By David Silver
One of the first major ROM-replacement applications many new users buy is an upgraded application launcher. While the standard one works fine for launching applications, many users want additional features and a more colorful interface.
The replacement choices are seemingly endless, ranging from a Windows-style start bar, such as Hi-Launcher (at http://www.hilauncher.com) or a severely powered up version of the built-in one, like Zlauncher (at http://www.zztechs.com). TealPoint (at http://www.tealpoint.com), having already dipped into the industry with their pop-up launcher TealLaunch, has decided to dive all the way in with TealDesktop. TealDesktop offers many features that differentiate it from the multitude of generic replacements, one of which is the lack of "launcher" in its name, a feature that seems quite rare in today's market.
"TealDesktop is, without a doubt, better than the built-in launcher, but overkill for many."
Themes and customization
TealPoint's advertising focuses heavily on the customizability of TealDesktop for good reason: it's as customizable as humanly possible. This customizability is from the use of "themes" instead of "skins."
What's the difference?
According to TealPoint, skins are merely graphical changes; they might make your launcher look nice and pretty, but tapping a certain spot is going to do the exact same thing. Themes, on the other hand, allow for a complete redesign of the interface. If you want to put your category list in the middle of the screen with the application icons in a flowery arrangement around it, you can do that. This gives TealPoint the ability to please virtually everyone, as it can morph to fit any interface preferences a user might have. TealPoint tries to make modifying these themes simple through a theme editor built into the program, shown in Figure A.
FIGURE A
TealDesktop's theme editor is built directly into the program. (click for larger image)
Instead of having to run to your computer every time you want to modify a theme, you merely have to pull open the editor and you're set to go. In addition, this saves you the frustration of having to petition a skin/theme designer in order to get a tweak to your favorite design. You can simply change it yourself. To get you started, TealPoint has a large number of themes available on their website and they're always willing to listen user's requests for more.
Once you enter the theme editor, you can either edit an existing theme or create a new one. When creating a new one, you decide on a name and can choose from a number of templates:
