Sounds like what you're looking for is a desktop organizer & quick
launch program. You might try searching under those keywords on google,
or in Google Groups' alt.comp.freeware. Here are a just a few
possibilities [there are tons of similar programs out there].:
StarDock's Object Doc
http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/
ObjectDock is a program that lets you organize your short-cuts and
running tasks onto an extremely customizable dock that sits on your
desktop.
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Desktop Sidebar
http://www.desktopsidebar.com/
Tons of features!
Desktop Sidebar provides you with instant access to the information you
most desire by grabbing data from your PC and the Internet. The result
is a dynamic visual display you configure and control. How can you make
this possible? Choose from among a wide selection of information
conduits (MS Outlook, toolbars, newsfeeds), called ´panels.´
Fully customizable, Desktop Sidebar allows you to dock these panels to
the edge of the screen, or arrange them anywhere on your desktop as you
wish. All panels are configurable with a number of specific options.
With hundreds of skins available on our Web site and an easy-to-use
Skin Editor, you can freely change the appearance of Desktop Sidebar to
suit your tastes.
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Take Control
http://www.martinsoftware.net/
Take Control is an all-in-one software: hotkeys manager, virtual
desktops, virtual clipboard, startup manager, split and merge files,
minimize application to traybar, serach files and directories, kill
process, picker color, mails check, notes on desktop.
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Konfabulator
http://www.konfabulator.com/
Konfabulator is a JavaScript runtime engine that lets you run little
files called Widgets that can do pretty much whatever you want them to.
Widgets can be alarm clocks, calculators, can tell you your AirPort
signal strength, will fetch the latest stock quotes for your preferred
symbols, and even give your current local weather. What sets it apart
from other scripting applications is that it takes full advantage of
Apple´s Quartz rendering. This allows Widgets to blend fluidly into
your desktop without the constraints of traditional window borders.
Toss in some sliding and fading, and these little guys are right at
home.
[Tons of addons, features -- a very nice program!]
For addons see:
http://www.widgetgallery.com/
------------------------------------------------
DesktopCoral
http://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Mouser/desktopcoral/
DesktopCoral is an unusual program designed to "reserve" some portion
of your desktop which is shielded from maximized applications..
Essentially, it acts like an invisible resizeable docking bar, which
can be docked to any side of your desktop. This invisible dock acts as
a barrier to maximized applications and essentially shields this area
of your desktop from other applications.
Within this shielded area you might put certain application windows
that you want to be always visible, or you might put one of the many
desktop tools like a calendar or system information component.
----------------------------
Free Launch Bar
http://www.freelaunchbar.com/
Free Launch Bar is a Free replacement for the standard Quick Launch
bar. All functions presented in Quick Launch are also in Free Launch
Bar. However, the Free Launch Bar is fully compatible with Quick Launch
because it uses the same folder for shortcuts. But there is one huge
difference. Free Launch Bar allows you to combine your shortcuts into
groups. This feature looks like popup menus. This vastly improves the
management of your shortcuts and save working space on your desktop. By
using Free Launch Bar, you speed up the launching of your applications
like never before.
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Kana Launcher
http://www.kana.homeip.net/index.php?i=57
Kana Launcher is a Windows program that can be used to launch your
favorite programs or documents efficiently.
Using Kana Launcher, you have the freedom to choose how the icons to
launch the programs or documents should be created
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Tidy Start Menu
http://www.tidystartmenu.com/index.shtml
As time goes by, the list of the programs in the Start Menu becomes too
long. As a result, each time you want to launch a program, it takes too
much time to find it in the menu.
The "Tidy Start Menu" program will help you to put the menu in order
and make your work comfortable.
For setting the menu in order, the program offers you to categorize the
Menu. For example, the Internet programs can be put into the "Internet"
category, while all games can be included in the "Games" category.
Thus, after using the program, you will have a compact menu, which will
contain nothing but categories' names.
Therefore, it will be no trouble to find a necessary program.
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H-Menu
http://home.planet.nl/~vrloohdv/homeEN.htm
H-Menu is a fully configurable launcher, yet it remains invisible until
activated with the mouse. Have everything you need just a click away
and say goodbye to the START button and a cluttered Desktop. Animated
Toolbars appear on contact with the screen's edge, up to two per
side.
