Help me incorporate a dock in my desktop

from WinCustomize Forums

Hi guys,

I bought Object Desktop like a week ago and that alone improved my desktop significantly (go Fences!). Yesterday I purchased Objectdock plus with the ODNT discount and I need some help implementing it in a way that is productive, efficient and pretty. Here's a screenshot of how it is currently:

http://imgur.com/M1WDg.jpg

As you can see, I like to keep it simple with no fancy flourishes. So I'd like to use Objectdock in the same vein, in a way that is simple and attractive. I don't like skins and themes that are over-the-top and visually distracting. And now I pose the question to those that are far more experienced in the realm of OS customization, how would you add Objectdock to improve my desktop? What skins and icon sets would you use? Would you get rid of the Fences and desktop icons completely or use some kind of hybrid solution? 

I was thinking of making folders called apps and games and fill it with shortcuts and then point the stacks docklet to them. Also, I tried getting rid of the Windows 7 superbar completely, but because I am on x64 the star menu docklet is not functional so I suppose the best I can do is auto-hide it.

Just gimme any advice that you have. Thanks in advance.

 

94,815 views 25 replies +1 Loading…
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

 I only keep one icon on my desktop ( the recycle bin) and all others I use most often on the dock with 2 of these being stack docklets. For the clean look you want I suggest using trays or tiles. There are a lot of great ones in the gallery  that should go with any desktop you put together. I also use DX themes to hold most of my shortcuts,you may want to look into that as well.  

P.S. Welcome to the fun but highly addictive world of Object Desktop.:thumbsup:    

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I would setup the docks as drawers on the right side.  Something like this.

https://www.stardock.net/islanddog/objectdockdrawers1.jpg

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You can keep using Fences along with ObjectDock. You can make your desktop icons disappear and reappear by double-clicking on an empty part of your desktop. I have both, even though I mostly use dock shortcuts.

Welcome to the world of skinning.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Here are some dock skins from my gallery that you might like. They are pretty mimimal.

Tinted is dark: https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/objectdock/16121/

Frosted is light: https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/objectdock/16332/

Here's a screen shot of one of my typical set-ups. I keep a tray dock on the bottom with my main shortcuts and open windows. I also keep a tabbed dock on top. https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/screenshots/25980/

 

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks guys, keep 'em coming.

I especially like the Tinted dark backgrounds, I will try to find some icons to match and give that a shot. I'll post a screenshot later when I am free with what I've come up with.

I'll probably end up reducing the amount of icons and Fences but keep the "Temp Junk" one for sure since I don't see a need to put temporary files on a dock.

 

EDIT: As a Windows 7 x64 user, would you recommend OD2.0 beta over 1.9?

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I would setup the docks as drawers on the right side
End of quote
ummm....that would be the left side.

I spent days setting up my docks when I first got it. I'd make a configuration, then use it for a bit to see if it felt natural to me, then change it if it didn't. That's the beauty of the docks, you can change your mind as often as you want. :grin:

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

ummm....that would be the left side.
End of quote

To us maybe but he was standing on the other side of the screen.;)

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting fatindian, reply 6
I'll probably end up reducing the amount of icons and Fences but keep the "Temp Junk" one for sure since I don't see a need to put temporary files on a dock.
End of fatindian's quote

I use Fences Pro and have rules set up to add all new fiels on teh desktop routed to "Recent stuff" and then I can resort as needed wehn I have time.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 9

Quoting fatindian, reply 6I'll probably end up reducing the amount of icons and Fences but keep the "Temp Junk" one for sure since I don't see a need to put temporary files on a dock.

I use Fences Pro and have rules set up to add all new fiels on teh desktop routed to "Recent stuff" and then I can resort as needed wehn I have time.
End of Zubaz's quote

 

Yes, I did the same. It works very well, I'm very glad I found Fences.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 9



Quoting fatindian,
reply 6
I'll probably end up reducing the amount of icons and Fences but keep the "Temp Junk" one for sure since I don't see a need to put temporary files on a dock.


I use Fences Pro and have rules set up to add all new fiels on teh desktop routed to "Recent stuff" and then I can resort as needed wehn I have time.
End of Zubaz's quote

Do as he says, not as he speels.....:grin:

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Jesus, I'm usually very anal about typos.

EDIT: WAIT A MINUTE, THAT'S NOT ME! YAY!

+1 Loading…
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You can just call me Jim....:-"

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

EDIT: As a Windows 7 x64 user, would you recommend OD2.0 beta over 1.9?
End of quote

NO.  Wait until beta 2 or even 3 before you upgrade.  That's just an opinion.

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think seeing other people's setups might help, WebGizmos. 

Right now, I'm finding the transition a little overwhelming. It's really tough to switch to a dock when I'm so habituated to the Windows taskbar and have been for years. And it doesn't help that they actually made the taskbar a powerhouse in Windows 7.

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting fatindian, reply 16
I think seeing other people's setups might help, WebGizmos. 

Right now, I'm finding the transition a little overwhelming. It's really tough to switch to a dock when I'm so habituated to the Windows taskbar and have been for years. And it doesn't help that they actually made the taskbar a powerhouse in Windows 7.
End of fatindian's quote

I use the superbar and my tabbed dock. I don't think I could function without the taskbar, but the tabbed dock makes things much easier and cleaner than a bunch of pinned icons on the taskbar (I used to use doubletask on XP to have all my quicklaunch on the top row, gah).

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think seeing other people's setups might help, WebGizmos.

Right now, I'm finding the transition a little overwhelming. It's really tough to switch to a dock when I'm so habituated to the Windows taskbar and have been for years. And it doesn't help that they actually made the taskbar a powerhouse in Windows 7.
End of quote

Not a problem fatindian...just giving you more choices. It's up to you whether you use them or not. And all those screenshots are of my desktop/setup. ;)

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

And all those screenshots are of my desktop/setup.
End of quote

But your desktop doesn't *really* look like that....does it? :(O

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

And all those screenshots are of my desktop/setup.

But your desktop doesn't *really* look like that....does it?
End of quote

Nah...usually all you can see are the bottom tabs. :grin:

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Could someone point me in the direction of the background and those icons on the right?
End of quote

best to try and contact the person who uploaded that ss.

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Unfortunately, with the transient nature of 4chan that is a very unlikely prospect. I'm going through the Wincustomize submissions, hopefully I'll find them.

 

EDIT: How's this look?

http://imgur.com/WDeGP.jpg

Any way to get the Stacks docklet to actually show the shortcut icons in there instead of those ugly default file icons?

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Any way to get the Stacks docklet to actually show the shortcut icons in there instead of those ugly default file icons?
End of quote

Not really.  You can install Iconpackager, and the Stack Docklet will display any custom icons for folders/programs that get changed with Iconpackager.