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Getting Started with Stardock Tiles

Thursday, March 10, 2011 by Island Dog | Discussion: Personal Computing

With the release of the beta for Stardock Tiles I wanted to write a quick getting started guide on some of the basic features of the app.  I have been using Tiles for a while now, and it’s another one of those must have apps that resides on my desktop daily.

https://www.stardock.com/products/tiles/

What is Tiles?

Tiles is an application that lets you easily manage running applications and windows with a customizable interface that resides on your desktop.  Many of us are used to switching windows via the start menu, but that can become difficult with lots of apps open, especially with apps with multiple windows or documents that you might be working on.

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Using Tiles

Tiles is very easy to use and within just a few uses you will be breaking the habit of using the taskbar for running applications.  Tiles has pages like Apps, Webs, etc. that will display the applications running for that category of app.  Switching between pages is done by swiping left or right.  The display windows in Tiles are live previews, and you can quickly select and bring to focus any window that is open.  Click the window within Tiles to minimize and maximize the windows as well.  All the options for Tiles can be accessed by right-clicking in the Tiles interface.

You can customize your pages further by creating your own filters.  You can set specific applications to be open in your pages, and pick running apps to be included that are already running.  Another feature is holding down the Shift key and dragging a window into Tiles.  I usually do this with apps I have open for a short time and use it to keep them organized in a custom page I have setup.

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Is it Skinnable?

Of course it is!  Tiles has several skins included to get you started, and even includes a skin editor to help you build your own custom skins.  If you are a WindowBlinds user it will also match the skin you are using so everything goes “together” on your desktop. 

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So that was just a quick overview of Tiles, but there is much more to explore.  Check out the demo video below to see Tiles in action and let us know how you like it!


Stardock’s Tiles reimagines the Windows task metaphor

Thursday, March 10, 2011 by Frogboy | Discussion: Personal Computing

Over the years, Stardock’s Object Desktop suite of utilities has been the source of many innovations on the PC.  It is where the concept of “widgets” and “gadgets” was born. It is where ZIP files being treated like folders came from, it’s where GUI skinning came from, it’s where animated desktop wallpaper came from.  And more recently, it’s where the popular icon organization program, Fences came from.

This year, Stardock is proud to add Tiles to the list of new Object Desktop programs. Tiles is to tasks what Fences is to desktop icons. It is designed to allow users to more effectively manage what they are working on.

“The current PC task management metaphor hasn’t really changed in over 18 years,” said Brad Wardell, President & CEO of Stardock. “In recent years, mobile devices have been able to introduce users to more modern metaphors of arranging their digital life.  Tiles has been designed to update that metaphor to the PC experience.”

Tiles works by taking advantage of the wider aspect ratios of today’s desktops. On the right side of the screen, a page of tiles is displayed. Users may have multiple pages that they organize as they see fit or make use of several sample page filters such as displaying only active windows or only web pages. Users can then switch between pages either by clicking on the page title or on touch systems by sweeping their finger across the page to “turn the page”.

Users add tiles to a page through either holding the shift key down and dragging a window onto a page or by dragging an icon onto the page. When the tile is active, it is displayed as with a thumbnail of the window. When the tile is inactive, only the program’s icon is displayed. Users can configure Tiles to be different sizes, automatically maximize the windows selected tiles, automatically hide and show windows based on the tiles on a particular page as well as dozens of other options to enable users to customize Tiles to their work style.

Tiles is currently in beta exclusively on Stardock’s Object Desktop software network. Users can get Object Desktop at www.objectdesktop.com. It is expected to be generally released this Summer.

Download:

http://www.objectdesktop.com

Video:

http://www.screencast.com/t/u4oK0520uoK

Screenshots:

 

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Know Another Language? Come Help with DeskScapes!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011 by Island Dog | Discussion: OS Customization

DeskScapes is a very popular application for both using animated wallpapers and for managing and using static wallpapers.  In an effort to expand the use and accessibility of DeskScapes a localization feature was added so DeskScapes could display a language other than the default of English.   If you are fluent in another language and can translate a language file with it, then read on!

The language files can be found in: C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Object Desktop\DeskScapes3\lang

Open one of the English files with an application like Notepad and you can see the format. 

If you would like to help out, just post in this thread or PM me.  If you can complete a language file for DeskScapes we would offer you your choice of a 1 year WinCustomize subscription/renewal, a copy of DeskScapes or WindowBlinds.

This Week in Skinning–March 4th

Skin Roundup for 3-4-11

Friday, March 4, 2011 by Island Dog | Discussion: OS Customization

Lets get this week closed out already!  There’s not much to talk about this week, but we did have a steady stream of skin submissions this week, so here is our weekly roundup of some of the featured picks for the week!

 

Beedle

 

Beedle by ahabkaba

This CursorFX theme can match a wide variety of themes.  Great details, but keeps the simplicity.

Serpentis

 

Serpentis by komputer2010

These are a couple of icons that can be used in ObjectDock.  A really nice design!

Faenza Widgets

 

Faenza Widgets

I really like the icon set used in this Rainmeter theme, and is a perfect complement to any desktop.

