My desktop
Notice:
1. There is an application launcher, or a dock at the top corner, similar to Apple OSX.
2. The overall Windows Vista look (black, transparent bars).
3. Transparency effects to go with the Vista look.
1. There is an application launcher, or a dock at the top corner, similar to Apple OSX.
2. The overall Windows Vista look (black, transparent bars).
3. Transparency effects to go with the Vista look.
In this post I hope to give a semi-tutorial on how to customise your Win XP to add more aesthetics and functionality (but mostly for aesthetics :p).
ObjectDock
Have you ever seen a Mac OSX desktop? Sleek and beautiful but what I probably envy most is the Dock, which is a nice way to launch your applications:
ObjectDock
Have you ever seen a Mac OSX desktop? Sleek and beautiful but what I probably envy most is the Dock, which is a nice way to launch your applications:
The OSX dock seen at the bottom corner
I have searched the internet far and wide (for many months!!) and I have finally found a cool Windows XP equivalent: Objectdock. Guess what? The basic version is free! It is a very highly recommended download, and I recommend this as high as I would recommend Picasa and Firefox. Seriously get it now. It's a pretty way to launch applications.
The Objectdock has cool mouseover effects
The Objectdock has cool mouseover effects
Vistafying Windows XP
(i.e Making Windows XP look like Vista with transparency effects)
The Vista Transformation Pack
Now this is slightly more dangerous, so proceed with caution. The Vista Transformation Pack 4.0, is a free software that , as the name says, converts Windows XP to look like Microsoft's next generation OS. It converts the boot screen, login screen, icons, taskbar and also adds a sidebar gadget thingy as pictured. However, please be warned that the Transformation Pack alters system files so make sure 1. You use System Restore to save a configuration before installation. 2. You read the instructions carefully and 3. Follow the instructions to the dot.
Having said that, I installed Vista Tranformation Pack 4 easily, without any single problems at all. Kudos to the coder of this program, it's amazing! (albeit purely for aesthetics). To be honest I am not 100% happy with the look and feel of Vista, so I may change back to the XP look or try out a different theme later.
Gadgets and Sidebars
A screen full of widgets (err gadgets)
Gadgets or widgets are nice to have as, not only do some of them look cute, they offer added functionality to your desktop like RSS feeds, weather reports, various clocks and even CPU or network monitors. There are MANY options indeed for good Gadgets and Sidebars, in order of recommendation:
1. Yahoo Widget Engine aka Konfabulator
2. Google Desktop
3. Desktop Sidebar
Wallpapers and Icons
Lastly, what is a plethora of gadgets and transparency effects without a nice looking wallpaper to complement them? An excellent repository (or is it directory?) for wallpapers and icons could be found here.
I hope the semi-tutorial helps! Enjoy tinkering with your desktop but don't come chasing me if your system is messed up by the Vista Transformation Pack!! Also, please not that all these applications use up RAM and may slowdown your system slightly (but on my less than average system, the slowdown is barely noticeable).
(i.e Making Windows XP look like Vista with transparency effects)
The Vista Transformation Pack
Now this is slightly more dangerous, so proceed with caution. The Vista Transformation Pack 4.0, is a free software that , as the name says, converts Windows XP to look like Microsoft's next generation OS. It converts the boot screen, login screen, icons, taskbar and also adds a sidebar gadget thingy as pictured. However, please be warned that the Transformation Pack alters system files so make sure 1. You use System Restore to save a configuration before installation. 2. You read the instructions carefully and 3. Follow the instructions to the dot.
Having said that, I installed Vista Tranformation Pack 4 easily, without any single problems at all. Kudos to the coder of this program, it's amazing! (albeit purely for aesthetics). To be honest I am not 100% happy with the look and feel of Vista, so I may change back to the XP look or try out a different theme later.
Gadgets and Sidebars
A screen full of widgets (err gadgets)
1. Yahoo Widget Engine aka Konfabulator
2. Google Desktop
3. Desktop Sidebar
Wallpapers and Icons
I hope the semi-tutorial helps! Enjoy tinkering with your desktop but don't come chasing me if your system is messed up by the Vista Transformation Pack!! Also, please not that all these applications use up RAM and may slowdown your system slightly (but on my less than average system, the slowdown is barely noticeable).
1 comment:
i uninstalled vista transformation pack after one week.
to be honest, it looks very pretty indeed. but the transparency effects are annoying after awhile (imagine reading a word document where you could see EVERYTHING underneath, it's extremely disracting).
so despite the prettiness, im uninstalling vista.
missing some of the effects already, but oh well
ps - another thing is: it slows down my computer a bit.
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