Windows Vista has a new look and it’s called Aero – Authentic, Energetic, Reflective and Open. I believe all versions of Vista along with a pretty good display adapter have the capability to provide the new Aero look except the Home Basic edition.
Aero provides:
- Translucent Window Frames
- Smooth Animations
- Thumbnail Previews of the Taskbar Window Buttons
- Flip 3D Task Switcher
Below are some images of the Flip 3D Task Switcher in action. A cool feature that’s both practical and functional. Actually you forget it’s even there and don’t use it unless you make a concerted effort. I’d say it’s just more cool, pretty and fun to play with if anything. 🙂
Click image for larger view (1024 x 768)
Below is another view but without the translucency.
Click image for larger view (1024 x 768)
The Flip 3D Task Switcher is enabled by pressing the key combination – Windows Key and Tab. Holding this key combination down cycles through the window giving you a 3D circular motion. If you hold the Windows Key down then press and release the tab key it will cycle through each window one at a time.
Firefox Add-On
Talking about cool and fun to play with images, how about the Firefox add-on PicLens. This is one add-on you have to have. It allows you to turn the images you view in your browser into a full-screen 3D experience.
By downloading and installing the add-on to Firefox, you can browse to the following and view images on a 3D wall metaphor.
- Flickr
- Smugmug
- DevianArt
- Photobucket
- Picasa
- Myspace
- Bebo
- Hi5
- Friendster
- Image Searches on Google, Yahoo, Ask, Live and AOL as well as a growing number of Media RSS-enabled web site.
Below is a screen shot of PicLens at flickr. There is a tiny arrow in the lower left-hand corner of every image that you click on and you are presented with a whole wall of images to scroll through. It’s just plain cool and fun.
Click image for larger view (800 x 600)
Linkage for Friday, February 8
How to Embed MP3 Audio Files In Web Pages With Google or Yahoo! Flash Player by Digital Inspiration
Rip Text and Images from Web Pages into Beautiful Scrapbooks by Digital Inspiration
Make Firefox Start Faster with a Preloader by CyberNet
Finally, a Web-based PDF Viewer That Does Not Suck (Issuu) by TechCrunch
These are fun to watch, read or get involved – Magazine Headline Remix: Details Edition by CopyBlogger
The Value of Failure – A book review by Small Business Trends – Bounce!: Failure, Resiliency, and Confidence to Achieve Your Next Great Success
- And
- here’s
- a
- link
- from
- me,
- NOT a big blogger,
- in
- list
- format:
- Why I’m Done With Linkbait
- by Penelope Trunk at
- Brazen Careerist
Start Video Blogging in 5 Easy Steps by Remarkablogger
Ask yourself this question: Did our relationship improve? by Steve Yastrow
J-walking with Reader by The Official GoogleReader Blog
THE same can be achieved with the software that comes with top end logitech mice at the pres of only one button on the mouse .. absolutely indispensable tool for anyone needed a visual task switcher
WinKey+Tab opens the Flip 3d task switcher, then use your mousewheel to scroll through the open programs while continuing to hold down WinKey+Tab.
WinKey+CTRL+Tab leaves the the Flip 3d task switcher open after you release the keys, handy for showing off Vista or just keeping an eye on things.
Alt+CTRL+Tab to leave the none 3D task switcher open
Nada » Thanks for those tips Nada.