Stardock today announced Object Desktop 2008 for Vista and Windows XP. Stardock products are essentially synonymous with Windows tweaking and customization, and Object Desktop is their flagship product.
For the first time, Object Desktop will be split into two versions: Regular and Extra Crispy...oops, we mean Ultimate. The Ultimate version is 20 bucks more, but from our vantage point it seems to be worth it; you get around 10 added programs for the extra Jackson (doesn't quite have the ring of "Benjamins," does it?).
Both version include WindowBlinds, a program to alter the look of the entire Windows GUI; IconPackager, a one-click icon manipulator; DesktopX, a desktop enhancer that adds widgets and more; and Deskscapes, a progam that allows you to run animated desktops on your Vista machine (not limited to Vista Ultimate).
Existing Object Desktop users get the Ultimate version for free. That makes us warm and fuzzy inside.
If you've never played with Object Desktop before, you should give it a shot; but only if you have countless hours to waste trying to find that just-so look for your machine.
In our experience, we've spent hours and hours adjusting, tweaking, repackaging, downloading, etc...just to slink back to the normal Windows GUI after the novelty of customization had worn off.
But that's just us.
Object Desktop requires XP or Vista.
Thanks, Stephanie!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-10-2008 @ 5:30PM
archpope said...
The "ultimate" version doesn't really seem worth it for Vista users, since most of the extra programs are things which are already available in Vista, such as fancy task switching and a sidebar. But it does come with Tweak Vista, which is $20 on its own. A bit confusing, really.
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4-10-2008 @ 5:44PM
a said...
if you need a dock like the ones on macs then just download RocketDock. for free.
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4-10-2008 @ 8:42PM
whiskey said...
I have always wondered why MS didn't made this engine their theming engine... I also wonder if Linux would benefit from the designs of this people (there are really talented GUI artists in that community).
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4-10-2008 @ 9:31PM
Sensai said...
Everytime I see a story on Stardock and their stuff, I feel entitled to buy it until I reboot my computer and realize - oh wait - I have a Linux distro to boot into!
I proceed to load up Ubuntu and realize that Windows is for games and Ubuntu is for customizing. Seriously guys: instead of buying this stuff, just get a _FREE_ Linux distro.
And that's how I saved my money!
4-11-2008 @ 2:42AM
Raithlin said...
"In our experience, we've spent hours and hours adjusting, tweaking, repackaging, downloading, etc...just to slink back to the normal Windows GUI after the novelty of customization had worn off."
Bingo. My thoughts and experience exactly.
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