ObjectDock is a program that adds a skinnable dock to your Windows desktop. It is one of the most popular desktop enhancement programs available.
ObjectDock 1.9 is such a major update over 1.5 that it could have been called ObjectDock 2.0. In fact, there was a lot of internal debate on this with 1.9 being the compromise versioning!
Highlighted Changes
There's so many new things in ObjectDock 1.9 that it's hard to narrow things down to a handful. And even the above list isn't complete! Here are some of our favorite changes:
It's Faster!
Probably one of the first things some users will notice is how much faster ObjectDock 1.9 is. That's because the underlying engine was largely rewritten to take advantage of advances in OS and video card technology. It's faster while using less memory.
It's Prettier!
Another thing users will notice, especially long-time users, is how many cool new backgrounds and icons come with it. The default look has been changed, the default icons changed, and a ton of artwork from the WinCustomize.com community (with permission) has bee included.
One other note about that screenshot, ObjectDock supports backgrounds on a per item basis!
It's more useful!
ObjectDock is popular not just because it's so visually cool and pretty but because it is very useful. Docklets that support searching and the ability to display running tasks as part of your dock are examples of why ObjectDock isn't just a cool program, it's a very useful one.
ObjectDock 1.9 includes a new weather docklet that on a single click will display the 5-day forecast.
ObjectDock 1.9 also includes a new Start menu docklet that will bring up the real Start menu (and if it's skinned, then it'll still be skinned!).
It's more usable!
ObjectDock has always been strong about having features that make is convenient to use. But ObjectDock 1.9 goes even further!
ObjectDock 1.9 now includes options for dock placement that is completely free-form! Put the dock anywhere you want on the screen!
It's easier to use!
The user interface has been updated to be easier to use with functionality much more accessible!
It has more Windows Vista support!
While users of Windows XP have much to rejoice, users of Windows Vista get live thumbnail previews and minimize and restore effects thanks to the new Windows Vista desktop graphics engine (the DWM) which provides hardware acceleration features!
It's more fun!
With thousands of skins and icons for ObjectDock and tons of cool effects and options to choose from, ObjectDock doesn't just look great and work great, it's just fun to use.
And it's still free!
The world's most fully featured dock on any platform is still freeware.
Stardock also makes ObjectDock PLUS! which adds tabbed docks, system tray support, additional mouse-over effects, multiple dock support, taskbar grouping, and more!
But ObjectDock itself remains free as it always has even with all these new features. Try it yourself and find out what millions of others have learned -- it's fun, pretty, and useful!
Get it at http://www.objectdock.com
ObjectDock Features: Standard Dock
ObjectDock has two types of docks. The standard dock is essentially a single "tray" or "wharf" that can hold short-cuts, running tasks,
docklets, and system tray items. The other type of dock, the "Plus" type, is the tabbed dock. The following section discusses the standard
dock.
Highly flexible visual appearance
At a basic level, ObjectDock is simply a container for desktop items. It's been designed to be as flexible as possible to enable users to easily drag and drop their programs and documents onto it. It is also very flexible in enabling users customize the way it looks and feels.
ObjectDock supports more than just programs and running tasks, it also supports "docklets". These are mini-applications that reside on the dock and are created by third parties.
There are docklets for telling you the weather, your email status, network traffic, CPU usage, memory usage, clock, Wi-Fi connection strength, calendar,
and much more.
Docklets let users add useful information to their docks.
Docks can be vertical (such as in this screenshot) or horizontal, on the top or bottom of the screen. They can be aligned to the middle of the screen
or to the left or right. Version 1.3 also adds the ability to have the dock offset from the edge of the screen (both regular and Plus versions).
The background (skin) of the dock can easily be changed with hundreds of additional skins available on-line to make your dock appear as anything you'd
like it to be.
Mouse-Over Zoom effects
Another popular feature of ObjectDock is the ability to have the icons grow on mouse-over. When the mouse is moved over a given icon on the dock,
it starts to grow.
This effect can be a "narrow" effect or a "wide" effect to determine how many near-by icons are affected by the mouse over.
Easy replacement of icon images
A minor but key feature of ObjectDock is its ability to allow you to change the icons of items on the dock. Since many icons don't look good when
enlarged, ObjectDock enables users to replace those icons with either other icon files or .PNG files. The popular customization site,
WinCustomize.com, includes thousands of replacement icons for virtually every program out there.
Optional Start Bar replacement
ObjectDock can hide the Windows Start bar if the user chooses and take over all of its functionality. (ObjectDock Plus supports taskbar grouping
and system tray items as well.)
ObjectDock Plus feature: System tray (see on the right of the dock). Hold down the mouse button on a system tray item for a few seconds to change
the appearance of its icon.