---------------------------------------------
MyFavorites
http://www.dioneldelacruz.com/
An easy to use programs launcher. Organize yourself with this handy
application that can give you quick access to all the programs that you
use the most. Very convenient and easy to use. Organize yourself and
spend more time working on your computer and not looking for your
programs. Easy to use programs launching layout.
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Free Launcher
http://www.freehotthings.com/
With Free Launcher you may easily start your programs by a click or
using an alias. You may add as many aliases as you like. Free Launcher
is located in the tray and won´t interfere your usual activity. The
software has "Load at startup" and "Autohide" options that should make
your life even more easier
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Key Launcher
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dsoftweb/prod02.htm
This is a powerful application launcher that allows you to start
executables, batch files, documents, folders and much more with one
press of a key on your keyboard.
The advanced launch predefined command allows you to launch up to 10
different targets using only 1 key. All of this happens wherever you
are in windows. So you could be editing a spreadsheet and still start a
target by pressing a key.
---------------------------------------
QuickStart
http://www.digiarch.org/quickstart.html
QuickStart allows you to quickly find items in your Start Menu,
Favorites, Recent Files, Desktop and History, that match a typed
keyword. In addition, you can specify a custom directory, as well as
file extensions to look for. Just type in the keyword and press enter
to be presented with a list of items that match your entry - you can
then select and launch the program, link or file by selecting it from
the list.
----------------------------
PS Hot Launch VVL
http://www.pssoftlab.com/
http://www.pssoftlab.com/pshl_info.phtml
PS Hot Launch is meant to quickly run different applications, open
documents, go to the right folders and web pages, send mail to a
specified address, etc. The above operations are carried out through
the menu that can be called by clicking the program icon in the taskbar
system tray, and also by pressing user assigned hot keys (support for
the key significantly extends the number of possible combinations).
-----------------------------------
Tray Commander Lite
http://www.ardamax.com/
Tray Commander is a multifunctional utility that was developed to let
you quickly run your frequently used commands directly from the system
tray. Tray Commander adds a single icon to the tray which, when
clicked, displays a menu to which you can add commands. It can
open\close your CD drives, reboot, shutdown your system, run your
favorite applications, launch any screensavers and many others.
-----------------------
LaunchTab
http://www.tobiascohen.com/software/launchtab/
LaunchTab is a convenient, easy to use and aesthetically appealing file
launcher for Microsoft Windows operating systems. It provides the user
with popup tabs on the bottom of the screen that can be configured to
launch a variety of software
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LaunchIt Now!
http://www.gemiscorp.com/english/launchitnow/info.html
Why waste your valuable time searching for the programs, files, folders
and favorite URLs you want to open if you can just access them from
where your mouse pointer is? Why don´t you start using LaunchIt NOW?
It´s completely free and you can have it up and running in no time.
------------------------------------
FavLaunch
http://www.utilityplanet.com/
FavLaunch is an organizer for your favorite folders. You can place
links to frequently used folders into FavLaunch and access them anytime
with only two clicks. New folders can be added to the list with
drag-n-drop from Windows Explorer.
-------------------------------------------------
Runner
http://www.moonflare.com/runner/
Runner is a new concept in launching reminiscent of command lines,
where you simply type in the first few letters of a program´s unique
KEYWORD and hit ENTER to run it. Runner 2.0 is friendlier-to-use,
allowing you to add new items to the list by simply dragging shortcuts
or executables from your Desktop, Start menu, or Explorer onto it.
--------------------------------------
PBar
http://homepages.enterprise.net/quinton/
PBar is a program launch bar with many features including: Docking to
any edge, settings are saved, scrollable bar, button limit has now been
extended to 100, exe, com and bat files are supported, drag & drop is
supported, and it also supports shortcuts.
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and finally --
MyCorkBoard
http://www.mycorkboard.com/
Personalize your PC with the award-winning MyCorkboard screen saver!
Pick from hundreds of drag-and-drop items to create your own personal
design. Add clocks, photos, calendars, sticky notes, to do lists, name
plates, phone dialers, animated pets and dozens of amazing gizmos.
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