Aqua-Soft News

Xwindows Dock V2.0 Beta Released

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:18:39 +0000

This weekend brought with it a bit o' new dock pleasantry when BOBAH13 & friends launched BOBAH13s new Windows Launcher offering: XWD v2.0 Beta.

While keeping the namesake of the original, XWD 2.0 is a complete rewrite of BOBAH13s well received XWindowsDock providing for a strong foundation upon which to scale functionality and add features in the coming releases.

As this is still a beta and still lacking many of the features of the original dock, users should adjust their expectations accordingly. However, the return of BOBAH13 to the forums and his demonstrated ability to drop some useful and cunning code means the near future should be exciting in deed.

To download the new version and post about your experiences, click here.

Some notable additional features mentioned with the release:

Auto-update. Now XWDock can check updates and will be notify user if new version is available (internet connection required).
Keyboard shortcuts allows you to use "hidden features" of the XWDock.
Clean and simple Preferences window.
Reserving space of the screen allow you to work with Dock at any time from anywhere.
Make your XWDock autostart with Windows.
Partial support of the ObjectDock docklets. Some features won't work.

Note: XWindows Dock v2.0 beta is fully compatible with Windows 7 and Windows Vista and probably works fine on Windows XP.

Some additional useful links:

Help & Support Related.
New XWD 2.0 Skins.
Plugin Development Related.

Don't forget to donate to the development of this free app : )

Nexus Dock Public Beta Has Been Released

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:18:09 +0000

For those of you who enjoy a little variety in your OS customization palette, our freeware dock selection just got a little more flavorful.

Introducing the Winstep Suite's Nexus Dock

Known on these forums as JcRabbit, Jorge of Winstep fame has just released his first public beta of Nexus Dock (or NXDock,) the soon-to-be-released freeware dock aiming to compete for your affections against the likes of those other established docks in the customization scene.

For years the Winstep suite, within which Nexus Dock co-exists among its other shell enhancement brother & sister apps, has offered to Windows OS users enhanced customization and usability capabilities in an animated and visually pleasing manner and with the system stability you would expect from commercially developed software.

Now, NXDock's freeware release can offer new users a glimpse of what they can expect from it's parent Winstep application suite.

Among the long list of features, Nexus Dock brings to the table native icon reflection capabilities which seems to be the bar set with dock launchers these days. Existing backgrounds may be imported from other dock formats and extensive help and user documentation compliment this release. And a personal favorite, the ability to customizing dock item icons by drag-&-drop of ICO, PNG or TIF files on top of the dock item you wish to personalize.

View a video of the dock showcasing some of it's features and customization options.

To Download this beta, which in my experience has been very stable, go here.
Nexus is fully compatible with Win9x, ME, NT4, 2000, XP 32/64 bit, 2003 Server, Vista 32/64 bit and Windows 7 32/64 bit.

To post comments or impressions of your new desktop dock, visit JcRabbit's announcement thread.

Additionally, as mentioned in Jorge's announcement tread:

Quote

This first public beta release features a new User Interface with multi-language support that will also become part of Winstep Xtreme later this month. Because of this, and ONLY until then, if you click on the Winstep Xtreme link in the About tab of Nexus Preferences you get a nice 50% off promotion.

So, if you want to put your hands on Winstep Xtreme for only $19.95 (and still get the same cool Nexus-style UI before the end of the month), now is your chance!

Please note, that the beta will expire down the road; the final release, I've been assured by Jorge, will not include an expiration timer.

All you dock users out there, certainly post a comment and let us know your impressions of this new free contender on the scene!

Xwindows Dock Receives An Update

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:16:55 +0000

We have some good news and some less-than-fortunate news.

First the good news: BOBAH13 has updated XWindows Dock.

However, in that same breath, the announcement:

BOBAH13, on Mar 19th 2009, 04:26 PM, said:

Now I haven't any time to continue working at the dock. Thanks.

BOBAH13, On behalf of all of us here at Aqua-soft, thank you, for all the hard work and emulation/customization joy you've given us with your dock. We wish you the best with your work/life/play; you've gained the admiration of many around the world. From Seattle, Washington USA, a sincere thank you!

Now, without further adieu: XWindowsDock has been updated from v5.6 to v5.6+. (So far, it would seem this release does not come with an incremented version number.)

