Object Desktop
Encyclopedia
Object Desktop is a software subscription service created by Stardock
for OS/2
and relaunched for Windows
in 1997.
Object Desktop includes most graphical user interface
customization and productivity
products offered by Stardock, including WindowBlinds
, Fences
, DesktopX
, Tweak7, IconPackager and ObjectBar. Notable exceptions include ObjectDock
and ThinkDesk
components like Multiplicity
, oriented more towards professional/corporate users.
and Kurt Westerfeld subsequent to Stardock's OS/2 Essentials, a pre-registered set of OS/2 shareware. Object Desktop 1.0 was followed by 1.5 and Professional versions following in short order.
By 1997 the OS/2 ISV
market was flagging, and many customers were switching to Windows NT 4. 1997 OS/2 revenues were 33% of those in 1996, and they fell to 25% of 1996 levels in 1998. This led to their decision to switch to Windows in mid-1997. Nevertheless, Stardock remained an OS/2 ISV until February 2001, when they stopped selling Object Desktop for OS/2.
OS/2 versions were sold as initial versions and upgrades, costing more than later Windows versions due to lower volume of sales.
Users of 1.0 could upgrade for $37.
In addition to the features of OD 1.5, the package included:
An upgrade to 2.02 was released at the start of 2000, but it was made clear that it would be the last release.
To cope with this cashflow problem, Object Desktop users who had switched from OS/2 to Windows were asked to purchase Windows subscriptions in advance of the actual software, on the understanding that their subscription period would only begin when the software was reasonably complete (which ended up as December 1999). This program was called the Early Experience Program. Due to significant goodwill
built up over the previous years, many signed up, and Stardock survived.
) is the main interface for registering, downloading and updating components. It is roughly equivalent to a package manager.
Users pay an initial fee for access to the software and one year of access to download updates. They may also download new components added during their subscription period. Updates are not guaranteed; components deemed less relevant may be passed over, or removed.
After expiry, users cannot download any software until they renew; however, they do not lose the use of released (non-beta) software that is already downloaded, nor is it necessary to renew immediately. Renewals add a year of access from the date of renewal, not the expiry date.
Historically, the initial subscription fee for the Windows version of Object Desktop has been $49.95, while a year's renewal or an upgrade from a standalone component has been $34.95. Object Desktop 2008 introduced two tiers, with the lower tier at $49.95 and the higher tier at $69.95, but the latter was eliminated in 2010.
These components have been withdrawn from service or did not make it past the beta stages:
Some non-Object Desktop users have said the beta issue creates a double standard
and forces people to upgrade to Object Desktop in order to get the latest features, while Stardock says that the policy is due to too many standalone users expecting beta versions to have the same reliability as release versions, and the increased ease of releasing a build on Impulse
over a separate installation package.
Stardock
Stardock Corporation is a software development company founded in 1991 and incorporated in 1993 as Stardock Systems. Stardock initially developed for the OS/2 platform, but was forced to switch to Windows due to the collapse of the OS/2 software market between 1997 and 1998...
for OS/2
OS/2
OS/2 is a computer operating system, initially created by Microsoft and IBM, then later developed by IBM exclusively. The name stands for "Operating System/2," because it was introduced as part of the same generation change release as IBM's "Personal System/2 " line of second-generation personal...
and relaunched for Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
in 1997.
Object Desktop includes most graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
customization and productivity
Productivity
Productivity is a measure of the efficiency of production. Productivity is a ratio of what is produced to what is required to produce it. Usually this ratio is in the form of an average, expressing the total output divided by the total input...
products offered by Stardock, including WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds is a computer program that allows users to skin the Windows graphical user interface. It has been developed by Stardock since 1998, and is the most popular component of their flagship software suite, Object Desktop. It is also available separately, and as an ActiveX/COM component...
, Fences
Fences (software)
Fences is a software utility for Windows that helps to organize icons on the desktop. It is developed by Stardock and distributed as part of their Object Desktop suite. A freeware version is available.-Functionality:...
, DesktopX
DesktopX
DesktopX is a shareware desktop enhancement program that allows users to build their own custom desktops. Amongst its features is a complete widget engine for Windows as well as a desktop object system. User creations can be exported as .desktop files or as widgets...
