Object Desktop
| Company type | Subscription service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Brad Wardell, Kurt Westerfeld |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | WindowBlinds, Fences, DesktopX, Tweak7, IconPackager, ObjectBar, DeskScapes, RightClick, IconDeveloper, LogonStudio, SoundPackager, Theme Manager, Keyboard LaunchPad, SkinStudio, WindowFX |
| Owner | Stardock |
| Website | www |
Object Desktop (abbreviated as OD, previously known as Object Desktop Network or ODNT) is a subscription-based online software service created by Stardock, originally designed for OS/2 and reintroduced for Windows in 1997.
This suite combines the majority of Stardock's graphical user interface enhancement and productivity applications, including WindowBlinds, Fences, DesktopX, Tweak7, IconPackager, and ObjectBar.
OS/2 Era (1993–2001)
Originally called The Workplace Toolset/2, Object Desktop was developed over a period of three years by Brad Wardell and Kurt Westerfeld, following Stardock’s earlier shareware collection for OS/2 known as OS/2 Essentials. The product line saw successive releases with versions 1.0, 1.5, and a Professional edition.
By 1997, the independent software vendor (ISV) market for OS/2 was shrinking as users transitioned toward Windows NT 4. Revenue from OS/2 products fell to one-third of the 1996 figures in 1997 and further declined to one-quarter in 1998. This downturn led Stardock to pivot toward Windows development in mid-1997. Despite this shift, Stardock maintained its role as an OS/2 ISV until February 2001, when it discontinued sales of Object Desktop for OS/2.
The OS/2 versions were marketed as both full releases and upgrades, with pricing set higher than subsequent Windows editions due to smaller sales volumes.
Object Desktop 1.0
The first iteration was commended for its capabilities but encountered criticism concerning performance issues and compatibility challenges.
Object Desktop 1.5
Released on May 2, 1996, version 1.5 resolved numerous earlier problems and introduced several new features, including:
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Users upgrading from version 1.0 paid $37.
Object Desktop Professional
Aimed at professional OS/2 users, Object Desktop Professional debuted on August 24, 1996, priced at $179; upgrade costs were $69.95 from OD 1.5 or $119 from OD 1.0. This edition encompassed all features of OD 1.5 plus additional tools such as:
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Object Desktop 2.0
The release of Object Desktop 2.0 brought updates to all existing components and merged the Professional features into a single package. It was priced at $99.95 with upgrade options costing $39 for Professional users and $69.95 for others.
Version 2.02, launched in early 2000, was announced as the final update for the OS/2 platform.
Early Experience Program
As OS/2’s popularity waned, Stardock redirected its efforts towards Windows development, necessitating redevelopment of many components. To support cash flow during this transition, existing Object Desktop customers moving to Windows were offered early subscription access through the Early Experience Program. Subscribers gained entry once the software was finalized in December 1999. Strong customer loyalty contributed to substantial enrollment, enabling continued product development.
Shift in Strategy
Initially reflecting the OS/2 lineup with utilities like Object Edit and Control Center, Object Desktop gradually transformed to serve a wider Windows audience by focusing on enhancing graphical user interface customization. The centerpiece became WindowBlinds, complemented by well-received applications such as IconPackager, ObjectBar, DesktopX, DeskScapes, and Fences.
Operation and pricing
Impulse, which replaced both Component Manager and Stardock Central, acts as the central hub for software registration, downloading, and updating, operating in a manner similar to a package manager.
Customers pay a one-time fee that provides access to the software along with updates and newly added components for one year. Update availability is selective; certain components might not be included or may be discontinued.
After the subscription period ends, users keep their existing stable software but lose access to downloading new components until they renew. Renewals add an additional year of access starting from the renewal date.
Traditionally, the initial Windows subscription for Object Desktop has been priced at $49.95, with renewal or upgrade fees set at $34.95. In 2008, a dual-tier pricing structure was introduced ($49.95 and $69.95), though the higher-priced option was phased out by 2010.
Components
Object Desktop is structured around individual components; while many applications can be purchased separately, subscribers receive full access to all offerings.
Current components
As of February 2010, all Object Desktop subscribers have access to the following components:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| WindowBlinds [1] | Allows customization of visual styles affecting window frames, controls, the taskbar, Start Menu, and more.
Launched initially in 1998 for Windows 95, WindowBlinds has become the flagship product within Object Desktop. Its underlying technology powers DirectSkin, Stardock's corporate ActiveX/COM skinning solution. |
| Fences | A desktop icon management tool that organizes icons into "fences" which can be toggled visible or hidden. The included Fences Pro version enhances this with sorting and automatic placement based on filename or type. |
| DeskScapes | Provides animated wallpapers compatible with Windows XP and later versions, featuring dynamic backgrounds such as time-sensitive sky color shifts. It originated as an extension of Windows Vista Ultimate's DreamScene functionality. |
| IconPackager | Handles icon packages to replace default Windows icons for files and folders. Registered editions offer shell integration and allow customization of file type icons.
