ObjectDock also supports something called Docklets, which despite the name aren't mini-docks but rather mini-applications that run inside a dock (applets would actually be probably a more apt name for them). ObjectDock comes with a handful of Docklets that do such things as display the day, date, and time; remaining battery charge; and even your local temperature via a live link to www.weather.com. (There's also a Docklet that lets you conduct Google searches, though it's hard to get more convenient than the Google Toolbar for this task.) Other Docklets can be downloaded from StarDock's www.wincustomize.com site and range from the practical (a hard drive space indicator) to whimsical (a magic 8 ball).
Also available from the same site are skins to customize the look of your dock and a variety of alternative icons for common applications (some standard icons look bad when enlarged). While downloading these components is easy enough, figuring out how to install them often isn't — none of the items we downloaded included any instructions on how to integrate them into ObjectDock.
A related shortcoming (albeit a relatively minor one) of ObjectDock is its lack of any real documentation or even online help. Although the product operation is reasonably intuitive, the only way to master it is by time-consuming trial and error. And as it turns out, ObjectDock isn't very trial-and-error friendly, since changes made via the dock configuration dialogs take place immediately and none of the dialogs offers a Cancel button. This makes undoing modifications more of a hassle than it should be.
ObjectDock is compatible with Windows 2000 and XP only and carries a $19.95 registration fee. You can download a free and unlimited use version of the utility, but it only lets you have one dock and omits several features of the registered version, including the ability to use a tabbed dock or display tray icons on the dock.
All in all, ObjectDock's usefulness more than compensates for the product's few rough edges. The utility is powerful, flexible, and attractive, and if your Windows Desktop looks like a disaster area, ObjectDock is an excellent way to clean up the mess once and for all.
Pros: Efficiently organizes applications and document shortcuts, can effectively take the place of Windows Taskbar and Tray, attractive and eye-catching design and tools
Cons: Sparse documentation and no online help, process for installing personalized dock skins and other content is unclear
