Reviews of SphereXP

1. 
   slegg

   Reviewing 1.1.626 (Aug 1, 2006)

   Bad graphics makes your desktop look awful.
   Program is NOT a freeware - it constantly displays a by-me-now-advertisement and closes itself after ten minutes of using.
2. 
   FmlyRnn

   Reviewing 1.0.758 (Jul 13, 2006)

   I am giving this application a [5]! I had it a while ago and lost the software. I love what it does and would like to have the earlier version back, it was easier to use. However, if it says "Freeware" shouldn't it be? When I go to the Site it is "Trialware".
   Thank you, FmlyRnn
3. 
   Blackhole8746

   Reviewing 0.96 (May 2, 2006)

   Low quality graphics and software rendering, but a GENIUS programmer, my conratulations! It's freeware too! But it's not exactly usable as your default desktop, but nice try... Anyway, anyone who liked this is going to adore Windows Vista. It features full quality 64 bit color depth windows active in 3d view which means you can see the video playing in a window that's viewable in 3d! It's DirectX 10 stuff by the way instead of .NET 2.0... If anyone wants a preview of vista, E-mail me... roland.tarabay@hotmail.com
4. 
   digital_phantom

   Reviewing 0.90 (Apr 1, 2006)

   I think this application is really great on it's concept behind the 3D window system.
   It's got some work to do before becoming a great piece of software but I would recommend this application. I hope they release the next version soon.
5. 
   LeXTeRiTY_X

   Reviewing 0.85 (Nov 26, 2005)

   A strange approach to 3D desktops, tricky to get used to at first. I prefer to use the open source version of Project Looking Glass (http://www.sun.com/software/looking_glass/). PLG requires a more capable system than SphereXP, but gives more freedom with how the 3D environment looks.
6. 
   Aegis69

   Reviewing 0.85 (Nov 23, 2005)

   I think you're supposed to rate the prograam here, not the idea. The idea is way ahead of its time, no one is going to use this as their day to day desktop because using the mouse to navigate is just too clunky. However if a new way of interfacing with the computer comes along to replace the mouse, then you may have something.
   
   As it stands this program works as advertised, and its bound to be imitated by Microsoft in about 11 years.
7. 
   1uk3

   Reviewing 0.83-568 Beta (Sep 1, 2005)

   It's a good idea. It gives the user a lot more desktop space. I've uninstalled it though and am back using the regular Windows desktop because I find it easier to use.
   
   I think the project is very worth while and maybe in the future a 3D desktop will become the norm.
   
   For me, at the moment, this doesn't work well enough to replace my Windows desktop, although I will be checking this project from time to time to see how it's developing.
8. 
   DigitalSin

   Reviewing 0.83-568 Beta (Aug 31, 2005)

   I disagree with the comment below and the general thinking that our minds work less efficiently in a psuedo 3d environment. To the contrary, the mind thinks in multiple dimensions - not 2. Fully 3d desktops will be how we get our work done in the not too distant future. We have let the "windows" metaphor become too engrained in our heads.
9. 
   johnk119

   Reviewing 0.83-568 Beta (Aug 31, 2005)

   are minds dont seem to be very well adapted for navigating in a pseudo 3d environment
10. 
    iknowyouknow

    Reviewing 0.83-568 Beta (Aug 31, 2005)

    Its like err.. pants.. unreal and not good to use. However, if u peeps are looking for the Windows Longhorn glas windows (awesome) here is the download:)
    http://forum.crystalxp.n...ndex.php?showtopic=2596
    Well worth it:)
11. 
    ServerMechanic

    Reviewing 0.83-568 Beta (Aug 31, 2005)

    Not bad.
    
    It's more of a pain to use than 2D regular windows.
    
    The last thing I need is to have to scroll around in a sphere to find things. Plus....if they still show up on the Taskbar what's the purpose of this?
    
    Can you imagine a regular end user trying to figure this out? :)
    
    Yeah right.
12. 
    crashoverride

    Reviewing 0.83-200 (Jun 1, 2005)

    It's a good Idea. They have a pretty good start with this program. However, it's a bit cumbersome and painful to navigate.
13. 
    shicaca

    Reviewing 0.83-200 (Jun 1, 2005)

    I've used this program before and LOVE it. The only thing that I wish they would be able to include is somehow make the screens refresh every 1.5 or so seconds.
    
    It'd be great, especially for the newer computers with hyperthreading / multiple processors, to be able to have a video playing in one while surfing in another and have both of them clickable without bringing the application to the front (like have the apps in the background still but be able to have full functionality).
    
    I guess what I'm talking about is, say, watch a movie but also be able to click on a website you're surfing in the title bar, go to a new site, bring it a bit more to the front but not 'in focus' and be able to surf the page/read it while watching the movie.
    
