RocketDock vs. ObjectDock: Why?

[Frogboy Administrators]

Hey guys,

For those of you who use RocketDock instead of ObjectDock, why do you prefer RocketDock over ObjectDock.

And..

For those of you who use ObjectDock instead of RocketDock, why do you prefer ObjectDock over RocketDock.

Thanks!

Edit: Please be as specific as possible.

[Kami-]

Tried both, was just more impressed with RocketDock, however, if your having trouble deciding which to use, use them both and then pick the one that suits you best.

[Imran Hussain]

Object Dock slows down my system startup more than Rocket Dock. Also, Rocket Dock has the stacks functionality which I like, so I prefer Rocket Dock.

[david]

There is no plus version of rocketdock which costs $19.95. Rocketdock is all free with more features.

[Bazenga]

erm, why these dock utilities that popular? how do you use them? I tried to use one, in fact, I obliged myself to use it just for the sack of it and I simply couldn't see why I should use one. Could someone enlighten me please?

[mr.r9]

After trying both docks, I found rocketdock to be enough for me. It's a bit lighter than objectdock with the same main functionality.

[david]

erm, why these dock utilities that popular? how do you use them? I tried to use one, in fact, I obliged myself to use it just for the sack of it and I simply couldn't see why I should use one. Could someone enlighten me please?

Less clutter on your desktop. I have my dock hidden and slides out on mouseover. Alot faster to access most used programs/folders than having programs in the start menu to access them.

[ToneKnee]

erm, why these dock utilities that popular? how do you use them? I tried to use one, in fact, I obliged myself to use it just for the sack of it and I simply couldn't see why I should use one. Could someone enlighten me please?

I can dump the 'Quick Launch' Bar because I can have the Rocket Dock on the desktop but hidden beneath all Windows, but when I need it, I just raise my mouse pointer to the top of the full screen window (as an example) and it'll appear! :)

[PricklyPoo]

I'm all about how lightweight and responsive a dock is, not really about the amount of extra features.

I prefer rocket dock just because it seems to run quicker, take up less ram, cpu, etc.

I'd switch to object dock if it maybe had a "Launch lightweight version" which just did the bare minimum for a dock. :p

[Frogboy Administrators]

I'm all about how lightweight and responsive a dock is, not really about the amount of extra features.

I prefer rocket dock just because it seems to run quicker, take up less ram, cpu, etc.

I'd switch to object dock if it maybe had a "Launch lightweight version" which just did the bare minimum for a dock. :p

For those of you choosing RocketDock. Can you be more specific about lightweight since neither dock uses much memory.

Thanks!

[Sleeper Veteran]

tried both, and using Rocketdock, has all the features I need and appears to have less of an impact on system performance when using it.

[PricklyPoo]

Ok, I decided to test it for my self to see the differences in performance...Just to make sure I wasn't falling for a misconception. :p

Object Dock installer clocks in at about 12.1mb...While Rocket Dock's is about 6.2mb.

While running, Rocket Dock takes up about 6-8mb of ram on default install settings....And while quickly moving my mouse back and forth across the dock, cpu usage went to about 60%.

For Object Dock...it takes up about 4-7mb of ram on default install settings...While quickly moving my mouse back and forth across the dock, cpu usage went from around 70% to 90%...

I am running it on windows xp, sp3, amd 3700, 1gb of ram, and a radeon x1950 pro.

So object dock wins on the amount of ram it takes while running, but it uses much more cpu...(On default settings)

[Lechio]

When using Windows I prefer Rocketdock. Uses less system resources plus it's free.

When using Linux I use paddock, of course... ;)

[Sikh]

Rocketdock FTW. I like the options of Object Dock with different docks for everything and folders and etc, but its too much on ram and cpu.

Frogboy, If you use both docks, Object is heavier. I am guessing you are asking for a personal view becuase you wnat to make object more appealing to the customers, i say make it much lighter and faster to startup. objectdock use to load windows slow becuase it would take time starting up, rocketdock starts before explorer does now, its amazing.

[SMELTN]

I have used both. Used Object dock for a long time, then found out about Rocketdock and haven't went back.

Rocketdock just does what I want. I wish it was still being updated, but meh.. still works great.