Icon packages may be standalone or part of broader themes managed through Theme Manager. Both premium and free icon packs are available via WinCustomize and other platforms. IconPackager was subject to legal action when competitor TGTSoft filed a lawsuit regarding its file format rights. |
| ObjectBar | A customizable shell extension focusing on "bars," widely used to mimic the Macintosh menu bar. It incorporated features from Stardock's ControlCenter but has largely been superseded by WindowBlinds and ObjectDock in recent Windows versions. |
| RightClick | An enhanced desktop context menu supporting DesktopX-compatible plugins. It shares functionality with ObjectBar, from which it evolved. |
| Tweak7 | A utility designed to optimize performance and settings on Windows Vista and 7, succeeding the earlier TweakShell. |
| IconDeveloper | Facilitates icon creation from images and supports recoloring of icons or entire icon packages, streamlining icon design workflows. |
| LogonStudio | A free application enabling customization of Windows XP, Vista, or 7 logon screens using built-in or user-generated images. |
| SoundPackager | Manages sound schemes that replace complete sets of Windows sound effects. |
| Theme Manager (WinStyles) | Creates and applies comprehensive theme suites that alter application skins. It integrates with other components and is also provided as MyColors for co-branded themes and enterprise deployments. |
| Keyboard LaunchPad | Enables launching applications, controlling media players, or inserting clipboard snippets through keyboard shortcuts. Supports plugin expansion capabilities. |
| SkinStudio (BuilderBlinds) | A skin design tool for WindowBlinds. The SkinStudio Pro edition includes a code editor and simplifies creating animations and substyles.
Earlier releases supported ObjectBar, WebBlinds, PocketBlinds, Koala Player, and Windows Media Player skins. |
| WindowFX |
Adds window shadows and transition effects on Windows XP utilizing 3D APIs common in gaming environments. These effects may demand significant resources on older machines. Transitions are scripted using a proprietary language; the free utility WFXScripter allows users to edit these scripts. |
Discontinued components
Although these items might still be accessible to legacy subscribers, they are no longer provided to new customers:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Component Tray | A satellite applet associated with Stardock Central that tracked component updates through the system tray. It was superseded by a comparable utility designed for Impulse. |
| DesktopX | A widget engine compatible with Windows 2000 and newer versions, allowing users to design individual objects or complete desktops. Launched in 2000, it was available in three editions, including one capable of generating standalone executable files. |
| ControlCenter | Supplied virtual desktops, folder shortcuts, and statistical displays. Its significance declined as DesktopX offered enhanced graphics and more customizable options. |
| DriveScan | Displayed drive contents using pie chart, bar chart, or list formats, featuring detailed folder-by-folder space usage analysis. |
| Enhanced Dialog | Personalized standard dialog box interfaces by adding side shortcuts and "quick launch" buttons above the folder view. It reached version 1.0 in July 2006. |
| IconX | Delivered antialiased icon resizing, transparency effects, and mouseover animations for desktop icons. Initially integrated within DesktopX, it became a standalone product in August 2004. |
| Object Edit | A text editor equipped with syntax highlighting capabilities. |
| ObjectMedia | A media player built on DirectMedia, frequently utilized alongside the DXPlayer plugin for DesktopX. |
| Object Sweeper | Removed temporary files, web cache data, and emptied redundant Start Menu folders. |
| ObjectZip (Object Archives) | Handled basic ZIP, RAR, and CAB archive formats with integration into Windows Explorer’s shell. It became obsolete once Windows natively supported ZIP and CAB formats. |
| SpringFolders | Simplified folder management by automatically opening folders during drag-and-drop operations within Explorer or on the desktop. |
| Stardock Virtual Desktops | Embedded virtual desktop functionality directly into the taskbar, replacing the earlier BandVWM module. |
| Tab LaunchPad | A tabbed shortcut organizer that replaced OS/2 LaunchPad; eventually outpaced by solutions such as ObjectDock Plus featuring tab support. |
| TweakShell | Altered shell components; later replaced by more extensive tools like Windows PowerToys. |
These products were either discontinued or never advanced beyond their beta stages:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| StyleVista | Beta version released in August 2005 aimed at modifying the color and transparency of Windows Vista’s translucent window borders; this functionality was subsequently incorporated by Microsoft into Vista itself. |
| Association Wizard | Handled file association management; superseded by improved native support in Windows 2000 and discontinued in 2004. |
| SmartIP | Provided dynamic DNS entries (username.stardock.net) through a system tray utility; discontinued in 2002 with service termination in 2003. |
| TreeView | Introduced a "Tree" view option for Windows Explorer folders, similar to macOS’s Finder; remained in beta and was not further developed according to CEO Brad Wardell. |
| WebBlinds | An early demonstration of the DirectSkin ActiveX/COM version of WindowBlinds, enabling skinning and toolbar icon customization within Internet Explorer; icon features were later integrated into WindowBlinds itself. |
Discontinued OS/2 Features
The following components were not included in the Windows Object Desktop collection:
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Desktop Backup Advisor | Delivered pre-configured desktops for enterprise deployment and repaired OS/2 INI files to optimize system efficiency. |
| Object Navigator | Sophisticated OS/2 file management tool supporting extended filenames on FAT drives; the professional edition featured a file preview panel. |
| Object Netscan | Monitored and presented network bandwidth consumption and related metrics. |
| Object Inspector | Enabled examination and editing of OS/2 Workplace Shell elements. |
| Object Package | Facilitated backup of desktop configurations and shell objects. |
| Object Schedule | Provided a task scheduling system organized by folders. |
| Object Security | Implemented fundamental security measures at the desktop level. |
| Object Viewing | Comparable to Windows 95 Quick View, allowed viewing of multiple file types within applications and Object Navigator. |
Critique
Certain users express dissatisfaction when preferred modules receive limited updates or remain in extended beta phases. Conversely, core offerings such as WindowBlinds undergo frequent beta iterations every few weeks, with feature enhancements released several times annually and major upgrades once per year.
Those outside the Object Desktop user base claim this approach fosters a disparity, compelling users to upgrade for access to new functionalities. Stardock explains this strategy stems from standalone customers expecting beta versions to perform as reliably as final releases and highlights that using Impulse for distributing builds streamlines the update process compared to handling separate installers.
References
- Object Desktop, a history
- Stardock's OS/2 history
- 10 years of Stardock / Stardock's 10-year Anniversary