, Tweak7, IconPackager and ObjectBar. Notable exceptions include ObjectDock
ObjectDock
ObjectDock is a dock similar to that in the Aqua GUI. It is distributed by Stardock for Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista and 7, and comes in Free and Plus versions.- Features :...
and ThinkDesk
ThinkDesk
ThinkDesk was a productivity application subscription service, launched by Stardock on 14 April 2005 as a utility counterpart to their Object Desktop and TotalGaming.net services. Subscriptions were for one year, after which users could choose to renew or keep the software that they have, including...
components like Multiplicity
Multiplicity (software)
Multiplicity is a computer program that enables one keyboard and mouse to access two or more client computers from a host computer. It was developed for Stardock as part of their ThinkDesk subscription service, but is now available separately....
, oriented more towards professional/corporate users.
OS/2 (1993 to 2001)
Object Desktop — initially entitled The Workplace Toolset/2 — was developed over three years by Brad WardellBrad Wardell
Bradley R. Wardell , commonly known as Brad Wardell, is an American businessman, programmer and author residing in Michigan...
and Kurt Westerfeld subsequent to Stardock's OS/2 Essentials, a pre-registered set of OS/2 shareware. Object Desktop 1.0 was followed by 1.5 and Professional versions following in short order.
By 1997 the OS/2 ISV
Independent software vendor
Independent software vendor is a business term for companies specializing in making or selling software, designed for mass marketing or for niche markets...
market was flagging, and many customers were switching to Windows NT 4. 1997 OS/2 revenues were 33% of those in 1996, and they fell to 25% of 1996 levels in 1998. This led to their decision to switch to Windows in mid-1997. Nevertheless, Stardock remained an OS/2 ISV until February 2001, when they stopped selling Object Desktop for OS/2.
OS/2 versions were sold as initial versions and upgrades, costing more than later Windows versions due to lower volume of sales.
Object Desktop 1.0
The initial release of Object Desktop was both praised for its functionality and criticised for performance and compatibility issues.Object Desktop 1.5
Object Desktop 1.5 was released on 2 May 1996, fixing many problems, and adding the following components:
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Users of 1.0 could upgrade for $37.
Object Desktop Professional
Object Desktop Professional was (as the name suggests) aimed at professional users of OS/2. It was released on 24 August 1996, priced at $179; users could also upgrade from OD 1.5 for $69.95, or from OD 1.0 for $119.
|
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Object Desktop 2.0
Object Desktop 2.0 was an update to all previously-released components, and an integration of the Professional features into the main package. It was priced at $99.95; users of Object Desktop Professional could upgrade for $39, while other versions could be upgraded for $69.95.An upgrade to 2.02 was released at the start of 2000, but it was made clear that it would be the last release.
Early Experience Program
When it became clear that OS/2 would not remain a viable platform, Stardock decided to move to Windows. This required rewriting old components and writing new ones to replace those which were not appropriate for Windows. This would take time, but Stardock needed money immediately to sustain development.To cope with this cashflow problem, Object Desktop users who had switched from OS/2 to Windows were asked to purchase Windows subscriptions in advance of the actual software, on the understanding that their subscription period would only begin when the software was reasonably complete (which ended up as December 1999). This program was called the Early Experience Program. Due to significant goodwill
Social capital
Social capital is a sociological concept, which refers to connections within and between social networks. The concept of social capital highlights the value of social relations and the role of cooperation and confidence to get collective or economic results. The term social capital is frequently...
built up over the previous years, many signed up, and Stardock survived.
Changes in focus
Initially the new Object Desktop package was closely related to the OS/2 versions, with old favourites like Object Edit, Control Center and Task/Tab Launchpad being ported over. However, as the userbase expanded from its traditional core of technical users into the wider Windows market, newer components shifted to focus on customizing the graphical user interface. The flagship component of Object Desktop became WindowBlinds; other popular additions were IconPackager, ObjectBar, DesktopX, DeskScapes and Fences.Operation and pricing
Impulse (preceded by Component Manager and Stardock CentralStardock Central
Stardock Central was a software content delivery and digital rights management system used by Stardock customers to access components of the Object Desktop, TotalGaming.net and ThinkDesk product lines, as well as products under the WinCustomize brand....
