Stardock has released the 2009 edition of its popular desktop experience suite Object Desktop. Object Desktop is a set of utilities that enables users to completely transform the desktop experience of Windows XP or Windows Vista.

Object Desktop includes 6 utilities that focus on enhancing a particular aspect of Windows. These are:

• WindowBlinds. A program that enables users to completely alter the look and feel of the Windows GUI by applying "skins" to it. These skins can make Windows look like an alternative OS like MacOS or Linux or something completely different. Because it takes full advantage of the latest video cards from AMD and nVidia, WindowBlinds can also improve the video performance of Windows Vista and XP. Object Desktop 2009 includes a new version of WindowBlinds that lets users apply textures to their existing skins as well as well as providing explorer backgrounds.
  
  
• IconPackager. The world's only program for changing all the icons on Windows XP or Windows Vista to a completely different set. Thousands of different icon packages are available freely on the net. Object Desktop 2009 includes a new IconPackager that lets Windows Vista users change the color of icons and folders on the fly.
  
  
• DesktopX. DesktopX is a program that allows users to add true objects to their windows desktops. These objects can be any size and shape and be as simple as a glorified icon or scripted to add functionality to become widgets or entire desktops. What's special about DesktopX is the ease in which these objects can be made.
  Object Desktop 2009 adds a new version of DesktopX that allows users to export their widgets as Windows gadgets for use on Windows Vista and Windows 7.
  
  
• DeskScapes. A program that can apply animated wallpapers to Windows. It supports the Stardock developed .DREAM animated wallpaper format that allows for animated wallpapers that are video loops or dynamically generated via DirectX that use virtually no CPU. Object Desktop 2009 includes a new version of DeskScapes that supports Windows XP as well as Windows Vista.
  
  
• BootSkin Pro. BootSkin Pro is a new program introduced with Object Desktop 2009 that allows users to create and apply alternative Windows Vista boot screens. By default, the Windows Vista boot screen is blank with just a progress bar. BootSkin allows for high resolution, high color boot screens instead.
  
  
• Theme Manager. Theme Manager 3 is a new program added to Object Desktop 2009. It allows users to make use of all the other programs together from a single interface. In addition, users can save their customized desktop as a .suite file for later use or to share with others users on the Internet. Theme Manager integrates with WinCustomize.com to allow users to quickly design their own unique desktop experiences.
  
  Theme Manager also includes a brand-new desktop suite created by Stardock called Aero Midnight that replaces the Windows GUI, icons, wallpaper and adds gadgets. For Windows XP users, they get an enhanced Windows Vista look. Windows Vista users get an enhanced Aero look that adds 2 years of usability feedback to the Windows Vista experience.
  
  
• MyColors themes. Stardock also provides MyColors as a way for users to apply new themes created by Stardock's design team. Object Desktop users get 4 free MyColors themes within a year of purchasing Object Desktop. In addition, MyColors has access to hundreds of other themes created in conjunction with the NBA, NHL, NCAA, Ford, GM and countless other partners.

Object Desktop is $49.95 new. Stardock also offers Object Desktop Ultimate ($69.95) which provides everything listed above plus over a dozen other utilities that focus on productivity and UI design such as TweakVista, SkinStudio, Keyboard LaunchPad, ObjectBar and much more.

Users can purchase Object Desktop directly from its website at www.objectdesktop.com. Users who purchase Object Desktop receive everything available at the time of purchases as well as everything added or updated in Object Desktop for the subsequent year. Users who have previously purchased Object Desktop can renew their access to Object Desktop for $34.95.

Website: http://www.objectdesktop.com

Screenshots: http://www.objectdesktop.com/screenshots.asp

Changing the Windows Vista boot screen is about to become a snap in Object Desktop 2009 which arrives this Wednesday. Everyone who purchased Object Desktop within the past year will automatically get this.

As we have been teasing you with news about DeskScapes for XP, and Bootskin for Vista over the last couple of weeks, I wanted to tease some more and show Bootskin in action.  Get Object Desktop to get access to all these cool apps when released.

Object Desktop 2009, which is due out on November 19, will be including some pretty cool stuff.  For Vista users, they finally get BootSkin.  For XP users, they get animated wallpaper with DeskScapes.

I am very impressed with the way Theme Manager 3 is turning out.  It’s going to the central starting point for all my skins, as I can easily create my entire desktop through Theme Manager 3.  There are a few things I would like to see added from a users point of view.

Vertical Scroll option.  I don’t mind the horizontal scroll, but I would like to see the option for a vertical scroll as well.  Scrolling through with my mouse is just much easier.

More application support.  I like the current lineup as it covers most of the popular skinning utilities, but I’d like to see more added and maybe even the possibility to add/remove category tabs.  Sort of like what you can do in Impulse.  I’d really like to see ObjectDock Plus support, and DesktopX gadgets and Sidebar gadget support added as well.

Theme Browser?  OK, this is a bit out there, but I would like to toss out the suggestion anyways.  I would like to see Theme Manager have it’s own integrated skin browser, very much similar to what the WinCustomize Browser does without the additions of forums, news, etc.  I would make this a “plus” edition available to WinCustomize subscribers, maybe even replacing the current WC browser since this will no doubt be much more usable. 

Moving right along towards the end of the year, and since it’s the first week in November it’s time to review the .dreams (animated wallpapers) from the previous month.  The .dream gallery always proves to be an interesting view of creativity, as some of these animated wallpapers are just wild. 

Now for this months video!

To use .dreams (animated wallpaper) you need to have Windows Vista and Stardock's DeskScapes installed. 

