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Main Area and Open Discussion => General Software Discussion => Topic started by: Curt on December 12, 2006, 03:50 PM
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I've found a new old program that I like a lot; CustomBar. A 18 pixels toolbar, placed down low (see pic) in full width.
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"One little bar can control your music player, display system information, generate menus of shortcuts to your applications, provide quick access to online resources such as search engines, and much more."
However, some features are missing: There is no tooltip on mouseover - what program is behind the right most icon, at the picture? There is no context menu on right click - not at the toolbar and not at the icons. And it will only support WinAmp media player, not my RealPlayer or WMP. And there is no version 1.1 yet, even though it was 'pre-announced' in January. So maybe this little twenty dollar LizardSoft could-be-great-program will never be finished.
DO YOU KNOW of any program like this?
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LINK!! http://www.custombar.net/ :P
It looks pretty good.
Seems a bit outdated, it's not good that it isn't updated since january.
Nevertheless, i like the idea, it spares lots of screenspace! :D
Only having support for winamp is a bad idea, most people use wmp.
I've seen such minimalist launch bars in alternative shells (like bb4win and litestep), but those are part of the shell itself.
Never seen a stand-alone version. But maybe other members can be of some help! ;)
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Well, what springs first to mind is TrueLaunchBar (http://www.truelaunchbar.com) followed closely by mouser's own LaunchBar Commander (https://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Mouser/LaunchBarCommander/index.html), then ObjectDock (http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock)/ ObjectBar (http://www.stardock.com/products/objectbar)/ YZDock and MobyDock (http://oxyx.oxygen-inc.com/yzdock.html)/ RocketDock (http://www.punksoftware.com/rocketdock)/etc...
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and also check out the duo from the Netherlands - WinBar (http://www.winbar.nl/) & StatBar (http://www.statbar.nl/)..
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and also check out the duo from the Netherlands - WinBar (http://www.winbar.nl/) & StatBar (http://www.statbar.nl/)..
-lanux128
Fantastic!!!
I'm now wondering... Is there any resource you don't know about, lanux? :P
Thanks!
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Well, what springs first to mind is TrueLaunchBar (http://www.truelaunchbar.com) followed closely by mouser's own LaunchBar Commander (https://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Mouser/LaunchBarCommander/index.html), then ObjectDock (http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock)/ ObjectBar (http://www.stardock.com/products/objectbar)/ YZDock and MobyDock (http://oxyx.oxygen-inc.com/yzdock.html)/ RocketDock (http://www.punksoftware.com/rocketdock)/etc...
-Darwin
Thank you! :up:
True Launch Bar is almost impressive (remote control Windows Media Player, Apollo, Foobar, iTunes, J.River, jetAudio, MediaMonkey, Quintessential and Winamp). $20 seems okay.
ObjectDock is candy for the eyes, but will to my understanding not remote control any media players, or tell anything about the system - and you'll need the $20 version to have System Tray Support. But even $20 seems cheap.
ObjectBar is $20 and XP/2003 only. Mine is Win2K...
YZDock tells that "the clock and the trash bin are not yet implemented, but they will be shortly". That was of June 2003...
MobyDock (http://www.download.com/3000-2341-10247255.html (http://www.download.com/3000-2341-10247255.html)) has not been updated since November 2003, and is reported by other users to be a little buggy at first, and to use too much CPU (and I don't have a lot of that).
WinBar looks fine (Winamp only), but progress in development of the program is very slow, if any.
StatBar too looks fine (Winamp only), but has not been updated since July 2003.
Aqua Dock (http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4176 (http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4176)) may be okay - it's hard to tell from the text: "a free program that allows you to have an “OS X” style, nice animated launchbar / taskbar on your screen that reacts to your mouse when you mouse over it. Users can customize the look of each item on the dock and set various animation options for when the mouse is over an item on the dock. It is very easy to configure."
RK Launcher (http://home.cogeco.ca/~rklauncher/ (http://home.cogeco.ca/~rklauncher/)) looks very PRO, is though free. The version is 0.4 Beta of October 2005, and have at least one smart feature: "RK Launcher will automatically place a shortcut on the launcher when an application is started for the first time."
