Nick Egorov from Gladiators Software, makers of AstonShell, passed me the press release for the new version of their skinnable virtual window manager, AltDesk.

For the oblivious, a virtual window manager (sometimes called a ‘virtual desktop manager’) is something that came over from the world of *nix. It allows you to have more than one desktop, meaning you can spread out your apps more. Mail app on one desk, browsing on another, file managing stuff on the third, and so on.

“We're glad to introduce you the first public beta of the upcoming AltDesk release, which features numerous improvements over the previous release.

AltDesk is a powerful skinnable Virtual Desktop Manager with numerous advanced features, which turns your computer with a single monitor into a virtual multidisplay system.”

”What's new in this beta:

• Brand new skin format, supporting per-pixel alpha blending and adaptive form technology: skins now adopt user-defined matrix settings (Windows 2000/XP and above only).

• Support for packed skins in ASZ format.

• Advanced tooltips, displaying windows' thumbnails (Windows XP and above only).

• Window's transparency and Always On Top properties can now be changed from within AltDesk's context menu.

• Some bugfixes and numerous small improvements.

You can get the latest version of AltDesk 1.6 beta here.

As usual, we would encourage the most active testers with FREE registration keys to our software.”

Take heed of this bit: ‘per-pixel alpha blending’. Yes, alpha transparency. It's taken a long, long time, but alpha is finally creeping into skinnable apps more and more. One day, jaggies will be a thing of the past and kids will look at you like your some kind of fruit when you mention them. Oh, glorious days await us!

AltDesk is shareware ($15) and is distributed as a 30-day trial version (a mere 309k download). || craeonics | comments

Widget meets shell, they make love and what do you get? Something hybrid that's quite in-between. Enter the lovechild of AveDesk, LiteStep and SysStats: AveShell.

“AveShell is a replacement shell for Windows based on AveDesk, SysStats and Litestep. I call it a 'Cooperative Shell' because it takes useful features from all three frameworks and allows them to work together in providing an interface for your computer.”

“Because of this, no ONE framework is strained or stressed beyond its' capabilities, ensuring a degree of stability while keeping resource useage down to a minimum. Each component theme cooperates with the other component themes BY DESIGN. It can even run on TOP of Windows Explorer (although obviously it will cost resources and performance in so doing). When running in 'Standalone Mode', it lets the TRUE power of your machine take flight because it requires as little as a FIFTH of the memory and processing resources of Windows Explorer; and at the same time gives the user COMPLETE control over the interface. Design it HOW you want, with the FEATURES that you want (and none that you DON'T !), with the potential and capability that even Windows Explorer can't come CLOSE to matching.

It fully supports alpha-transparent .png and .bmp graphics on all surfaces (including animation), and is fully capable of additional frameworks being added to the mix (like Samurize) with minimal effort and a little understanding.

The "Parent Framework" (AveDesk/SysStats) supports INTERNAL SCRIPTING directly in the framework without the need for separate (and extra) files; you can directly code vbscript, xml, perl, python, ruby, and javascript and link that script to any element you require. Likewise, the parent framework is capable of controlling ALL functions of the Litestep component internally. Truly, the scope and power of this Cooperative Shell Replacement is far greater than anything else available. And it is user-oriented; meaning that it is relatively easy for a new user to make something new and unique for THEIR interface if they want to.

And it looks darn COOL as well.”

It's also rather elaborate to set up, since it exists of three apps glued together by scripts. You'll have to manually setup things so all paths work out right and stuff. The readme explains the required steps well, but since I'm lazy I'll let this one slip until a version for the laid back is released.

More annoying is that it doesn't have a homepage. This is one of those forum-dwelling apps which are a bitch to find, let alone find info on. That ofcourse doesn't mean it's any less clever. || craeonics | comments (1)

While the Konfabulator boys were busy celebrating their recent acquisition, they also snuck out a new version of their cross-platform widget engine. Or that's what blizzle wants me to believe. I don't see a date anywhere.

