flyakiteosx

After spending so many hours sitting in front of your computer day after day, you've probably grown tired of its standard Windows XP appearance and feel like changing it in some way. Lucky you, there are plenty of software tools that can help you change the way XP looks and even make it resemble a completely different operating system.

To begin with, you may apply some easy, subtle changes such as using a different theme color. Both the Royale Noir XP and the Royale Remixed themes are an excellent choice for a dark, sleek Windows XP look. Another good way to start modding your XP is by replacing standard icons with new ones, using an application like IconTweaker or an icon pack like Vista Ultimate Icons. Finally, you can also change your desktop wallpaper and get a fresher look almost immediately. Vistamizer Windows Vista Wallpaper Pack and Windows Vista Desktop Wallpaper Pack are two great wallpaper collections you can use for this purpose.

But if you're looking for a full revamp, then you should turn to complete visual themes that can make your Windows XP look like another totally different OS – without giving up on XP. So if you want to have Windows Vista, you may use Vistamizer; if you prefer the Apple style, you can install FlyakiteOSX; and if you'd like a more open-source appearance, get Ubuntu XP.

There are other software tools that can help you customize Windows XP look&feel, but they do more than just updating the wallpaper, changing icons or coloring the toolbar. Apps like Windowblinds or Aston replace the Windows shell completely and let you enjoy a brand-new computer – at least in appearance – without having to upgrade hardware.

[Via: OnSoftware Spain]

Many people drool over Mac computers but not all of them can afford one – and that includes me. Beautiful as they are, Macs are still too expensive for a tight budget like mine, so while I'm saving to buy one some day in the future, I've decided to give my Windows a more Appleish look.

Have you ever noticed the amount of Windows apps that have been developed to emulate Mac's apps and functions? You can start by having your own Windows dock with ObjectDock or RocketDock, two toolbars that replace the Windows standard toolbar with a more Mac-themed one. Or you install Switcher, the Windows version of the cool Exposé effect, which enables you to change between running programs in a really stylish way. But if you're taking the hardcore way then you should probably grab hold of FlyakiteOSX, a full featured visual theme that will completely transform your Windows into something more similar to a Mac.

There are also some Windows tools that have been developed with some well-known Mac programs in mind. One of them is MightyBox, a Windows clone of the popular Mac application launcher QuickSilver. Another one is Snap, a webcam tool that resembles the famous Mac app Photobooth. Likewise, some Mac developers have also created specific versions of their applications for the Windows system, like Safari and Comic Life.

Funnily enough, I don't think there are that many Mac programs that emulate Windows functions. I wonder why!

If you want to give a different style to your desktop, you can always go into the Display Properties and then change your chosen color, wallpaper and screen saver but that's really pretty much it. In short, if you want to go hardcore in desktop tweaking, you're going to need some expert help. We've selected 10 applications, that were given good ratings by Softonic users, and that let you play around with the aspects of your PC.

• Active Multiwallpaper Changer - Manage, set and edit all the images you want to place as backgrounds on your desktop. This program makes sure that you always have a new wallpaper on your PC, thanks to 6 different filtering methods. One thing though, is it really that necessary to set hotkeys to change backgrounds?
• Aston - This one ditches the standard Windows desktop for a completely new look with sidebars and transparent effects. The developer page also features a collection of themes based on the Aston look. Some of them are pretty stunning.
• Style XP - Instead of offering you a totally new interface, Style XP gives you advanced options to customize the look of your XP desktop. While the many options in this program might frighten off new users, Style XP should delight users who have the patience to tweak things like font size, boot screen or transparency levels of windows.
• FlyakiteOSX - Installing this pack is the first step you should take before buying a Mac. Just joking. FlyakiteOSX recreates the look and feel of the Mac desktop on your PC. It looks good and you can even activate the genie effect on icons.
• Webshots Desktop - Thanks to a huge library of images, Webshots Desktop can guarantee you'll never see the same wallpaper all year long. This program doubles as a photo sharing service and you can easily drag and drop your own snaps online or keep them in your Webshots Desktop collection of background images.
• WindowBlinds - An all around customization tool, Windowblinds lets you add new skins, themes, toolbars and more to your PC. Just like Aston, this program will totally revamp your PC. The difficulty is choosing the style that suits you most.
• ObjectDock - Another tool to get you in the Mac spirit, this program gives your Windows navigation the feel and look of OS X.
• XPize - A GUI enhancer for PC, this program will swap your basic icons for new ones. The program completely updates the look of your PC automatically.
• Talisman Desktop - Talisman builds a completely new interface for your desktop. The Talisman work space, where programs appear as objects of different forms and dimensions, is another way of structuring your desktop yet you'll need a bit of time to get accustomed to it.
• IconX - Change the icons on your PC and everything will look like new. IconX lets you modify your icons by adding a whole range of cool effects like drop shadow or zoom.