Objectdock 1.04 Bug Report

(Before I start ranting, I want to say that I definitely appreciate the time and effort that has gone into OD so far. It's not my intent to anger or attack Jeff, but rather to help him improve his promising app.)

COMPLAINT: The TitleFont settings were moved out of CurrentTheme.ini and into the Settings.ini file. Why was this done? Shouldn't each theme have its own font settings? If you are in the habit of copying your old settings back after installing a new version, this is why your fonts have changed. It's not like you weren't paying attention, either: No mention was made of this in the Readme. It seems to me that if the ini files were going to change, he should have used the opportunity to correct the spelling of the "Seperator" section in the Background.ini file.

My biggest COMPLAINT, though, is the incredibly ill-conceived "Buy ObjectDock Plus" item in the pop-up menu (one might argue that OD now contains a pop-up ad). Users already see an ad for ObjectDock Plus when they go to download this version of OD. The new "About" dialog that Jeff felt was important enough to mention in the changelog (unlike the TitleFont change) contains not only an ad for the paid version, but TWO buttons related to it. The "Homepage" shortcut created in the Start Menu directs them to a page advertising the Plus version, and a new "Buy ObjectDock Plus" shortcut is created there, as well.

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

What would be so terrible about adding a "Plus" tab to the Properties dialog instead of taking up room in the context menu? Doing so would provide Stardock an entire window with which to tout the advantages of the paid version. Another option would be a banner ad at the top of the dialog (at least that wouldn't interfere with the effectiveness or usability of the basic interface). After all, if a user STILL isn't aware of the paid version's existence despite all the places it's been advertised, what good is a simple menu item that says, "Buy the Plus version even though you don't know what features it adds"?

This menu item accomplishes one thing, and one thing only: It annoys users who aren't interested in upgrading to the paid version (at least not at the present), not to mention those who don't have the money to buy it.

I hope Stardock reconsiders its horrible decision and removes this offensive item ASAP. It would be even better if they also removed the "About" menu item, since it already appears in the Help menu -- which is where users should expect it to be. (How often does the average user need to check the "About" page, anyway?) Until these offending items are removed, I guess I'll be thankful there are alternatives which truly are Freeware.

#204454

1.04 | never had a problem with prev. versions.

installed, even, from scratch.

winxp sp2 here.

http://anibal.virtual.com.uy/pics/dockbug.jpg

tell me jeff if i can be more helpfull.

respect.

aniba!

#205258

I'm having troubles with OD thzt doesn't stay always on top.

When i close some windows (mozilla, thunderbird, foobar) the dock that ic configured to be always on top go on bottom. I need to click on it to get it back on top.

Moreover, when i click on my "show desktop" shortcut in quick launch, the dock disapear now, it didnt in the previous versions and that was nice.

I hope this will be fixed or changed

Tank you

#205704

mad mike:

On the TitleFont issue: the themeing system of ObjectDock is going to change in a v1.x of OD+. Right now you swap in entire themes, this was really designed to be single docks being swapped in and out. Now since ObjectDock Plus has been available, requests have been coming in for the ability to load and save individual docks and tabbed docks. To respond to this, the theming system is going to change soon. Currently there is a limitation that all docks must have the same title font. As for the free version, I'll make note to move the font settings back into the settings.ini (which is not how the plus will operate) upon getting some feedback from the messageboards, but a new release isn't happening for a while, moving back to OB2 for now.

On the topic of the little text advertisment, I feel with the extreme personal effort that's gone into the product that I have the right to put a small text message in there to inform people who have gotten the program through other freeware-site channels, download.com, etc. that there is a plus version, so they may seek more information.

I encourage you to ignore it if you're not interested, and just ask that you quietly respect the fact you're getting something for free that someone has put months and months of effort into. I feel others here will back me up.

------------------------

anibalin:

are you running plus or regular? i've seen a few other people seeing a crash in ntdll.dll... try this out for me? backup your theme so you can restore it later, and then remove all all docklets from your theme, and turn off any systray abilities if you're running OD+. (e.g. remove the systray tab from your tabbed dock, turn it off on the zoomed dock) Let me know if that fixes the problem, to help me isolate down the area, i've heard of some plugins (e.g. especially the CPU meter, which isn't ours and was included in early builds by mistake) that can be buggy.

thanks

------------------------

kerin: there was some issues with fullscreen-game detection when we first put up the build, it was mistaking the desktop as a fullscreen game thus temporarily sinking to the bottom when selected. Give it another shot with whats out there now... if not post back so i know it wasn't resolved.