Massive changelog, so I'm not going to repeat it here, nor try to summarise it. I never ran it, so I can't say what the big changes are anyway.

Konfabulator is freeware these days and weighs 5.2 meg for the Mac version and 8.8 meg for its Windows twin. || craeonics | comments (5)

Rainy must have been in a productive mood, as he updated both his skinnable system monitor Rainmeter as well as his, also quite skinnable, calendar tool Rainlendar.

“Both apps have been updated. Rainlendar has mostly just bug fixes (so no need to update the languages) but Rainmeter release is a major one with lots of new stuff. Check the manuals (Rainmeter and Rainlendar) for more details about the changes.”

Changelogs of both apps are a mile long, as always. Notable blurb from Rainmeter's list of changes:

“Compiled as Unicode so this is Win2k/WinXP only from now on.”

Time for those three Rainmeter users still on 9x to do the magic update dance. Can't keep dwelling in the past forever. || craeonics | comments

Well, well, Yahoo!, the site I've always managed to avoid on my 'Net sojourns (just because of its silly name), has just acquired Mac and Windows widget engine Konfabulator.

Konfabulator had been making waves, even though it was far from original, and it seems to have paid off.

“Yup, the big announcement we've been sneaking around and working up to is that we've been acquired by Yahoo!. We're really excited about this, and here's the big reason why... they have free espresso on campus! That's right, no more $80 a week Starbucks bills!

Another reason we're excited about it, is the very cool big picture. See, when we first thought of Konfabulator, one of the key pieces was accessing internet content. Well guess what Yahoo has boat-loads of? Yup. And what's really great is that they're starting to open it up to everyone in a format that's useable outside the traditional browser, as XML feeds. Guess how they're going to provide real-world examples of how to use this stuff. Yup... Konfabulator. So really, depending on how you look at it, we're taking over Yahoo! We're going to make it so the best way to access their data is via slick little Widgets.”

So what can we expect? Tighter integration with Yahoo!'s content; bye bye shareware, hello freeware (because: freeware = lower threshold for users = more users = bigger audience for Yahoo!'s content = more cash); and a new name: ‘Yahoo! Widgets’ (urgh).

I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, this is good news for the developers. It might give development a boost, it might broaden the scope and lead to a bigger user base, new features and what not. On the other hand, there's this thing with big corporations acquiring software and then massively fuck it up and suck it dry (WinAmp anyone?).

I'm not so sure if bigger means better. More people into skinning hasn't exactly lead to an increase of good skins.

And it's Yahoo!, for christ's sake, the company with the silly name. I can never take Konfabulator, erm, I mean, ‘Yahoo! Widgets’ serious again. || craeonics | comments (17)

StarDock rolled out DesktopX 3.1 yesterday. DesktopX is a widget app: a program that lets you make and use little utilities, like clocks, calenders, newsfeed readers and more. Version 3.1 adds ‘gadgets’, standalone widgets.

“DesktopX 3.1 Pro adds a relatively new concept - gadgets. Gadgets are the same as widgets but with one key difference: They don't require the creating program to be installed on the computer. They're truly stand-alone programs except they have all the benefits of widgets (easy to create, low memory and resource requirements).

"We think gadgets are the next stage in widget evolution," said Alberto Riccio, Project Manager of DesktopX. "If a third party creates an outstanding widget, they have to tell their users to go and download the corresponding widget enabling program such as DesktopX, Konfabulator, Kapsules, etc. This results in widgets always remaining relatively simple which is why there's thousands of clocks and calendars and few more meatier things. But with gadgets, the user exports their creation and anyone running Windows 98 to Longhorn can use it. Companies and individual users are not in the position of having to buy their own license of the widget enabling program, they just get the gadget."

To encourage gadget creation, Stardock will be launching a brand-new website called DesktopGadgets.com in early August. It's a site that enables gadget creators to submit their creations, name a price (including free if they want to give it away) and distribute it. Revenue collected is split 50/50 between DesktopGadgets.com and the gadget creator.”

