DesktopX
Encyclopedia
DesktopX is a shareware
desktop enhancement program that allows users to build their own custom desktops. Amongst its features is a complete widget engine
for Windows
as well as a desktop object system. User creations can be exported as .desktop files or as widgets. The program is distributed with Object Desktop
as well as stand-alone.
DesktopX was released by Alberto Riccio in 1999 as VDE (Verona
Desktop Enhancer), and bought in 2000 by Stardock
. Mini-applications created with it were called "object packs" but later rebranded as "widgets" to standardize the term.
Most users used DesktopX to build alternative desktop environments. The mini-application creation ability was there from the start but did not gain widespread use until the release of DesktopX 2 in 2003. Current versions run on Windows 2000
and above.
Objects may be controlled by scripts written in either VBScript
or JScript
, although they are not always required.
Many common actions are provided for as in-built object functions, such as:
Similarly, animation, sound and variation depending on the object's state (for example, mouseover or clicking) can be modified without scripting.
DesktopX plugins also avoid the need for scripting common tasks, by offering extra functionality such as media player displays and controls (currently available for iTunes
, Winamp
, CoolPlayer, an internal version of Windows Media Player
and Stardock's own ObjectMedia) and access to Windows Management Instrumentation
.
As users often wish to have a uniform desktop style, a common practice is to create several widgets as a coherent theme. A few popular artists sell themes in the WinCustomize
store.
As of 2010 there are three main standalone divisions of DesktopX:
DesktopX Standard may also be obtained as part of an Object Desktop
subscription. Corporations may purchase DesktopX Enterprise, allowing the creation of secure desktops.
Shareware
The term shareware is a proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a...
desktop enhancement program that allows users to build their own custom desktops. Amongst its features is a complete widget engine
Widget engine
In computer software, a widget engine is a software service available to users for running and displaying applets on a graphical user interface, such as that of the desktop.The widget model in widget engines is attractive because of ease of development...
for Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
as well as a desktop object system. User creations can be exported as .desktop files or as widgets. The program is distributed with Object Desktop
Object Desktop
Object Desktop is a software subscription service created by Stardock for OS/2 and relaunched for Windows in 1997....
as well as stand-alone.
DesktopX was released by Alberto Riccio in 1999 as VDE (Verona
Verona
Verona ; German Bern, Dietrichsbern or Welschbern) is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of North-Eastern Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona...
Desktop Enhancer), and bought in 2000 by Stardock
Stardock
Stardock Corporation is a software development company founded in 1991 and incorporated in 1993 as Stardock Systems. Stardock initially developed for the OS/2 platform, but was forced to switch to Windows due to the collapse of the OS/2 software market between 1997 and 1998...
. Mini-applications created with it were called "object packs" but later rebranded as "widgets" to standardize the term.
Most users used DesktopX to build alternative desktop environments. The mini-application creation ability was there from the start but did not gain widespread use until the release of DesktopX 2 in 2003. Current versions run on Windows 2000
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...
and above.
Overview
DesktopX supports the creation of three different types of widgets:- objects; loaded into a running DesktopX environment.
- widgets; groups of objects packaged into executables that require DesktopX (equivalent to Yahoo! Widget EngineYahoo! Widget EngineYahoo! Widgets is a free application platform for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. The software was previously called Konfabulator, but after being acquired by computer services company Yahoo! it was rebranded. The name Konfabulator was subsequently reinstated as the name of the underlying rendering...
widgets). - gadgets; totally standalone widgets provided as applications.
Objects may be controlled by scripts written in either VBScript
VBScript
VBScript is an Active Scripting language developed by Microsoft that is modeled on Visual Basic. It is designed as a “lightweight” language with a fast interpreter for use in a wide variety of Microsoft environments...
or JScript
JScript
JScript is a scripting language based on the ECMAScript standard that is used in Microsoft's Internet Explorer.JScript is implemented as a Windows Script engine. This means that it can be "plugged in" to any application that supports Windows Script, such as Internet Explorer, Active Server Pages,...
, although they are not always required.
