Object Desktop
| Price - $49.95 Developer Stardock Corporation website www.objectdesktop.net |
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| + | A self-sufficient set of utilities for total configuration of external Windows view |
| - | High price; there is no common trial version for all program components |
| ! | The simplest and fast way transform appearance Windows, however, is also the most expensive |
"Heavyweight" in the field of shell replacements (the official name of such shells) - both in terms of functionality, size and price. In fact, this is a whole range of programs for the total customization of the appearance of Windows. Its main components are the well-known configuration program GUI WindowBlinds, a DesktopX desktop replacement, utilities for creating popup menus, hotkeys, panels (ObjectBars) and visual effects(WindowFX), various cursors (CursorXP) and desktop themes (WinStyles). Since in this case we are interested in alternative Worker Windows table, then we will focus on DesktopX and WindowBlinds.
DesktopX is not a self-contained shell - it's more of a theme and skin manager for the Desktop. With it, you can also create your own desktop objects, whether they are shortcuts to applications, folders, or just decorative elements ranging in size from 16 16 to 64 64 pixels with the ability to animate them. Additional themes can be downloaded from the site www.wincustomize.com or create them yourself using the Winstyles utility from the same company.
WindowBlinds is one of the most popular programs for modifying the Windows GUI. Thanks to it, it is easy to "remake" the OS interface for Mac OS, Windows XP and 3.11, etc., using ready-made "skins" or creating them yourself (in SkinStudio). The registered version of WindowBlinds provides additional settings for the taskbar, scroll bar, etc. and large quantity supported programs. Unfortunately, latest version program - 4.1 - works only with Windows 2000 / XP, and for owners of 98 / Me only 3.5 is available.
Yes, and in the end, one more nuance of Object Desktop should be mentioned: all its components can be downloaded separately on the developer's website www.stardock.com. If you want to install them at the same time, then for this you need to register for free in the Stardock.net zone and download the Stardock Central utility, with which you can install the Object Desktop modules of interest to the user.
LiteStepv. 0.24.6
The undisputed leader among a large cohort of free alternative Windows shells. The program allows you to completely change the appearance, as well as the functionality of the graphical interface (GUI) of Windows, which is not available when working in Explorer. But nothing in this world is given for free, and in this case, you have to pay for the functionality and beauty of LiteStep with an absolutely non-intuitive configuration of the program - by editing text files. So, with the shortcomings sorted out, it's time to move on to the advantages of the program. The most important of these is its modular structure, which allows you to connect to it all kinds of plugins created by third party developers. Due to this, all the power of LiteStep is realized - for example, "hot keys" modules, command line or context menu (which are head and shoulders above their counterparts from the standard Windows shell), virtual desktop manager and much more. True, sometimes something doesn’t “stick” with the work of some plugins, but there’s nothing you can do about it - an open-source project is what it is. Naturally, it was not without a huge number of very different themes - by the way, you can create them yourself. Due to the incredible flexibility of settings and the maximum freedom of creativity provided to the user, the themes differ from each other extremely strongly - often you can understand that LiteStep is in front of you only by digging into the insides of the shell, since you can’t tell from the outside. Thus, LiteStep will make a reasonable alternative to Explorer for experienced users not afraid to manually edit text files with program settings; those inexperienced in this matter need to study in detail a very voluminous help system ... |
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Win3D build 2000
| Freeware Developer Clockwise Technologies website www.clockwise3d.com Upload file size 2.27MB |
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| + | Original concept; 3D interface |
| - | Mediocre texture quality; lack of program updates; inconvenience of use |
| ! | Not the best way to make your desktop look 3D |
A very unusual shell that translates your desktop into the most real 3D. Forget about the usual desktop and native Main Menu - instead, Win3D offers four "rooms" (Internet, Office, Games, Multimedia), where the user's favorite applications are located. So the section Office contains 3D labels of popular office programs(Word, Excel, PowerPoint…) that exactly reflect their function: for Excel it is a chart, for Word it is a piece of paper, and Basket was rewarded with a hatch on the floor. Immediately in the form of boxes are shortcuts to frequently used folders ( My Documents, Desktop, Program Files, logical drives etc.) and in the neighborhood - screen settings, keyboard layouts, mice and peripherals.