Click HERE to go to the download thread & release announcement.

Some observations on what I've found and like so far:

The "Access Violation" Error upon startup has seemingly been fixed (Tested on Windows XP SP2)
UPDATE: Error message still appears on my XP SP3 machines, however, you have a new "Error Dialog" which gives you options to "continue," "cancel," "send error report" etc.
UPDATE: Gallery view mode no longer crashes and is very usable! This is a big improvement. (If only we could assign PNG's to Gallery Items, we'd have a Gallery Launcher )
Layer order of 'Children' windows seems to have been fixed. (Now you will not have the parent window on top of it's child window.)
Skins for v5.6 seem to work on this updated version.

That's about all I can find so far. Until BOBAH13 provides an official change log, feel free to share with us your impressions and identified changes.

When the organization of support and release threads have been sorted out, I'll update this announcement with the appropriate links.

Please stay tuned.

Apple Releases Safari 4

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:12:15 +0000

Not much explanation needed here. (But if you really must)

Apple has released what their website introduces as "the world's fastest and most innovative web browser for Mac and PC."

Image courtesy of Apple.com

With such a gauntlet thrown, you know you want to download and try it out.

And don't hesitate to share with us your impressions. I for one, wouldn't mind hearing about which poster's systems are capable of running it fine with all the bells & whistles, and which crawl with 20+ tabs.. Netbook owners care to weigh in?

You can also visit the original topic thread here.

more info about safari and Apple's World Wide Developer Conference courtesy of Gizmodo's live coverage.

Iphone Os 3.1.3 Released - Jailbreakers & Unlockers: Do not Update!

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:11:43 +0000

DO NOT UPDATE TO FIRMWARE 3.1.3 IF YOU ARE JAILBROKEN!

It is not safe yet to do so if you want to remained jailbroken and unlocked. This advice comes straight from the DevTeam via Twitter. If your silly enough to upgrade, I've got bad news...you can no longer restore to 3.1.2 unless you have your SHSH on file in cydia.

There may or may not be a jailbreak for 3.1.3 - the dev team will most likely wait until the major release coming for iPad and iPhone 4.0. GO TO CYDIA NOW and get your keys signed on the front page if you have not. That way you'll always at least be able to restore to 3.1.2.

While we all like updates, this one is really nothing special and doesn't make it worthy of losing jailbreak just for it. The update includes a fix for the iPhone 3GS battery level reporting (I've never noticed any problems), a fix for app that crashed on launch and a fix for app crashes while using Japanese Kana Keyboard.

Additional security fixes are included in this update, and can be read in more detail here: About the security content of iPhone OS 3.1.3 and iPhone OS 3.1.3 for iPod touch

Psystar Sues Apple. ... You Read That Right.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:11:23 +0000

O hai, look who's still alive.

Quote

Mac clone maker Psystar last week sued Apple for a second time, charging that it illegally ties the new Snow Leopard operating system to its hardware. Psystar also asked a federal judge in Florida to rule that the small company has the right to purchase copies of Snow Leopard on the open market and use them to install Mac OS X 10.6 on the machines it sells.
"By tying its operating system to Apple-branded hardware, Apple restrains trade in personal computers that run Mac OS X, collects monopoly rents on its Macintoshes, and monopolizes the market for 'premium computers,'" said Psystar's lawsuit, filed last Wednesday. "Apple's share of revenue in the market for premium computers -- computers priced at over $1,000 -- is currently 91%."
Last month, retail market research company NPD Group estimated that Apple controls 91% of the $1,000-and-up market, a fact that got significant play in the media and on blogs.
The antitrust angle in the new lawsuit is a repeat of Psystar's strategy of more than a year ago, when it accused Apple of violating the Sherman and Clayton Acts. A federal judge in California tossed out Psystar's claims last November, however.
Psystar said that the situation with Snow Leopard is completely different.
"This case raises a wholly separate set of issues [from] those in Apple Inc. v. Psystar Corp...because that case is limited to Psystar computers running Mac OS X Leopard," the company's lawyer's argued. "Both the technical mechanisms used by Apple to tie Mac OS X Snow Leopard to Macintoshes and the technology used by Psystar to get Mac OS X Snow Leopard to run on Psystar computers are new and different and not within the scope of the California litigation."
Psystar asked the Florida court to award it treble damages and force Apple to stop tying Mac OS X to its Mac hardware in the operating system's end user license agreement (EULA), as well as through technical tricks that check to see whether the computer starting Snow Leopard is a real Mac.
Last week's filing spent most of 14 pages trying to convince the judge to fire a preemptive strike at Apple.

