Linked by Eugenia Loli on Mon 1st Apr 2002 07:30 UTC
Original OSNews Interviews I met Brad Wardell, Stardock's CEO, two weeks ago in San Fransisco. Stardock are mostly known for creating WindowBlinds. But Stardock has a long history, going back to the OS/2 days, releasing not only the most 'successful' OS/2 application ever, Object Desktop, but also a number of games. Today Stardock still releases games and UI enhancement tools for Windows, but the main focus is still Object Desktop. Read more for our interview with Brad, his views on theming, the future of UIs and more.
Order by: Score:
Comments are back.
by Eugenia on Mon 1st Apr 2002 20:55 UTC

Comments are back. ;)

...
by Anonymous on Mon 1st Apr 2002 21:03 UTC

was that april fool's joke??

...
by Anonymous on Mon 1st Apr 2002 21:04 UTC

or is there really going to be registration??

Re: Anonymous
by Eugenia on Mon 1st Apr 2002 21:06 UTC

No, it was not a joke at all. It seems we have a trollish script kiddie who is abusing our forums for the last 2-3 days. I have now added some restrictive rules on how you can post on our comment's section. Even more restrictive rules will also be introduced soon, stay tuned.

window blinds
by mushroom on Mon 1st Apr 2002 21:10 UTC

first comment on story ;)

He said the thought the Mac OS X UI was poor, I am just wondering if anyone here have actually used it and have opinions on it. I've only tried it in some stores and seen it on screenshots but it seems kinda neat.

The UI examples from WindowBlinds looked pretty cheap IMO, kinda like the liquid theme on KDE.

Re: Comments are back...
by Felonious Hiddenbottom on Mon 1st Apr 2002 21:15 UTC

...yippee!! Back to work......

RE: windowblinds
by CattBeMac on Mon 1st Apr 2002 21:31 UTC

>>He said the thought the Mac OS X UI was poor, I am just wondering if anyone here have actually used it and have opinions on it. I've only tried it in some stores and seen it on screenshots but it seems kinda neat.<<

Well I use Mac OS X at home and at work (on my laptop) and the UI is excellent in concept and design... something that Apple is really good for. I think this guy is fool of cow dunk!

>>The UI examples from WindowBlinds looked pretty cheap IMO, kinda like the liquid theme on KDE.<<

Yeah I agree with you there... I also like the Liquid concept from Mosfet.org :-)

GUI Design
by Brad Wardell on Mon 1st Apr 2002 21:32 UTC

WindowBlinds can't emulate the MacUI, it can only provide a similar look to it. WindowBlinds can make things LOOK like something else but it cannot make something truly act like another OS. For that, you would need Object Desktop and even there it's obviously not going to be able to do it all. Though you can get close:
http://www.stardock.com/temp/winaquanew.jpg (Windows XP)

My objections with Aqua have nothing to do with its look, it has to do with how it behaves.

For instance, the over-use of transparency throughout the OS is problematic. The dock is not as efficient to use as the Windows Start bar and is slower. Sure, it works well in a demo and is pretty darn impressive, but in terms of getting real work done, it's not as good.

I liked the NeXT dock, btw. I wish they had gone with something more similar to that.

Awww.....how many comments
by Jeremy on Mon 1st Apr 2002 21:32 UTC

becasue I get over heated at Yahoo so quickly, and it sucks.....though, I guess the only reason you should cap out on a story is if you are in a flamefest, and we do not need flamers on OSnews.

Re: GUI design
by Jeremy on Mon 1st Apr 2002 21:36 UTC

what!!! you think that a pile of programs catagorized in a list that fills up your screen is more efficient? I feel that it is in my way.

apple has spent years on UI design, and they are said to have the best minds in UI development working for them.

OS X stays out of your way and is there to assist you. it provides the tools you need at your fingertips sort of like an assistent handing the tool to you as you work.

Windows is more like the tool box. it stors the tool spretty well, but you have to rummage through it to find what you need.

OS X' UI
by stew on Mon 1st Apr 2002 21:58 UTC

I use OS X a lot by choice, and I don't think it has a good UI. As mentioned in the interview, it's very "demoable" but it really gets in your way when you're trying to get work done. MacOS 9's or BeOS' UIs are a lot better when it comes down to plain usability. Eye candy is nice for 30 minutes, but after that it's just in your way.

...
by Anonymous on Mon 1st Apr 2002 22:21 UTC

>stay tuned

if there is going to be registraton, can I reserve a login before someone takes it?? ;)
------------------
anyway, do you think if there was an option to revert to old mac UI like there is in WinXP, would people revert or stay??

Re: Anonymous
by Eugenia on Mon 1st Apr 2002 22:27 UTC

>can I reserve a login before someone takes it?? ;)

Email me the login name you want and I will make sure you get it.

Suck my shit
by Fuck You on Mon 1st Apr 2002 23:00 UTC

I am such an idiot. Please crackers, here is my IP address: cas02.shrpsr01.tn.comcast.net Hack me.

....
by Anonymous on Mon 1st Apr 2002 23:02 UTC

ok, I suggest you do something quick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: HEIL HITLER
by Eugenia on Mon 1st Apr 2002 23:06 UTC

You are such a kid. I suggest you ask for professional help. You have no place on OSNews. Go away.

...
by Anonymous on Mon 1st Apr 2002 23:13 UTC

get a life kiddie, we don't care if your parents abuse you, don't abuse OSNews

...
by Anonymous on Mon 1st Apr 2002 23:14 UTC

running
ping -n 65000 cas02.shrpsr01.tn.comcast.net
would be good

WindowBlinds =D
by Richard T on Sun 7th Apr 2002 14:33 UTC

Hey
I know a few of the other stardock ppl, and im a programmer 2 ;) . I was just wondering, is there a more "in-depth" guide on how Windows Blinds works and possibly even a guide on how to make a very simple one, just like a button or sumthin..
And also in that interview, at the top, it said about a "live" thing, and it mentions "With a bit of VB"... Visual Basic or somthin else thats... somthin?
Cos u aint tellin me that its made in visual basic!... are you?
If you reply, please do it soon ;)