) is the main interface for registering, downloading and updating components. It is roughly equivalent to a package manager.
Users pay an initial fee for access to the software and one year of access to download updates. They may also download new components added during their subscription period. Updates are not guaranteed; components deemed less relevant may be passed over, or removed.
After expiry, users cannot download any software until they renew; however, they do not lose the use of released (non-beta) software that is already downloaded, nor is it necessary to renew immediately. Renewals add a year of access from the date of renewal, not the expiry date.
Historically, the initial subscription fee for the Windows version of Object Desktop has been $49.95, while a year's renewal or an upgrade from a standalone component has been $34.95. Object Desktop 2008 introduced two tiers, with the lower tier at $49.95 and the higher tier at $69.95, but the latter was eliminated in 2010.
Components
Object Desktop works on a component model; many of its programs are available separately, but subscribers can use all of them.Current components
These components are available to all Object Desktop subscribers as of February 2010:| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| WindowBlinds WindowBlinds WindowBlinds is a computer program that allows users to skin the Windows graphical user interface. It has been developed by Stardock since 1998, and is the most popular component of their flagship software suite, Object Desktop. It is also available separately, and as an ActiveX/COM component... http://www.windowblinds.net |
Changes visual styles for window borders, controls Elements of graphical user interfaces Graphical user interfaces, also known as GUIs, offer a consistent visual language to represent information stored in computers. This makes it easier for people with little computer skills to work with and use computer software.... , the taskbar Taskbar In computing, a taskbar is a bar displayed on a full edge of a GUI desktop that is used to launch and monitor running applications. Microsoft incorporated a taskbar in Windows 95 and it has been a defining aspect of Microsoft Windows's graphical user interface ever since. Some desktop environments,... , Start Menu Start menu The Start Menu and Start Button are user interface elements used in the later versions of the Microsoft Windows operating systems and in some X window managers... and other areas. The first versions of WindowBlinds were released in 1998 for Windows 95 Windows 95 Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products... . It has since developed to become Object Desktop's most popular component. WindowBlinds technology is the basis for DirectSkin DirectSkin DirectSkin is a software component that is used by software developers to add skinning capability to their applications, which may or may not be exposed to end-users. It is made by Stardock, and is derived from the WindowBlinds component of their software subscription package, Object Desktop... , Stardock's corporate ActiveX/COM Component Object Model Component Object Model is a binary-interface standard for software componentry introduced by Microsoft in 1993. It is used to enable interprocess communication and dynamic object creation in a large range of programming languages... skinning component. |
| DesktopX DesktopX DesktopX is a shareware desktop enhancement program that allows users to build their own custom desktops. Amongst its features is a complete widget engine for Windows as well as a desktop object system. User creations can be exported as .desktop files or as widgets... http://www.stardock.com/products/desktopx/ |
A widget engine Widget engine In computer software, a widget engine is a software service available to users for running and displaying applets on a graphical user interface, such as that of the desktop.The widget model in widget engines is attractive because of ease of development... for Windows 2000 and above which can create individual objects or entire desktops. First released in 2000, it is available in three versions, one of which is able to create independent executable Executable In computing, an executable file causes a computer "to perform indicated tasks according to encoded instructions," as opposed to a data file that must be parsed by a program to be meaningful. These instructions are traditionally machine code instructions for a physical CPU... s. |
| Fences Fences (software) Fences is a software utility for Windows that helps to organize icons on the desktop. It is developed by Stardock and distributed as part of their Object Desktop suite. A freeware version is available.-Functionality:... http://www.stardock.com/products/fences/ |
Desktop icon Computer icon A computer icon is a pictogram displayed on a computer screen and used to navigate a computer system or mobile device. The icon itself is a small picture or symbol serving as a quick, intuitive representation of a software tool, function or a data file accessible on the system. It functions as an... visibility and organization tool, allowing related programs to be split into groups (fences) and shown or hidden at need. Fences Pro, included with Object Desktop, adds sorting and automatically inserts new items into fences based on file name or type. |