But then someone also mentioned RocketDock (http://www.punksoftware.com/rocketdock (http://www.punksoftware.com/rocketdock)) which is new:
RocketDock is a smoothly animated, alpha-blended application launcher that is similar to ObjectDock. RocketDock renders quickly like MobyDock, has the visual sharpness of Y'z Dock, and the stability that neither seem to possess.
It is compatible with every dock skin format we are aware of. In fact, if you have a skin that doesn't load properly, send it to us, along with a screenshot of what it should look like and we'll see what we can do about integrating the format...
Features:
Compatible with MobyDock, ObjectDock, RK Launcher, and Y'z Dock skins
ObjectDock Docklet support
Unicode compliant
Simple drag-n-drop interface
True multi-monitor support
Supports alpha-blended ICO and PNG icons
Icons zoom and transition smoothly
Auto-hide
Popup on mouse over
Layering options
Horizontal and Vertical offsets
Fully customizable
Runs great on slower computers
Supports many languages and can easily be translated
And best of all...its FREE
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Supported Languages: 38, including Danish :-*
Check out their free ÜberIcon too: http://www.punksoftware.com/ubericon (http://www.punksoftware.com/ubericon)
RocketDock (and ÜberIcon) will be my first choice to try out.
Thank you for naming all these programs! :Thmbsup:
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*evil laughter*
PowerPro!
http://powerpro.webeddie.com
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*evil laughter*
PowerPro!
http://powerpro.webeddie.com
Windows PowerPro is Completely free! No catch!
Windows PowerPro lets you take control of how you use Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP. Run commands and configure your system any way you want. PowerPro gives you a compact and powerful launch bar, menu, and tray icon facility. But this is just the start. With a little experimenting with its configuration, you'll find that you can use PowerPro to change the way you work with your Windows system. The source of its power is the way PowerPro integrates three capabilities: Running commands: Tool bars, tray icons, hot keys, mouse actions, menus, timer, scheduler. Controlling other program's windows: Close, minimize, maximize, roll-up to caption, tray minimize, position. Providing utility functions: Send keystrokes to programs, run commands when windows first open, virtual desktops, clipboard extender, keyboard macros, shutdown, show all folder files in a menu, sounds, wallpaper, and screensaver activation and randomization.
-Edvard
It seems to be somewhat difficult to use - I really am an IT-analphabetic :(
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Which explains the *evil laughter*
I realize that PowerPro does so many things in so many different ways it is VERY difficult to keep track of what you want to do vs. what can be done, but making a space-saving launcher is easy once you get on the right track. I've been toying with the idea of writing up a PowerPro Mini-tutorial for a few months now, maybe it's getting a bit overdue...
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DO YOU KNOW of any program like this?
-Curt
For the record:
freewaregenius.com (http://freewaregenius.com/2006/10/25/stablauncher/) is writing about sTabLaauncher 1.3:
My new favorite launcher!
STabLauncher is a tabbed launcher that resides either on top or bottom of the screen. Mouse over the tabs and they pull down; create as many tabs as you like, in the color(s) of your choice.
I must confess I like this better than Rocketdock, just because the tabs make a lot of sense in terms of organization.
I do have a wishlist for this program, however:
An option to have the tabs disappear altogether until you mouse over them (similar to Rocketdock)
For some reason I was not able to install this in C:\Program files\sTabLauncher. I encountered errors upon launching (yes I did have administrator priviledges), so I had to install it in C:\sTabLauncher instead. Needless to say this has to be addressed.
More skins; I would prefer less of the cutsey colorful tabs and more metallic/modern looking tabs myself.
I’d also like to be able to change settings for all tabs at once, instead of doing it each tab at a time.
- that was 1.3
New version, 1.4: http://stablauncher.com/ (http://stablauncher.com/)
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ObjectDock is candy for the eyes, but will to my understanding not remote control any media players, or tell anything about the system - and you'll need the $20 version to have System Tray Support. But even $20 seems cheap.
