Apolitically Incorrect » Tweaking Windows Vista for a Better Desktop

Original user interface from the first modern GUI system, the Xerox 8010 Star Information System. All of the elements which are now common to nearly all computers were evident then. This includes Windows, Icons, and a pointing device.

While there have been some notable attempts, the manner in which we interact with our computers has changed little in the past thirty years. If you look at the first GUI and compare it to that which you are using right at this moment, the similarities are striking. There are icons, folders, windows, and a mouse.

While the similarities may be striking, it doesn't mean that computers haven't progressed in that same time. To the contrary, actually. Building on the original idea, we've added many improvements. These include floating programs called widgets (gadgets, thingummy, etc), a dock (which doubles as a place to store our most used programs), animated backgrounds, and all kinds of other marvelous enhancements. While there has been some progress in the past 30 years, it doesn't mean that all of the tweaks and add-ons available for the desktop are of equal value. Some things, in fact, appear to have little use other than being endlessly obnoxious. Other things make it easier to enjoy the benefits of a wired life.

As it is nearly Christmas, I thought I would take a few minutes and describe some of my favorite tweaks and add-ons for the desktop. While there literally thousands of ways which you can change and "improve" your workspace, the examples included here are fairly conservative. More important, these are add-ons which I actually use on a daily basis. Read on for some recommendations to improve how you do simple tasks, access files, move Windows and crunch numbers. Oh … and did I mention that all of these add-ons are free?

Moving Windows and Opening Files

One of the most important purposes of a desktop windowing environment is to provide access to files and aid in window management. When it comes to these tasks, Microsoft could learn a lot from their competition. Luckily, however, there are thousands of enterprising developers who are willing to help us bridge the gap.

Switcher

One of the most useful tools for Windows actually puts the beautiful Aero presentation system to good use. The Mac has long had a fantastic Window switcher called Exposé. It tiles all of the windows on-screen and makes it easy to switch from one Window to another with only a minimum of key strokes. The Vista equivalent, called Flip 3D is certainly pretty, but effectively useless. This is where Switcher steps in. Switcher is a clone of Exposé. Unlike other clones, it uses the Windows desktop manager API (the same one used by Flip 3D). This means that the preview windows are pretty, windows update as the content changes, video plays and all is generally right with the world.

Switcher makes good use of Windows Vista Aero.

Aero Snap

While still on the drawing board, Windows 7 has some very interesting features. One of the most productive is the ability to instantly resize Windows by dragging them to the desktop edge. Some German developers decided that they would rather not wait until Windows 7 is available to the masses to use this feature. Thus, AeroSnap was born. Aerosnap works in both Windows Vista and XP thanks to the .Net framework, version 2.0.

Stacks

When it comes to computers and software, I've always thought: Never Let a Good Idea Go Un-Copied. In the realm of engineering, originality is highly overrated. Beside, most of the really useful ideas build on previously held ideas anyway; evolution versus revolution and all that tack. I was, therefore, very happy to see that someone got around to duplicating the Stacks found in Mac OS X Leopard. For the uninitiated in the Cult of Cupertino, Stacks make it easy to access common files and folders with a single click. On my Mac, I use them for the Home, Downloads, and Applications folders. Turns out, it's nice to have one click access to these same folders on the PC too. The program in question, StandaloneStack, can be downloaded here and the instructions to make it work can be found here. StandaloneStack works in both Windows Vista and XP.

StandaloneStacks gives one click access to Folders or Files from the Windows quick launch bar.

Oddities and Niceties

Often it's not the big things which make life good, but little things: good music, smart conversation and company, fine food, amongst others. It is extremely fortunate that there are literally thousands of web sites and services which it make it easier to find and enjoy the little things.

Pandora On the Desktop

Without doubt, Pandora was one of the best things to happen to music in a very long time. Based on the Music Genome Project, Pandora has one simple purpose: play music which you will like. While this goal might be ambitious, I have found that Pandora correctly predicts my tastes far more often than not.

The process is pretty simple, you go to the Pandora website and create an account. It then launches a Flash player and asks you about artists and music which you enjoy. Once that's done, the service gets to work and music which is similar in rhythm, style or cadence to that which you entered starts to play. If you particularly like or dislike a song, you can let the program know. Over time, the service get better at predicting what songs you are likely to enjoy.

There is just one problem. Pandora is a web service, and as a result, it runs in the browser. While this isn't a problem most of the time, it can become a real pain to have a dedicated browser window open for Pandora. Luckily, there is a workaround. With the Pandora Sidebar gadget it's hello Pandora, goodbye browser.

Crunching Numbers

I'm an engineer, which means that I do more math than is probably healthy for me. This includes calculations for complicated things and calculations for not so complicated things. Either way, I often need to do quick sums on the PC. For the simple things, I've really come to appreciate the built-in calculator that comes with Windows. While it is absurdly simple, that is what makes it elegant. The calculator in Windows 7 looks like it is going to be better than ever. Why not use it now? There's a scientific mode, a programmer mode, and even a statistics mode. It does conversions and all other kinds of nifty stuff. All this just a simple download away.

Conclusion

So there you go, five add-ons or tweaks to Windows which are sure to make you slightly more productive and might just improve your overall health, wealth and status. Know of any others? Please list them in the comments.