[4585] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
ANN: Object Desktop 2.0 available electronically
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Stardock Info)
Wed Mar 3 14:57:36 1999
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.mit.edu
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 11:06:01 -0500
From: "Stardock Info" <info@stardock.com>
Object Desktop 2.0 for OS/2 Released Electronically
Leading OS/2 product gets a major update
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 3, 1999
Contact: Kris Kwilas
Stardock Systems, Inc.
(734) 762-0687x 225
Canton MI =96 Stardock Systems, Inc., a leading OS/2 software developer m=
ade
Object Desktop 2.0 for OS/2 available on its commerce server today. The
integrated desktop environment which has sold hundreds of thousands of
licenses is its first major update since the release of Object Desktop
Professional in 1996.
The new version takes most of the features found in Object Desktop
Professional, combines them with everything found in Object Desktop 1.5, =
and
adds a host of new features and improvements making it a =93must have=94 =
for any
serious OS/2 user. There will only be one version of Object Desktop 2.0,
ensuring that users won=92t face the confusion of choosing between a
=93professional=94 and =93standard=94 version of Object Desktop.
=93Our goal with 2.0 is essentially provide a third party upgrade to OS/2=
,.=94
said Brad Wardell, President, Stardock Systems, Inc. =93with 2.0, not on=
ly
did we go back to the drawing board on most of our existing features to
improve them, we=92re adding the types of features that one would normall=
y see
in an OS upgrade=94
Immediately upon installing Object Desktop 2.0 one will see a dramatic
improvement to the look and feel of IBM=92s OS/2 operating system. While=
all
the features of Object Desktop can be enabled and disabled by the user, t=
he
new features are certainly going to be welcome. At the top of the list i=
s
the new folder class Object Desktop integrates into OS/2. When users ope=
n
folders, folders now include an entry field at the top by the menu allowi=
ng
users to type in URL=92s, network directories, local drives, and even pro=
grams
and have OS/2 take the proper action.
=93You have the power to set your cursor on this list box and simply star=
t
typing in the path of the folder you wish to jump to, or, a web page URL.
Object Desktop will start whatever browser is set as the URL Object defau=
lt.
This is something I definitely found useful,=94 commented Chris Wenham of=
OS/2
e-Zine Magazine.
Not only is an entry field provided but the commonly performed actions on=
e
would perform on the desktop are represented by a toolbar that is next to
the entry field. This means OS/2 users can optionally turn off the menus=
on
OS/2 folders saving valuable screen real-estate.
Another new feature sure to entice OS/2 users is the new Object NetScan
feature. This new component can be placed on Object Desktop=92s Control
Center or run stand alone. It can monitor all Internet traffic on the
system allowing users to gauge how much of their bandwidth is being used.
A feature that has been borrowed from Windows NT has been integrated into
OS/2 with Object Desktop, the =93New=94 menu item. When users right clic=
k on
the desktop or in a folder, a =93New=94 menu item appears in which users =
can
easily create new objects such as folders or anything else they may want =
to
create. It is, unlike the feature in Windows, easily configured by users.
A new =93New=94 folder object can be found in the Object Desktop folder. =
By
dragging and dropping templates into the folder, additional items are add=
ed
to the new menu.
Many other features have been added to Object Desktop 2.0 from changing t=
he
entire way OS/2 looks (and now users can now customize the way OS/2 looks=
)
to allowing users to save layouts for Control Center=92s virtual desktops.
But a lot of effort has been put into Object Desktop 2.0 that users won=92=
t
see visually but will appreciate during use. Thanks to Stardock=92s unri=
valed
experience with OS/2 and the Workplace shell, many components of Object
Desktop have had their innards greatly restructured to improve performanc=
e
and stability. A screenshot of Object Desktop 2.0 can be found at
http://www.stardock.com/products/od20/megashot.gif which illustrates many=
of
the Object Desktop features in action.
Anyone running OS/2 should make sure they are getting the most out of it.
Object Desktop, voted best OS/2 product of its kind by OS/2 users every y=
ear
since its existence in OS/2 Inside , OS/2 e-Zine and OS/2 Magazine has al=
so
been hailed as a must have product in PC Magazine, InfoWorld, Computer
Shopper, Information Week, Byte, Ct=92 and many other publications around=
the
world. It is the best and easiest way to upgrade your OS/2 system to the
next level.
Object Desktop 2.0 is available $89.95. Users with Object Desktop 1.5 ca=
n
upgrade electronically for $69.95. The secure commerce server allows use=
rs
to order and instantly download the product right then and there, no wait=
ing
for shipping and handling (and no charge for it either). To order and
download Object Desktop 2.0, visit http://www.outreach.com/cgi-bin/stardo=
ck.
Stardock Systems, Inc. can be reached at http://www.stardock.com.
Resellers interested in carrying Object Desktop 2.0 can e-mail
pford@stardock.com.
# # #
Object Desktop 2.0
Stardock Systems, Inc.
http://www.stardock.com
Phn: (734) 762-0687
Fax: (734) 762-0690
Email: info@stardock.com
Orders: 1-800-672-2338
Availability: Now
List: $99.95 ($89.95 introductory)
Upgrade from Object Desktop 1.5: $69.95
Upgrade from Object Desktop Professional: $39.95
Trademark Notices
Stardock is a registered trademark of Stardock Systems, Inc.
Object Desktop is a trademark of Stardock Systems, Inc.
OS/2 is a registered trademark of IBM Corp.