Both the pro and the free versions accomplish both via "docklets" (much like TrueLaunchBar's plug-ins). To check out what is available, go here (http://www.wincustomize.com/Skins.aspx?LibID=29&view=1&sortby=4&sortdir=DESC&p=1&advanced=1&searchtxt=winamp&scat=Docklets), enable advanced search options, then select "docklets". Note that the link goes to a search for "Winamp". I tried Media and got skins only... system resource information is handled by a lot of different docklets, but the most popular seems to be systats, which also works on yzdock, among others. I own a license for ObjectDock Plus but don't have it installed anymore - I use TrueLaunchBar instead.
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By now I have tried every one of these launch bars, mostly for some hours only. Maybe it is my PC, but several of these bars turned out to be too buggy - or maybe I was too dumm to figure out how to do. I know I'm not smart enough to PowerPro, which I'm testing right now, as the last one in line, but never the less I've decided to give PowerPro a much longer test periode. Some months, I guess.
The only point with this little post is that after mini-testing all these programs, I still like the CustomBar concept better! If only the author would update it :-*
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The only point with this little post is that after mini-testing all these programs, I still like the CustomBar concept better! If only the author would update it :-*
-Curt
I received an e-mail from the author:
Hi Curt,
I am re-examining CustomBar over the next couple months. I do have a version developed that has tooltips and iTunes support (iTunes requires further testing). At some point this will be released for sure. I do want to keep CB going as I myself use it and I’ve received many e-mails from people wishing further development. I will know more after I’ve re-assessed my businesses however.
Matt
- "as I myself use it"
So there really is hope! :)
Re-reading my previous post: I did not mean to imply that they all are buggy or bad programs. Many are fine programs, but don't work the way I would like them to work, or look a way I would like them to - many are 'candy' looking with exaggerate pop-up effects; not to my taste.
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I realize that PowerPro does so many things in so many different ways it is VERY difficult to keep track of what you want to do vs. what can be done, but making a space-saving launcher is easy once you get on the right track. I've been toying with the idea of writing up a PowerPro Mini-tutorial for a few months now, maybe it's getting a bit overdue...
-Edvard
Testing PowerPro, I can only say that I sure hope you will write this tutorial :up:
- this is hard stuff... :-[
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(I don't know if this has what you need but just as an FYI.... )
Without installing any other software you can create an auto-hidining launch bar in Windows XP.
1. Right click on the task bar and go to Toolbars and select Desktop (if it isn't there pick it from New Toolbar). This will add the desktop to your task bar.
2. Now take the "handle" (the little vertical bump) of this toolbar and drag it to the far left/right/top of the screen (away from the taskbar). This should "attach" the new toolbar on the side of the screen.
3. You can then select Auto-Hide (and other task bar type settings) for this tool bar (via properties) independant of the Windows Task bar. Personally I take off the Text and Title and switch the icons to smaller.
Tell me if this doesn't work for you, because I might have forgot a step. I have an auto-hiding toolbar with the "Desktop" in it (with my desktop icons hidden) and it is invalulable to me because I don't have to minimize anything to open an app.
Yeah, you shouldn't need any third party stuff for this, it's quite a nice feature and I use it everyday.
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Without installing any other software you can create an auto-hidining launch bar in Windows XP.
-thefritz_j
Thanks a lot for telling this about XP. I didn't know!
With this said, I will have to apply that I hope to buy XP some day...
- I am running Win2K... ;)
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Well, I say XP, because that's what I use, but the steps are easy enough to try, you might want to see if 2K will do it ;)
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I have an auto-hiding toolbar with the "Desktop" in it (with my desktop icons hidden) and it is invalulable to me because I don't have to minimize anything to open an app.-thefritz_j
Are you saying that I can place hidden shortcuts to every program / website / documnent on the desktop, and they will still show up in this new toolbar?
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Sorry to confuse with the "hidden" comment. I forgot to say that I hide my the icons on my desktop so i can enjoy my wallpaper! :D
If the toolbar you add is the "Desktop" then icons for -every item- will show up in the toolbar. It's like having an auto-hide copy of your desktop! It is so useful! especially considering it's already built in to Windows! :Thmbsup:
Basically the Toolbar feature lets you point to a folder (in this case I suggested the "Desktop Folder"), so you could have "My Documents" as an auto-hide tool bar too!
