DesktopX 2.4 improves widget support
New version supports configurable widgets
Thursday, December 16, 2004 by Frogboy | Discussion: DesktopX
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.
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Reply #22 Thursday, December 16, 2004 9:44 PM
Reply #23 Friday, December 17, 2004 8:45 PM
Reply #24 Friday, December 17, 2004 9:14 PM
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 Monday, December 20, 2004 12:17 AM
Reply #26 Monday, December 20, 2004 3:30 PM
Reply #28 Thursday, December 30, 2004 7:32 AM
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Reply #21 Thursday, December 16, 2004 4:19 PM