Dwight Silverman wants to start a new meme:
If you use Windows XP, and you’ve not fallen back to the simple, Windows 2000-style theme, your Start menu includes a list of frequently used programs. It’s there on the lower left side of the menu, and the default is six items. What’s there for you?
Dwight’s list is radically different from mine. He still uses a version of HomeSite I abandoned years ago, for instance. (And what is it about techies from Texas and WordPerfect, anyway?)
I could go on for about six screens if I counted every computer I have. So I’ll just concentrate on the two PCs I use most, one of which is running Windows XP Pro, the other running Windows Vista Beta 1. I’m changing the rules in another way as well. In both cases, the list consists of programs I’ve “pinned” to the Start menu, working from the top down. It doesn’t include Microsoft Outlook 2003 or Internet Explorer, both of which are permanently pinned to the top of the menu:
Windows Vista Beta 1:
- SyncToy – This is my new favorite Windows utility. I use it to keep music files and photos in sync on different machines. I also use it to keep backups of working files on my Tablet PC. If you have more than one computer, you have got to try this.
- Remote Desktop Connection – I can sit in my comfy chair in the living room and continue to work on the desktop PC.
- FeedDemon – NewsGator Outlook Edition doesn’t work with Windows Vista yet, so I’m trying the newest beta version of FeedDemon. I experimented with it for a while last year and wasn’t impressed, but it’s come a long way since then. Now that it synchronizes with NewsGator Web Edition, I’m finding a lot to like. (It also syncs with Bloglines, if you prefer that Web-based feed reader.)
- Microsoft Word 2003 – I write. I write books about Office. My copy of Word is heavily customized, needless to say!
- Microsoft Excel 2003 – Numbers, lists, charts, PivotTables. I use Excel for all sorts of stuff.
- Ecto – I’ve been happy with BlogJet as my tool for creating and editing blog-post, but alas, it doesn’t work well with Beta 1 of Windows Vista. So I’ve been experimenting with Ecto, and I like it. It lacks a WYSIWYG editor, but it’s more powerful in some respects. If you don’t mind seeing bare HTML in an editor window, check it out.
Windows XP Pro:
- Microsoft Word 2003 – Obviously.
- Microsoft Excel 2003 – Ditto.
- Microsoft Money 2004 – Online banking with scheduled payments is the best thing since sliced bread.
- Windows XP Inside Out Deluxe Second Edition eBook – I refer to this book a lot, so I keep the electronic version (in Acrobat Reader format) handy. The Search feature works better than even the most carefully composed index.
- Nero Burning ROM – Music and backups on CD or DVD.
- eMusic Tag Editor – It’s an essential part of keeping a well-organized digital music library.
Be sure to check out Dwight’s list and then tell us what’s on your Start menu?
Ed Bott 
Ed, I noticed on your list of programs on your start menu you have Microsoft Money. I am new to Money and was wondering if you know of any web sites or blogs that contains help, tips, and faq on Money. Thanks
My Start Menu:
I pinned all my Office programs and the rest are:
AOL Instant Messenger – keep in touch with the kids in school
Solitaire – ok, no comments
Money – learning and I am financially organized this time in my life. I guess that is what happens to you when kids go to college…FAFSA
Firefox – I think I should pin this
Shutdown shortcut tip
Adobe Photoshop
I also have quite few programs on my Quick launch toolbar
Tom
On this computer (including the two pinned items):
Diskeeper
Adobe Reader
Command Prompt
Internet Explorer
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word
Task Manager
Disk Cleanup
I’m boring. 🙂 Okay, this is a work computer.
From my main computer at home. Including pinned.
Firefox
mIRC
KeePass Password Safe
Windows Media Player
cmd
FeedDemon
Steam
CDisplay
SmartFTP
Reflector
Mine isnt very exciting. From top to bottom (ignoring IE and Outlook 2003 that are pinned at the top) I have
Photoshop 7
itunes (i listen to a lot of radio while working but usually use Media Player so odd that this is here)
Dreamweaver
ADAware SE Personal
MSN Messenger 7 (I chat a lot)
Disk Cleanup (only here as I just used it I guess)
This is my new Lattitude D610 from work’s list. I have Firefox and Groupwise pinned. Then the six are:
I.E.
Command Prompt
WinRAR
Tivoli Storage Manager GUI client
Microsoft Word
VMWare Workstation
Those are a tad distorted by the fact it’s four days old.
SyncToy is so clever!
WinRAR
AutoHotkey
Microsoft Word 2003
Microsoft OneNote 2003
XNews
MSN Messenger – switching between the PC and laptop I don’t like it autostarting
Notepad – Gotta be the best thing for writing web pages in
Solitaire – For when I’m playing games and watching videos at the same time
Spider Solitaire – ditto, but a change from the norm
Media Center – TV!
Media Player – My favourites list is on repeat, so once this is open it stays open.
Nothing! I run OS X.
But seriously, in my Dock:
Safari, iPhoto, IMovie, iDVD, Terminal, Activity Monitor, iChatAV, Conversation (IRC client), Address book, iCal, Pages, Keynote, Fireworks, iTunes, BBEdit, Flash, Transmit FTP, Azureus BT, Disk Utility. Truthfully, most of the time I just Spotlight the program I want. It is as fast as moving the mouse to the bottom of the screen.
XP Pro…
Firefox
Outlook
Command Prompt
Windows Explorer
Photoshop CS
Notepad
Diskeeper
CDex
Adobe Audition 1.5
Santa Cruz Control Panel
Symantec AntiVirus
foobar2000
Windows Media Player
Nero Express
EAC
CD Wave Editor
ShellExView
Soulseek
Windows Update
FLAC Frontend
and on the ol’ QuickLaunch:
Windows Explorer (My Computer as root)
Command Prompt
Run… (shortcut to Run box)
regedit
iTunes
Outlook
Firefox
I do a bit of audio work as you probably can tell… I also increased the number of programs on the MFU list (start panel is big, but with small icons it’s manageable). I don’t know how I lived with the old-style start menu – it’s so much easier using the most frequently used stuff off the start panel!
drew
I use the quicklaunch bar for everything that I use frequently and those aren’t counted towards promoting shortcuts to the start menu’s “front page.” As a result, my start menu shows programs that are semi-frequently used, but not enough to warrant a spot on the quicklaunch bar.