| DeskScapes | Animated wallpapers for Windows XP and up. Includes dynamic, configurable wallpapers which can — for example — change sky color with the time. Initially an extension of Windows Vista Ultimate's DreamScene. |
| IconPackager |  The shareware version includes basic icon changing and the Icon Explorer, an icon viewing applet. Registered versions add shell Shell (computing) A shell is a piece of software that provides an interface for users of an operating system which provides access to the services of a kernel. However, the term is also applied very loosely to applications and may include any software that is "built around" a particular component, such as web... integration and the ability to change the icons that represent file format File format A file format is a particular way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file.Since a disk drive, or indeed any computer storage, can store only bits, the computer must have some way of converting information to 0s and 1s and vice-versa. There are different kinds of formats for... s in Windows Explorer Windows Explorer This article is about the Windows file system browser. For the similarly named web browser, see Internet ExplorerWindows Explorer is a file manager application that is included with releases of the Microsoft Windows operating system from Windows 95 onwards. It provides a graphical user interface... . Icons may be adjusted separately, or by the loading of icon packages, which may themselves be part of a larger theme managed by Theme Manager. Several artists sell premium icon packages on WinCustomize WinCustomize WinCustomize is a website that provides content for users to customize Microsoft Windows. The site hosts thousands of skins, themes, icons, wallpapers, and other graphical content to modify the Windows graphical user interface... and elsewhere, but the majority are free to use. IconPackager was the subject of controversy when competitors TGTSoft filed a lawsuit against Stardock over the rights to its file format File format A file format is a particular way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file.Since a disk drive, or indeed any computer storage, can store only bits, the computer must have some way of converting information to 0s and 1s and vice-versa. There are different kinds of formats for... . |
| ObjectBar | A highly customizable shell add-on, oriented around "bars". Has been most popular with users of Windows who wish to have the Macintosh Macintosh The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a... menu bar, for which it provides an effective emulation. ObjectBar also integrated the functionality of Stardock's ControlCenter, but has been largely superseded by WindowBlinds WindowBlinds WindowBlinds is a computer program that allows users to skin the Windows graphical user interface. It has been developed by Stardock since 1998, and is the most popular component of their flagship software suite, Object Desktop. It is also available separately, and as an ActiveX/COM component... and ObjectDock ObjectDock ObjectDock is a dock similar to that in the Aqua GUI. It is distributed by Stardock for Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista and 7, and comes in Free and Plus versions.- Features :... on Windows Vista and later. |
| RightClick | An expanded context menu for the desktop, offering DesktopX-compatible plugin support for menu items. Many features work in a similar way to ObjectBar, from which it is derived. |
| Tweak7 http://www.stardock.com/products/tweak7/ (TweakVista) | Helps users to optimize the performance and behavior of Windows Vista/7 in several areas. Supersedes TweakShell. |
| IconDeveloper | Creates icons Icon (computing) A computer icon is a pictogram displayed on a computer screen and used to navigate a computer system or mobile device. The icon itself is a small picture or symbol serving as a quick, intuitive representation of a software tool, function or a data file accessible on the system. It functions as an... from existing pictures, as opposed to software designed to create them one pixel Pixel In digital imaging, a pixel, or pel, is a single point in a raster image, or the smallest addressable screen element in a display device; it is the smallest unit of picture that can be represented or controlled.... at a time. Also provides for recolouring icons or icon packages. |
| LogonStudio | A free program that allows users to change their Windows XP, Vista or 7 logon screens using a variety of built-in or user-created images. |
| SoundPackager | A sound pack manager for Windows. Allows users to replace the entire set of sound effects. |
| Theme Manager (WinStyles) | Creates and applies theme suites, changing the skins Skin (computing) In computing, a skin is a custom graphical appearance achieved by the use of a graphical user interface that can be applied to specific software and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users.... of applications which support them. Integrates with several other components. Also available as MyColors MyColors MyColors is a digital distribution platform for themes developed by Stardock. It allows users to skin the Windows graphical user interface. Sets of themes have been made in partnership with GM, Ford, HP, Dell, the NHL, NBA, and NCAA.... , used largely for co-branded themes and corporate installs. |
