ObjectDock is obviously a wonderful program. 'Nuff said.

But has anyone thought of combining the features from Stardock's ObjectBAR (a Start bar replacement program that allows users to custom-design their own start bars with any design, orientation, configuration of cascading menus, program or file icons, meters, virtual desktops, etc.) with the sleek elegance of ObjectDock?

I always liked ObjectBar, but have been reluctant to continue using it because it always seemed 'slow' or occasionally would not refresh the menus (leaving them 'hanging' in midair, unresponsive, overlying the desktop). ObjectDock on the otherhand is as fast as lightning! While the possibilities for ObjectDock are burgeoning due to its use of docklets, they are still somewhat limited because this extended functionality merely occupies an icon space in the dock.

What I would like to see is an integrated Start bar replacement, such as ObjectBar, that allows me to do the following:

(1) Design my own skinable custom bar with programmable/customizable menus, a taksbar (to show me what's running) and notification area (to show me what's in memory);

(2) Have a quicklaunch section that expands and animates, similar to ObjectDock. Conceivably, one could have several of these for different categories of programs (e.g., Applications, Internet, Games); They could expand from a menu-type icon (e.g., Games) on mouse hover to reveal all of the choices in that dock;

(3) Have the ability to add docklets to the bar that could do things such as show a calendar page w/ the date, show a clock w/ the time, show an icon w/ the weather, and much, much more;

(4) Add meters for CPU usage, disk storage, etc.;

(5) Add virtual desktop management navigation;

(6) Respond to WindowFX features such as fading-in and -out of the bar (similar to how WindowFX can fade-in and fade-out the Start bar).


These are just my two cents. I really like ObjectBar and I really love ObjectDock. It would be the best of both worlds if they could merge.

~ amoreAmaro aka aieeeAieee
amore_amaro @ hotmail.com
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