Netbook Desktops

[Neddie]

On a desktop we're spoiled for resolution, our backgrounds tend to be epic, every shortcut we ever need can be placed around the edge...

On a netbook, things look a little different!

I like my desktop, so I'm posting my desktop. Any other netbook users find a nice fit given their limited resources? I'd like to see your netbook desktops.

[lurker]

I'll just put the image I use on my 1600x1200 because it fits anything. I could make a netbook screenshot but it's just on a black background with no icons.

[Caydr]

Are you sure you have enough bloatware on that thing? Seriously, wtf, you should buy a mac and be done with it if you don't feel deep shame at posting such a picture for the world to see.

[momfreeek]

My desktop is just random junk and a recycle bin. I find its a stupid place to start programs and file-browsing from cause it gets hidden by anything thats running.

my windows solution:
1 - use the quick launch bar. put any programs you use often there.
2 - put a link to quick launch on the start menu (trust me).
3 - populate favourites with useful locations on your computer (favourites are so handy for browsing locally and very easy to manage.. delete any weblinks).
4 - put a link to favourites on the quick launch bar.

now you can browse folders & open programs from the quicklaunch bar or use:
windowskey, q = quick launch
windowskey, a = favorites

note that these are key sequences; no hand twisting necessary. check out the locations of your q&a keys and it should start making sense.

eg:
to open firefox i press: windows key, q, f
to open 'my computer' i press: windows key, a, m

its like playing starcraft :)

there is a favorites menu on the menu bar of every folder so you can go from any folder to any favourite with minimal fuss (eg: alt+a, m to go to my computer). The favourites menu has 'add to favourites' so adding locations is also very easy.. no dragging or copy+pasting needed.

I really don't understand why internet explorer shares its favorites with windows explorer.. since I started using favourites for local folders, browsing around the computer (& network) got 10x easier and weblinks just spam it up. if you don't use ie its not a problem anyway :)

PS: killer step 5 involves downloading 'tweakUI for xp'. Use that to put favourites on your 'places bar'.. and now it shows up on the left of file dialogues in most programs.

[Peet]

to open 'my computer' i press: windows key, a, m

winkey+e

[momfreeek]

to open 'my computer' i press: windows key, a, m

winkey+e

lol, bad example then.. here's a better one..
to open the video folder on my main computer over the network its:
windows key, a, v

[aegis]

use launchy or a similar keystroke launcher...

[momfreeek]

use launchy or a similar keystroke launcher...

Thats far more complicated to manage, less intuitive and doesn't come with the other benefits.

All i did was go to the video folder and click 'add to favourites'.

I can now navigate there from anywhere with or without opening a new explorer window in 2 mouse clicks or 3 key presses.

[aegis]

it automatically indexes folders and files with simple configuration... it requires almost no management and even learns which results to prioritize based on your past choices.

[momfreeek]

Heh, yeah, launchy does seem nice. But does it do anything for mouse navigation and can you integrate it into standard save dialogues?

I figured out most of my solution fiddling with windows 98 so I'm well used to it by now. I might give launchy a go though, it seems like a far better solution to half the problem.

[Forboding Angel]

Right click > properties > shortcut key

ftw

[Caydr]

Right click > properties > shortcut key

ftw

Seriously. You can tell I've used a computer somewhere because CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+C launches calc.