[backdrifter]

Using Rocket Dock here...

The fact that Object Dock has a non-free pro version made me think I would see Upgrade buttons all over the options dialog. Actually never tried Object Dock but I'm just more comfortable around completely free programs.

[ToneKnee]

Using Rocket Dock here...

The fact that Object Dock has a non-free pro version made me think I would see Upgrade buttons all over the options dialog. Actually never tried Object Dock but I'm just more comfortable around completely free programs.

I don't like the options layout. Just seems crowded and so on. Rocket Dock is much better.

[Imran Hussain]

Not sure, if these docks would still be useful in Windows 7. The new taskbar does a pretty good job of replacing them.

[DaViD_BRaNDoN]

Tried both RocketDock and ObjectDock. Sticking with RocketDock since many years ago. Lightweight, responsive, less clutter and free! Oh, works superbly good with StackDocklets too

[phot0nic]

I don't really use a dock, but when I did, I always preferred ObjectDock over RocketDock. Now for the reasons, because it really seems that I'm in the minority:

- Both programs are light-weight, but ObjectDock gives you better control over memory usage. It can either use more or less memory than RocketDock, depending on a user's preference. Although I only had 1GB of RAM when I used to use it, I always ran it in its most memory-intensive mode and it was smooth as butter.

- Flyout menus!

- Zoom effect is MUCH nicer looking.

- ObjectDock provides an assortment of hover effects, other than just zooming (I like the swinging effect).

- More options for icon notifications (I used glow).

- Better control over window order... This is kind of hard to explain. I used to have the dock at the top of the screen, not hidden. Often, either a window would overlap with the dock or the dock would overlap a window. RocketDock was really hard to work with, because it didn't give much control over how to define which program should be on top. ObjectDock let me use the top edge of the screen to "show" the dock (with a custom hover time), and when I moved the mouse away, the window would be on top again. This might not sound like much, but it was a huge deal breaker for me in terms of usability. I just couldn't get RocketDock to work the same way.

I'm sure there were a bunch of other little things, but let me sum it up like this: Both programs use the same amount of resources. Both programs are completely free. ObjectDock offers an enormous amount of features/customizations that RocketDock doesn't. I really don't know why anyone, let alone most of the community would prefer RocketDock.

If I had to make my guess, Frogboy, I'd say that it's because you also offer a Plus version. Even though you offer a completely free version (no ads, etc.), and OD+ is a different program entirely (with EVEN MORE features that RocketDock doesn't have, still using the same amount of resources), people still "feel" as if they're using shareware or something similar, and the concept puts a bad taste in their mouths. I feel that this is pretty irrational, but it's the only reason I can come up with.

[rpgfan]

I don't use a dock anymore (Launchy has been my best friend for the past few months on Windows), but I chose to use RocketDock. I didn't need fancy effects or anything like that; I just wanted something unobtrusive while still being useful (though the zoom effect when moving over icons is pretty cool). I reasoned that RocketDock was more lightweight than ObjectDock, and it was actually easier to use (for me) compared to ObjectDock.

[argonite]

I honestly like ObjectDock a lot better, because the text rendering on the labels simply beats the pants off the plain rendering on RocketDock.

Also because a certain shutdown docklet was all buggy under RocketDock (kept forgetting its icon)

[sundayx Veteran]

RocketDock is perfect for my needs, simple, slick, customizable/flexible, low on resources.

[Zoom7000]

I've always used RKLauncher up until now however, out of the 2 listed here I would rather use RocketDock. Wasn't too fond of ObjectDock the last time I used it and RocketDock is free, so it gets my preference.

[SMELTN]

I don't use a dock anymore (Launchy has been my best friend for the past few months on Windows), but I chose to use RocketDock. I didn't need fancy effects or anything like that; I just wanted something unobtrusive while still being useful (though the zoom effect when moving over icons is pretty cool). I reasoned that RocketDock was more lightweight than ObjectDock, and it was actually easier to use (for me) compared to ObjectDock.

I hear alot of people talk about Launchy.. But I just can't seem to get into it, having to type out the program I wanted to launch just seemed like I could get the same thing by typing it in the Vista Search bar..

Am I missing something on it though? Or am I correct?