An unforgettable impression is made by the department Games, made in the form of a three-section hemisphere, on the inner surface of which the labels of the games are located. Links on the Internet Favorite, shortcuts for calling the mail client and browser, and the section multimedia dedicated to the corresponding software installed on the user's PC. Well, one of the "walls" of Win3D can be adapted for a slideshow of "wallpapers" and photos, not to mention the instant color change of any interface component. Unfortunately, with all its attractive appearance, using this shell in everyday work, to put it mildly, is not very convenient. But just "traveling" from compartment to compartment is a real pleasure, so everyone is recommended to look at Win3D.
hoverdeskv. 2.50
| Shareware (30 days trial, registration - $19.95) Developer Hover website hoverdesk.net Upload file size 3.5MB URLhoverdesk.net/ dl/en/HDsetup.zip |
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| + | Convenient menu; grouping windows of one application on the taskbar; good functionality |
| - | The full version is paid; the program is not a self-contained shell |
| ! | A successful replacement for Windows Desktop. Unfortunately, paid |
A very nice replacement for the standard Windows Desktop. From other similar programs, Hoverdesk is favorably distinguished by the grouping of all windows of one application on the taskbar (a la Windows XP) and a well-implemented menu. It offers a user-friendly, easily customizable interface, a system resource monitor with a built-in RAM optimizer, by the way, very effective, as well as a virtual desktop manager. The latter seems to have become a kind of "calling card" of most alternative shells. The context menu of the program deserves special praise, providing access not only to the folders of the Main menu, but also to any file or directory on logical or removable drives computer. Moreover, unlike windows menu, in the Hoverdesk submenu or the contents of the folder "fall out" only after clicking on the corresponding menu item. Although this takes a little more time, it guarantees the absence of annoying "collapses" of the entire "multi-storey structure" at the most inopportune moment. Of course, there is also a change of skins, and a detailed setting of each interface element (selection of a font, textures, buttons, etc.) along with Cyrillic support. True, in some unofficial themes there may be errors when displaying Cyrillic characters, but this is not so bad. By the way, although the authors of the program primarily position it as an "add-on" over Windows, it is quite possible to work with it as an independent shell. To do this, you need to load any shell manager (for example, ShellOn, www.dx13.co.uk/shellon/index.html).
Winstep
| Shareware (30 days trial, registration - $39.95) DeveloperWinstep Software Technologies websitewww.winstep.net Upload file size 5.79MB URL www.winstep.net/ winstep.zip |
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| + | Functionality; detailed settings for each element of the program |
| - | Clearly overpriced. the program is not a self-contained shell; no Cyrillic support |
| ! | The program makes sense to use in English versions of Windows |
Winstep, like Hoverdesk, is a kind of "add-on" over Windows Desktop, successfully complementing its functions. The program consists of three modules: NextStart, WorkShelf and Font Browser. As in the case of Object Desktop, each of them can be downloaded and purchased separately, but in order to use all the features of the program, it is advisable to use them together. WorkShelf is a taskbar replacement quick start and systray. It consists of 6 departments: Main (the actual settings of the program and Basket), Desktop (contains all application shortcuts from the Desktop), Control Panel, Quick Launch, and Tasks. Basket and watches are presented as separate modules with the ability to flexibly customize their appearance.
NextStart, in turn, "complements" the main menu and the taskbar, making working with them even more convenient. Like Hoverdesk, here you can quickly get to desired file or folders on media directly from the Main Menu. Font Browser is a convenient utility for viewing fonts installed in the system and is not directly related to the two components described above. Both NextStart and WorkShelf are extremely flexible in customization, which makes it possible to adapt them to any tastes and desires of users. Unfortunately, all this is broken by the complete lack of Cyrillic support and the rather high price of the program, which does not allow recommending it to everyone.
Aston v. 1.8.2
A very successful development of Russian craftsmen. Most of all, Aston captivates with its spectacular appearance and a huge number of various themes and skins (for more details, see below). www.astonshel. com/themes/), which, together with the ability to fine-tune each element, allow you to customize this graphical shell to suit any tastes and needs of the user. The program contains the basic elements of Windows Desktop - Desktop, taskbar, systray, main menu - which makes the transition from Explorer to Aston completely painless. The built-in Shell Swapper allows you to quickly switch between them. But the main "highlight" of Aston is the convenient visual configuration of each of its elements, which does not require studying the structure and commands of configuration files. It is worth mentioning the easily customizable toolbars(layered panels with buttons) of any size, designed to quickly launch your favorite applications. And of course, one cannot but note the modest resource intensity of this shell, combined with high stability, which is a very rare case today. The program leaves a very pleasant impression and rightfully deserves the title of one of the best shells for Windows. The only pity is that the 30-day trial period is painfully short... |
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Talisman Desktopv. 2.6 build 2601
| Shareware (30 days trial, registration - $25) Developer Lighttek Software website |
Another successful development of programmers from the ex-USSR. The program can work in four modes: a regular application (that is, like all other programs in Windows), an application without a Windows taskbar, a panel on the Desktop, and the shell itself. Moreover, switching between them, as well as changing topics, is carried out literally with one touch, which is very convenient. Talisman's well-thought-out interface also deserves praise: all desktop shortcuts in a reduced form are located on the right side of the Desktop Panel, and on the left side of the corresponding panel there are the most popular "office" applications. The same can be said about context menu, and about the taskbar, where, among other things, the media player control buttons "settled". Well, Talisman Object Editor allows you to create, modify and delete any theme components. Using the built-in editor, you can also write scripts for the program to execute a series of commands, which greatly expands its capabilities. Another advantage of Talisman is the use of any images instead of standard icons, as well as 32-bit Windows XP icons ranging in size from 1616 to 128128 dots. Needless to say, how pleasantly you will be surprised after this updated Desktop.
