DeskSpace 1.5.5.3 has been released. This version focuses mainly on improving compatibility with replacement shells, such as LiteStep and Emerge Desktop.

DeskSpace 1.5.5.3 contains the following new features and bug fixes:

• New Feature - When an application requires attention the name of the application is now included in the attention message.
• New Feature - Default window filters for WinAMP and Delphi applications are now loaded if they do not already exist.
• Bug Fix - DeskSpace now works with shell replacements, such as Emerge Desktop and LiteStep, that do not have a taskbar.
• Bug Fix - DeskSpace now correctly displays the desktop cube on computers with video card drivers that incorrectly report the resolution when the font size is not 96 DPI.
• Bug Fix - DeskSpace now defaults to English if it cannot find a language localization file.
• Bug Fix - The desktop cube no longer appears vertically elogated when rotating at certain angles.

You can visit the DeskSpace page to find out more about DeskSpace, and visit the Online Store to buy DeskSpace 1.5.5.3.

DeskSpace 1.5.5.2 has been released. As with the previous release, this version focuses mainly on minor bug fixes and improving compatibility with applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Paint .NET, Aptana Studio, Eclipse, and programs written in Delphi, such as Skype, FastStone Image Viewer, and MP3Toys.

DeskSpace 1.5.5.2 contains the following new features and bug fixes:

• New Feature - Cached cube face images are now stored in the Windows temporary directory instead of the user application data directory.
• Bug Fix - Command prompt windows are now correctly handled by DeskSpace.
• Bug Fix - DeskSpace no longer displays certain windows on all desktops if they are moved or sized.
• Bug Fix - DeskSpace is now more compatible with Microsoft Outlook, Paint .NET, Aptana Studio, Eclipse, and applications written in Delphi, such as Skype, FastStone Image Viewer, and MP3Toys.
• Bug Fix - DeskSpace again handles desktops that have dimensions greater than the video cards maximum texture size (this feature was broken in DeskSpace 1.5.5).
• Bug Fix - DeskSpace now defaults to English instead of displaying “UNKNOWN_RESOURCE” text if a localization file is not compatible with the current version.

You can visit the DeskSpace page to find out more about DeskSpace, and visit the Online Store to buy DeskSpace 1.5.5.2.

DeskSpace 1.5.5.1 has been released. This version focuses mainly on minor bug fixes and improving compatibility with applications such as ObjectDock, Ultramon, Kirby Alarm Pro, WordWeb, and VMWare.

DeskSpace 1.5.5.1 contains the following new features and bug fixes:

• Bug Fix - Icons now have unique per-desktop positions when they appear on more than one desktop.
• Bug Fix - Reduced desktop icon flashing when switching between desktops.
• Bug Fix - The DeskSpace Options dialog can now be accessed by running DeskSpace again.
• Bug Fix - Desktop windows are now restored correctly after the system returns from standby, lock, or sleep.
• Bug Fix - The DeskSpace background image and cube face images are now restored correctly after the system returns from standby, lock, or sleep.
• Bug Fix - Desktop windows are now restored correctly when the Windows theme changes.
• Bug Fix - Maximized windows are now restored properly after a system crash.
• Bug Fix - Fixed crash that occurred when certain window title comparisons used in window filter.
• Bug Fix - The language DeskSpace will use is now correctly loaded at startup.
• Bug Fix - Empty tabs no longer appear in the taskbar after closing certain windows.
• Bug Fix - DeskSpace is now more compatible with VMWare, Kirby Alarm Pro, WordWeb, ObjectDock, Ultramon, and the Windows Command Prompt.

You can visit the DeskSpace page to find out more about DeskSpace, and visit the Online Store to buy DeskSpace 1.5.5.1.

