Free Stuff again.

  As you look at the competition between MAC and PC users, especially the marketing war between the two companies, it is clear that they try to define the type of the end user of their products. Apple started with the adverts of users of PCs are boring, recently Microsoft responded with "actually Windows users are cool as well"; with adverts of really cool people across the world making their statement that they are a PC user.  

 The most recent adverts from Apple are hilarious. The rivalry continues and you can check out the latest adverts on the Apple website.

  So, what is the reason for me telling you all of this? Well, if you look at the two products they both do certain things really well. When I look at a solution for a client I try not to get involved in any personal preferences of what is cool or not; more what is going to do the job.  

On the desktop Apple, and certainly since OSX, has had the edge on usability; however if you look around there is some useful and free software which can improve the usability on the Windows desktop.

  The problem is, by the time you have installed a small number of applications in Windows you can end up with hundreds of links in your start menu, making finding the application you want frustrating and time consuming. The solution is to use a different application launcher. Since buying my latest Dell laptop, which came with Dell’s own application launcher, I decided to see if there was anything better for free and for users who don’t want to buy a Dell (which may or may not come with this software). After looking at a few, I came to the conclusion ObjectDock from Stardock, is by far the best (http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/). They have a free version and also you have the opportunity to pay for some extra features, but I found the free version useful enough.  

 It is fairly configurable and you end up with the links to the programmes you want to use all within easy reach. The look and feel is very reminiscent of the MAC OSX interface, which magnifies whatever your mouse cursor is closest to.

  So, my opinion, it is definitely a useful little download. Either check out their website and download; or if you have a contract with us ask your engineer to do it for you.