The .dreams featured in this months video can be found at the links below.

• matrix_rain_ish by muckyman
• ChaNinja Style SubZero by ChaNinja
• warp by muckyman
• bio_hazard_v2 by muckyman
• Broken Aero: Shatter by TheMasterBaron
• Stardock 2009 by DEVJIT

Long ago, Stardock has the idea to create a program that would combine all the major customization programs into a single entity.  It became known as WinStyles. One program to rule them all and all that. 

Over time, we renamed it to Theme Manager.  The idea was that customization on Windows had become pretty hard for casual users so let's create a new format (.suite) and let people press a button to do it.

WinStyles 1.0

The problem with WinStyles/Theme Manager 1 is that it was still pretty complicated  to use and in our quest to support lots of third party apps, we ended up being a power user tool.

So we made Theme Manager 2.

 
Theme Manager 2

Theme Manager 2 was a big improvement in many respects and made possible for people to create virtual .suite files. That is, suites where the actual files were on WinCustomize.com. This would let people submit their desktops without having to re-distribute other people's skins and icons.

The problem, once again, was that it very complicated and supporting so much "stuff" made it hard to use for casual users.

So then we worked on MyColors, a specialized theme manager that simply applied very specific types of themes.  In that process, the technology really matured.  We also partnered with a lot of companies in creating it and took away a lot of good UI feedback.

This has led to Theme Manager 3:

Theme Manager 3 for Object Desktop 2009

Using the same user interface guidelines established with WindowBlinds 6 and IconPackager 4, Theme Manager presents a much simpler user experience. MyColors themes are supported as well as third-party suites.

It also fulfills the original promise of allowing users to manage all their skins, themes, and icons from a single application:

Lead developer, Brian Harper, who developed WinStyles, Theme Managers 1 and 2 has really outdone himself this time.  His work on IconPackager 4, Stardock Central and WinCustomize browser have really come together here.

Moreover, users can now take a quick and simple snapshot of their desktop:

 
Like your desktop? Save it.

For power users though, the create new theme option is incredibly powerful:

Users can still create virtual suites if they want as well as make use of third-party applications to create your ultimate suite. It integrates into WinCustomize.com to automatically find skins based on your search terms.

Theme Manager 3 is one of the highlights of the upcoming release of Object Desktop 2009. Along with a Vista version of Bootskin and an XP version of DeskScapes (animated wallpaper), we are hoping that this new release will help reacquaint casual users with the fun of desktop customization.

Initially, Theme Manager 3 will only be available to Object Desktop users. 

Happy Halloween!  It’s Friday so the latest edition of This Week in Skinning is here.  TWiS is a great way to catch up on skins from the past week that you might have missed otherwise.

Now for this weeks picks!

	Wraith Rider by hallv5 Really cool design to use as a bootskin for Windows XP.
	The Rain Effect by theAVMAN Put a wet and rain look onto any wallpaper with this DesktopX object.  Really cool!
	Silver Swoon DX by PuterDudeJim A slick and “silver” DesktopX theme.  Looks great so be sure to check it out.
	Jack-O-Lantern by CarGuy1 If you have Vista and Deskscapes, then you need this Halloween animated wallpaper on your desktop.
	His first Halloween by teddybearcholla I really like the look of this wallpaper, perfect wallpaper for Halloween.
	Oreti Beach Sunset by SlimSpaceman This is just a beautiful wallpaper of a beach scene.  Great job!

See you next week!

Many people are familiar with either the stand-alone WindowBlinds application, or the Object Desktop subscription which includes  WindowsBlinds.  However, we also have a couple of WindowBlinds bundles that people might also be interested in.  These are great for people who don’t want an OD subscription, but still offers more than just WindowBlinds and still opens up an upgrade path to Object Desktop later.  WindowBlinds is the best way to change the look and feel of either Windows XP or Vista.

WindowBlinds Bundle

• This includes WindowBlinds and SkinStudio for just $29.95.  This is a great deal for someone who is looking to create skins for WindowBlinds as you will get both applications cheaper than buying separately.

WindowBlinds Extreme

• The WindowBlinds Extreme bundle includes the latest version of WindowBlinds, and a subscription to WinCustomize.com for just $39.95.  With a subscription to WinCustomize you won’t have to worry about ads getting in your way, you get access to free premium skins, and much more. 
  

You can find more information about WindowBlinds at www.windowblinds.net.

Friday is here and what a fantastic week it has been in skinning.  The biggest news this week was the launch of the 2008 GUI Championships.  This year we have over $15,000 in cash and prizes from great sponsors such as ATI/AMD, TechSmith, Stardock, Wacom, Corel, DeviantART, WinCustomize, and more!  This competition is international, and is open for pretty much everyone, so feel free to pass around the link and tell your friends about it.

Get the info at www.guichamps.com.

Now for this weeks picks!

	Midnight Boot by RickJP This is a cool and spooky bootskin for Windows XP.
	Target by sAARGe  The cursor has a simple, but well designed look to it, and the animations are sleek and well made.
	Caspers by muckyman Muckyman created this Halloween .dream for kids, and I think it was a great idea.  Anyone can enjoy this, but I like to see something focused for the kids.
	Hell Night_1280 by Stramp This logon is made from the Halloween inspired wallpaper from PuterDudeJim.
	Witch by treetog A wallpaper to go with any Halloween desktop.
	Windows Insomnia Clear Satin by TomRichter This is a good take on the Aero look, and TomRichter does a great job of putting his own style to this.  Great job.

See you next week!