Would someone tell me if my steps worked? 8)
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I have an auto-hiding toolbar with the "Desktop" in it (with my desktop icons hidden) and it is invalulable to me because I don't have to minimize anything to open an app.-thefritz_j
Are you saying that I can place hidden shortcuts to every program / website / documnent on the desktop, and they will still show up in this new toolbar?
-Curt
Well, they do show up :up:
- but "Hide automatcally" (in the new toolbar) is greyed out :tellme:
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(right now I was told per e-mail that you have answered my previous post, ... ?)
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Yeah, see below \/ \/ \/
Did it stick to the side of the screen? What options are listed when you right click in the toolbar (not an icon on it)?
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Did it stick?-thefritz_j
That was the problem. I did not push it all the way to the top of the desktop.
Now it is invisible.
I am really looking forward to try this out. So many years with Win2K and I didn't know about this feature. Ha! Well, I claim it myself; I really am an IT-analphabetic :P
Thank you for telling!
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Yeah, see below \/-thefritz_j
Ehh... How have you solved the problem with not being able to click the windows (Close, minimize, hide)???
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Glad to help!
I know people aways say how much they hate MS(https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/esmileys/gen3/1Small/BOXED.GIF), but hey, I'll say it again (See my post about icon overlay for recent files):
Sometimes you have to give 'em credit! Windows is pretty good software! :P
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being able to click the windows (Close, minimize, hide)
-Curt
Now I got it; one has to be accurate and not come too close to the new toolbar. Okay, and thank you again! :up:
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Windows is pretty good software! :P
-thefritz_j
You're right. And it is not even as expensive as most. But it may somehow be too complicated to be as stable as one would like it to be.
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Ehh... How have you solved the problem with not being able to click the windows (Close, minimize, hide)???
-Curt
Curt: notice you can also place that bar on the left or on the right of the screen, where it won't affect the buttons on the caption on the windows.
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I hide my the icons on my desktop so i can enjoy my wallpaper! :D
If the toolbar you add is the "Desktop" then icons for -every item- will show up in the toolbar. It's like having an auto-hide copy of your desktop! It is so useful! especially considering it's already built in to Windows! :Thmbsup:
-thefritz_j
Hmm...
At first the icons were 'blur' on the desktop, but present in the new toolbar.
Now the icons on the desktop are all hidden, but also gone from the new toolbar!! :mad:
Are there more than one level when we click "hide" in Properties in a shortcut?? I know only of one. The icons are hidden on the desktop, but now they are also hidden in the toolbar. No, not hidden; they are not there! Arghh! Maybe this ís a difference between Win2K and XP??
:tellme:
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you can also place that bar on the left or on the right of the screen, where it won't affect the buttons on the caption on the windows.
-jgpaiva
Yes, I have done that with the new toolbars, one for My Documents, and one for My Pictures. It's a little funny with a toolbar on every side of the screen, but someday I might grow up... :P
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I am so disappointed that the hidden icons on the desktop, also are hidden in the new toolbar:
Arghh!! >:(
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Don't despair, Curt. I know what happened.
That's not the way to hide the icons on the desktop.
You can't go to their properties and choose "hidden". That makes them be really hidden.
What you have to do, is choose an option that will allow you not to show any icons on the desktop. But they'll be there, and not hidden.
First of all, let's get your icons back :)
Go to "my computer", and select "tools -> folder options". On the new box that comes up, select "view". Then, search for an option that says something like "show hidden files". Check that, select apply and close the box. That'll make your icons come back, "blured". That means they are hidden. Just go to their properties, and deselect "hidden".
Then, do the process i mentioned above again, and deselect the option "show hidden files".
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First of all, let's get your icons back :)
-jgpaiva
Done.
:tellme:
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Ok, i hope you managed to get your icons back.
Now i noticed a small problem. Possibly, what i'm going to tell you to do next, won't work because you don't have winxp. let's see.
Now that they are back, let's make them disappear.
Just right-click on the desktop. then, select "align icons by.." then untick "show icons on the desktop".
If that option is missing, there's no way you can do this.. Sorry.
Nevertheless, you still can use it all the same way, you'll only still have the icons there, taking part of your wallpaper ;)
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won't work because you don't have winxp. let's see.