New huh? Sounds exactly what the previous pro version was all about. || craeonics | comments

Zoom Player, a skinnable video player, is holding a skinning contest. The deal is this: you make a skin for Zoom Player (duh!), the winning skin becomes one of the default skins and the winner gets $500 (or $1000 if you win both categories).

“To complement Zoom Player’s comprehensive feature-set and integration of new skins into the Zoom Player installation, Inmatrix Ltd. hereby declares the opening of an award competition for creators of graphic user interfaces (skins).

What is Zoom Player?

Zoom Player can be compared to a game of chess, it can be learned by a 4 year old in minutes, but it may take a lifetime to explore its feature rich capabilities.

Designed for a variety of uses ranging from an every day media player to a Home Theater PC control center. Zoom Player supports every imaginable format (AVI, DIVX, XVID, MPEG, Flac Audio, Monkey Audio, Matroska, Windows Media, OGM, RealMedia, QuickTime, Flash and many more). Zoom Player is updated on a regular basis, supports all the latest playback technologies (Multi Monitor, VMR9, P2P Video Preview), all its features are fully documented, and it sports remarkably active support forums.

Your Chance to Make a Difference!

If you think you’ve got the talent and skills needed to create a new look for Zoom Player, this is your chance! Skin Zoom Player and share your design with millions of Zoom Player users worldwide.

Competition is open to all entrants, accepting all design themes.

Prizes for the Winning Designs

Multiple prizes, ranging from $300-$1000, await the winning designs, as stated in the Zoom Player Skin Competition Rules.

Take your media experience to a whole new level ̷ Design a ground breaking skin for the ground breaking Zoom Player!

Related Information

• The Zoom Player Skin Contest Rules

• The Zoom Player Skin Site

• The Zoom Player Support Forum”

There are two categories: Home Theater (as in: big graphics) and a more traditional media player look. Submission deadline is the first of October. Oh and take heed of the usual ‘loss of intellectual ownership’ clause. || craeonics | comments

And finally, everyone's favourite news goth, CutTheRedWire, returns from the Land of the Dead (literally), with news on Kobi's calculator Equalizer. Let's hope he'll keep at it (so I can lean back and pick my nose for a while).

“Equalizer is a freeware, skinnable calculator that works similarly to a graphing calculator. All the numbers and mathematic signs are typed into a line of text, and the answer is instantly calculated as you type. The equation is shown all at once, and resembles its written form. Several functions and special number are available and are listed in the read me file. It also has basic features like screen edge snapping and staying on top.

This version, 1.77, adds a variety of changes. A few short cut keys have been added to organise equations. The options dialog box has been simplified in to a single pane. The graphing window made some steps toward maturity by adding zooming capabilities, and by including it to the context menu (before it was only accessable from a hot key).

Changes:

• Added: Press Alt+R to Replace the current expression with the result. "12+3"?"15"

• Press Alt+W to Wrap the current expression in parentheses. "12+3"?"(12+3)"

• Redesigned the option window. Much better now.

• Grapher: Zoom to selected area works, better zoom in\out, moves on resize

• Added the grapher to the menu, thus made half-official.

• Small stuff: Resize Gripper working, added icon, changed some graphics, added a menu.

• Small bug fixes.”

The spirits have told me that there is a hidden easter egg in Equalizer. Just enter Casper the Friendly News Poster's name and something should happen. Haven't checked myself, so I can't say what it is. || craeonics | comments (1)

A mere nine days after its beta came out (exactly, the one that's been the top news item here for the last three weeks), the final version of WinStep's WorkShelf 1.80 was released. WorkShelf is yet another dock, but this time with a twist.

Not only is it much older, but whereas the other docks are clones of OSX' dock, OSX' dock is a rip from NeXTstep's dock. And WorkShelf just happens to be a clone of that granddaddy of all docks (which was also the inspiration of *nix window manager AfterStep, which in turn became the muse of LiteStep, so it's in good company).

It's unclear what changes there are between this final and the previous beta. One can only assume that since it went from beta to final so soon, it's the same thing.