-Jeff Bargmann

ObjectDock Developer

#205776

Jeff, sorry for the harsh tone of my post. The changes you made just felt like the first steps down the path to a version containing a nag screen or other in-your-face advertising, and I'd hate to see that happen. A positive experience using the free version will ensure future sales of the paid version, and the more annoyances you can remove (such as context menu items which are not immediately relevant to the current context), the more positive the user's opinion of OD will be. I still think you would be better off adding something to the Properties dialog, such as a "What features does the Plus version add?" button or something more enticing and informative than simply "Buy now," but I guess that's your call. If you feel one menu item is enough to motivate uninformed users to learn more, then so be it.

I definitely respect all the impressive work you've accomplished with this utility so far, which is why I bothered posting anything at all, but I'll try to show my respect in a less disrespectful way in the future.

P.S.- What ever happened to my idea of "Skip x items from the left/right" to allow insertion of running task icons anywhere in the Dock? Is that feature on the to do list or did you find some problems with that method?

#206502

An easier way to do it I think is to have the task area still as a unit but to be able to place it anywhere, then group ALL alike icons, shortcut or task (since a shortcut can act like a task when the task is open), and the group contextual menu would give you an option to open another instance. Then to be most accurate you can place the task area inbetweeen your shortcuts next to the seperator.

#206518

Hey Mike,

no worries. and no, no way we would do a nag screen or anything like that - ObjectDock isn't shareware and I've always promised that I'd keep all the original dock stuff that people loved free free free not just use it to force people into buying the plus or whatnot. Overall though I guess I put the "Buy ObjectDock Plus" in there just so that people who haven't seen information that there is an objectdock plus see that there is something else they can get, and maybe i'd make them curious to look further. If they stumble on the about dialog there's some info there, and clicking the "Buy" link doesn't actually take you to the purchasing page, it just takes you to ObjectDock's main page that has information about the plus version. Figured a little menu item would be less intrusive than a whole nother tab i s'pose.

Thanks for understanding, your concern is appreciated

By the way, about the "Skip x items from the left/right", basically I really liked that idea and was like hrm how can i put it in. Well, turns out its great if you already have your dock the way you want it, but after that it gets a little messier especially on the technical side of it, when it comes to the user moving things around and adding via drag/drop in particular. The way I really want to do it basically i just don't have time for right now, as it'd be a lot a lot of toying around with the drag 'n drop logic which is already pretty tricky. What I'd like to do is have it be automatic: say if you're dragging something new from the desktop to your dock, over normal parts of the dock a space would open up for it. Once you drag over the taskbar, the space would close as it does now. But the optimum would be if you then dragged all the way to the other side of the taskbar, a space would open on the other side of it, you could drop it there and OD would remember that setting, that it's supposed to be one over. Sound like a nice solution to you? Technically challenging though. I'd say expect it, but likly not anytime real soon unfortunatly. (and btw, i'd be a change that went in not just the plus but the free version too)

Overall, this for both mike and smoke, in a v1.x we're going to be looking to make some touchups to the way tasks are handled. Hopfully part of it will have something to do with the automatic "skip x items" idea bit, but for the plus version we might be looking to do something more dramatic. But thats still a whiles off for right now, so we'll see!

Back to ObjectBar2 work, cya guys

-Jeff

#206679

smoke, I really like the idea of grouping ALL icons for the same program (as a bonus, it would automatically add the "Hide this program from the running tasks section if it's already on the Dock" feature I've been a-wantin'). Using that menu to create new instances would be the icing on the cake! Unfortunately, the free version doesn't have a group feature. Either that would have to be added in, or each version would have to handle things differently (Jeff, get out the aspirin). Hopefully he'll surprise us.

