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DesktopX
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<h2 id="overview">Overview</h2> <p>DesktopX supports the creation of three different types of widgets: </p> <ul><li><i>objects</i>; loaded into a running DesktopX environment.</li> <li><i>widgets</i>; groups of objects packaged into executables that require DesktopX (equivalent to <a href="/facts/Yahoo!_Widget_Engine/RbBT5914">Yahoo! Widget Engine</a> widgets).</li> <li><i>gadgets</i>; totally standalone widgets provided as applications.</li></ul> <p>Objects may be controlled by <a href="/facts/Scripting_programming_language/8pF4ajBL">scripts</a> written in either <a href="/facts/VBScript/tg6VhSCk">VBScript</a> or <a href="/facts/JScript/HyuCUU2D">JScript</a>, although they are not always required. </p><p>Many common actions are provided for as in-built object functions, such as: </p> <ul><li>running a <a href="/facts/Computer_program/e38jH9N9">program</a>.</li> <li>displaying a <a href="/facts/Menu_(computing)/zdKCgPGq">menu</a> containing the contents of a <a href="/facts/Folder_(computing)/VLtLcEXY">folder</a>.</li> <li>emptying the <i>Recycle Bin</i>.</li></ul> <p>Similarly, animation, sound and variation depending on the object's state (for example, mouseover or clicking) can be modified without scripting. </p><p>DesktopX <a href="/facts/Plug-in_(computing)/351Du3Wu">plugins</a> also avoid the need for scripting common tasks, by offering extra functionality such as <a href="/facts/Media_player_(application_software)/AwtCuWfG">media player</a> displays and controls (currently available for <a href="/facts/ITunes/pdXPE33T">iTunes</a>, <a href="/facts/Winamp/8xR7u8Eg">Winamp</a>, CoolPlayer, an internal version of <a href="/facts/Windows_Media_Player/k6xxSATq">Windows Media Player</a> and Stardock's own <i>ObjectMedia</i>) and access to <a href="/facts/Windows_Management_Instrumentation/ptLyNUuX">Windows Management Instrumentation</a>. </p><p>As users often wish to have a uniform desktop style, a common practice is to create several widgets as a coherent <i>theme</i>. A few popular artists sell themes in the <a href="/facts/WinCustomize/BeqSSM4P">WinCustomize</a> <a href="http://www.wincustomize.com/store/">store</a>. </p><p>As of 2010 there are three main standalone divisions of DesktopX: </p> <ul><li>DesktopX Client, which allows the use of desktops, widgets and objects.</li> <li>DesktopX Standard, which includes the <i>DesktopX Builder</i> that creates objects and widgets as well as desktops.</li> <li>DesktopX Pro, which allows the creation of gadgets that may be sold as separate applications or used to promote a website.</li></ul> <p>DesktopX Standard may also be obtained as part of an <a href="/facts/Object_Desktop/duaRt68o">Object Desktop</a> subscription. Corporations may purchase DesktopX Enterprise, allowing the creation of secure desktops. </p> <h2 id="gadgets">Gadgets</h2> <p>In 2003, Stardock released DesktopX 2 Pro, which allowed developers to export their creations as stand-alone programs called "gadgets". This feature was enhanced with DesktopX 3 and the price on DesktopX Pro lowered to make it more mainstream. </p> <h2 id="version-history">Version history</h2> <p>An (incomplete) list of releases: </p> <ul><li>August 2000: First beta versions released to <a href="/facts/Object_Desktop/duaRt68o">Object Desktop</a> subscribers.</li> <li>June 2001: DesktopX 1.0 released.</li> <li>April 2002: DesktopX 1.1 released - adds scripting support.</li> <li>October 2003: DesktopX 2.0 released - includes <a href="/facts/Object_Desktop/duaRt68o">IconX</a>.</li> <li>March 2005: DesktopX 3.0 released - better support for gadgets, <a href="/facts/Internationalization/QpnqEC7H">internationalization</a>.</li> <li>July 2005: DesktopX 3.1 released - new APIs for developers, new UI for users.</li> <li>July 2008: DesktopX 3.5 released - full <a href="/facts/Windows_Vista/IASEUCTB">Windows Vista</a> support with the ability to export to <a href="/facts/Windows_Desktop_Gadgets/eV7o9ELe">Windows Desktop Gadgets</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="http://www.stardock.com/products/desktopx/">DesktopX official website</a></li> <li><i><a href="http://www.stardock.com/products/desktopx/dx-history.asp">History of DesktopX</a></i></li> <li><a href="http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/DesktopX">DesktopX script development wiki</a></li></ul> <h3>Libraries</h3> <ul><li>DesktopX <a href="http://www.wincustomize.com/Skins.aspx?LibID=3">object</a>, <a href="http://www.wincustomize.com/Skins.aspx?LibID=31">themes</a> and <a href="http://www.wincustomize.com/Skins.aspx?LibID=34">widget</a> libraries on <a href="/facts/WinCustomize/BeqSSM4P">WinCustomize</a></li> <li><a href="http://customize.org/desktopx">DesktopX Themes at Customize.org</a></li></ul>