Tweak 7 has been updated to v1.01, and Tweak Vista updated to v2.01.  Both applications provide enhancements for their respected Operating System by helping configure it to meet your personal need by improving performance and behavior of Windows.  They were designed for both the casual user users as well as power users to get get the most out of Windows Vista or Windows 7.

These latest updates bring:

• Added viewing details and integration for clearing cache/temp locations.
• Improved handling for process identification
• Fixes including service start/stop images and auto-logons on x64.

Existing users can download the updates via Stardock’s Impulse.  Please visit the links below to get more information about Tweak 7 and Tweak Vista, along with links to free trial versions.

https://www.stardock.com/products/tweak7/

https://www.stardock.com/products/tweakvista/

We have been waiting a while to hear about “official” news about the release of CS5, especially in regards to Adobe Photoshop.  This week Adobe has announced a countdown for the first look at the upcoming CS5.

http://cs5launch.adobe.com/

On that page you can signup to take part in the introduction. 

Adobe Labs have also released a video showing the new content-aware fill.

An update to the popular CursorFX has been released today.  CursorFX is an application that allows Windows users to change and create cool looking cursors for their desktop.  CursorFX can also apply additional features like effect, animations, resizing of cursors, and more.  Thousands of custom cursors are available for download from sites like WinCustomize.com that feature cursors from simple to cursors with wild animations.

This update includes:

• Improved Windows 7 compatibility.
• Many tweaks and fixes.

More information can be found at www.cursorfx.com.  There is a free and Plus version available with additional advanced features for $19.95. 

The beta begins this month…really!

Well hello there Friday, haven’t seen you in a week, but welcome back!  I hope you had a great week, and it’s getting exciting around here that the launch of the new WinCustomize is coming up very soon.  This week we also launched the latest contest where anyone can submit a cool Spring wallpaper.  Check out the details here.  We are also have a super sale on WindowBlinds 7, where you can pick it up for just $10 this weekend.  Be sure to tell your friends about that one!

Now for this weeks picks!

	MRX4 Reloaded by Murex This DesktopX Theme caught my eye with the darker look and great design.
	Huts by CarGuy1 This  animated wallpaper is beautiful and subtle, and as one commenter said, it’s paradise.
	Alluminate Tabbed/Side Docks by WebGizmos A perfect set of matching docks for the new Master WB skin, Alluminate.
	Burren Equinox by Gammeldansk The color really grabbed my attention, and it’s a great wallpaper overall.
	ZiG ZaG II by jazzymjr A sweet, clean WindowBlinds skin that everyone should enjoy.  Nice work!
	WC Community, Leprechaun Majik by Philly0381 This is the .suite file for the latest WC Community project.  Great job to the community once again!

If there is one thing I can say about my desktop, is that I try my hardest to keep it organized and productive.  ObjectDock and Fences are the two apps I rely on, and they work well with other as I keep ObjectDock for application shortcuts, and Fences for keeping my icons sorted.  After someone in my household somehow erased my dock settings, I had to create another from scratch, which was fine since it gave me the opportunity to start fresh.

Using ObjectDock Plus, I organize my apps into their function and group them by using separators.  For instance, I have tabs setup for Office apps, Games, Stardock apps, etc.

My Office tab:

The first set of icons have Office 2010 plus Visio and OneNote.  Next I have the Expression applications which I separate with a separator just to keep it grouped for quick access.

My Graphics tab:

Here is where I keep all the applications somehow related to graphic work and design.  Photoshop, Vue 8, SnagIt, etc. are all here.

My General Tab:

This is where I keep the most commonly used applications.  Items like media players, some docklets, WHS and Remote Desktop access, etc.

How do you keep your dock organized?  Lets see a screenshot!

This weeks Feature Friday I thought we would focus on the transparency features in WindowBlinds .  Having a skin with transparency was all the rage a few years ago, but now virtually any skin can have their opacity adjusted in real-time.  That also includes .msstyles which have been imported into WindowBlinds via the importer tool.

