What's Going on with ObjectBar 2.0?

Published on December 19, 2005 By Darkthorn In

Its been a while since we've heard any updates about this. Anyone want to tell us what's going on?
When I saw the message for my ObjectDesktop renewal notice come up, I realized that at this point last year, I renewed it for a new and improved Object Bar 2.0 coming soon.....

I don't mind that it takes time, but I would like to see some more progress. Especially if I'm going to throw down some more $$$.

Comments (Page 3)

J-Mac

on Feb 01, 2006

Oh shoot!

I just d/l'd OB for the first time, thinking that this was a good working version.

Before I go and wear out what little brain I have left trying to configure OB, is it worth it? Or am I wasting my time?

Thanks.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central

Chef Garry

on Feb 01, 2006

depends on what you want it to do. I've found that ObjectDock does a better job for most of what I want but I run a simple OB to launch certain files. OB can be very simple to set up for simple tasks.

rabidrobot

on Feb 01, 2006

J-Mac ObjectBar is a very useful and in my experience stable application. The spirited discussion here is because so many actually really like OB, and use it. Personally I use it all the time, and feel it is a key part of my desktop.

I think some of the frustration is because it is such a potentially great product, but news of, much less the actual 2.0, has been a long time coming. Additionally, those of us who've used OB for some time have seen some inexplicable changes in the "recent" versions--but these changes may not be of much concern to new users.

I recommend giving it a try!

J-Mac

on Feb 01, 2006

I need it basically for launching programs and files. Nothing else that I know of at this time.

As I posted a while ago in the DTX forum: PCs nowadays have way too much power and memory and storage available to allow the Start>All Programs menu and desktop icons to work well.

My All Programs menu has so many darned programs on it that it's off the screen! And, no, I don't prefer to use the scrolling option - I hate that!

And my desktop can't hold all the icons I need to use. I do use OD+, but it fails me just enough to make me leary of relying on it. Plus, the edges of the screen where OD+ docks sit are never the "right place". They seem to be in the way for either the scrollbar, or the tabs block the browser status bar, or the tabs cover something and prevent you from clicking on it - I'm continually moving my docks around as they get in the way of something I need.

I finally figured out how to place docks anywhere on the desktop, but then they "bleed through" a lot of other applications and I have to close OD+ to use those other apps.

I spent a little time configuring OB today and I like it so far.

One problem, though. (So far!) Start>All Programs automatically defaults to the scrolling menu in all skins that I've tried. And I cannot seem to find a setting to change it to the cascading menu that I prefer. Anyone kow how I can change that?

Thanks all!

wscwebyoda

on Feb 01, 2006

I usually keep quite in the boards, lurking around to find answers to the bugs I find, or just to read the articles. But, when I came across this thread, I realized that my own worst fears were coming true. Maybe I had wasted my money by taking the step to purchase OD last fall!

It appears that this lengthy forum discussion is showing how much the Stardock crew is not listening to the masses! We all have been waiting patiently, amidst idle promises, for the latest release of OB. Months have passed... good grief, has it been a year... since the last promise of a new release? Now, for those of us that purchased the Apogee icon suite, we sit and wait with idle promises of possible updates to the original release. The dates are fading away (first it was by the beginning of 2006... then by the end of the first week in 2006... then by the end of the January). On top of that, we hear an announcement about the new system sounds program that they are working on with the possibility of seeing it on Stardock Central soon. Well, that appears to be another project that puts upgrades, fixes, and feature requests of OD products on the back burner.

Unfortunately, if you are like me, these idle promises, lack of communication with the customers, and lengthy excuses about how they are putting their eggs into one basket only push me to a point of never purchasing a Stardock product again. It also pushes me towards the possibility of a report to the Better Business Bureau. Trust me, those are not things that I want to do since I've been a loyal fan and supporter of Stardock since the early days.

Even amidst the better communication Stardock has shown over the past couple of months, they need to step up and do better. If not, at least they could do is shut up about new products and upgrades if they are going to be weeks, months, or years away. Also, stop releasing half completed items (i.e. Apogee). It makes us feel as if we wasted our money. Stop giving us false hopes that push us to purchase, or renew subscriptions, when nothing gets accomplished.

Ok, I'll step off my soapbox now and go back into the shadows of the forums. Sorry for rambling... just a bit ticked off right now!

Patriots

on Feb 01, 2006

think that if Stardock is going to announce an upcoming version, they need to give general dates and update the users if that date is slipping and why. In the end it would make for happier customers.

Well Said!!

Although I am a user of WB5 and Object Desktop and Object Dock+. I purchased Object desktop because of the added extras you recieve from being a suscriber. I have just recently starting playing with right click and I do enjoy that very much. It does the "little things" that object dock doesn't. I love all the products from Stardock. But, what you said Zubaz is very much true. I would like to see the updates for the programs that came along with object desktop. But, that's just my little opionion in my own little world

ZubaZ

on Feb 01, 2006

Look folks, Stardock is under no obligation to maintain any of it's apps. You subscribe, you take you chances.

