Stardock is excited to announce the release of WindowBlinds 6.4.  WindowBlinds is an application that allows users to change the complete look and feel of both Windows XP and Windows Vista using skins, also called “visual styles”.  WindowBlinds does not alter system files, so it’s completely safe to use, and it uses the latest in hardware acceleration features so it will not affect your PC’s performance.

Aside from just changing the visual style, WindowBlinds gives you control over them by allowing users to change the colors of the skin, adjust opacity and blur levels, change skin fonts, change Explorer window backgrounds, and much more.

What’s new and updated in WindowBlinds 6.4:

• Support for glass menu bars on Windows Vista
• Support for a different mouseover image on the right hand side of the Start Menu
• Control over the background color of the Start Menu "Programs" list
• Double clicking the top left of a per pixel window will now close it on Windows Vista
• Control over the search box text color & font
• Better control over the Start Menu fonts & colors
• New section to allow a custom mouseover image used on the "Programs" link on Vista versus the legacy solid color
• Start button overlay now supports animation

WindowBlinds is part of the Object Desktop suite of desktop enhancement, and is also available stand-alone for $19.95.  Visit www.windowblinds.net for a free trial download.

Stardock is pleased to announce the release of SoundPackager 1.2.  SoundPackager is an application that lets users change the default Windows sound scheme to one of many available for download.  This is done by applying “packages” of sound files which allows you to easily change to custom sounds without having to change each individual sound file.  Changing to a new sound package just takes a couple of clicks, and restoring to the default Windows sounds is just a click away.

What’s new in this update:

• Added option to toggle default skin
• Improved the left panel options for clarity
• Added Windows Default Sound to Package list
• Added option to back up existing sound scheme before application
• Improved sound package restoration

SoundPackager is included with an Object Desktop Ultimate subscription, and also as a stand-alone application for $19.95.  More information, including a free download is available at www.soundpackager.com.

Impulse Phase 2

In June, Impulse was initially launched and in the 6 months since then, it has evolved and changed dramatically for the better. 

In our development schedule, we came up with 3 phases for it. Phase 2 was released last Fall and introduced a server side platform called Impulse Reactor which provides multiplayer matchmaking and an updated UI.

Impulse: Phase 1

So what’s in store for Phase 3?

The next major iteration of Impulse is due April 7th. And it will include the following new features:

Impulse Client updates:

• Player Rankings. Players will be able to see how they rank in a variety of games initially those that make use of Impulse Reactor. Demigod will be the first game to make full use of these new features.
• Achievements. Games for Windows Live integration will probably not be ready for Phase 3 but per game achievements will begin to show.
• Community Enhancements.
• My Impulse. This new default page for the community tab will let players manage friends lists, events, etc.

Impulse Anywhere:

A new web-based edition of Impulse is going to be created. PC software can be huge in size and downloading to your home PC is not always a viable option. Impulse Anywhere will allow users to download a .Impulse file from a website and take it home to install via Impulse on their home PC.

Impulse NOW:

A tiny new tray application will be able to be optionally used to keep users up to date on updates and let them quickly and easily access Impulse features. Best of all, it’ll be tiny in memory so users will be able to manage to keep up to date more easily than ever without having to have a client loaded.

Impulse Builder:

This new program will allow developers to start to easily submit their software to Impulse.  You have a game? An application? And want to share it with the world? Impulse Builder will let you submit it.  Our moderators will evaluate it and as long as it meets our quality threshold, it’ll be available to the public.  This will open up Impulse to thousands of freeware, shareware, and commercial programs that they can manage through Impulse (hence easy updating, etc.).

Impulse Reactor Phase 3:

Impulse is a server based solution. What this means is that its functionality is provided via dozens of data centers distributed throughout the world. The features of Impulse do not come from the client.  This is a big deal for developers because they can make use of features of Impulse without having to distribute the client.

One of the areas Stardock has been working on is in developing IP protection for publishers that also adheres to the Gamers Bill of Rights.

For game developers, Impulse Reactor Phase 3 provides features like multiplayer match-making that eliminates the need for players opening specific ports (if you’ve ever had to mess with your router to do port forwarding, you should insist to developers that they start using Impulse Reactor).  It also supports achievements, rankings, tournaments, etc.  And it’s free.

But for publishers, it also supports IP protection. A developer merely had to run the Impulse Reactor wrapper and then the game or application will make use of the IP protection that Stardock has been using for years. The reason this is a big deal is that it doesn’t require developers to alter source code or have different versions of their programs. One version, good protection, consumer friendly (no hassles), platform neutral (doesn’t force anyone to install a client, store, or even become a user of Impulse), and incredibly easy to use.

Beyond

Impulse Phase 3 launches just before Demigod.  Demigod will really help show off some of the cool stuff that Impulse can do.

