My First Article
everthing has to start somewhere
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
Ok, I've had this account for a long time now. I think 2005 is the point where I start to use it. After all everything has to have a start. So please don't criticize my goof, blunders, mistakes. I want to try to share what little insights I have gained with using Stardock applications for the last 6 years. I hope that some of this knowledge can help you in something you are doing.
Just as a bit of preface, let me introduce myself and my platform. I was given the nick Einstein way back in middle school (circa 1982). Not because I knew everything, but because I was calculated and scientific in my gaining of knowledge. I knew that I would be using computers in the future, so I got my dad to buy me a TSR80 when I turned 13. From there I upgraded to a Commodore Vic20, then a C64. When that died I was married and struggling with just paying rent. So I had to wait to get my next computer a 486 PC. It ran at a screaming 50 MHz and I thought it was wonderful. About 2 years later the Pentium dropped and I was hit with the technical realization that everything will become obsolete eventually. I am currently using a P2 400 MHz HP with 256 MB of RAM, and I can't wait until I can upgrade again.
At home I use Windows ME, so I don't do much customization there. I have done a lot with my PC at work, so that is why I got my OD subscription. My work PC is a P4 1.8 GHz Compaq with 1 GB of RAM. I have Windows 2000 as my OS, so I use a lot of Stardock customization products to make it look and function better than most people's Win XP machines. I use WindowBlinds, ObjectBar, DesktopX, IconX, IconPackager, Keyboard Launchpad, et al. I have tried most products but have had to find a nice balance between looks and productivity. The bells and whistles of WinFx are great, but they interfere with some of my daily programming tasks so I have don't use them that much.
So, in the coming weeks and months, I hope to share with you the tips and tricks I've found to make Stardock apps not only work on Windows 2000 SP 4, but to work well. I feel I have a PC that does what I want. Eventually I will upgrade, but until then I might as well make the most of life. I want to write these articles for all those that are in my situation. You have this great PC with out of date software, but access to Stardock and ODNT. So what do you do know, and how do you keep it from taking over from your life and work.
Here is to 2005 and many more oportunities to add the the JoeUser community - not to mention the OS Customization that I have come to love and want to give back to.
Einstein
Just as a bit of preface, let me introduce myself and my platform. I was given the nick Einstein way back in middle school (circa 1982). Not because I knew everything, but because I was calculated and scientific in my gaining of knowledge. I knew that I would be using computers in the future, so I got my dad to buy me a TSR80 when I turned 13. From there I upgraded to a Commodore Vic20, then a C64. When that died I was married and struggling with just paying rent. So I had to wait to get my next computer a 486 PC. It ran at a screaming 50 MHz and I thought it was wonderful. About 2 years later the Pentium dropped and I was hit with the technical realization that everything will become obsolete eventually. I am currently using a P2 400 MHz HP with 256 MB of RAM, and I can't wait until I can upgrade again.
At home I use Windows ME, so I don't do much customization there. I have done a lot with my PC at work, so that is why I got my OD subscription. My work PC is a P4 1.8 GHz Compaq with 1 GB of RAM. I have Windows 2000 as my OS, so I use a lot of Stardock customization products to make it look and function better than most people's Win XP machines. I use WindowBlinds, ObjectBar, DesktopX, IconX, IconPackager, Keyboard Launchpad, et al. I have tried most products but have had to find a nice balance between looks and productivity. The bells and whistles of WinFx are great, but they interfere with some of my daily programming tasks so I have don't use them that much.
So, in the coming weeks and months, I hope to share with you the tips and tricks I've found to make Stardock apps not only work on Windows 2000 SP 4, but to work well. I feel I have a PC that does what I want. Eventually I will upgrade, but until then I might as well make the most of life. I want to write these articles for all those that are in my situation. You have this great PC with out of date software, but access to Stardock and ODNT. So what do you do know, and how do you keep it from taking over from your life and work.
Here is to 2005 and many more oportunities to add the the JoeUser community - not to mention the OS Customization that I have come to love and want to give back to.
Einstein
