The (much less) Great Open-Source Cleansing

With a very heavy heart, I have come to the realization that Windows-only just isn't going to work. So I've decided to allow myself 4 non-Windows programs to use. Most of these pertain to modifying windows itself, since I'm neurotic in terms of personalizing my operationg systems. With no further adue, these are my selected 4:

1. Reshacker - A mashup of "Resource" and "hacker". You know those .dll files that every Windows program is chockablock with? Well what they do is they modify the program to fit your computers needs. One might be to specify the resolution size, another might be for your saved games etc. What reshacker lets you do is edit those files, so as a result I have a different login screen, a different icon set, transparent window borders at all times, a Windows 7-esque toolbar etc.


2. iTunes - Mac fanboys, go crazy. If only I had the Zune I wanted (September 8th!), I could use the Zune software, but since I only have my iPod, I was forced to get iTunes...


3. Adobe Flash - This should be a "No duh". It's kind of impossible to survive daily web browsing without it.


4. Steam - Steam is sort of a game hub type thing. Because now that I'm on a system on which I can game, I kinda want to. :P

~Setsanto

Screenshots:

The Great Open-Source Cleansing

For the past year or so, I have been using Ubuntu (an Open-Source Linux distribution) for about 90% of my computing needs. A few weeks ago, I preordered Windows 7 since I have quite enjoyed using the Beta; however, in order to install Windows 7 when I get it, I will have to upgrade from Windows Vista. As a result, I had to install Windows Vista today (Don't worry, I will get to my point eventually!).

While installing Vista today, I came up with a spontaneous challenge for myself, namely surviving with Microsoft-only products until the end of summer. So that means no iTunes, no Firefox, no CCleaner, no Avast, no Google (only Bing), no RocketDock, no OpenOffice, and most importantly, no Ubuntu.

It has only been a couple of hours, but I am already in pain. Considering this fact, I have come up with the ultimate punishment for myself. If I transgress my cardinal rule, I have to resort to, *sigh*, IE6 until Windows 7 comes around. I'm pretty sure that will keep me in check...

~Setsanto