DISQUS

How To Split An Atom: Improving Your Windows Experience, 11 Applications

  • Jason · 1 year ago
    Where's launchy? It's one of the best "launcher" apps on the market and has several "ubiquity" features as well. What's more? It's free and open source. (http://www.launchy.net)
  • sbspalding · 1 year ago
    Launchy was waiting for you to tell me about it. Great find mate.
  • ophelia_chong · 1 year ago
    Whenever I read articles like this, half of me thinks I am missing out on a whole new learning experience, and the other half goes and hugs her MAC. :O)
  • sbspalding · 1 year ago
    My problem with the Mac is I -can't- change anything. Sure it works well out of the box, but what if you want fix something that is piss poor out of the box?

    . . . That should be a Vista commercial.
  • ophelia_chong · 1 year ago
    This is going to be a knock down fight between PC and MAC...
    I had one HP PC once, for a client project. It was like I landed on a different planet. I must have looked like I just got tazered when I tried to navigate through Windows. MAC is perfect, and I don't want to hear anything but....(hands over ears).
  • sbspalding · 1 year ago
    Not this time out :) I respect the fact that OSX is a fantastic operating system -- especially for graphics design / video / media but I am just not a convert.

    Now if only Mr. Job's snipers would stop following me around.
  • ophelia_chong · 1 year ago
    HUMMMA (not listening)

    Interesting thought though, the MAC converts/rabid users are a cult in itself. We are early adopters and create applications only for the MAC. We are our own "religion" with St. Jobs at the head.
  • Greg Hollingsworth · 1 year ago
    I definitely agree with Steve on this one. I would never say that Apple doesn't make great products, but as someone who grew up with Dos-based machines, I just can't buy into the idea that I can't change my own video card, add my own ram, etc...

    I also hate Apple's marketing, it's remarkably patronizing.
  • Rick · 1 year ago
    I thought of an analogy the other day. Owning a Mac is like keeping the training wheels on your bike, very user-friendly but you'll just never go as fast as your capable of.
  • Greg Hollingsworth · 1 year ago
    I don't know if that's a fair assessment. But it all depends on what your needs are.

    I have friends of all ilks (programmers, media creators, etc...) who love their Macs (although only none of them are fanboy's and they hate "Apple people" as much as I do).

    The closed system is my biggest issue and the fact that Apple as a corporation is a tyrant in hip clothing.
  • JBO · 1 year ago
    Aha - I have been looking for an alternative to outlook for a while now - going to give this a go for a while and see how it is.

    Gotta love Open Office as well!
  • sbspalding · 1 year ago
    Thunderbird is definitely worth a look if you aren't an outlook fan. I would, however, suggest that you try out Xobni if you are already using Outlook.
  • Greg Hollingsworth · 1 year ago
    Thunderbird is great, although I do wish the folks at Xobni would create a Thunderbird version. Although I can't see a need for it for my home pc, it's great for work though.

    I would say that I prefer Notepad ++ to any other text editor I have ever encountered.
  • sbspalding · 1 year ago
    There are about three Notepads that I can't decide between, I am really like e right now, but Notepad++ is right up there.
  • JP · 1 year ago
    Personally, I like PuttyCyg as terminal/console app for windows. Requires Cygwin, but allows you to have putty like interface for your local windows machine.
  • sbspalding · 1 year ago
    That's really cool, I haven't checked that out yet. I'll take a look.
  • chinese manufacturers · 1 year ago
    As per I know this type of application makes your computer working slow.
  • Ken · 1 year ago
    There is one website that I use often as a reference for CSS and always wanted to somehow have it offline. Will definitely be looking into Bubbles. As for Vista, I hate it. As soon as Photoshop runs on Linux, I'm making the switch.
  • sbspalding · 1 year ago
    Yea, I still can't get used to using Gimp for anything complicated. Though Gimpshop does a world of good. If you haven't tried it yet, you should.
  • Mr Article · 1 year ago
    Thanks so much, this was great for me, i just downloaded Thunderbird - it's sooo cool, i can't stop playing around and shooting my friends emails to test it out haha.
  • Torah · 1 year ago
    I've been using ObjectDock for numerous years now. My only complaint about it is that there is no option to remove the taskbar icon. Also, the idea of xPlorer is good, but I must say, it's not a very pretty program.

    @jason: Launchy looks really interesting. I'm going to give it a try.
  • Flora · 1 year ago
    Thanks. Will get Thunderbird to try out, always wanted another alternative to Outlook.
  • kevin · 1 year ago
    Directory Opus is much better looking and functional then explore or xplore I love it does just about everything i run it along side object dock and bblean to give my self a most awesome os
  • TechnoSamrat · 1 year ago
    Nice post... These tools are really very useful..
  • phaoloo · 1 year ago
    Thunderbird is my favorite mail client now. I like its IMAP feature. Open Office is a nice office suite, but I just use the portable version in my USB. MS Office is still my favorite office tools.
  • web design bradford · 11 months ago
    I too am not a huge fan of vista, but due to no time to persue other OS im afraid i will have to stick to windows for now, i am saving up for the new apple mac ibook.
  • Fashion Shop · 10 months ago
    Currently i am quite happy with the Vista OS for the past years. Maybe i am someone who will just be contended with what i have, in any case, i have created a separate account to test out the tools posted. Thanks.