DeskSpace 1.5.5 has been released. This version focuses mainly on application compatibility and window management. We’ve re-written the way DeskSpace manages desktop windows from the ground up to fix a number of outstanding application compatibility issues, and we’ve added two new dialogs that give you more a lot more control over how DeskSpace handles applications and their windows. The Manage Desktop Windows dialog lets you define which windows DeskSpace will recognize and manage:

and the Manage Desktop Applications Rules dialog lets you specify which desktop applications should start on, or whether an applications windows should appear on all desktops (e.g. “sticky” windows):

DeskSpace 1.5.5 contains the following new features and bug fixes:

• New Feature - Improved desktop window compatibility and desktop window switching performance.
• New Feature - Ability to define which windows DeskSpace will ignore or recognize using the new Manage Desktop Windows dialog.
• New Feature - Ability to specify which desktops applications start on and “sticky” windows that appear on all desktops using the new Manage Desktop Application Rules dialog.
• New Feature - DeskSpace now works with 64-bit application windows.
• New Feature - DeskSpace now works with the windows of applications running with Administrator privileges (Windows Vista only).
• New Feature - Any windows lost due to a crash are now automatically restored when DeskSpace restarts.
• New Feature - DeskSpace now automatically restarts after a crash (Windows Vista only).
• New Feature - DeskSpace now remembers the order of windows in the taskbar when switching back and forth between desktops.
• New Feature - DeskSpace now remembers window focus when switching back and forth between desktops.
• New Feature - Window dragging now works with WindowBlinds themes.
• New Feature - Desktop wallpaper management now works with WindowBlinds, Webshots, and Ultramon.
• New Feature - The mouse wheel can now be used to switch between all six desktops.
• New Feature - The mouse wheel can now be inverted.
• New Feature - The current desktop is now shown in a tooltip when you hover over the DeskSpace icon in the system tray.
• New Feature - DeskSpace now uses less video card resources.
• Bug Fix - Window dragging now works when solid window dragging is disabled.
• Bug Fix - Windows no longer flash when switching desktops or exiting DeskSpace.
• Bug Fix - Windows no longer appear ghosted on the original desktop when dragged to another desktop.
• Bug Fix - Skybox backgrounds are now displayed correctly on computers with on-board Intel video cards.
• Bug Fix - DeskSpace no longer displays certain desktops as offset by a pixel.
• Bug Fix - DeskSpace now correctly handles the mouse wheel scrolling more than one line.
• Bug Fix - The DeskSpace system tray menu is now displayed correctly when using a high-contrast color scheme.

You can visit the DeskSpace page to find out more about DeskSpace, and visit the Online Store to buy DeskSpace 1.5.5.

DeskSpace 1.5.5 is now in beta and we hope to release it within the next week or so.

Upon the release of DeskSpace 1.5.5 we’ll be increasing the price to $24.95 USD. DeskSpace 1.5.5 will be a free upgrade, so if you’ve been thinking about buying DeskSpace but have been holding off until the next version, you can buy it now while its cheaper and still enjoy the benefits of the new version once it’s released.

DeskSpace 1.5.4.4 has been released. This version contains the following bug fixes:

• The DeskSpace 3D Cube now animates more smoothly.
• Icons are now managed correctly by DeskSpace when using StarDock DeskScapes.

You can visit the DeskSpace page to find out more about DeskSpace, and visit the Online Store to buy DeskSpace 1.5.4.4.

A user contacted us today, asking how they could download the full version of DeskSpace they had just purchased. When we couldn’t find their order details they sent us their order receipt, and we found that they hadn’t actually bought DeskSpace from us. Instead, they had been tricked into purchasing the DeskSpace trial version by Softonic, a European download site.

Softonic lets users download the trial version of DeskSpace via a link to the Otaku Software website. However, they also offer users the chance to “Download DeskSpace from Softonic” for $1.99 USD. This misleading language gives users the false impression that they can buy DeskSpace from Softonic for $1.99 USD. What users are actually purchasing is the ability to download the trial version of DeskSpace from Softonic’s servers.

Softonic could avoid any confusion simply by offering the option to “Download DeskSpace Trial Version from Softonic”. Instead, they are using ambiguous phrasing to trick unsuspecting users into buying something they should never have to pay for.

Otaku Software is in no way affiliated with Softonic, and they are not authorized to resell our software. DeskSpace is only available for purchase from the Otaku Software Store, and via selected partners such as Bits du Jour.

We have contacted Softonic and requested that they either take down their DeskSpace download page or make it clear that paid downloads are only for the trial version of DeskSpace. I’ll update this post if/when we receive a response.

Poor Man PC Review has a great guide to tweaking and tuning Windows Vista. You can check it out here.

Mozilla has released Firefox 3.0. If you’re currently using a previous version of Firefox it’s well worth the upgrade. If you’re into tweaking your browser, Lifehacker has a great Power User’s Guide to Firefox 3.0.

ComputerWorld has an informative FAQ on the impending retirement of Windows XP.