Winstep Xtreme is an out-of-the-box integrated suite of shell enhancement applications focusing on giving users a greater experience through powerful yet convenient control of the Windows desktop:
NeXuS is a multi-dock system, which as well as holding traditional bookmarked icons can also hold any combination of widgets, clocks, mail checkers, weather indicators and system performance meters within multiple levels of sub-docks. NeXuS is just perfect for super fast access to your most frequently used applications.
WorkShelf is a tabbed dock, better suited for complex organizational duties like organizing documents, URLs, movies, work projects, applications, etc...
NextSTART is the menu system - and takes care of all your task management needs as well.
FontBrowser is a bare-bones font browsing utility.
A pack of popular desktop widgets are also included in this release which can be displayed on the desktop, featured within the docks, placed within shelves or merged into the taskbar. Featured widgets include a speaking Atomic Clock, Recycle Bin, SSL POP3/IMAP Email Checker, Weather Monitor with 5 day forecast, CPU, Net and RAM Meters, and Wanda, the amazing 'fortune cookie' reader. New modules are constantly under development.
Download: Winstep Xtreme 7.11 (16.8 MB, Shareware: $39.90)
Screenshot: Atmospherica Theme
View: Winstep Web Site
NeXuS is a multi-dock system, which as well as holding traditional bookmarked icons can also hold any combination of widgets, clocks, mail checkers, weather indicators and system performance meters within multiple levels of sub-docks. NeXuS is just perfect for super fast access to your most frequently used applications.
WorkShelf is a tabbed dock, better suited for complex organizational duties like organizing documents, URLs, movies, work projects, applications, etc...
NextSTART is the menu system - and takes care of all your task management needs as well.
FontBrowser is a bare-bones font browsing utility.
A pack of popular desktop widgets are also included in this release which can be displayed on the desktop, featured within the docks, placed within shelves or merged into the taskbar. Featured widgets include a speaking Atomic Clock, Recycle Bin, SSL POP3/IMAP Email Checker, Weather Monitor with 5 day forecast, CPU, Net and RAM Meters, and Wanda, the amazing 'fortune cookie' reader. New modules are constantly under development.
Download: Winstep Xtreme 7.11 (16.8 MB, Shareware: $39.90) Screenshot: Atmospherica Theme View: Winstep Web Site
Pip'
Err, Theresa, 800x600 is indeed the minimum resolution you should run Winstep Xtreme, not because of the size of the bars but because of the size of the Preferences dialogs.
Winstep Xtreme is fully customizable, and, as such, you can edit the contents of menus to make them as long or as short as you want them to be, you can lower the size of the icons in the docks/shelf which will make the bars automatically shrink in size accordingly, and you can even hide/auto-hide each and every object you see in that screenshot so it is only visible when you need it to be (thus taking zero screen real estate when not in use).
In fact, Winstep Xtreme accomodates every type of user, from the minimalistic (who like nothing but a completely blank desktop until they need an object) to those who love cluttered desktops with all the gadgets and what not showing at the same time.
The layout in that screenshot is for demonstration purposes: it wouldn't make sense to have a screenshot showing nothing but a blank desktop, would it?
Pip'
I've been using this software for the past five years, and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with a desire for a clear, customized desktop with a little eyecandy.
I have tried several utilities for 8 years now including hoverdesk, all stardock apps and winstep.
Where other apps are stopping, winstep is starting!
So you can decide:
Do you want to have something for playing?
You can use every app...
You want to do something productive?
... there is only winstep which is extreme professional.
I'm using all functions of winstep under Vista 64bit with a two monitor system (1900x1200 and 1600x1200) which is giving me a desktop of 3500x1200. A two monitor setup is fully supported! (Try this with Objectbar or something else..)
The support is outstanding for the product, using the support forum is free and license holders have access to the development part with betas which are coming out on a regular basis. The Forum itself is supported by the developing team, enhancement suggestions are always welcome. That is customer friendly!
If you are interested, download the free trial and you can have your own opinion.
happy Christmas
Thorsten
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