cool new toy for Windows

[Mark Miller]

Just found this at pc world
http://pcworld.com/downloads/collection/0,collid,1284,00.asp
It is the first tool, which is a sidebar that looks and acts like the one that's supposed to come with longhorn. Very customizable, just right click each panel. I really like the analogue clock [shows up digital but you can change it] Do not know if it uses lots of resources, I am running XP but does not use alot of cpu or mem.
Can close the whole thing down when on line so it is not in way. I got rid of alot of the panels but it is fun.
Mark:D

[rond36]

Cool sidebar but I didn't like it when it enabled Windows Messenger and logged on with my net passport. Are you sure Microsoft didn't write this program?

[Vic 970]

printfolders is a handy tool. :)

[Mark Miller]

Hi rond36,
If you right click any of the panels, such as messenger you can rid of it and messenger will not be on. I got it down to about 4 panels that were cool.
Mark

[Budfred]

It smells, oops I mean sounds, like spyware to me...:eek: :eek:

[malcore]

Sysmetrix (http://www.xymantix.com/sysmetrix/) is much cooler.;) Works nicely in conjunction with MBM5 and is skinnable.:cool:

[Mark Miller]

Hi Budfred,
Since most of it can be used or not used, why do you think it's spyware?
By the way Happy Holidays
Mark
Same to you Malcore, and after checking your link, you are 100% right:)

[Budfred]

Any time a program that I install on my computer starts contacting someone on the web without asking me or doing anything else that is not explained, I begin guessing it is spyware.

"Cool sidebar but I didn't like it when it enabled Windows Messenger and logged on with my net passport."

The fact that it may let you turn these features off again just means it may not be the most malicious type of spyware, but if you are a novice trying it out, you will suddenly not know what is going on and you may have to get help to figure it out or simply live with it...

I like well behaved programs that do what I ask them to do and don't ask me to do things for them. It is one of the reasons I am dropping Norton AV when it expires and why I don't like Windoze....

[shanmuga]

Well, It's a 7.5 MB download, It installs a BHO and It occupies nearly 15% of my 17inch screen space. It's also likely to hog your bandwidth what with constantly updating news, stocks and weather panels, I definitely won't recommend it for people with dial up.:( though it looks cool. :)

[Mark Miller]

Hi Shanmuga,
Just a note you can resize it just like the taskbar on the bottom, and can also turn it off when on the net. As far as bandwith, your right I did not think of people with dialup, my bad
Mark:)

[jeeza]

Not only does it display some behavior ascribed to spyware, this could present a security issue too :
"It integrates with Outlook to show your Inbox, notes, tasks and appointments . It also controls your WinAmp and Windows Media Player."
Better watch it.

For lazy visitors to this forum (who, although being lazy, have as good a right as the next person to not be left to drown in the miseries of the net) : this is the whole description.

Tired of launching separate applications to access your calendar , e-mail client, and the latest stock quotes? This desktop utility assembles your essential information into a slim window that docks at the side of your screen. It integrates with Outlook to show your Inbox, notes, tasks and appointments . It also controls your WinAmp and Windows Media Player. Beyond that, you can access the latest stock quotes and weather forecasts, check RSS feeds to keep up on the news, and summon Google for quick search queries. As if all that isn't enough, the program lets you monitor your PC's performance and disk space.

This version introduces a POP3 Mail Checker panel, Longhorn Clock, Network Monitor, support for RSS Auto-discovery, and automatic HTML to RSS conversion in Newsroom panel.

[jeeza]

BTW, Mark, there are some more nice toys available at that website, I don't know if you noticed them.
There is a little app which will connect you (your pc) to the atomic clock time server at Boulder, Colorado ; another one which will list the directories of your choice in a HTML report, another one which will let you change the inscription on your Menu start key - there's some innocent fun to be had with that one... :p

[Mark Miller]

Jeeza,
Thanks for the tips. As far as the the tool bar i was referring to, I guess it's just a case of my not being so paranoid and since I am on cable, even with anti-virus and a firewall anyone who wants can get into my computer. I just felt it was a fun toy that can be turned on or off at your own whim.
I also think pc world would not have it listed if it was really bad spy ware.
But as you said everyone should be warned of possible consequences.
Mark:)

[Budfred]

I like PCWorld, but I have noted that they do distribute a number of programs that contain malware. They usually state that clearly in an article that refers to the article, but I am not sure they do at the actual download.