One competing program for this feature is called, "Classic Shell 3.5.0".  Although I love the Start8 interface better and purchased the beta, I would suggest making the Start button orb larger to the same scale as the original, as the open source competitor has done here:

(http://img.creativemark.co.uk/uploads/images/863/13863/largeImg.png)

Also, back in Windows 7 there was another freeware Start button Orb changer program that uses BMP (24-bit bitmap images with alpha-blending support).  Would it be possible to include this support in Start8 during it's final release?  There are many more custom Start Button 'orbs' out there that already exist in this format I'd like to use.

Thanks