God help us? Source: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/913...er_Snow_Leopard

Komalo's Border Skin V0.2.3 Released

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:09:57 +0000

Border Skin is a free UI customization application for XP which replaces your window borders with Aero style borders complete with reflection and glass-blur effects.

Since first posting of the project here, Komalo has released some impressive updates to his app making the program more stable, more configurable, and feature rich.

There certainly have been many false starts and vaporware when it comes to post-XP style glass & blur UI effects in the freeware scene, however, Komalo, with his newest release, has really reach a milestone or two worth checking out.

Border Skin requires .Net Framework 3.5 or higher
Current version of Border Skin supports 32bit Systems.

For what's new and a recent change log, visit our discussion thread here.

To download the app directly, visit Komalo's deviantart release page. You can follow some pretty lively conversations there as well.

For OSX user interface fans, there's even talk of including an OSX skin with the default selection. Keep an eye out on future releases.

If I understand correctly, BS's default skins are derived from True Transparency skins, and TT skins will for the most part work with Border Skin, however expect to see greater compatibility loading TT skins with the v0.3 release, according to Komalo.

Standalonestack 2 Has Been Released

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:09:20 +0000

**This is just going to be a short news post until I have more time to flesh out a proper announcement as the program matures.**

StandaloneStack 2 has recently been released by ChristianS (of chris'n'Soft).

*Based on Matonga's Stacks Library, released in our Developers' Hangout's forum.*

ChristianS's stand-alone stack implementation allows you to organize and launch your files in a 'stacks' visual manner using shortcuts you create, without the need of running a dock.

As ChristianS's website puts it:

Quote

... Now, if you don’t want any dock and simply use your taskbar, you can have stack view too.
Just get StandaloneStack 2, create a shortcut and voil�, run it to show the stack.

Directions:

Quote

once you have downloaded StandaloneStack 2, unzip the files in a directory of your choice ( for example c:\standalonestack2 ).
Just run standalonestack2.exe to create and customize your stack.
When you have created your stack, you can open the settings window with it's shortcut at any time; just hold CTRL key when you launch your stack.
To navigate thru folder in stack, hold CTRL when you click on it (for now, you can’t go back). This option may also be configured in your settings window.

I haven't had much time to take StandaloneStack2 for a real test-spin but the program certainly is quite handy in it's functionality, and with each incremental update to this release comes better usability and more features for you to play with.

For the current version, update info, and to post a comment, visit this thread.

On a final note, a few tips off the top of my head:

You'll find a cleaner experiencing running StandaloneStacks2 by sticking to the more standard configurations. (As you can see from the screenshot depicting the taskbar positioned on the top of the screen, the stack's orientation with respect to it's shortcut launcher is a bit off when compared to using the grid view on the bottom of the screen.)
The grid stack view allows for both up and down presentation, however currently, the stack view will only display in the UP direction configuration.

Author's website for StandaloneStack2

Firefox 3 Released

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:08:39 +0000

Run and grab it!

Aqua-Soft Mobile 2 For Ipb 3.1 Released

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:33:25 +0000

Aqua-Soft Mobile 2 for Invision Board 3.1
Price: $20 usd for just the Mobile Skin or $25 usd for ALL Skins.

Live Demo: http://www.aqua-soft.org/forum/ You must be on a Mobile device to see the skin.

Screenshots:

New Features:
- Completely new skin, started from 3.1 default skin
- Report Center & Moderation tools
- Calendar support
- Menus, Collapsable forums and javascript support
- Support for bigger screen size devices such as iPhone4 and iPad
- Expanded search (tap the magnifying glass to view search options)
- Color changer
- Tons of other misc fixes/tweaks

What do you get?
The skin of course, as well as future updated versions. You also get support for the skin. Things like help modifying templates to fit your site (to a certain amount), help installing it, fix bugs or anything like that.