Heads up to Scarebear for bringing this to my attention two weeks after its release. Ahum, let's say I'm not really up to date. || craeonics | comments

And if you see one dock, there's always a second one just beyond the horizon. Punk! Software's RocketDock is the latest of the dock spawn, just when I thought this folly was over. Anyhow, plastic always says “support your dev, especially if its free”, so I'll shut up now.

Seeing that I've never mentioned this app before, I'll post its description instead of the changelog:

“RocketDock is a smoothly animated, alpha-blended application launcher that is similar to ObjectDock. RocketDock renders quickly like MobyDock, has the visual sharpness of Y'z Dock, and the stability that neither seem to possess.

It is compatible with every dock skin format we are aware of. In fact, if you have a skin that doesn't load properly, send it to us, along with a screenshot of what it should look like and we'll see what we can do about integrating the format...

Features:

• Runs smooth on slower computers

• Uses alpha-blended PNG icons

• Fully customizable

• True multi-monitor support

• Simple drag-n-drop interface

• Compatible with Y'z Dock, Mobydock, and ObjectDock skins”

Run smooth on slow systems, eh? Then why does it need an 800 MHz processor? I consider my p75 slow, not my sassy t800.

Anyhow, cross app skin compatibility seems to be a new trend. And a wise one it is, for lack of skins is the bane of all skinnable apps. This way, if your app doesn't have any skins, use those of other apps.

Credit to the usual blizzalians for the news. || craeonics | comments (6)

Mac OSX strongly appeals to people, god knows why. I'd say previous versions looked much better, be it less polished. Nonetheless, it has its share of supporters in Microsoftville as well. THese people wouldn't be caught dead with a Mac, but they sure are keen on mimicing its interface. Especially the dock.

What am I mumbling about? StarDock's ObjectDock, one of the survivors of the big dock onslaughts of yore.

“ObjectDock 1.2 has been released.

ObjectDock is a freeware program for Microsoft Windows XP/2000 that lets users have a highly customizable dock on their desktop. ObjectDock can respond to mouse-over events with zooming and now in v1.2 with new effects such as gentle rocking and glowing. ObjectDock 1.2 also includes a completely redesigned icon zooming system to provide much smoother looking mouse-over effects.

Version 1.2: Change Log

Three new mouse-over effects are now available for non-tabbed docks! Effects include Swing, Gentle Rock, and Afterglow. Let us know which you love the best, as we're experimenting with more for the future. You can configure the duration and magnitude of the effects (Rock and glow are only available in Plus).

• New smoothness setting is now available for the zooming effect! Combines the ultra-fast mouseover animation with gradual entry/exit animation.

• Redesigned "Appearance Tweaks" properties tab for zooming docks.

• Settings "Backup" system in case of crashes rewritten, strengthened.

• Added options to temporarily disable Docklets (for troubleshooting). Look in the Advanced options (Plus) or in the Dock Contents tab (Free).”

ObjectDock is freeware, the plus version is $19.95. And there's a load of screenshots and videos over at the original newspost at WinCustomize. || craeonics | comments (1)

Time to plough my way through this pile of news on my desk. First up, LightTek's alternative shell Talisman Desktop. Most notable additions this time are better automation of theme installation, a theme manager and a theme creator.

“Talisman Desktop 2.9 Release (build 2900)

New in Talisman Desktop 2.9

• New "Theme Manager". "Theme Manager" allows to display your Talisman Themes collections, open, delete, rename, copy, move any theme or groups of themes.

• "Theme Installer" will install your downloaded themes "by one click" using drag-and-drop procedures.

• "Theme Creator" will help you to create your own themes.

• Start talisman.exe with parameters. Now you can open Talisman with any theme from Windows command string.

• New templates for "Theme Creator" with additional options: different Color Styles, Wallpaper changing and other.”

Talisman Desktop is shareware ($25). The current build weighs in at 6.3 meg. And yes, this is old news. || craeonics | comments