Many common actions are provided for as in-built object functions, such as:
- running a programComputer programA computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...
. - displaying a menuMenu (computing)In computing and telecommunications, a menu is a list of commands presented to an operator by a computer or communications system. A menu is used in contrast to a command-line interface, where instructions to the computer are given in the form of commands .Choices given from a menu may be selected...
containing the contents of a folderFolderFolder may refer:* File folder, a kind of folder that holds loose papers* Folder , a virtual container within a digital file system, in which groups of files and other folders can be kept and organized...
. - emptying the Recycle Bin.
Similarly, animation, sound and variation depending on the object's state (for example, mouseover or clicking) can be modified without scripting.
DesktopX plugins also avoid the need for scripting common tasks, by offering extra functionality such as media player displays and controls (currently available for iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
, Winamp
Winamp
Winamp is a media player for Windows-based PCs and Android devices, written by Nullsoft, now a subsidiary of AOL. It is proprietary freeware/shareware, multi-format, extensible with plug-ins and skins, and is noted for its graphical sound visualization, playlist, and media library features.Winamp...
, CoolPlayer, an internal version of Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player is a media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices...
and Stardock's own ObjectMedia) and access to Windows Management Instrumentation
Windows Management Instrumentation
Windows Management Instrumentation is a set of extensions to the Windows Driver Model that provides an operating system interface through which instrumented components provide information and notification...
.
As users often wish to have a uniform desktop style, a common practice is to create several widgets as a coherent theme. A few popular artists sell themes in the WinCustomize
WinCustomize
WinCustomize is a website that provides content for users to customize Microsoft Windows. The site hosts thousands of skins, themes, icons, wallpapers, and other graphical content to modify the Windows graphical user interface...
store.
As of 2010 there are three main standalone divisions of DesktopX:
- DesktopX Client, which allows the use of desktops, objects and widgets.
- DesktopX Standard, which includes the DesktopX Builder that creates objects and widgets as well as desktops.
- DesktopX Pro, which allows the creation of gadgets that may be sold as separate applications or used to promote a website.
DesktopX Standard may also be obtained as part of an Object Desktop
Object Desktop
Object Desktop is a software subscription service created by Stardock for OS/2 and relaunched for Windows in 1997....
subscription. Corporations may purchase DesktopX Enterprise, allowing the creation of secure desktops.
Gadgets
In 2003, Stardock released DesktopX 2 Pro, which allowed developers to export their creations as stand-alone programs called "gadgets". This feature was enhanced with DesktopX 3 and the price on DesktopX Pro lowered to make it more mainstream.Version history
An (incomplete) list of releases:- August 2000: First beta versions released to Object DesktopObject DesktopObject Desktop is a software subscription service created by Stardock for OS/2 and relaunched for Windows in 1997....
subscribers. - June 2001: DesktopX 1.0 released.
- April 2002: DesktopX 1.1 released - adds scripting support.
- October 2003: DesktopX 2.0 released - includes IconX.
- March 2005: DesktopX 3.0 released - better support for gadgets, internationalizationInternationalizationIn economics, internationalization has been viewed as a process of increasing involvement of enterprises in international markets, although there is no agreed definition of internationalization or international entrepreneurship...
. - July 2005: DesktopX 3.1 released - new APIs for developers, new UI for users.
- July 2008: DesktopX 3.5 released - full Windows VistaWindows VistaWindows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
support with the ability to export to Windows Desktop GadgetsWindows Desktop GadgetsThe Windows Desktop Gadgets is a widget engine for Microsoft Gadgets, with program name sidebar.exe. It was introduced with Windows Vista, in which it features a sidebar anchored to the side of the desktop. Its widgets, called Gadgets, can perform various tasks, such as displaying the time and...
External links
Libraries
- DesktopX object, themes and widget libraries on WinCustomizeWinCustomizeWinCustomize is a website that provides content for users to customize Microsoft Windows. The site hosts thousands of skins, themes, icons, wallpapers, and other graphical content to modify the Windows graphical user interface...
- DesktopX Themes at Customize.org