Life

 

Life by Whalecore

This wallpaper has such a simple and awesome concept behind it.  Great work!

ULTIMO Night Smoke

ULTIMO Night Smoke by TomRichter

This is another WindowBlinds skin added to my favorites collection.  The colors and design are all fantastic!

This Week in Skinning-February 25th

Skin Roundup for 2-25-11

Friday, February 25, 2011 by Island Dog | Discussion: OS Customization

This was long week, and I’m certainly glad the weekend is upon us.  We finally finished the 2011 WinCustomize Community Wallpaper, so take a moment and check it out!

Now for this weeks picks!

Terror Bite

 

Terror Bite by Vampothika

This CursorFX theme is awesome.  A very detailed design and cool animations make this a definite download.

Spectacle

 

Spectacle by TheMasterBaron

Another animated wallpaper with some cool animations.  Great work!

WeatherSun Tiles

 

WeatherSun Tiles by frankell

A colorful and unique set of background tiles for ObjectDock.  I like!

Seclorum

 

Seclorum by Varelse42

This is an incredible set of Rainmeter skins, over 40 of them! 

Patriot

Patriot by navigatsio

This is a metal looking skin with clean lines and a slick design.  Great job!

ObjectDock Plus 2: Changing Background Themes

Thursday, February 24, 2011 by Island Dog | Discussion: Personal Computing

There is another tutorial out there I wrote, but that was for the previous version of ObjectDock so I figured now is a good time to get a new one up.  ObjectDock 2 had a major overhaul in its user interface, and with that came a few new ways to do things that people might not be familiar with. 

If you don’t already have ObjectDock 2, then get it from here: https://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/

There is a free and Plus version, and the Plus version gives additional features such as multiple docks, tabbed docks, and much more.

Open up your ObjectDock configuration and you will see a list of docks you currently have on your desktop.  Click Style/Color for the dock you wish to change, and then select Change Theme.

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Now you will see all the background themes you have available.  To change to another theme, simply click on one in the list. 

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WinCustomize has an dedicated gallery for ObjectDock Backgrounds, and there are tons available to download.  You can open your backgrounds folder from the theme configuration to install them, or automatically if they have a .dockzip extension.

Stardock Customer Report 2010

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 by Island Dog | Discussion: Elemental News

For the last couple of years Stardock has released its Customer Report to the public, and we have always received a great response to it, so I’m happy to present the Stardock Customer Report 2010.  This report is part of the internal business plan of Stardock along with results from our yearly customer survey that we send out to our customers.

View: Stardock Customer Report 2010

 

This Week in Skinning-February 18th

Skin Roundup for 2-18-11

Friday, February 18, 2011 by Island Dog | Discussion: OS Customization

winky_twis128nAs many of us get ready to head out for a nice weekend of relaxation, we will cap off this week with another edition of This Week in Skinning!  This was kind of a quiet week as far as news goes, but that never stops the skins from rolling in. 

Now for this weeks picks!

 

Mercury

 

Mercury by amitsaran

We have quite a few animated wallpapers of Earth, so now I’m glad to see the expansion into the rest of the solar system.

Caeruleus

 

Caeruleus by komputers2010

These are some icons that can be used with ObjectDock with a dark and slick look to them.

Abstract

 

Abstract by Uvah

This is a really cool “skinned” SysMetrix skin.  Great work!

Playful Spheres

 

Playful Sphere by skyzyk

I just really like the overall design and color of this wallpaper.  Nice!

ULTIMO Orange Cobalt

ULTIMO Orange Cobalt by TomRichter

The color combination of orange and black just looks fantastic on a WindowBlinds skin.  Very nice!

My desktop sneak peek

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 by Frogboy | Discussion: OS Customization

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New Object Desktop component about to go into beta. Big in development for a looong time.

This Week in Skinning–February 11th

Skin Roundup for 2-11-11

Friday, February 11, 2011 by Island Dog | Discussion: OS Customization

Welcome to Friday!  More importantly, welcome to the latest edition of This Week in Skinning!  This is the weekend before Valentine’s Day and we have had some great inspired skins come in especially in the wallpaper gallery.  Otherwise we have had a great mix of skins come in over the last week so be sure to take a stroll through all the galleries in case you missed some.

Now for this weeks picks!

 

Bullion

 

Bullion by BoXXi

I always enjoy the CursorFX themes that BoXXi puts out, and this is a new favorite.

Midas Sidebar DX

 

Midas Sidebar DX by RedneckDude

This is made to match 2of3’d WindowBlinds skin, but even by itself this DesktopX theme is sweet.

Superman Dock

 

Superman Dock by frankell

A Superman inspired dock that looks great on the desktop even if you aren’t using a Superman theme.

Maritime Bell Clock

 

Martitime Bell Clock by sgtevmckay

This skin really shows off what Rainmeter can do.  This is just really cool so be sure to check it out.

Looove Color 2

 

Looove Color 2 by vlad

Vlad always creates some really cool Valentine’s wallpaper, and this is a new favorite.  A red version is available too!

Argon

Argon by Xiandi

Described as a “retro” skin for the old days of skinning, I can say for certain this recreates the old feel of skinning of many years ago.



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