    If this could be done and you could get rid of Explorer / Systray / etc. and just make it a shell it'd be freaking awesome.
    
    If you made it a OS you'd make millions.
14. 
    Banquo

    Reviewing 0.83-200 (May 31, 2005)

    Seems counterproductive to me, basically just an eye candy gimmick to impress people but as far as being useful...nope. Just eats resources and complicates what should be a simple 2D desktop.
15. 
    Biozfear

    Reviewing 0.83 Beta (Apr 2, 2005)

    not a bad one! it deserves 4 stars!
    
    guys, one question, anyone knows other 'shells'?
    i have hoverdesk, talisman, aston shell, but i wanna try others for my xp!
    
    let me know.
16. 
    guitardave78

    Reviewing 0.83 Beta (Apr 1, 2005)

    Yes i can, but that does not mean it deserves a low mark.
    It does what it does very well. If you do not have a need or a want for it then dont download it. Dont just slag it because you don't think the idea is good.
    
    I have used this and i think it is great fun, and if it was a bit faster could be usefull for people using alot of windows at once
    And like is said it is great FUN!!
    
    All hail fun!
17. 
    blackcherry

    Reviewing 0.81 Beta (Feb 2, 2005)

    can anyone say "worthless novelty program"?
18. 
    acascianelli

    Reviewing 0.81 Beta (Feb 1, 2005)

    This program has come a long way since the first few betas. its ALOT more stable and there theyve done a great job cleaning up bugs. althought, to me its still just a proof of concept, or something to show other people for oo's and aah's. the major change id like to see is being able to use a cad space ball to navigate around the sphere.
19. 
    -Lord-

    Reviewing 0.81 Beta (Feb 1, 2005)

    Bugeyes: Now THAT is a test report.
20. 
    DigitalSin

    Reviewing 0.81 Beta (Feb 1, 2005)

    I really like this program and it keeps getting better.
    
    BUT I REALLY HATE WHEN THE CHANGES ARE NOT DOCUMENTED
    
    And he seems to have gotten /.'d pretty hard
21. 
    otto888

    Reviewing 0.80.50 (Jan 8, 2005)

    I love it! P.S make a format that will be the 3D backgrounds because I had trouble changing!
22. 
    bsr500

    Reviewing 0.80.0 Beta (Nov 27, 2004)

    Awesome program. But it is something that really shouldn't be used all the time, it is more of a technology preview of what is possible I think.
    
    The last few versions have really improved performance wise. For me anyway.
23. 
    danilloOc

    Reviewing 0.80.0 Beta (Nov 27, 2004)

    I tested it and found it a great and very usable dsktop manager, one thing that i miss is the transparence on the windows corners, it's looking black where should be transparent and the default right click menu itens, could be an section for it on the SphereXP right click menu. ;)
24. 
    poeha

    Reviewing 0.80.0 Beta (Nov 27, 2004)

    It's a beautiful program, combined with a mousegesture program it's very usefull. 1 small thing I miss is the option to reverse the mouse for navigating, and there are some other things that could use alot of improving. For example the backgrounds offered could be ALOT better. Looks a bit ugly like this. All in all very much potential! Cant wait for it to go out of beta.
25. 
    RLMiller

    Reviewing 0.80.0 Beta (Nov 26, 2004)

    This is a very fresh look and approach to managing windows ... The best I've seen since 3.1 for Workgroups.
    
    It installed effortlessly on my XP/MCE and it took only a few minutes for me, an application guy, not a developer, to figure out how to use it.
    
    Great job...I can't wait to see where it goes from here
26. 
    chook

    Reviewing 0.80.0 Beta (Nov 26, 2004)

    This program is very good, its fast too on my old geforce 4, although it often jumps to 99% cpu. I think this will become something really useful
27. 
    Neoprimal

    Reviewing 0.79.0 Beta (Oct 8, 2004)

    Great idea, but it is difficult to use.
    It's unfortunate too because I have a funny funny feeling that someone with 'more resources' and manpower will get it right and release it as a practical application.
    Great great idea though - very forward and future thinking....
    I tried using it when it first came out and it was even more difficult to use, so it's coming along fine...
28. 
    allsiante

    Reviewing 0.79.0 Beta (Oct 8, 2004)

    "I think the author of this program tried to do what he saw coming in the OS by SUN, and also by Longhorn. Unfortunately it was a terrible job. It is hard to use."
    
    You guys who write such a review are all ducked in the sand. It's like when I've read a "review" on TRON and the poor schmuck said "It was the Matrix of the eighties". God forvie'im.
    