| Keyboard LaunchPad | Creates keyboard shortcut Keyboard shortcut In computing, a keyboard shortcut is a finite set of one or more keys that invoke a software or operating system operation when triggered by the user. A meaning of term "keyboard shortcut" can vary depending on software manufacturer... s that can be used to launch applications, control media players, or insert clipboard Clipboard A clipboard is a thin, rigid board with a clip at the top for holding paper in place. A clipboard is typically used to support paper with one hand while writing on it with the other, especially when other writing surfaces are not available.-Other uses:... snippets. Can be expanded through the use of plugins. |
| SkinStudio (BuilderBlinds) | Creates skins for WindowBlinds. SkinStudio Pro offers a code editor and eases the creation of animations and substyles. Previous versions supported ObjectBar, WebBlinds, PocketBlinds, Koala Player and Windows Media Player Windows Media Player Windows Media Player is a media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices... . |
| WindowFX |  Application programming interface An application programming interface is a source code based specification intended to be used as an interface by software components to communicate with each other... as mainstream computer games; as a result, they could be very demanding, particularly on computers built before Windows Vista. Transitions are created using a proprietary Proprietary software Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary... scripting programming language - a free third-party tool called WFXScripter can manipulate these scripts. |
Obsolete components
These components may remain available for some legacy subscribers, but are not offered to new users:| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Component Tray | A satellite Satellite In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon.... applet of Stardock Central that sat in the system tray and checked occasionally for component updates. Replaced by an equivalent tool for Impulse. |
| ControlCenter | Provided virtual desktop Virtual desktop In computing, a virtual desktop is a term used with respect to user interfaces, usually within the WIMP paradigm, to describe ways in which the size of a computer's desktop environment is expanded beyond the physical limits of the screen's real estate through the use of software, This saves space... s, folder shortcuts and statistical displays. Its importance diminished as DesktopX allows the creation of equivalent objects with more sophisticated graphics and custom functionality. |
| DriveScan | Visualized the file contents of drives in pie chart Pie chart A pie chart is a circular chart divided into sectors, illustrating proportion. In a pie chart, the arc length of each sector , is proportional to the quantity it represents. When angles are measured with 1 turn as unit then a number of percent is identified with the same number of centiturns... , bar chart Bar chart A bar chart or bar graph is a chart with rectangular bars with lengths proportional to the values that they represent. The bars can be plotted vertically or horizontally.... or list format. Also showed a folder-by-folder breakdown of used space. |
| Enhanced Dialog | Enhanced common dialog box Dialog box In a graphical user interface of computers, a dialog box is a type of window used to enable reciprocal communication or "dialog" between a computer and its user. It may communicate information to the user, prompt the user for a response, or both... es, allowing users to customize the places displayed at the side and to add "quick launch" buttons to the area above the folder view. Reached version 1.0 in July 2006. |
| IconX | Provided antialiased resizing, transparency, and mouseover effects/animation for desktop icons. Initially part of DesktopX, IconX was split out into a separate product in August 2004. |
| Object Edit | A syntax highlighting Syntax highlighting Syntax highlighting is a feature of some text editors that display text—especially source code—in different colors and fonts according to the category of terms. This feature eases writing in a structured language such as a programming language or a markup language as both structures and... text editor Text editor A text editor is a type of program used for editing plain text files.Text editors are often provided with operating systems or software development packages, and can be used to change configuration files and programming language source code.... . |
| ObjectMedia | A media player component based on DirectMedia. Could be run standalone, but was most often used with the DXPlayer plugin for DesktopX. |
| Object Sweeper | Cleared out temporary files and web cache Web cache A web cache is a mechanism for the temporary storage of web documents, such as HTML pages and images, to reduce bandwidth usage, server load, and perceived lag... s, and removed empty folders from the Start Menu. |
