Object Desktop: DesktopX 4
Saturday, October 17, 2009 by Frogboy | Discussion: Object Desktop blogs
It’s been awhile since DesktopX got the kind of love it deserved. And with the new Object Desktop in development, it’s getting some love.
First, DesktopX is going back to its roots – desktop eXtension. Specifically, adding objects to the desktop that can be made to do interesting and useful things.
This will have some consequences and opportunities.
On the consequence side, we’re going to pull out features that are rarely used, hard to support, and are just generally not part of the core product. For example, creating system trays. That was something we hacked in years ago that really shouldn’t have been in there. In the early days when there was ObjectBar vs. DesktopX there was the desire to have these two programs be all things to all people. In an age of Windows 2000/XP, we could get away with that. But with XP/Vista/7, you really can’t, particularly in a world populated with the UAC where many many battles take place that users never see.
On the opportunity side, it sets up DesktopX to support new technologies like WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation). Picture being able to take an object and apply 3D effects to it even if the object itself is static. There’s a lot of “good stuff” in Windows 7 that we want to make sure DesktopX is positioned to take advantage of.
A big area of change that most people, sadly, won’t notice (though power users might) is the under the cover work to make DesktopX not just work on Windows 7 but actually make use of the “plumbing” of Windows to do things faster, more robustly, and use less memory while doing it.
The target is to have a beta of DesktopX 4 in the next 2 weeks.
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Reply #2 Saturday, October 17, 2009 5:28 PM
It would seem that the Holiday Gift giving season will start early this year. 
I can only wonder what RedneckDude's response to this news will be. 
Reply #4 Saturday, October 17, 2009 5:33 PM
I like the sound of this...... been getting back into DX lately, got a couple of interesting themes in the works.
Reply #5 Saturday, October 17, 2009 5:39 PM
I read right past that the first time through. This will be very interesting to see just what can be done with 3D effects. Sure could use some screenshots of this.
Reply #6 Saturday, October 17, 2009 5:45 PM
Joy to the world! DX ain't dead! 
Yes! Great news. Though, I'm sad to see the systray won't be included anymore. Does that mean the taskbar is going, too? Seems incomplete without the systray.
Anywho, WPF sounds like a great opportunity for DX to do even more amazing things. Can't wait!
*is happy now* 
Reply #8 Saturday, October 17, 2009 6:29 PM
I'm just a fan of DesktopX, but I'm very pleased to hear that it's being upgraded and supported. It's a marvellous program. Thanks for the good news.
Reply #9 Saturday, October 17, 2009 6:36 PM
Great news 
sViz how is your improved weatherunderground project coming on?
Reply #10 Saturday, October 17, 2009 7:39 PM
@Anakey
It's around 40%. A few more backend stuff to do, like webcams, making sure everything works, etc, and then it's on to applying the info to the graphics interface. Since WU gives local time, we should be able to implement nighttime icons.
Reply #13 Sunday, October 18, 2009 10:03 AM
Reply #15 Sunday, October 18, 2009 1:57 PM
WOW! I can't believe my eyes! 
It would be a Great Day and I'm still alive to see it... 
What about the DX multicolumn List Box and DX Tree View? 
Reply #16 Sunday, October 18, 2009 2:02 PM
good news i like the new buzz around object desktop 2010 
Reply #17 Sunday, October 18, 2009 7:57 PM
Reply #18 Sunday, October 18, 2009 9:11 PM
Reply #19 Sunday, October 18, 2009 9:58 PM
DesktopX is a tool that lets people do amazing things with their desktop. It doesn't actually generate the desktops on its own, it simply increases the potential.
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Reply #1 Saturday, October 17, 2009 4:44 PM
That's some great news! Long live DX!
