Thread: Interface Issues

There's no doubt that Windows Vista looks a lot better than XP. The excellent new wallpaper images, high-resolution icons, trans¬parent windows and clever graphical features all help to create an attractive working environment. And yet Windows Vista is still lagging behind the competition in several important areas.



Take the Desktop, for instance. Linux users can have several virtual desktops, perhaps with a full-screen browser running in one, word processor in another, and smaller applications in a third, then switch between them at a click. Windows Vista users must manage all their applications in a single" desktop, which is limiting by comparison. Still, there are utilities that can be of use. Dexpot and Virtuawinlet you arrange your apps across anything up to 20 desktops, and Microsoft has even released a similar tool of its own in the shape of its Desktops utility Maybe it will find its way into a future version of Windows.

Flip 3D - Vista's three-<limensiooal alternative to switching through open apps using the Alt and Tab shortcut - looks good, but application windows overlay each other, which can make it hard to pick out the program you need. Switcher tiles the windows for better visibility, and throws in searching, shortcuts and other productivity-boosting tweaks. Not everyone is keen on the new-style Start menu, and it's easy' to use the XP version instead (right-elick the Start button, select Properties, choose Classic start menu). This doesn't have a search box, but you can get that by installing Launchy. Or, if you prefer the keyboard to the mouse, try Start. It lets you easy keyboard shortcuts to quickly perform just about any task.