To purchase the skin you must first be a registered user if you are not already. Then click the link below.
Purchase the Aqua-Soft Mobile 2 Skin

Please report any bugs you find or suggestions in this forum below.
http://www.aqua-soft.org/forum/forum/96-aqua-soft-mobile-skin-discussion/

Winstep Nexus Dock 9.11 Final Released

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:13:11 +0000

Winstep's Nexus Dock officially leaves beta today showing some enhansed GUI love to Windows 7 and earlier.

The Winstep Nexus dock is a free, stand alone, version of the Nexus dock that is part of the Winstep Xtreme suite of applications, but it has no support for multi-docks and multi-level sub-docks, unlike its bigger 'cousin' in Winstep Xtreme.

With this update to 9.11 Final, some notable visual additions include a new user-selectable glassy theme and adjustable placement of running indicators.

Nexus Features:

* Fully compatible with Windows 7 and all 64 bit versions of Windows.
* Live icon reflections.
* Dock magnification, swing, bounce, afterglow and many other incredible mouse over effects.
* Water ripple, fluid surface, fluid reflections and many more dock animation effects.
* Automatic Vista glass blur for semi-transparent dock backgrounds.
* Running application indicators.
* Adjustable icon spacing.
* Dock auto-hide and auto-collapse to take up as little screen space as possible.
* Built-in clock, weather, recycler, fortune cookie reader, email checker, net, cpu and ram meter docklets/widgets.
* Over 80 useful internal commands(Show Windows Start Menu, Capture Desktop Screenshot, Hide Taskbar, etc…).
* Ability to prevent maximized windows from overlapping the dock.
* Supports drag & drop of virtual file system objects (My Computer, Control Panel, etc...).
* Completely customizable - thousands of backgrounds freely available online.
* Fully compatible with skins for all other docks.
* Full drag & drop support with extremely easy to use and intuitive interface.
* Multi monitor support.
* Multi language support.
* Includes Update Manager to look for, download, and automatically install new versions.
* ... and more!

Winstep Website: http://www.winstep.net
Registration: FREE
You can download Nexus from HERE (15.9 MB).
Nexus is fully compatible with Win9x, ME, NT4, 2000, XP 32/64 bit, 2003 Server, Vista 32/64 bit and Windows 7 32/64 bit.
Supported languages: Catalan, Dutch, English, Farsi (Persian), French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Swedish.

Visit the main release thread at AS HERE.

Borderskin Updated To Version 0.2.4

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:48:27 +0000

For those of us who have been waiting patiently for an update to komalo's BorderSkin program, today we're in for a treat.

BorderSkin has been updated to Version 0.2.4

This release even includes a default OSX window border skin, selectable within the Settings window. It's not the most refined OSX Skin out there, but I'm sure someone with skinning chops could remedy this rather quickly.

Other notable improvements you may notice from prior releases are:

An updated Settings Window and options.
Improvements in blur rendering.
Moving windows without the subtle pixel jumps as experienced in earlier releases.

The above was what I experienced when taking the app for a spin; if compelled, share with us your impressions below.

Download from Komalo's Deviantart Page HERE.

On a more unfortunate note, it would appear that Komalo no longer has the time to continue with this project. What you see is what you'll have to live with.

Quote

..this will be the last version for now, i thought that i can continue developing Border Skin but i can't, i felt after Windows 7 releasing there will be only very few who will use Border Skin, anyway you will find a lot of unfinished features and bugs, so don't bother yourself with reporting it, i may continue developing in the future but not right now.

i just wanted to say Thanks for all those who helped and encouraged me in making this application

Personally, I regret hearing this news as BorderSkin was shaping up quite nicely and seemed just at the cusp of being a rock solid alternative in the freeware community to apps such as True Transparency, or even Windowblinds. However, I completely understand having a busy life with other obligations and responsibilities, which makes Komalo's and other freeware developer releases to the community all the more admirable.