| ObjectZip (Object Archives) | Provided basic ZIP ZIP (file format) Zip is a file format used for data compression and archiving. A zip file contains one or more files that have been compressed, to reduce file size, or stored as is... , RAR and CAB Cabinet (file format) In computing, CAB is the Microsoft Windows native compressed archive format. It supports compression and digital signing, and is used in a variety of Microsoft installation engines: Setup API, Device Installer, AdvPack and Windows Installer.Though Cabinet was originally called Diamond, its .CAB... support, including explorer Windows Explorer This article is about the Windows file system browser. For the similarly named web browser, see Internet ExplorerWindows Explorer is a file manager application that is included with releases of the Microsoft Windows operating system from Windows 95 onwards. It provides a graphical user interface... shell integration. Deemed obsolete since newer versions of Windows provided a folder view for ZIP ZIP (file format) Zip is a file format used for data compression and archiving. A zip file contains one or more files that have been compressed, to reduce file size, or stored as is... and CAB archives. |
| SpringFolders | Eased reorganization by opening folders when other folders were dragged onto them, in Explorer windows or on the desktop, and then closing them after the drag operation is complete. |
| Stardock Virtual Desktops | Integrated into the taskbar, adding virtual desktop Virtual desktop In computing, a virtual desktop is a term used with respect to user interfaces, usually within the WIMP paradigm, to describe ways in which the size of a computer's desktop environment is expanded beyond the physical limits of the screen's real estate through the use of software, This saves space... capabilities. Replaced the component known as BandVWM. |
| Tab LaunchPad | A once-popular replacement for the OS/2 LaunchPad, adding tabs to store more shortcuts. Eclipsed by other components, notably ObjectDock ObjectDock ObjectDock is a dock similar to that in the Aqua GUI. It is distributed by Stardock for Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista and 7, and comes in Free and Plus versions.- Features :... , which added a tabs feature to its Plus version. |
| TweakShell | Modified elements of the shell. Windows PowerToys now provide a more complete solution. |
Retired Windows components
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| StyleVista | Changed Windows Vista Windows Vista Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs... 's window styles. A beta version was released on 16 August 2005, permitting adjustment of the colour and opacity Opacity (optics) Opacity is the measure of impenetrability to electromagnetic or other kinds of radiation, especially visible light. In radiative transfer, it describes the absorption and scattering of radiation in a medium, such as a plasma, dielectric, shielding material, glass, etc... of Vista's translucent window borders. Microsoft incorporated this feature into Vista. |
| Association Wizard | Managed file association File association A file association associates a file with an application capable of opening that file. More commonly, a file association associates a class of files with a corresponding application .-Associations and verbs:A single file extension may have several associations for performing various actions, also... s. Superseded by improved support in Windows 2000, it was withdrawn in 2004. |
| SmartIP | Let users create dynamic DNS Dynamic DNS Dynamic DNS or DDNS is a term used for the updating in real time of Internet Domain Name System name servers to keep up to date the active DNS configuration of their configured hostnames, addresses and other information.... entries of the form username.stardock.net with a system tray applet. Withdrawn in 2002, the service remained running for existing users until the end of 2003. |
| TreeView | Added a "Tree" option to the list of View options in Windows Explorer Windows Explorer This article is about the Windows file system browser. For the similarly named web browser, see Internet ExplorerWindows Explorer is a file manager application that is included with releases of the Microsoft Windows operating system from Windows 95 onwards. It provides a graphical user interface... folders, similar to that offered by Mac OS Mac OS Mac OS is a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface... . While still available in beta, CEO Brad Wardell Brad Wardell Bradley R. Wardell , commonly known as Brad Wardell, is an American businessman, programmer and author residing in Michigan... [news://news.stardock.com/3dCG1ElNFHA.1376@Solo indicated] that he did not consider it a viable component. |
| WebBlinds | An early demonstration of DirectSkin DirectSkin DirectSkin is a software component that is used by software developers to add skinning capability to their applications, which may or may not be exposed to end-users. It is made by Stardock, and is derived from the WindowBlinds component of their software subscription package, Object Desktop... , Stardock's ActiveX/COM Component Object Model Component Object Model is a binary-interface standard for software componentry introduced by Microsoft in 1993. It is used to enable interprocess communication and dynamic object creation in a large range of programming languages... version of WindowBlinds. Allowed users to use WindowBlinds skins with Internet Explorer Internet Explorer Windows Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting in 1995. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year... , plus change the toolbar Toolbar In a graphical user interface, on a computer monitor, a toolbar is a GUI widget on which on-screen buttons, icons, menus, or other input or output elements are placed. Toolbars are seen in office suites, graphics editors, and web browsers... icons. The icon functionality was merged with WindowBlinds. |