As for the tasks placement, Jeff is right that I overlooked how Drag & Drop can mess things up. So here's an addition to my idea:

Give each item on the Dock a property like IsRunningTask (generated at run-time; no need to save it). When the user launches a program, ObjectDock searches the Dock contents for that same program. If an icon already exists, it adds the entry to that group. If no icon yet exists, it uses the "Skip X items from the left/right" value to insert a new icon (for example, skipping the Trashcan and separator on the right) and flags it as a running task. The user is then free to drag ANY icon around on the Dock or drag & drop new shortcuts in between ANY two icons, since there is no longer a defined "running tasks" section. When OD detects that the program has closed, it removes that entry from the group. If it was the only entry in the group and was a running task, that Dock item closes.

The IsRunningTask property would probably need to be kept at the base level of each group so OD would know whether to remove the icon when the group becomes "empty." Naturally, when saving the Dock, all items with this new property set to True would need to be ignored. Launching OD with other programs already running would cause their icons to be inserted according to the "Skip" value.

Let me know your thoughts on this. It would be nice if we could figure out a decent way for Jeff to do this by the time he's done updating ObjectBar.

#207068

Hi Jeff, two questions about OD+ tabs before doing the step and buying it,

1) is there an option to colorize only the tabs handles

2) when in autohide mode if you mouse over a tab handle is it the one focused when the dock appears or does it require a click to be the one active

(3) (and globaly can you change the tabs by just hovering over it for 2secs or something like that ? )

Thanks !.

probably gonna buy OD2004 also this week

#207114

jeff: so far no problem (im running the regular 1.04) |didnt change nothing| maybe it was picky at those days | i dont have systray installed _yet_ if i have the problem again i will post again with more details about the situation or something|

thanks for your time jeff.

Respect.

aniba!

#207158

Thread renamed to meet community standards.

Please leave being an ass to me.

Deadzombie

#207194

Originally posted by Alderaic@Aug 25 2004, 02:06 PM

Hi Jeff, two questions about OD+ tabs before doing the step and buying it,

1) is there an option to colorize only the tabs handles

2) when in autohide mode if you mouse over a tab handle is it the one focused when the dock appears or does it require a click to be the one active

(3)  (and globaly can you change the tabs by just hovering over it for 2secs or something like that ? )

Thanks !.

probably gonna buy OD2004 also this week

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

as I just bought OD2004 and OD+ I will quote myself and ask for those (or didnt I checked far enough in OD+ ? )

#207418

Hey Alderaic,

1) i have to find a place for that in the UI, there is demand for it though so it will more than likly show up in a v1.x build

2 and 3) in a future OD+ build i'm looking to add ability for you to set a delay of how long of hovering it takes to switch tabs, including the ability to switch immediatly on autohide-showing.

OD+ is going to be getting continual updates through time, and as these are highly demanded features expect them both to make it. Thanks for your support

-Jeff

#208568

Hi Jeff,

First of all thanks for all your efforts on this promising 'project', as I mentioned in this thread, I am just getting more comfortable with ObjectDock, after using another Dock for soooooooo long...lol!

Installed SP2-Now Running ObjectDock

I see that Kerin has mentioned a possible issue with his 'Quick Launch'--->Show Desktop option: I have done the following, what could be the possible issue why mine is not working?? As I quoted in the my other thread:

"Another question (and apologies if this has already been covered in another thread): I have drag in the 'Show Desktop' Windows Explorer Command from its location:

c:\Documents and Settings\XXXXX\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Show Desktop

When clicked on, it does not do anything...This worked beautifully in the 'other Dock'...??"

I have tried everything that I can think of to get this 'Windows Explorer Command' to work, but have had no success...

Thanks, as I use this option all the time, when I want to get to my Desktop to ultilize my AveDesk 1.1 Docklets...It is soooooo convient, but now with it not working (in my case) ObjectDock Version: 1.04 Build: 471 i have to resort to the old Rt Clicking on my Taskbar to implement the Show Desktop Feature through Windows...

#208772

The Show Desktop explorer command used to work on older versions of ObjectDock... I don't know what's bugging it up in this version. I also seem to recall a "Show Desktop shortcut" under the Add list in the context menu in an earlier release, but...

Neither seem to work anymore!

Anyways, great release, Jeff, Thank ye kindly!!!

