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For the past 3 months or so, I have been pondering over switching my OS from WinXP to OSS (Open Source Softwares) like fedora or ubuntu for a safer computer working environment. As you may know, around 4 months ago, I suffered this computer bugger which, I don’t know what it’s called, that forcibly hid my windows taskbar and I can’t bring it on again. Thanks to the author of this solution page which made my missing taskbar re-surface again after almost a sweaty afternoon.

But then, my OS migration did not push through due to the fact that I needed to tailor most of my working softwares to OSS environment and that’s a lot of work. Making it dual boot was an option though, but then that defeats the purpose of aiming at a safer computer working environment. In short, I landed at installing AntiVir Guard backed by a couple of anti-spybots/anti-spywares. Also got the mighty (so far) Stinger and Zone Alarm firewall. To date, surfing the net and working with the original WinXP OS has been a breeze.

That fortification done, I decided to soup my desktop a little bit up :) Firstly, I installed a new desktop theme from CrystalXP.net called Crystal Clear. The look was sleek and gives me the feeling that I am working on a Fedora platform, as shown in the snap shot below.

crystaldesktop400

Crystal Clear theme has a dock settings for your basic desktop folders and utilities, including media player and browser. The docked folders and utilities are automatically hidden upon moving your mouse pointer away from it.

crystaldock400

This is just another set of option buttons offered by the theme. You can choose which tool to display, refresh icons, access help page or perhaps remove the theme pack.

crystalconfig400

This is how my start button and program menu look like.

crystal_desktop400

Also, got iTunes re-installed and got those radio streams flowing.

itunes400

And yes, did you notice that cutie tux, on top of my sidebar? got her from CrystalXP.net :) edited it and added my wordpress URL. Plus, got myself a mood icon from imood. Lastly, I installed Adobe Photoshop CS2 :D

Yiiiihaaaaa!

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Disclaimer:
I am neither recommending the themes from CrystalXP.net nor discouraging you from using them. In case you wish to install one on your desktop, don’t forget to read the compatibility issues stated in the theme provider’s website. Thanks!

Reminding You, In Case You Forgot: