DesktopX 2.4 improves widget support

New version supports configurable widgets

from JoeUser Forums

Software developer Stardock has released a significant update to DesktopX today.  The world's most popular widget enabling program has found competition growing from programs such as Konfabulator, Avedesk and others.

While those programs do not support DesktopX's ability to build complete desktops and distribute them, they do support a robust "widget" architecture. Widgets in the desktop customization market are mini-programs that are designed to reside on your desktop. Where the desktop was once the exclusive home to icons, widgets (and DesktopX objects) allow users to extend the desktop functionality of Windows.

DesktopX widgets can be brought to the front with a function key (default is F9) or hidden entirely until needed (default is F10). But DesktopX widgets were previously not very configurable by end users. If a user wanted to change the color or tweak the shadow or even the Z-order, the user had to load DesktopX, import the widget, make the changes, and then re-export them.  With version 2.4, users can go to the properties of the DesktopX widget and change them directly.

"One of the key advantages DesktopX has over other widget-enabling programs is that DesktopX widgets are EXEs that can be run without running DesktopX.  However, many users requested the ability to be able to modify how those widgets functioned without having to import them into the DesktopX environment.  We consider 2.4 really the start on this journey," said Brad Wardell, Product Manager of DesktopX at Stardock. "Future versions will add labeling, and plugin configurability right into the context menu. Eventually a DesktopX widget will have all the advantages of a stand along program while using a fraction of the memory and resources that a typical stand alone program uses."

DesktopX 2.4 is a free download. Stardock provides an enhanced version that supports premium widgets as well as the ability to export content as widgets.  The enhanced version is available stand alone or as part of Stardock's overall suite of desktop enhancement utilities called Object Desktop.

Visit www.desktopx.net to get the new version of DesktopX.

 

desktopx
25,116 views 28 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ooh "CraptopX". Well the loser living in his mom's basement crowd has spoken.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Okay, I'll bite.

ScottK must be using some piss poor monitor if he thinks the widgets in that screenshot are awful. Stepping through them...

I see a fish swimming on the desktop. Konfabulator and Avedesk can't even do animated widgets like this. Ditto for the globe. I have that globe and know it spins fluidly and the animated lava lamp.

The picture frame widget looks just as good as the Konfabulator one and Avedesk doesn't have one at all. The iTunes widget looks as good as any Avedsk similar widget. I like the Konfabulator one better visually though so Konfab get a point finally but there are a lot of other media player widgets for DesktopX.
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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ScottK - isn't it a school night?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ScottK

You know, even if they are crappy looking (which quite clearly they're not), DesktopX gives you the ability to easily create your own widgets and objects. You can create your own images and add your own functions to them quite easily.

To come to the home of DesktopX and begin insulting its creators and contributors and putting down the software seems rather childish to me. By your own behaviour it seems you still have a few years left in elementary school.

Could you please post a link to some of the widgets you yourself have created for any of the other software you mentioned?

Thanks.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Those have to the crappiest looking widgets ever. Konfabulator, AveDesk, and Kapsules don\'t have to worry about competition from CraptopX. They actually have talented people making widgets instead of the five year olds at Stardock. Good luck on having your no talent CraptopX \"artists\" graduating from elementary art school and mastering the use of MS Paint. Maybe in the next decade or two you\'ll come fractionally closer to producing the professional looking widgets found in other programs instead of something that looks like it came from a Saturday morning cartoon.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ScottK, if you don't like DX why are you wasting your time writing in this thread? Funny
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can't believe people actually come here to flame a product which they probably never used.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
As one of the Elementry school artist, I would like to say thanks skottK for you wise and well thought out argument. Perhaps you shoul show us some of your fine work? so we can all learn form the master.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
lol, what a tool. So good to know this is the level of intelligence out there.

Nice work on Desktop X guys, the widgets are looking better, the interface is greatly improved. Keep it up.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

Ah Unbeliever (if that is you), yes, people who would object to some loser coming on and referring to DesktopX as "crapware" and other silliness are "yes men".  But I guess that's the kind of logic one can expect from someone who calls people "fagboy".

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Damn Unbeliever, I have a real hard time believing that is actually you and really hope that it's just someone using your name and being a REAL ASSHAT! (as is ScottK)

Whoever it is really needs to get a life over this stuff. If this really is you Unbe, then sorry man, I have lost the modicum of respect I had for you.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Wow it really shows you are a person, who has never used Desktopx, The again maybe your mummy would not buy it for you.Because only a child vents this way.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
yes i too would like to see the widgets built by this master of all that is graphical.....
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i mean "dude ur stuff sux" sure was a strong arguement....wow did ya think it up all by ur self ? or did ya have friends help?
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
As a fellow "Elementry school artist" i would like to say.. kiss my .... oops.. wait i cant say that ... Scott's MOM might be rading this to him, and i dont want to offend her. Its not fair to blame the parents for a child that turns out so screwed up.

I agree with mormegil:
Perhaps you shoul show us some of your fine work? so we can all learn form the master.


PLEASE oh Paint Shop Pro Master.. show me what a "REAL" widget looks like.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Easy fix, have all anonymous postings go through moderation. Threads that are as childish as this one has become - becomes threads of the past (and not to be repeated).
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
>> instead of something that looks like it came from a Saturday morning cartoon

Um, what if I'm using ToonXP? Awesome suite btw!

I wish I had the time to waste giving advice on things that I don't understand that will be promptly dismissed!
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nice release. Kudos to all people that have been working on it.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This update is much easier on my old C400 processor. I can run several Widgets as well as a modest DX Theme. The customization of the Widgets is a great step forward. Frogboy, thanks to you and your personnel. Your hard work is much appreciated!
Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
I like how the widgets morph out when you close them, and the enhanced features of DXPlayer. It's a good release, thanx
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
...Way to ruin an interesting thread, anonymous users.

Bugs the crap outta me when people (kids) with nothing better to do come on here with the sole purpose of bashing something they probably don't have the brains to figure out.

Personally, I think it's the best release to-date.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
well hey there i was only around 13-14(17 now) when i started using desktopx, so not all kids have no brains but then again most kids expect things to be handed to them, and desktopx is the closest out of all programs to pretty much hand you everything you need to create a kick ass desktop.but for that idiot with the first post...well he just needs to learn some respect like alot of people because they dont give credit to the people that try for one, 2 they cant/wont/havent done anything better, and they arent makin the money. anyways awesome job on the new DX version stardock