I think as a Object Desktop subscriber (and cursorXP, ObjectDock+,Skinpacks, Desktoip pet, Natural Desktop and Wincustomize) I think I've gotten what I'ev paid for. I think I've gottena deal.

I've had soem issues and concerns. Slow releases, componants that I thought belonged in the ODNT Suite (CXP, and OD) weren't. Icon Packager has crashed more times than I can count (all beta though).

But . . . and here is the but . . . Tech support has rocked. Developer interaction rocks. Community rocks.

It's worth it. It's been worth it since 2001 I think. (Just checked...2001 it is. And only 639 MB downloaded. I need to get busy).

I miss the feeling of seeing new updates weekly for Stardock apps. I used to love firing up Componant manager in the morning to see what was new. Maybe after GalCiv2 is out the door?

It is my belief that Stardock needs to either be more communicative or keep quiet about upcoming releases. But that's me and not Brad. He's done a pretty good job over the years and I trust him.

I trust him as a vendor and as a man. Part of that is based on the people he has hired. They are trying to do their best work all the time. They are trying to make Stardock successful. They are thinking of you and me, thier clients and thier paycheck.

If OB is on the back burner it's because there's not as much of a market for it. Deal with it. OB was the bomb when XP came out. Now . . . where is the market for new users? Not the 100 or so power OB users, the thousands of new OB users. Now ask where are the new users for WB? Everywhere.

So, believe in Brad (and Stardock) or not. Subscribe or don't.

And Stardock, the journals for GalCiv2 are great, how about OD and ThinkDesk journals? An email to subscribers? The GalCiv2 gamma to me? Something.

J-Mac

on Feb 01, 2006

Hey Zubaz,

I'm probably to new around here to be as jaded as some, but this....

Look folks, Stardock is under no obligation to maintain any of it's apps. You subscribe, you take you chances.

....has to be the poorest quote I've ever seen for someone who seems to be trying to defend a developer. Either defend them, attack them, or say nothing, but the above is definitely not a complimentary statement. If my friends came to my defense by saying something similar about me, I'd have to stop and scratch my head for a while! The rest of your post is spot on, though.

ZubaZ

on Feb 02, 2006

I had a really nice reply and WC crapped out on me. -=sigh=-

I didn't use nice, happy, cuddly words; but so what, I don't work for Stardock. It just kills me that some people think they are entitled to upgrades and support forever. I don't just mean with OB either, I mean teens, and people on welfare, and folks who steal MP3s. PEOPLE ARE NOT ENTITLED.

I end up defending Stardock because I like their apps, their compnay, Brad, and teh folks he hires. They are all stand-up in my book.

But they are out to make money by giving lots of peopel good products. OB isn't bringing in the big bucks . . so it moves to the back burner. And if it moves far enough back . . it gets abandoned. Maybe if the community is lucky it gets released as open source. Maybe not. Life goes on.

kuikelo

on Feb 02, 2006

ObjectBar is a very useful and in my experience stable application. The spirited discussion here is because so many actually really like OB, and use it. Personally I use it all the time, and feel it is a key part of my desktop.

I think could do without WB5, but not necessary without OB. OB plust virtual desktops are the key part of my system as well. One year ago I was thinking whether to continue OD subscription or not, but then I saw the news of new version of OB being developed and decided to renew the subscription. Well, the one year subscription is now almost over and I have to make the same decision again... It would be nice to hear some news from Stardock about their plans for OB.

wscwebyoda

on Feb 02, 2006

But they are out to make money by giving lots of peopel good products. OB isn't bringing in the big bucks . . so it moves to the back burner. And if it moves far enough back . . it gets abandoned.

While I partially agree with your statement that OB may not be making the big bucks, there is an overarching issue at hand. The Stardock team has made multiple comments/announcements that OB and other related products would be updated/upgraded even with projected timelines. The timelines pass by, often by many months, and the current users get frustrated. We don't disagree that tech support is awesome, or that the products Stardock produces is great. The problem is with communication! They need to put up or shut up.

ZubaZ

on Feb 02, 2006

The problem is with communication! They need to put up or shut up.

Agreed and agreed.

cmuggle

on Feb 02, 2006

and agreed...

More *eerie silence* ... *occasional wind rush* ... *tumbleweed* ...

Yawn...I've seen no Stardock replies to this post yet.

Where's that "twiddling my thumbs" emoticon when I need it!

cmuggle

on Feb 02, 2006

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I recently installed the Yahoo! widgets (widgets.yahoo.com) and they rock! They are proxy aware, they are bug free (so far, 3 weeks and counting) and there are lots to choose from with lots of options (transparency settings, always on top, etc). Take a look.

And Virtual Dimension (http://virt-dimension.sourceforge.net) a FREE alternative for Stardock Virtual Desktops.

liquidguru

on Feb 02, 2006

Where's that "twiddling my thumbs" emoticon when I need it!

you could try

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