PaulSpoerry.com

The Inquirer is running an article titled “XP Mode in Windows 7 is a scam“. The article describes how running in XP Mode won’t do what you think it will do. The major gripe is that perhipherals will need to be virtualized. Those virtualized perhipherals will be a subset of virtual hardware devices that look like those in an older, generic PC – basically a lowest common denominator version of a NIC, SATA controller, sound card and GPU. It then goes on to say how you won’t be able to “play games”, etc.

Let me first say, “no shit Sherlock”. The intentional behind XP Mode is NOT to run a full blown computer in a computer. The author entirely misses the point of virtualization. The virtualization provided by XP Mode isn’t the same as a high end enterprise version VMWare product on data center grade hardware. The entire intention of XP Mode is to allow business that have legacy applications that may or may not run on Windows 7 (or Vista for that matter) to have an environment that their applications can safely run in… a Windows XP virtual machine.

The author goes on to rail on how applications won’t run at a “tolerable speed” and generally dismisses it as useless. XP Mode is not intended to run 3D gaming applications; it isn’t meant for software that needs hardware acceleration. This is meant for ease the upgrade path of businesses, most importantly for those that will enjoy the migration to a 64-bit OS, which incidentally has absolutely no support for 16-bit applications. Even if you still HAVE a 16 bit application laying around (and seriously, if you do… upgrade or find a replacement)  none of those programs will have any need for blistering fast 3d performance!

I’ve been a long time customizer of the Windows interface. Windows XP always looked like it was designed by a team from Fischer Price (hey, it’s “My First PC!”). Vista is of course much better looking in the visual department but there are still tons of GUI customizations out there that many people prefer. If you want to change the way Windows looks, then get a copy of WindowBlinds by StarDock. A WindowBlinds skin can make Windows look like an alternative operating system, like their favorite sports or car brand, or something completely new. Because WindowBlinds uses the latest hardware acceleration features of modern video cards, WindowBlinds won’t slow down your computer and uses very little memory. (btw… StarDock’s entire suite, called Object Desktop is awesome).

If you’re using Vista with a WindowBlinds skin what’s lacking is customizing the Windows Vista SideBar. The Sidebar of course allows you to run those (sometimes) handy Gadgets on the side of your screen.

Enter Stanimir Stoyanov who has create a very useful application that automates customizing the appearance of the Windows Vista sidebar. If you change your skin and want your sidebar to match, Windows Sidebar Styler makes it very easy to change the look.

1. Visit Stanimir Stoyanov’s blog and download the latest version.
2. Once installed, start up the Windows Sidebar Styler. You can find it in the start menu under Stanimir Stoyanov.
3. You can replace individual graphics used to create a custom theme by scrolling through the Available Resource List, right clicking on a resource and selecting Replace.

   

   Alternatively, you open a theme that was already created by clicking on the open button that is just to the right of the big Apply/Play button.

   

4. Once you have your changes made or theme loaded, hit the big Apply/Play button and you are finished.

   

Looking for more Windows Sidebar Styler themes to download? Check out WinCustomize.