RkLauncher – the darkhorse docked app launcher

RK Launcher is a free application that will allow the user to have a visually pleasing side or dock bar at the side (or anywhere) of the screen that is used to quickly launch shortcuts and executables. With support for themes, PNG’s and ICO’s and with smooth amazing animations, RK Launcher is a versatile and great taskbar replacement. In a sense, it rivals Rocketdock in some aspects and at times bests that great application in areas like memory footprint.

Features:

• Zooming: When the mouse is moved over the dock, all the icons will automatically grow: this is called zooming. The advantage of zooming is that the user will be able to have a very small strip of shortcuts that virtually take no precious screenspace. Only when interaction with RK Launcher is required, the shortcutbar will automatically zoom in to allow the user to pick the icon he wants.

• Taskbar: Minimized windows will normally be shown on the Windows Taskbar. RK Launcher provides an eye-pleasing replacement for the taskbar: whenever a window is minimized, it will automatically be placed on the shortcutsbar and will be represented by a small image of the contents of this window. This way, the user will quickly see which windows are minimized.
• New Applications: It’s always hard to track newly installed applications: where did they go? To solve this problem, RK Launcher will automatically place a shortcut on the launcher when an application is started for the first time.
• Customization: All parts of RK Launcher can be fully customized. From the number of icons that gets zoomed on mouseover to the background and icons; the user can set it all as he likes. With support for themes, users can exchange their favourite looks and change the look of the launcher with one click.

Download: Link
Website: URL
Developer: RaduKing
Last release: October 17, 2005
Latest Version: 0.4 Beta
Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP does not work in 95/98/Me/NT
License: Freeware
Portable: Yes
OpenSource: No
Requirements: 8mb memory free and 500mhz CPU
Installation Difficulty: Novice
Issues: Problems with Start-Up and freezes at times
Ratings: 7/10