Here are questions we receive from reviewers and end users on a regular basis.

Q: Will Object Desktop slow down my system?
A: It depends on your computer and which components you use. Some parts of Object Desktop are applications that create content or only use resources when they are actually applying their change to your system (SkinStudio, IconDeveloper, and IconPackager).

Some use very little resources (Keyboard Launchpad). Some use very little or a lot depending on what theme you have loaded (WindowBlinds, DesktopX). And some do use quite a bit of horse power and are targeting systems with higher specifications (WindowFX).

But the main thing to remember is that these programs are evolving and have evolved. For example, in the early days WindowBlinds did slow down people’s systems because:

1. They were running much slower systems
2. WindowBlinds had to make a lot of compromises to run on Windows 95, 98, and ME (now there’s a separate versions for Win98/ME versus Windows 2000 versus Windows XP with each optimized for each OS)
3. The tools for creating skins used to be much more primitive with no built in ways to optimize skins

Now WindowBlinds, for example, runs faster than the bundled Windows XP visual style engine and does it using less memory. But for those who have reviewed WindowBlinds or DesktopX or some other component of Object Desktop in the past, it is important to remember that these programs have evolved a great deal to reach their present form.

Q: What about Windows Vista?
A: Windows Vista is the most significant update to Microsoft Windows since Windows 95. In many ways, Windows Vista is a whole new OS that is made to look like previous versions of Windows. This is particularly true on the desktop. Stardock has been working with Windows Vista since the earliest betas and is a Microsoft partner on developing content and technology for it. Users of Object Desktop automatically get free updates to Object Desktop for an entire year after purchase, which means they’ll also receive the new Windows Vista content Stardock is working on.

Q: What are the hardware requirements for Object Desktop?
A: Stardock recommends people have PCs that run at least 1 GHz with at least 128MB of total system memory. ATI Radeon and nVidia Geforce 2 or later video cards have special enhancements that make Object Desktop components such as WindowBlinds, WindowFX, and DesktopX run even faster.

Q: What operating systems are supported?
A: Object Desktop components do run on Windows 98, ME but Stardock only officially supports Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Q: What do I get when I purchase Object Desktop?
A: Object Desktop includes all its components, plus a full year of updates, along with any new programs added to Object Desktop during that year. At the end of the year, users can renew their access to new updates and new components at a discounted price of $34.95.

Q: Are there tutorials on how to create skins, themes, and icons?
A: Yes. Most of the home pages for the individual components include links to tutorials on how to create content for them.

Q: How much memory does Object Desktop use?
A: This will vary depending on how much of it you are using at once. However, it has been designed to use relatively little memory. Unlike many utility suites, Object Desktop DOES NOT replace any system files. Instead, it inherits from what is already built into Windows and extends it. As a result, memory and file size use is much less. WindowBlinds, for example, uses around 500K of memory. Most Object Desktop components use less than 5 megabytes of memory each (about that same as Windows notepad).

Q: Where can I get more help for Object Desktop?
A: Users can get peer help at http://forums.stardock.com/forum/166. In addition, Stardock provides email support at support@stardock.com.