So Thank you Komalo for your latest release, and may you find success and happiness in your ventures

Acer intros 1080p Gemstone Blue notebooks

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:02:28 +0000

[newsimg]http://images.macnn.com/esta/content/0803/aceraspire6920.jpg[/newsimg]As promised, Acer on Wednesday launched a radical overhaul of its Aspire notebook line targeted at the high-end notebook market normally occupied by companies such as Apple and Sony. Nicknamed the Gemstone Blue, the new design centers around a deluxe media console known as the CineDash: the touch-sensitive control lets users navigate music, videos, and menus without having to resort to the trackpad. Each system also sports a unique "weave" finish and an advanced speaker system that generates virtual Dolby 5.1-channel surround, including a 10-watt subwoofer. The two systems being released today are also the first notebooks anywhere to ship with a true 16:9 ratio display. Both the 16-inch Aspire 6920 and 18.4-inch Aspire 8920G can output at the same 1080p (1920x1080) resolution of Blu-ray or an HDTV tuner (options on both models) and are fast enough at 8ms to avoid the ghosting artifacts that surface on many notebook LCDs. Their color gamuts are also a full third richer than conventional notebooks, Acer claims. The Aspire 6920 has the option of a less costly 720p (1366x768) display.

We just got a peek at these two new systems in person at a press event in New York, and while they're not going to be game-changers, there are a few highlights worth noting.

Outside of screen differences, the systems are primarily separated by graphics and storage. The simpler 6920 is driven by NVIDIA's next-generation GeForce 9500M GS, while the larger 8920G steps up to a GeForce 9650 GS. Storage runs up to 320GB on the 16-inch system but can be doubled to 640GB on the larger model courtesy of a second hard drive bay. Either system comes with HDMI video output as standard, though only the 8920G has a VoIP phone that allows it to more naturally place calls through Skype or other services.

Intel Penryn-class CPUs and Nvidia's GeForce 9500 or 9650 GPUs are standard, and Acer claims its new displays are brighter, with better color range, than the previous Aspire models.

Despite the high-profile launch, Acer has not said which Core 2 Duo processors it will use or when it expects the new Aspires to ship, though past comments by the company have priced the systems between $1,900 and $2,200 and would have both ship in the spring.

The most interesting part was the unique capacitive touch media controls. Instead of running a simple line of media buttons along the top of the keyboard (even budget laptops such as the Dell 1525 have capacitive touch-sensitive controls these days), the media controls are boxed off to the left of the keyboard in a panel called the CineDash Media Console.
It's the same general concept, but the high-tech layout makes it stand out--you get a volume circle, basic play/pause/transport controls, and a few other media player keys.

Look for these two new systems to hit retailers some time in April, starting at $900 and going up to around $1,700.
Source: Electronista, CNET

M. Yamaguchi Is Back?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:27:54 +0000

..maybe never left, I donno

It would appear however, as if M. Yamaguchi has released new versions of his Y'z Apps.

Yz Toolbar v2.1 (Nov.30.2008)
Yz Shadow v2.1 (Dec.19.2008)

Read more about it here
The English page should be here but seems to be inaccessible at the moment.

Update: Working English Translated page, thanks dreadnaut.

Update: YzShadow v2.2 Released.

New Yz Updates!
How nostalgic

Thanks kaiyoze, for bringing this to our attention here.

10 Years of the iMac -- Thanks Apple!!

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:11:27 +0000

Tens year ago today, the original Bondi blue iMac went on sale. In more ways than one, it marked the rebirth of Apple into the one we know today and the dawn of the Jobs + Ive era. Not a bad legacy. So, Aqua-Soft, what was your favorite design -- all performance aside, considering the relevance of time+bad-specs-by-today's-standards.

Personally, I love the Aluminum iMac. The older white iMac design was good, as well.

Aqua-Soft News

Xwindows Dock V2.0 Beta Released

Nexus Dock Public Beta Has Been Released

Xwindows Dock Receives An Update

Apple Releases Safari 4

Iphone Os 3.1.3 Released - Jailbreakers & Unlockers: Do *not* Update!

Psystar Sues Apple. ... You Read That Right.

Komalo's Border Skin V0.2.3 Released

Standalonestack 2 Has Been Released

Firefox 3 Released

Aqua-Soft Mobile 2 For Ipb 3.1 Released

Winstep Nexus Dock 9.11 Final Released

Borderskin Updated To Version 0.2.4

Acer intros 1080p Gemstone Blue notebooks

M. Yamaguchi Is Back?

10 Years of the iMac -- Thanks Apple!!

Iphone Os 3.1.3 Released - Jailbreakers & Unlockers: Do not Update!