In a word, the program has undoubtedly been a success and, along with Aston and LiteStep, is the best choice among alternative Windows shells. True, for former fellow citizens, the developers could reduce the price ...
More recently, the computer was the fun of youth and office dwellers. But now originality has already been erected at the forefront. You can stand out from the crowd different ways. The simplest, for completely “frostbitten” and devoid of imagination, is to buy some English football club or tear off a Faberge egg at a sale. But this is not our way. We will show everyone the “kuzkin mother” for real - we will change the appearance of the desktop. Lots of ways to do this. The latest operating systems already provide a surrogate for such a replacement - there you can change pictures on your desktop with enviable regularity. And if you are a lover of the classics, and do not fall for the newfangled hobbies of Vista and Seven, then this is no longer up to you. Yes, but we already said that this is a surrogate. What is more real? These are graphical shells. Here are some of them we will now consider.
Yahoo Widgets
This is an American shell (shell English shell). The development is old, and at the beginning, it was called Konfabulator. The program works not only with Windows (from XP and above), there are versions for Mac OS. There is a website. Yahoo Widgets will not change the appearance of your operating system especially much, but one of the advantages of this shell is a huge pile of additional widgets, more than six thousand. Choice for every taste: weather forecast, players, listening to Internet radio. There are 20 sections in total. And in each section from 70 to 700 mini programs. And at the same time, they do not loom before the eyes, but are hidden. And they only appear when you need them. This shell works fast enough. The system does not load much. These widgets work on adobe flash. And most importantly, this shell is free.
Manufacturer: Yahoo! Inc.
Where to get: www.widgets.yahoo.com
Software version: 4.5
, Mac OS X
Bumptop
This shell of all we have reviewed is distinguished by its animated and three-dimensional design. Well, roughly speaking, in front of the user, instead of the usual desktop, there will be, as it were, a view of the room. Where to look at it, the user chooses himself - from above, from the side or at an angle. The program has a sufficient number of topics, from the boring "Mario" to futuristic abstractions. Above the contents of the desktop in Bumptop, you can have plenty of fun. Everything that is in sight can be piled up, you can throw it against the wall. And moreover, according to physical laws, it will bounce off the wall and fly further. It is interesting here thoughtful selection. You can select anything and in any shape you like - there is no ordinary rectangle here. When you right-click on a folder, a circular menu appears - "More", "Reduce" and "Enlarge". The program works with Windows from XP and above and there is a version for Mac OS. Until 2010, it was distributed free of charge. But then I bought the developers of this Google programs. And now officially it does not apply. But there are fresh distributions on the Internet: whoever searches, he will find.
Manufacturer: Bump Technologies Inc.
Where to get: www.bumptop.com
Software version: 2.10
Distribution Type: Freeware
Talisman Desktop
This utility is quite old, but as for a good cognac, its design only improves with age. In its ability to make them a simple desktop is a real masterpiece. Let's make a reservation right away - the program is paid, but the Russian-language version has a special price. Works only from under Windows from XP and above. This shell has a very useful function of protecting the contents of the desktop from changes and organizing access to dedicated functions through a password. This bells and whistles makes it possible to use Talisman Desktop on public computers and even on touch terminals.
It is especially necessary to emphasize the presence of such a topic as “Media Center”. This theme turns your computer into a multimedia center. And access from this topic is only allowed to media files. This feature will be appreciated by lovers of noisy house parties, with abundant acceptance "on the chest".
The latest version has a lot of bug fixes. But some inconveniences remain. For example, to get to the properties of an object, you must first go to the theme properties and only from there, get access to the properties of the desired element. The Start menu is called by the right button - this is not very convenient.