I think when Impulse’s first birthday comes up in June, people will be shocked at how much it’s changed and improved in such a short amount of time.  And then we can start talking about Phase 4 which we have some really exciting things planned for.

Woo hoo!  Another Friday and another weekend Impulse Sale!  We have a great mix of both games and software on sale this week, including a few that I especially recommend.

• Dawn of War – Dark Crusade $3.99 (normally $19.99)
• Titan Quest $3.99 (normally $14.99)
• Multiplicity Professional $13.99 (normally $49.95)
• Defender of the Crown $3.99 (normally $19.99)
• TweakVista $3.99 (normally $19.99)
• Genie Backup Manager Home 8 $37.48 (normally $49.98)
• Genie Backup Manager Pro $52.45 (normally $69.95)

Get more info and be sure to download Impulse by visiting www.impulsedriven.com.

The first edition of This Month in Dreams for 2009!  I’m very excited to get this one done, the only thing that didn’t get in was the new intro I wanted, but that will have to wait.  Maybe I should get one of our .dream creators to make one for me.

Now for this months video!

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

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

Quick video demo of Fences in action.

Download at https://www.stardock.com/products/fences

If you have a Windows PC you should download this program. Seriously.

Before…

After…

Stardock’s new killer app: Fences. Download it, it’s free!

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

Stardock is excited to announce its most innovative desktop utility application since the popular WindowBlinds today – Stardock Fences for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. The free application from Stardock clears desktop clutter and provides consistency and organization for groups of files on the desktop. Fences allows users to literally “draw” labeled shaded areas on the desktop which become movable & resizable “containers” for desktop icons. These groups arrange and hide the files on the computer's desktop solving the "constant mess" problem that has plagued the desktop since its inception.

To help solve another weak point of the desktop - the mere appearance of clutter, Fences offers a novel quick-hide feature. Users can double click the desktop and all of the icons will fade out. When users double click again the icons will return. Users can pick and choose which desktop icons hide when the feature is activated.

Visit the Fences website to see more screenshots and videos of Fences in action, and for your free download.

• https://www.stardock.com/products/fences/index.asp

After a lot of speculation over the last couple of months, we finally have confirmation on the Windows 7 SKU’s.  At first look, it looks like Windows 7 Professional will be the way to go.

Windows 7 Starter
Market: Emerging markets, with new PCs only
Key features: Enhanced taskbar, Jump Lists, Windows Media Player, Backup and Restore, Action Center, Device Stage, Play To, Fax and Scan, basic games
What's missing: Aero Glass, many Aero desktop enhancements, Windows Touch, Media Center, Live thumbnail previews, Home Group creation

Windows 7 Home Premium
Market: Mainstream retail market
Key features: Aero Glass, Aero Background, Windows Touch, Home Group creation, Media Center, DVD playback and authoring, premium games
What's missing: Domain join, Remote Desktop host, advanced backup, EFS, Mobility Center, Offline Folders

Windows 7 Professional (superset of Home)
Market: Mainstream retail market
Key features: Domain join, Remote Desktop host, location aware printing, EFS, Mobility Center, Presentation Mode, Offline Folders, Media Center
What's missing: BitLocker, BitLocker To Go, AppLocker, Direct Access, Branche Cache, MUI language packs, boot from VHD

Windows 7 Enterprise
Market: Volume-license business customers only
Key features: BitLocker, BitLocker To Go, AppLocker, Direct Access, Branche Cache, MUI language packs, boot from VHD
What's missing: Retail licensing

Windows 7 Ultimate
Market: Retail market, limited availability
Key features: BitLocker, BitLocker To Go, AppLocker, Direct Access, Branche Cache, MUI language packs, boot from VHD
What's missing: Volume licensing

Link: Neowin.net

If you were a Windows XP user you are probably familiar with the drab theme that was included.  Vista improved with the Aero look, but still didn’t offer much variety, and after a few weeks of usage, even Aero gets dull to look at.  The good news is you don’t have to settle for just one looks for Vista, as there are many Vista themes available to download and use. 

To use these Vista themes, you will first need to get WindowBlinds.  This is the absolute best way to change the Vista visual style to one of thousands that are available for download on sites such as WinCustomize.com.  WindowBlinds doesn’t hack or modify system files, so it’s completely safe to use.

Once installed, you have an easy to use interface to browse and apply the skins you download.  Other features are included such as changing the themes colors, adjusting blur and transparency, changing sidebar skins, and much more.

As mentioned before, there are literally thousands of Vista themes available for download.  Below are just a few examples of some of my favorite skins that look great on Windows Vista.

7 Plus	Plastic Fantastic

Aero Midnight	LED3: Dot Matrix