    This guy is a puncher. Does a good thing, in his own, and eventually it will turn out something working when it slips out of being beta. Like there are some pretty good expose simulants for windows which are rockingly good but they were hell useless in alpha and beta stages. It's evolution my friends, keep your patience.
29. 
    scriptee

    Reviewing 0.79.0 Beta (Oct 8, 2004)

    I like the concept quite a bit, but I really hope this aoftware goes a long way from BETA, or it will fail hopelessly. But it has very good potential.
30. 
    panic82

    Reviewing 0.79.0 Beta (Oct 7, 2004)

    Although this application isn't yet ready for any practical use, it definitely has potential (and is kinda fun to play with for a few). All of the other people talking s*** about this app because its unusable obviously has no concept of "beta software". Although Sun is doing the same thing (and better) with looking glass, what can you expect from a development team of 1 person? It's very innovative and I give the guy props for writing this. I look forward to future releases.
31. 
    beast64

    Reviewing 0.78.121 (Sep 30, 2004)

    It's basically a knock-off of Sun's "Project Looking Glass" but of course there is no comparison. It seems sluggish but good effort.
32. 
    Pipewrench

    Reviewing 0.78.121 (Sep 27, 2004)

    I think the author of this program tried to do what he saw coming in the OS by SUN, and also by Longhorn. Unfortunately it was a terrible job. It is hard to use. The icons and stuff look terrible when you are using the sphere. Sometimes they don't come back to the center of the screen (the apps) when you click on them in the sphere. You have to right click to rotate the sphere (unless there is a shortcut key). It's just very clunky. I also don't see the need for me to be able to rotate an application. I can rotate an app and turn it around backwards when it's out in the sphere. This is annoying....not helpful.
    
    Pros: Looks neat for first 5 mins of use.
    Cons: Clunky, just a toy. Not practical.
    
    Thanks,
    Pipewrench :)
33. 
    sheppe

    Reviewing 0.78.121 (Sep 27, 2004)

    This is definitely something that could change the way we interact with our computers. A 3D environment gives you so much more desktop space, and the way the application is designed prevents you from getting lost. It also helps that the cool factor is really high. ;)
    That said, this is still a beta application, which means that it has a ways to go before becoming a Windows Explorer replacement. I have not had any crashing problems with it, but it really needs more features added to it. I will save my feature requests for the author, though. :)
34. 
    Ary

    Reviewing 0.78.121 (Sep 27, 2004)

    combining this idea and desktop enhancer like 3DNA Desktop together could be a real "WOW" and provide new way of working environments.
    
    As long as they both will not take that much of resources... or else we all will need to by a 2GB RAM with DUAL P4 CPUs.
35. 
    DigitalSin

    Reviewing 0.78.121 (Sep 27, 2004)

    This program has a lot of potential. 3d desktop is definitely the future. We live our lives in a multi-dimensional world, why do we work in a 2d environment for our desktops? I think we could be much more productive working in an environment that more closely resembles the real world, not a file cabinet and a window.
36. 
    X Statik Process

    Reviewing 0.76.800 (Jun 11, 2004)

    What a great program! Its very unique, and as someone already said, it's great for someone with a lot of clutter. It also has a decent "wow" factor. The windows, however, do not update while in their "small" mode, but perhaps in a newer version. Definately worth a look! (Keep in mind it requires .net framework). I'll be watching this one! -XSP
37. 
    patmc7

    Reviewing 0.76.800 (Jun 10, 2004)

    Nice toy.
38. 
    Jeffsoft

    Reviewing 0.76.800 (Jun 10, 2004)

    quite fun to play
39. 
    IVStalin

    Reviewing 0.76.67 (Jun 9, 2004)

    Basically this program provides a primitive 3D file browser, and snapshots of windows that do not have focus that can be dragged about (probably it just gets a bitmap of the current window and renders it as a texture). To actually be useful, this program needs to allow usage of windows that have focus in the 3D environment - something that is doesn't presently do, and something that is probably isn't actually that easy to do without writing a substitute DLL for the graphics related MS APIs. As it stands, what this does is relatively primitive, but it still is an interesting demonstration of a concept that may be applicable to future desktop systems.
40. 
    fibreiv

    Reviewing 0.76.67 (Jun 9, 2004)

    Pretty Cool program. Doesn't work well with dual monitors with one being in portrait but still pretty cool.
41. 
    guitardave78

    Reviewing 0.76.67 (Jun 9, 2004)

    Very Nice.
    Can see that for some people with loads of desktop stuff it could be quite usfull, a pretty multiple vitual multiple desktop!
    Keep it up i look forward to updates!
42. 
    DaveNCheez

    Reviewing 0.76.67 (Jun 9, 2004)

    Very nice. Fun to toy with. Works fairly well for its version, but not quite there. Very cool to play around with, even though personally I couldn't use it full time.

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