But there is a plus in this shell - an excellent theme designer. And if you manage to make a really creative theme, and the creators of the program will like it, then it is added to the official catalog, and a successful theme creator gets a free key to the distribution. Well, how? Another lure.
Manufacturer: Lighttek Software
Where to get: www.lighttek.com
Software version: 3.4
Supported OS: XP, Vista, 7
Distribution Type: Shareware, $25
Aston Shell
This is a domestic program, it will not create any special differences from the standard desktop, but at first, this shell seems to be something futuristic. However, frustration comes quickly enough, because you have to change established user habits. Everything seems to be the same, and there are no special changes, but there is the possibility of creating a sidebar. In which, there will be applications divided into blocks by function. For example - "Utilities", "Games", etc. It is possible to use animation. The choice of animated wallpapers is not so great, but this is just the beginning. The desktop can be customized to any taste and color. In general, Aston Shell is beautiful, comfortable, simple and unobtrusive. Sharpened under Windu, from XP and later.
Manufacturer: Gladiators Software
Where to get: www.astonshell.ru
Software version: 2.0.3
Supported OS: XP, Vista, 7
Distribution type: Shareware (shareware), 400 rubles
Object Desktop
This development is different from all others. Let's start with the fact that the creators have broken the usual shell into a dozen separate utilities, each of which performs separate function. DeskScapes - animate wallpapers, FencesPro - groups shortcuts, SkinStudio - helps you create your own interfaces, Tiles - creates a sidebar in open windows, Theme Manager is a management utility for these and other widgets. But that's not all. The fact is that each of these programs is paid. And the price is hefty. But the mercy of the manufacturer made it possible to buy everything in a herd, for indecent 50 American rubles (!). And this is for a year, then you need to renew the license for use for 70% of the original cost. This shows that although the developer is American, it could not have done without Israeli influence. Because they have no control over their desires.
In general, if between us, then this development does not represent anything special. Any of the above shells makes the same changes to the desktop, if not for free, then for a much lower price. And paid once and for life. And the lion's share of Object Desktop features has already been implemented in both Vista and the seven. But since this collection is still being sold, it means that there is a demand. That's really true - "without sucker and life is bad."
Manufacturer: Stardock
Where to get: www.stardock.com
Software version: 2010
Supported OS: XP, Vista, 7
Distribution Type: Shareware, $50
SharpE
This is a very interesting cover. Changes appearance to all 100. There is something fascinating in it. Well, firstly, what used to be opened by clicking on the right mouse button is now opened by clicking on the button located on the panel at the top of the screen. Moreover, this button is a hybrid between the clock and "Start". And the drop-down menu is the plugins panel. The standard distribution contains a widget for managing Winamp, notes and a weather plugin. In addition, the top panel displays the degree of processor load, RAM and paging file. Three panels fit at the bottom of the screen at once. The system tray has migrated to the left side of the screen, and the desktop manager to the right. At the bottom in the middle is a panel that displays all running applications.
The disadvantages of this shell include the English language, and the advantages - free and fairly stable work. It works from under Windows. As usual from XP and above.
Manufacturer: SharpE Development Team
Where to get: www.sharpe-shell.org
Supported OS: XP, Vista, 7
Distribution Type: Freeware
Alternative or surrogate?
As a result, it should be noted that the relevance of many programs for embellishments was observed during XP. With the advent of Vista, and after it, Windows 7, the need for this began to tend to zero. Most of what the shells offer is available in the latest operating systems. Of course, you can strive for individualism and try by hook or by crook to become different from others. But who knows where is the line that separates the individualism of Dzhigurda from Boris Moiseev.
Try, of course, these programs are worth it. But only. After all, no matter what super-duper tuning on the ZAZ 969 is done, it will not get better. Everyone knows that "They meet by clothes, but see off ...". But if you really want to, then try YahooWidgets. It is useful, and besides, if you do not need widgets, you can easily hide them.
Content
Introduction
A large number of beginners Windows users sincerely believe the standard interface operating system- its integral part. Actually, this is a delusion. The taskbar, main menu, system tray, desktop icons and other interface elements are created and processed by a separate class of programs - shells. By default, explorer.exe is used for such purposes in Windows.
You can install a software product that replaces the functions of a standard interface processing tool. Wherein new program can offer fundamentally different methods of organizing interaction with the user.
In this article, you will not find programs that work in the system only as applications. The article is not a guide to decorations and improvements to the standard interface. This is a guide to alternative shells for Windows that work instead of the explorer.exe module.
