STARDOCK ANNOUNCES OBJECT DESKTOP v1.5

FIRST MAJOR UPDATE OF BEST-SELLING OS/2 DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT

Boasts Superior Performance, Better Desktop Management, Internet
Integration and More

CANTON, MI (April 15, 1996) Stardock Systems, Inc., is set to release the
first major revision of its best-selling Object Desktop, a powerful
desktop environment for OS/2 2.11 or later. The new Version 1.5
incorporates enhancements that enable users to seamlessly backup and
restore Workplace Shell objects, replicate entire desktops for
distribution to coworkers or across an enterprise, integrate Internet Web
sites and e-mail operations with the desktop, monitor laptop battery power
and much more.

"We have worked to make Object Desktop a must-have product for OS/2 users,"
said Brad Wardell, President of Stardock Systems. "For this version, we
enlarged our original development team to include former IBM Workplace
Shell developers, and the new team addressed the Workplace Shell's
performance and compatibility as well as new features requested by
corporate and SOHO users."

One impressive new feature is Object Package, a new type of Workplace Shell
container that stores any object type along with it's custom properties,
including tailored icons, folder background changes, view types and
program and printer settings. This makes it easy to backup the desktop,
share files and objects with other users and quickly clone entire desktops
across an enterprise. Standard reports, such as INI.RC files, REXX scripts
and hierarchical reports, can also be generated directly from the package
file.

A new Internet Shell lets users easily visit internet Web sites, send an
e-mail or perform other Internet operations with a simple double-click on
any Internet object, eliminating time-consuming sessions with their Web
browsers. The product comes loaded with hundreds of built-in Internet
objects ranging from software vendors to music, government and trade
publications, and it also permits users to add their own with a simple
drag-and-drop operation.

Performance has also been increased across the entire system with upgrades
that permit faster opening of folders, faster object browsing and batch
archive operations.

Other advanced features include:

Object Navigator: This industrial-strength file manager has been enhanced
to make it easier to copy files between drives, select files via
attributes (e.g. *.txt), create new folders, filter objects, select
objects, etc. Object Navigator also now enables users to specify multiple
drives and directories as root folders on the Tree pane.

Enhanced Folder: each Workplace Shell folder is given a status bar that
summarizes the number of objects stored in the folder, as well as how many
objects are selected along with their size. "Browse Mode" eliminates
desktop window clutter by displaying a subfolder's content inside the
original parent window, then making it possible to browse backward to the
original folder with one click. A new Rollup button also helps reduce
desktop clutter by permitting users to "roll up" windows by displaying
just the titlebar.

Object Archives: The new Object Archive feature makes it easier to work
with files within compressed archives by transforming archived ZIP, LZH
and ARC files into enhanced folder-like objects for instant access. For
example, users can now place all graphics files into one ZIP file called
"Graphics.zip," then open it like a folder and doubleclick on the file
they want to load.

Control Center: This feature manages multiple desktops, monitors system's
resources and launches program and browse folders. A new battery monitor
enables mobile users can to track battery level. Another new feature makes
it possible to map off part of the screen so the Control Center is always
visible to the user. Finally, a feature called "auto-hide" makes the whole
Control Center disappear when it is not needed.

HyperCache: This feature lets users cache frequently used folders, then
opens them instantly after bootup for rapid access. The related HyperDrive
feature speeds presentation of folder content after opening by
streamlining the usually lengthy process of file attribute searching.

Object Desktop 1.5 is scheduled to begin shipping at the IBM Technical
Interchange (April 22) for a price of $89.95. Users who purchased Object
Desktop v1.0 after April 1 can upgrade to v1.5 free of charge. Upgrade
price for other v1.0 users is $37.00. Stardock will continue to support
v1.0 until the end of the year with technical support and "Fixkits".

The product is available direct from Stardock Systems at 313/453-0328 or
800/672-2338 or via e-mail at sales@stardock.com. For more information,
visit the company's World Wide Web site at http://www.stardock.com.

 
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