taskbar

Simple stock ticker

Catfood Quote gives users a simple way to monitor their favorite stocks on their desktop. By allowing quotes to be easily entered and viewed, Catfood Quote is a simple program that will earn a lot of fans.

The program's interface was delightfully easy to manage and navigate. It embeds itself into the toolbar and provides intuitive areas to enter data and a simple way to read the results. Users will most likely not need to consult the Help file to operate this program. Checking stock quotes involves a few simple steps. Users simply choose the stock exchange they prefer … Read more

Free up items in the Taskbar

I use both Windows and Mac machines at my desk for testing and reviewing software for each platform. While both platforms have their advantages and disadvantages, I recently found a simple program that fixes one of my pet peeves about Windows.

One small Windows XP and Vista interface quirk that has always bothered me is the inability to move items in the taskbar. Though it might not bother other people, I always like having my programs set up in a certain way--Outlook on the left, my browser after that, my chat program, and then other programs to the right of … Read more

Minty-fresh menus and more

This eye-catching replacement for the Windows Start Menu, Taskbar, and side panel makes for a fresh breath of air from the standard Microsoft fare. You'll be able to quickly see your top 10 programs, desktop search bar, and folders list within a colorful, logical design. A handful of attractive skins (with more online) gives you artistic control; some also throw in local weather and a calendar widget.

While reskinning Windows is the real draw, being able to launch submenus almost instantaneously as you scroll over them is the app's most substantial side perk. The setup shaves seconds off … Read more

Specialized utility gets the job done quickly

Although its name might hint at broader functionality, Icon Remover performs the single function of removing the Safely Remove Hardware icon from the taskbar.

Icon Remover sports a very basic interface suited to its very basic functionality. Two command buttons--one for showing the taskbar icon and one for removing the same icon--are all it holds. You don't even have to close the program to see your actions take place. The Safely Remove Hardware icon was removed and restored as soon as the appropriate button was clicked.

The program is simple, to the point, and performs as promised. It also … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 843: Nine legal uses for BitTorrent

We asked. You answered. Our listeners provided not seven, not eight, but nine real legal legitimate uses for BitTorrent. Plus Apple's getting into an old-fashioned spat with IBM. Just like 1979 all over again. Plus Rafe says stop whining about Windows 7. Listen now: Download today's podcast Episode 843

National Novel Writing Month starts tomorrow http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Trojan virus steals bank info http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7701227.stm http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10079593-83.html

Apple hires top IBM chip designer and blade server guru http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10079494-37.html

Fast fixes for three Windows irritations

I got a kick out of the recent headlines stating that Microsoft wants to make the next version of Windows less annoying than Vista. Talk about setting the bar low!

Most of the things that bug me about Windows are easy to fix--the lack of a Run option on Vista's Start menu is an example. To put Run back on the menu, right click the Start button, choose Properties, click Customize under the Start Menu tab, scroll to and check "Run command," and click OK twice.

Here are three other Windows irritations that I finally got around … Read more

Featured Freeware: ObjectDock

Are you jealous of that slick Mac interface? Check out ObjectDock, a free utility that replaces the Windows Taskbar with a colorful, animated dock similar to the taskbar in Mac OS X.

ObjectDock displays icons for currently running applications and can hold quick-launch icons for your favorite programs. As you pass the cursor over each icon, ObjectDock magnifies it and displays relevant information, helping you find what you need even when you're running several programs at once. An attractive but optional clock rounds out the toolbar. The tiny utility comes with a dozen attractive skins, and users with slow … Read more

Quick fix for disappearing system tray icons

For whatever reason, the last time I booted my Vista laptop the network icon was missing from its usual spot next to the clock in the system tray.

I right-clicked the Start button, chose Properties, and clicked the Notification Area tab to recheck this option under "System icons," but it was grayed out.

I found the solution on Colin Cochrane's blog. Here are the steps in a nutshell:

Back up the Registry by creating a restore point. Press the Windows key, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to and select HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\… Read more

ObjectDock rocks

Power Downloader and I have talked about how useful RocketDock can be, and it is still is. But another excellent program dock to check out is ObjectDock, from Stardock. Besides providing a skinable and extensively customizable Mac-style dock, the free ObjectDock lets users replace the Windows taskbar completely.

Colorful and animated, ObjectDock is so customizable it's impressive. Not only can you choose your own icons to represent programs and documents, set the dock size and location, and configure icon behavior, but you can also set the dock to run faster and take up more RAM, or sacrifice the gloss … Read more

Tab your Windows Taskbar

Tabbed browsing is one of those software features that didn't seem like a big deal at its inception, but later went on to become more popular than sliced bread. It's simply must-have functionality for any respectable Web browser. Who among us hasn't had 40 different Web sites open in one browser window...and loved it?

Fans of Mozilla Firefox and Opera might claim that their favorite browser invented tabs. However, according to most accounts, tabbed interfaces have been around since the 1980s and in browsers for at least 10 years. Arguments will persist as to the first … Read more