If that option is missing, there's no way you can do this.. -jgpaiva
You're right, this feature is not part of Win2K :(
Can this be a snack??
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Its twenty to eleven in the evening here in DK,
so I'll think more about all this tomorrow.
But, Thank you!
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Actually, I use the "WallMaster" wallpaper manager and I'm pretty sure it has a feature to hide the desktop icons, even when not using XP.
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Actually, I use the "WallMaster" wallpaper manager and I'm pretty sure it has a feature to hide the desktop icons, even when not using XP.
-thefritz_j
Yes, it will hide the icons in Win2K as well :up:
- but it will not remember this setting after startup! :down:
More, Windows will not remember the new toolbar after startup! >:(
Right now I am frustrated :tellme:
Is there some box I have to check or uncheck somewhere???
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Actually, I use the "WallMaster" wallpaper manager (http://www.tropicalwares.com/wallmast.html) and I'm pretty sure it has a feature to hide the desktop icons, even when not using XP.
-thefritz_j
Yes, it will hide the icons in Win2K as well :up:
- but it will not remember this setting after startup! :down:
-Curt
Sorry, I was too quick to complain! The answer is: WallMaster (http://www.tropicalwares.com/wallmast.html) Control Panel > Options > Hide desktop icons using force mode (not available on XP).
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But I still need to understand what I am doing wrong, since Win2K will not remember the new toolbar after restart. ::)
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But I still need to understand what I am doing wrong, since Win2K will not remember the new toolbar after restart. -Curt
Now I think I've got it. I always use the program Quick ShutDown (http://www.winutility.com/qsd/) to close my PC. The shutdown really will be quick - but maybe too quick! It seems that saving new personal settings can fail. Because, I created another toolbar on the desktop, but this time I used Process Explorer (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/ProcessExplorer.mspx) to close the PC, this way giving Windows more time to save personal settings. And it worked; the new toolbar was remembered and ready to go after restart. I then restarted, using Quick ShutDown again, and the new toolbar is staying at the right position.
So now 'everything' (on this matter) is okay :Thmbsup:
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Yay!(https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/esmileys/gen3/4Medium/098.gif)
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Now I think I've got it. I always use the program Quick ShutDown (http://www.winutility.com/qsd/) to close my PC. The shutdown really will be quick - but maybe too quick! It seems that saving new personal settings can fail.-Curt
maybe that tells you something about these quick shutdowners.. i used to have one but gave up on it after some pondering (https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=2996.0).. ;)
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I'd be very interested in hearing reasons why people might prefer other tools over my own LaunchBar Commander (info here (https://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Mouser/LaunchBarCommander/index.html)). It's always helpful to hear suggestions for improvements from people who have evaluated a bunch of similar tools.
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If you want to hide your desktop icons, get Iconoid. I think I reviewed it here.
www.sillysot.com
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Back to the subject; a custom bar:
Todays (Jan. 30 - 2006) giveaway offer (http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/) is NLauncher (http://www.nlauncher.com/), normally $20
I've not tried it, but it seems it can do just a little more than what any Explorer can do... ?? :tellme:
(http://www.nlauncher.com/image/sht1_big.jpg)
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for $20, i think LaunchBar Commander (https://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Mouser/LaunchBarCommander/index.html) is a better option.. but no harm trying this though, since it's free for one day.. :)
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RocketDock (http://www.punksoftware.com/rocketdock) has launched version 1.3.0 Final (http://www.punksoftware.com/)
- and is still free (depending on voluntary donations).
Live pre-view in Dock / tray (Vista). Translated into 47 languages!
- Features:
* Minimize windows to the dock
* Real-time window previews in Vista
* Running application indicators
* Simple drag-n-drop interface
* Multi-monitor support
* Supports alpha-blended PNG and ICO icons
* Icons zoom and transition smoothly
* Auto-hide and Popup on mouse over
* Positioning and layering options
* Fully customizable
* Completely Portable
* ObjectDock Docklet support
* Compatible with MobyDock, ObjectDock, RK Launcher, and Y'z Dock skins
* Runs great on slower computers
* Unicode compliant
* Supports many languages and can easily be translated
* A friendly user base :)
* And best of all... its FREE