Xteq X-Setup

The Xteq boys call this "the ultimate tool for Black Belt system tuning" and they ain't kiddin'. No tweak is left unturned yet these guys are thoughtful enough to explain the ramifications in advance. Not enough for ya? There are enough plug-ins available to choke a T-3. Don't let Windows (any flavor) push you around. Take complete control with this proggie.

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Samurize

I wasn't sure which category was most appropriate for this goodie. It serves as a system monitor, incorporates with MotherBoard Monitor, Winamp and shows an unlimited number of graphs and meters. Using plug-ins and scripts, you can check the weather or your favorite TV shows. With per-pixel alpha blending, it looks so darned cool that it ended up here as a functional desktop enhancement. Requires VB6 runtime files, a GeForce graphics card to look its best and works on Windows 2000 and XP.

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StartBar Fader

This eponymously-named app doesn't install or write anything to the registry. It just works and looks cool. The degree of transparency can be chosen by the user. This looks particularly impressive if the transition effects, mouse and toolbar tips are set to 'Fade effect' Windows 2000 and XP only.

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IconShop

Creates a library of those myriad icons that you've collected and allows drag & drop files & folders, extraction of Windows and OS/2 icons and converts BMP, TIFF and GIF images into icon format. New version reads and writes ICL icon libraries and even extracts various Mac formats & Kaleidoscope schemes.  Works on Win 9.X through XP.

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Vital Desktop

Run any screensaver as wallpaper. Cool concept, good implementation. This software continues to be developed and as such, is considered a late-beta, but seems to be fairly bug-free. Works on all Windows.

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FolderIcon

OK, here's the deal. It's easy to change an icon on your desktop if it's a shortcut, right? FolderIcon puts the ability to change any icon or folder, even system folders by right-clicking on it. After installation, the proggie is transparent except for the addition of 'Change icon' to the drop-down menu. Choose any alternate icon on your system. Works with any Win OS, though WinXP users have this feature built-in.

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TClock

The misleading title of this software belies its power to customize various desktop elements. Replace the start button, customize the start menu and make icon text transparent with this proggie. Skins are available at the sites listed on the links page. Oh, yeah ... you can also do stuff with the clock. Don't let the wimpy pictures at the developer's website fool ya, visit the skin sites to see what's really possible. Win 9x/Me/NT/2000.

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Eye Candy I - Planetstate

 OK, so we're all up to speed about modern computer monitors, that is the fact that burn-in is a thing of the past and screensavers are just for looks. That said, this one looks pretty cool. Kinda like your own kaleidoscope with a ton of slider controls for tweaky goofiness. Go play.

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Eye Candy II - DeskSwap

The subtitle for this software is "You'll show me yours," and is apt. Users actually view other user's desktops, either 'peer to peer', where the other user is known, or 'round robin' where strangers look at your desktop in their idle time and you get a peek at theirs. An unique concept about which Gene Kan, a developer of the Gnutella file-sharing technology, said: "It appeals to the inner Jerry Springer watcher in everyone. It was like `Survivor' or `Cops.' It's a new form of entertainment: reality computing." Now you, too can be an Internet voyeur ... but you'll have to show yours.

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SnIco Edit

Replacing the aging Icon Creation Program is this sweet little number from the fine minds at delightfully-named SnideSoft. Design or edit icons in as many (or as few) colors as you wish. Import/export from/to  GIF, BMP, DLL or EXE files and save as ICO. Offers several drawing tools for standard or custom-sized icons. This newer version works with all Windows. 

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 The Ultimate Wallpaper Changer

While having a little problem with absolutes, this remains a pretty slick program. Super simple to uses, changing your desktop background in intervals ranging from five minutes to an hour. Plays you choice of sounds at the change if you choose, and makes icon text transparent, so skip TransText if you download this one. 

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 LiteStep

This is a replacement shell for Windows Explorer recommended not only for advanced users, but for use an a computer upon which no real work is performed (to allow for down time while implementing) and then only for peeps with plenty of extra time on their hands. The learning curve is daunting, the results are stunning. The various complications involved with different versions of Windows are detailed at the website.

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"Windows XP finally provides a truly protected operating system. Each program you run will operate independently of all other programs currently being executed. XP provides a very stable environment and all but eliminates the mysterious program crashes often experienced on earlier Windows releases. If you've been holding off on updating an earlier version of Windows, this may be the time to finally upgrade. Unlike 98 and ME, which were largely cosmetic improvements of the original 95, XP, while sharing the same graphical user interface as those earlier releases, now provides a rock-solid operating system environment." - Gregory Braun, software programmer

In addition, WinXP is the most customizable and esthetically pleasing OS ever developed. XP users don't need additional software to change any icon or create transparent text amongst myriad other options. - SC