles more clearly.  I expect [and trust] that Stardock will be looking forward, rather than backward...;)