March 14, 1999
Windows is one the greatest innovations and breakthroughs for user navigation: Simple, easy to use and effective. But, when using the PC for a million and one different applications, maneuvering through complex and overcrowded start menus can prove tiring and aggravating. LAUNCHkaos, from POCKETkaos, is a cute little program which sits on your desktop and provides you with a customizable directory of all your programs, documents or any other regularly used extension.
Quick and Easy
Setup and installation is swift and friendly. Just a few confirmations and choices and it
installs automatically. The program does not add itself or give the user an option to add
itself to the startup menu, thus it must be done manually.
If not done it can be a hassle to start the program whenever Windows boots.
Helpful and Quiet
The actual program lies somewhere on the desktop, user specified, of course. It uses up
minimal memory so it won't slow down any intense programs you run. It doesn't stay on top
so it won't get in your way. It's just there as a helping hand to startup any program or
document you want.
Sections are customized by folders, in other words, a new folder you make will automatically create a new section. The sections are used to organize your programs in order to make it easier for you to find what you want, where you want and to remember where it is for next time. This is brilliant as every user will have different needs.
Within the sections you place shortcuts to the applications you want. You can change the name and icon to suit. Another great feature is that you can drag and drop links directly from any folder or your desktop into the section of your choice. This also enables you to grab links directly from the Internet and drop them into the program.
This gives easy access to frequently visited Web pages instead of having to use an unorganized favorites menu.
How do I operate this?
The program is simple to use. All the sections are lined up along one axis. When you
choose one, it displays all the shortcuts in that category along another axis. The
selected section is then highlighted in the section bar to tell you what's what and where.
If you do not need to use LAUNCHkaos but still want to keep it open you simply double
click the Shade button and the program goes into windowshade mode. There are only four
buttons (thus eliminating the chance of getting confused):
1. Skin Management button: Choosing skins (we'll come to that part later).
2. Shortcut Management button: Organizing sections and shortcuts within desktop folders.
3. Windowshade button: Put the program into windowshade mode.
4. Exit button: Obviously for quitting.
Skin Management
Now comes a dazzling feature which really sets it apart from any other program of its type
(if there are any). Skins. These are customizable looks for the program. You can download
from various skins outlets, or if you are graphically advanced you can create your own
skins. Various skins usually follow different themes.
Program in Windowshade Mode
To make the program more efficient you can assign shortcuts to skins so you can load a specified skin whenever you want without needing to do it manually through the skin management.
Shortcut Management and Windowshade
The sections and shortcuts are placed at varied locations. Some can be on two axes at 90
degrees to each other, others layered one on top of the other. Anything which the skin
author can conjure up. Buttons are also placed wherever wanted, and they can be
effortlessly and often beautifully animated when used. This makes the program look
somewhat real and makes use that much more pleasing. Within the skin there is also a clock
which tells you the time and date - another helpful characteristic. Each skin has a unique
clock located somewhere in the window. You can have thousands of different skins
installed, although only one can be used at a time.
Program in Windowshade Mode
Sound
Skins aren't the only adjustable features. You can also change the sounds. The default
skin has its own sounds which are played whenever the program is loaded, when the program
is exited, when certain buttons are pressed, when sections are changed and when shortcuts
are used. Foreign skins which you download and install have their own sounds for the
different functions. The sounds are often specific to the theme used in the skin by the
author.
Conclusion
LAUNCHkaos is one of the most innovative and unique programs available. Its functionality
and flexibility makes it perfect for any PC operative. Skins allow the program to be made
ravishing and various themes can be followed. There are no flaws whatsoever, except the
rather hefty price tag of $20.
Without registering the program you get constant messages to register both at startup and when using a shortcut. The rest of the program is untouchable. LAUNCHkaos gets four out of five Go Inside review lights.
Copyright © 1999