Windows has a ton of icons of icons in it, and for the most part they are plain and have kept the same basic design principles over the years.  Icons are available all over the internet from sites like WinCustomize.com, but changing each individual icon can take a load of time, and who has that these days.  In comes IconPackager 5.  IconPackager is all about the icons, and it’s main feature is the ability to change nearly all the Windows icons at once!  This is done by applying packs of icons instead of each icon individually.  Not only does this save time, you have a package that is designed around one theme so your PC will have a stylish and classy look to it.

Changing the icons is simple.  Just browse and choose the set you want, hit Apply and you have a whole new set of icons!

Of course if you want to change just a few icons at a time, you can also do that easily with IconPackager.  Whether it’s changing an icon you just don’t like, or changing an icon to represent a special folder, you can do it with just a few clicks.  IconPackager also integrates with the Windows shell so you can change icons from the right-click menu too.

If you like an icon package, but want to change it up a little to fit the colors of a wallpaper or theme, IconPackager has a coloring feature which allows you to do just that.  There are also several built-in effect features for even more customization options.

There are hundreds of icon packs available for you to choose from on WinCustomize.com.  IconPackager also gives you the ability to create your own icon packs by simply dragging and dropping icons to the package builder.  You can make your own custom icon packs in minutes!

More information about IconPackager can be found at its website.

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

A free trial is available, and the full version is just $9.95.

Nature wallpapers are some of my favorites.  These can either be real images or 3D rendered scenes of pretty much anything having to do with nature and the outdoors.  They make a boring desktop turn exciting when you use a computer wallpaper like these.

1. Lost Paradise Night Version by DEVJIT

2. Autumn Walk by realityDream

3. Across The Great Divide by welshdragon

4. Oreti Beach Sunset by SlimSpaceman

5. Florida Sunflower by Island Dog

6. ColdMilk by zmuda_m

7. Autumn in Belgium by kenwas

8. Under the Tuscan Sun by Richard Mohler

9. Eclipse V. The fire arch by realityDream

10. What the Bees see by mkberry

IconPackager 5.1 was released today.  IconPackager lets Windows users change hundreds of icons at a time using packages of icons.  These packs of icons, which hundreds are available to download, can change nearly every Windows icon including all types of folder and file types.  Integration with the Windows shell lets you easily change individual icons via the right-click menu, and IconPackager even supports Live Folder icons found in Vista/Win7.  You can even create your own icon packs by dragging and dropping icons into the package builder!

The 5.1 update brings:

• Added support for Windows 7 Homegroup and shield overlays
• Icons & Cursors / Folders section will show custom libraries on Windows 7
• Added previewing all included icon sizes from the package preview window

IconPackager is available with a subscription to Object Desktop, or stand-alone for just $9.95.  Free trial available.

https://www.stardock.com/products/iconpackager/index.asp

The beta for WindowFX 4 is out for Object Desktop subscribers, and the feedback I have seen so far has been great.  Still more to do, but I’m happy that people are enjoying what is being shown so far.  One of my personal favorite features is the window animations, and I created a quick demo video showing off some examples of them.

View using HD for the best quality.

I’m slowly putting together the 2011 business plan for Stardock. Where to budget what.  It’s a difficult challenge this year because the Windows market isn’t just fragmented but the tech market is fragmented (iOS has become a serious venue for development).

Our business model for skinning has slowly broken down over the years. Years ago, we would come up with app ideas and then look out on the net to find someone who has made something similar and work with them on a royalty basis. 

Nowadays, the expectation of quality is such that you can’t really get away with having some college student making this stuff in his spare time for some extra money and our seasoned developers have moved on to other things or are juggling many different programs at once.

For example, I’d love to do a full blown WPF DesktopX successor.  But we’re having a devil of a time getting DesktopX 4 out the door as-is.  A WPF desktop creator might be a big hit or…it might be a huge amount of work that amounts to very little.

As Windows itself has gotten nicer looking by default, the demand for software fix the Windows experience has naturally declined. I use IconPackager, WindowBlinds, ObjectDock, Fences, and DeskScapes.

I think there’s a lot more that could be done with DeskScapes going forward.  IconPackager is a lot tougher because the time versus pay off ratio doesn’t work out.  WindowBlinds still has a lot of good stuff we can do for that.  ObjectDock 2 just came out and there’s a lot that can still be done there.

We already have a couple of new things in store for next year but increasingly, our focus is on things that improve the experience of Windows less via eye candy and more by modernizing the experience.  Anyone who has used an iPad (or Windows 7 mobile) can really see how rickety Windows (and MacOS for that matter) have really become.  Not because they’re overly complicated but rather because their user experience was designed during a different era. 

The whole Windows experience needs a serious overhaul but such an overhaul wouldn’t be cheap and it might amount to nothing if users didn’t like it.