Retired OS/2 Components
These components were not brought forth to the Windows version of Object Desktop:| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Desktop Backup Advisor | Provided packaged desktops (useful for corporations wishing to roll out a standard desktop layout to users) and improved performance by repairing OS/2 INI files Initialization file The INI file format is a standard for configuration files for some platforms or software. INI files are simple text files with a basic structure composed of "sections" and "properties".... , which tended to fill with invalid entries over time. |
| Object Navigator | An advanced file manager File manager A file manager or file browser is a computer program that provides a user interface to work with file systems. The most common operations performed on files or groups of files are: create, open, edit, view, print, play, rename, move, copy, delete, search/find, and modify file attributes, properties... for OS/2. Displayed long filename Long filename Long filenames , are Microsoft's way of implementing filenames longer than the 8.3 filename, or short-filename, naming scheme used in Microsoft DOS in their modern FAT and NTFS filesystems. Because these filenames can be longer than an 8.3 filename, they can be more descriptive... s on FAT File Allocation Table File Allocation Table is a computer file system architecture now widely used on many computer systems and most memory cards, such as those used with digital cameras. FAT file systems are commonly found on floppy disks, flash memory cards, digital cameras, and many other portable devices because of... partition Disk partitioning Disk partitioning is the act of dividing a hard disk drive into multiple logical storage units referred to as partitions, to treat one physical disk drive as if it were multiple disks. Partitions are also termed "slices" for operating systems based on BSD, Solaris or GNU Hurd... s, and the professional version offered a view pane that displayed most types of file. |
| Object Netscan | Displayed a bandwidth Bandwidth (computing) In computer networking and computer science, bandwidth, network bandwidth, data bandwidth, or digital bandwidth is a measure of available or consumed data communication resources expressed in bits/second or multiples of it .Note that in textbooks on wireless communications, modem data transmission,... usage graph and other statistics relating to network usage. |
| Object Inspector | Allowed users to inspect and modify OS/2 Workplace Shell Workplace Shell The Workplace Shell is a object-oriented desktop shell produced by IBM's Boca Raton development lab for OS/2 2.0. It is based on Common User Access and made a radical shift away from the Program Manager type interface that earlier versions of OS/2 shared with Windows 3.x or the... objects. |
| Object Package | Used to back up the desktop and other shell objects. |
| Object Schedule | A folder-based task scheduler. |
| Object Security | Provided basic desktop-level security. |
| Object Viewing | The equivalent of Quick View for Windows 95 Windows 95 Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products... , this allowed the display of numerous file format File format A file format is a particular way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file.Since a disk drive, or indeed any computer storage, can store only bits, the computer must have some way of converting information to 0s and 1s and vice-versa. There are different kinds of formats for... s in applications, as well as in Object Navigator. |
Criticism
An occasional complaint with the subscription model is that a subscriber's favourite component has not been updated recently, or may be left in beta for a long time. On the other hand, popular components such as WindowBlinds tend to be frequently updated, with beta releases every week or two, release versions with new features every few months, and major version changes every year or so.Some non-Object Desktop users have said the beta issue creates a double standard
Double standard
A double standard is the unjust application of different sets of principles for similar situations. The concept implies that a single set of principles encompassing all situations is the desirable ideal. The term has been used in print since at least 1895...
and forces people to upgrade to Object Desktop in order to get the latest features, while Stardock says that the policy is due to too many standalone users expecting beta versions to have the same reliability as release versions, and the increased ease of releasing a build on Impulse
Impulse (software)
Impulse is a digital distribution and multiplayer platform. Originally developed by Stardock to succeed Stardock Central, it was purchased by GameStop in March 2011.Impulse facilitates the purchase, download and updating of software...
over a separate installation package.