#208888

As was kindly mentioned by new member hangar-8 on my 'SP2 Installed Now Using ObjectDock Thread'..." and my reply:

hangar-8,

Ok thanks man...as I reviewed the various comments regarding the 'issue of the Dock disappearing' after clicking on the Show Desktop Docklet by Andres V and yes it too happens to me...

Hopefully (fully aware) that he is presently very busy with other projects, maybe he will have the time to fix this minor, albeit annoying bug...

Regards...

Here is the link to the Show Desktop Docklet by Andres V:

Show Desktop Docklet

EDIT***

Ok I see that the Show Desktop Command even using it through the Quick Launch option also 'hides the Dock'...this is what Kerin was mentioning...

#208910

Apologies for the double post, however this is a Objectdock 1.04 Bug Report thread which I'm sure will assist Jeff in his quest to make this nice, smooth app even better...

Running with only 2 docklets-Judge's great SysStat's using the iCal type config & Andres V's ShowDesktop...every once in a while the 'Dock Rt Click Pop-Up Menu' looks like this...seems to get stuck:

Please let me know if I can provide any more info on my setup, and I will gladly do so..

#209317

Need more info:

1. Is your dock set to normal Z-Order, AoBottom, or AoTop?

2. What do you mean by "gets stuck"?

#209437

Originally posted by GWing_02@Aug 30 2004, 05:38 PM

Need more info:

1.  Is your dock set to normal Z-Order, AoBottom, or AoTop?

2.  What do you mean by "gets stuck"?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi GWing_02,

My settings are as follows: Rt Clicking on dock to bring up its menu

Magnification: checked

Always on Top: checked

Position on screen: Bottom: checked Align Center

Well technically the above pic depicts how the Rt click Pop-up sometimes gets covered Dock icon...not really stuck, but something is not right when this happens..lol Usually this happens frequently when I Rt click my 'trash can' on the dock...However I do have Norton Recycle Bin Protection, but it will happen sometimes (like shown) on regular Dock icons..

Maybe both settings need to be 'Always-of-Top'

Ok...you were referring to the Actual OD Properties Windows:

Position on Screen: Bottom

Autohide: checked

Align Center

Normal Window Z-Ordering

Use Mouse Activation: checked

Hope this helps

With provide any more info if needed..thanks for your reply...

#209488

I think the Normal Window Z-Ordering + Mous activation comination was what did it in. Try using Always on Top or Always on Bottom and see if that'll do it.

ObjectDock might be thinking "oh hey, his mouse is over the dock, let's put it on top of everything" and forget about the context menu.

#209589

Originally posted by GWing_02@Aug 30 2004, 11:00 PM

I think the Normal Window Z-Ordering + Mous activation comination was what did it in.  Try using Always on Top or Always on Bottom and see if that'll do it.

ObjectDock might be thinking "oh hey, his mouse is over the dock, let's put it on top of everything" and forget about the context menu.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi GWing_02,

Very good...lol, that was the trick! I now have the OD Main Property Settings:

Normal Window Z-Ordering without Mouse activation checked, and all is good...

Thanks! If it (by chance) acts up again, then these settings are what one needs to adjust...

:rock:

#209737

not sure if this is a bug or not but when using flyout menus and when there are too many items your get the list(thats normal i know).. but in that list you can't right click on anything.. although you can within the fly out menu..

seems kinda silly when you can right click on one menu type but when it gets switched you can't

i also have a request as well..

when using tabbed docks i was wondering if its possible to have the dock able to be a drawer anywhere on the screen instead of just the edges..

#210587

why OD is goind down and down ?

* no more "open office document" from the dock....it's ruined now !

* show/hide taskbar docklet not working anymore, and the taskbar disappears forever also when quitting OD....why ?!

* also the font thing, heh, nevermind that...

#210819

there seems to be a problem with the fly out menus..

i have a flyout menu with a few net apps.. and i also have sub flyout menu in that menu which has my instant messaging apps.. but whne i click on any of those i get like an icon ghost.. after the flyout menu closes..

noexplorerbars.zip

i put a box around the trillian icon that got left behind(also changed the brightness so its easier to see).. this will stay there till i reload the theme..

also the icon doesn't appear untill i have a video playing(i did in the screenshot but the video didn't show) also if i put my cursor over the ghost icon it will activate od..

#212968