I know I’m more than a little annoyed that Microsoft has taken their eye off the Windows ball. WPF and Silverlight are awesome – on Windows.  Microsoft needs to quit putting mindless suits in charge of things and get some people with common sense running the show.  Windows need not to a legacy platform, it just needs a revisit from a 2010 perspective.

And so that’s what I’m looking at.  The challenge is finding developers who are willing to work on a royalty basis rather than a salary basis.  People to share the risk in creating cool new things.

DeskScapes can enable Windows users to have animated wallpapers on their desktop, along with managing static wallpapers and adding effects.  These are some short demo videos highlights some of those cool effects.

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

DeskScapes is also part of the Object Desktop suite of desktop enhancements.

DeskScapes 3 Demo

DeskScapes Effects

DeskScapes Coloring

 DeskScapes is an application that gives users the ability to animate their Windows desktop with video and dynamic animated wallpapers.  DeskScapes can also manage your animated wallpapers, including static wallpapers with support for multiple monitors.

New in this update:

• Added updated effects
• Added sliders to adjust effect strength (where appropriate)
• Updated effects previews
• Updated config window usability
• Added support for translation via new Language tab
• Tweak to system timer frequency on Vista/7 machines when paused due to running on battery
• Tweak to preview display
• New dreams installed to Shared Documents rather than User Documents

A free trial is available, and it is just $19.95 to register, or can be purchased as part of Stardock’s Object Desktop suite of desktop enhancement utilities.

Visit www.stardock.com/products/deskscapes for more information.

Most of us spend hours and hours in front of our PC’s each day whether at work or at home.  Personalizing your desktop is a perfect way to make your space truly yours with your own custom touches.  One of the coolest ways to customize your desktop is to put animated wallpapers on it.  Static wallpapers are nice of course, but having a wallpaper with subtle motions is just plain cool. 

DeskScapes is an application that can turn your boring static desktop into something amazing with video and dynamic wallpapers.  Think of a beautiful picture of a waterfall.  Now think of that same picture on your desktop with animation!

You can also take some control over your wallpapers with Effects that are integrated with DeskScapes.  All sorts of effects like Black & White, Blurring, Nightvision, and more can be applied with just a click!

If you run multiple monitors, DeskScapes can also apply either static or animated wallpapers to each screen. 

Visit the DeskScapes site for a free demo, and more information!

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

WindowBlinds is the top shareware pick on WUGNET, the Windows User Group Network.  WUGNET shareware picks are also featured on Microsoft.com downloads page!

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/

So you have downloaded and installed Impulse, but what do  you do from here?  No worries.  This is a guide that answers the most common questions regarding Impulse and how to use its various features.

If you haven’t already, get Impulse at www.impulsedriven.com.

Installing, Accounts, and Registrations

When you install Impulse you are prompted to login or create your Impulse account.  If you have made a purchase already, it is important that you login with the same account that you purchased with.  If you have multiple accounts that need merging, or need to update a current account, you can do so here.

https://www.stardock.com/support/

When you purchase a game or application on Impulse, it is associated with your account and should show up in Impulse when you login.

Pre-Release Versions (Betas)

For many of our applications and games, we offer access to betas or pre-release versions.  In order to see pre-release versions, you will need to have the correct settings checked in the settings area.

Impulse Preferences

Open the Impulse preferences by clicking the button in the upper left-hand area of Impulse.  You will find some quick options, along with a link to the Impulse preferences.  You can find a variety of options here including the reset data button, Impulse update options, install locations, and archiving options.

Impulse Now

Impulse Now is a tray application that gives quick access to common Impulse features like notifying you of game/app updates, and shows current promotions we are running on Impulse.  This is installed upon installing Impulse, but can be easily disabled if you wish in the settings menu.  We also offer special promotions through Impulse Now, that might not be available anywhere else in Impulse or on the website.

My Software/My Games

Impulse has a tabbed interface, and at the top you will see several different tabs.  The My Software and My Games tabs are where your available and installed applications can be found.  Clicking the organize and view buttons will allow you change the views of these areas.

Selecting and/or right-clicking a game/app will give you the options to install, update, uninstall, view history, and more.  You can also view your serial/registration numbers if you need them.

Registering Products

As mentioned above, when you purchase a product it is automatically associated with your account.  However, if you find the need to manually enter registration information then you can do so via the Register Product button.

Community Tab

Impulse has a large and great community.  You can access various community functions from the Community tab.  Blogs, forums, IRC chat, Friends lists, Achievements, News, and more can all be accessed from this area.

Explore the Impulse Store

This is where all the gaming and app goodness can be found.  The Explore tab gives access to the Impulse Store where you can find every product that we offer on Impulse.  View products by genre, new releases, bestsellers, and lots more of options.  Find and purchase the games and apps you are looking for directly in Impulse.