Now make note that much of this is only supported on Vista and Windows 7, and you must have an Aero-capable PC to use these features as well.  So with that being said, open up the WindowBlinds configuration and select Transparency from the bottom tabs.

Here you are presented with three sliders when dealing with Aero modifications.  One for adjusting the start menu, one for the taskbar, and the last for the window frames.  Each also has its own reset button that when pressed, will reset the slider to its default skin setting.  From this point on it’s pretty easy, just slide the slider control left and right to achieve the desired transparency.  You will see your actions in the preview window, and when you are done just hit Apply changes to set the configuration.

Once you have selected a WindowBlinds skin, you will get a few more options such as a slider for the right-click menu, and the option to have a forced blur effect on the skin.  Although you have a few more options, it works the same way as mentioned above.

Without Transparency Applied	With Transparency Applied

You can see the comparison in the above screenshots.  Of course as with other customization aspects, you can apply as much or as little as you please.  The choice is all yours and that is one of the fun parts about desktop customization.

For more information about WindowBlinds, visit www.windowblinds.net .

The long weekend starts for me now, so we will get this edition of This Week in Skinning right out the door first thing this morning!

Check out the weekly skin picks!

	Protector cursor by 2of3 This is a matching CursorFX theme for the WB skin, but even on its own it’s a winner.
	Alluminate DX by Redneck Dude I really like the clean lines and “metal” look of this DesktopX theme.  Nice work!
	P139 smx v2 by pinchecl Once again pinchecl comes through with a cool Sysmetrix skin with some fantastic detail.
	SushiMix by floina Very simple and minimalistic, but this is a great looking wallpaper when matched with a lighter WB skin.
	Cinnabar by essorant This skin has such a rich, vibrant color.  As close as you can get to perfect.
	Igloo XP Vista Win7 by Vampothika It might be getting warmer for some of us, but you can still cool off with this top-notch WindowBlinds skin.

Multiplicity is one of the most useful and productive apps around today, and I like to share stories on how users can use MP to get more work done, and easier.  To answer the question simply, it is because Multiplicity can make your work easier by eliminating the desktop clutter of multiple hardware, and by using the power of multiple PC’s with just one mouse/keyboard combination.

I was recently speaking with a guy who had a cool setup of three 24” widescreen monitors, each hooked up to their own PC.  Of course the mess comes in because there are also three sets of keyboards and mice on the desktop making much clutter on what otherwise would be a clean, functional desktop.  After showing a quick demo of Multiplicity they were sold, and the clutter on the desktop was eliminated and now they manage their media creation across three PC’s with just one mouse and keyboard.

If you have multiple-PC’s on your desktop, then I suggest giving Multiplicity a try, I’m confident you won’t be disappointed.

For a free trial and more information, visit www.multiplicity.net.

This week certainly seemed to go by quick, and here we are on another Friday getting ready to roundup the latest news and releases on Impulse from the past week.  The real exciting news this week was the exclusive release of Total Annihilation on Impulse.  This classic RTS has found a great home on Impulse, and will certainly lead the way for other classic games like this being added in the future. 

If you have been waiting for more information about Elemental: War of Magic, then be sure to check the links below for more info on the Limited Edition box and the goodies included!

News and Articles:

• Elemental: Limited Edition
• Impulse gets Total Annihilation!
• Elemental: Destiny’s Embers
• Stardock and Random House Announce Partnership on Elemental: Destiny’s Embers
• Some Great Upcoming Games on Impulse
• Impulse Weekly Top 10
• Pirates and Despots on ImpulseTV

New and Updated Releases on Impulse:

• Star Wolves 3
• Zenith Remnant
• Silent Hunter: Battle of the Atlantic
• Silent Hunter: Battle of the Atlantic Gold
• Battlefield Bad Company 2
• Total Annihilation
• Multiplicity Pro 1.24
• Gratuitous Space Battles 1.35
• Gratuitous Space Battles – The Order
  

Weekend Impulse Buys