[4337] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
UG: Stardock at Phoenix OS/2 Society
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Esther Schindler)
Sun Sep 6 13:38:08 1998
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.mit.edu
Date: 06 Sep 1998 11:13:00 -0400
From: esther@bitranch.com (Esther Schindler)
Reply-To: esther@bitranch.com (Esther Schindler)
Reply-to: esther@bitranch.com (Esther Schindler)
[Followups directed to comp.os.os2.misc]
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Object (Desktop) of my desire
I'm not sure if Stardock Systems' Object Desktop is OS/2's top-selling
utility, but it must be close to the number-one spot on OS/2 software
best-seller lists. It's more certain that Brad Wardell, Stardock's
president, is among the OS/2 community's most colorful and entertaining
characters.
We'll be able to combine the two at the general meeting of the Phoenix OS/2
Society on Tuesday, September 8, as Brad shows off the brand-new Object
Desktop 2.0. The summer's over, the weather is cooling down, and we have an
always-entertaining presenter. How could you miss this?!
What's in Object Desktop 2.0?
The new version of Object Desktop has a completely new look, improved
performance, and increased compatibility with OS/2 Warp 4. Stardock also
added features and improvements suggested by OS/2 users. New features
include a revamped Control Center that includes "lay outs" for setting up
virtual desktops, real-time Internet performance monitoring capabilities,
and virtual desktop start up features (allowing users to launch a program
into a particular virtual desktop). The Enhanced folder has also been, well,
enhanced, including a tool bar to bring OS/2's GUI features up and beyond
what is expected to be available on Windows NT 5.
Object Desktop 2.0 is the result of almost two years of effort by Stardock's
OS/2 development team. It's the culmination of Stardock's advanced user
interface technologies.
The simplicity of the user interface hides a great deal of effort in
bringing OS/2 to the next generation. Starting with Object Desktop 2.0, the
OS/2 folder window becomes the master user interface object on OS/2.
How much more functionality are we talking about? Let's examine just one of
the new features: enhanced folders.
Enhanced Folders? Cool!
Enhanced Folder 2.0 starts by adding a plethora of additional push-button
functionality to the base folder class. No longer are you forced to dig
through folder menus to access frequently used commands. The toolbar
provides a quick means to access folder display options and a convenient
"open parent directory" button facilitates folder navigation. It's
especially handy if you browse new folders in the existing one.
However, the most obvious enhancement is a new drop-down combo box. From
this box, you can launch and connect to files, Web sites, ftp sites, network
servers, or any directory by typing in where you want to go. Object Desktop
2.0 automatically parses what you've typed and performs the appropriate
operation.
Forget about sitting there with a stopwatch and guesstimating how fast your
downloads are going. Object NetScan, a Control Center derivative, interfaces
on a low level with the TCP/IP components on your system to let you know
exactly how much information has been transferred both into and out of your
machine and how quickly it was transferred. Windows users have to shell out
a pretty chunk of change for programs that purport to monitor the speed of
your Internet connection, but most carry caveats that stretch from here to
next week. Because of the level Object NetScan integrates with your system,
it doesn't matter if you're connected via the lowliest of analog modems or
your own personal T3. Object NetScan shows you exactly how your Internet
connection is performing.
That's just two tiny items. Want more? You'll have to attend this meeting!
When and where
The general meeting is held on Tuesday, September 8, at 7:00pm at the
Mountain Preserve Reception Center, 1421 East Dunlap. The random access Q&A
starts at 6:30pm, and arriving early gives you a chance to catch up with
your friends.
For more information, a map, or a free sample issue of the largest print
magazine devoted to OS/2, visit http://www.possi.org.
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