If you check Object Desktop CM/SDCentral you will see the MCP Core module. (MCP = Master Control Program).

This is a new component that will eventually be integrated into SDCentral when you install it.

What does it do? In a nutshell it manages (or will manage) the running Object Desktop components and eventually be opened up so that third parties can make use of it as well. And it only uses 156K of RAM so it has virtually no overhead.

For example, one part of MCP is called the Startup Manager. A program that supports the MCP will let the MCP control its launch when you boot your machine.

For years now, you boot your machine and if you have DesktopX and ObjectBar (for instance) set to load on start up what happens? You see your explorer desktop and then a bunch "stuff" happening that looks really crummy and confusing as these programs alter your desktop and worse, slow down your boot time.

With MCP, when you logon to your machine it coordiantes your various programs that are trying to load so that they load quicker and when you see your desktop, it is already set up how you want.

The first Object Desktop component to use MCP is ObjectBar 1.6A which is now available for download. You'll need to install the MCP/ObjectBar and then reboot to see its effects.

The MCP has many other capabilities such as managing system hooks. Eventually there will only need to be a couple system hooks total rather than each program having its own (slowing down the system). If third parties make use of this, it will allow users to customize their computers much more thoroughly without a system hook speed hits.

The next beta of DesktopX 2 will also make use of this. And we hope for WinStyles to be able to make use of this so that when you apply a new theme, it can be done without the user having to see a bunch of inelegant desktop switching occuring.

We hope you like it. There's a lot of exciting new technologies about to be released onto Object Desktop this year. This one is one of the more interesting ones we think.