Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Productivity
Krento is a simple, good looking 3D application launcher for Windows
by Lee Mathews Dec 24th 2009 at 10:00AM
Looking for an easy-to-configure, uncomplicated launcher that looks good? Check out Krento.
Download and install the app, and it parks in your system tray. You can bring Krento up either by pressing windows + C or right-clicking the tray icon. You can also activate it by double-clicking the "pulsar" - the bullseye in the bottom right. To enable the pulsar, just right click the tray icon.
Adding your favorite apps is as easy as dragging shortcuts onto a block (which Krento refers to as stones). You can also create different application sets. Need only your graphic shortcuts? Load 'em up. Blogging? Create a specific set for any task and call it up when you need it.
To launch an app, just click the stone - or press alt + F# (to open Chrome, for example, I'd press alt + F6). Krento uses practically no memory or CPU, and it's also skinnable. It's even compatible with RocketDock skins.
Eyecandy with minimal impact? That's always welcome.
Download and install the app, and it parks in your system tray. You can bring Krento up either by pressing windows + C or right-clicking the tray icon. You can also activate it by double-clicking the "pulsar" - the bullseye in the bottom right. To enable the pulsar, just right click the tray icon.
Adding your favorite apps is as easy as dragging shortcuts onto a block (which Krento refers to as stones). You can also create different application sets. Need only your graphic shortcuts? Load 'em up. Blogging? Create a specific set for any task and call it up when you need it.
To launch an app, just click the stone - or press alt + F# (to open Chrome, for example, I'd press alt + F6). Krento uses practically no memory or CPU, and it's also skinnable. It's even compatible with RocketDock skins.
Eyecandy with minimal impact? That's always welcome.
Chromatic is one of the best time-wasters I've recently come across. It's all about the gameplay -- no Flash graphics here. You play a "circle" (it doesn't really have a name in the game). You move around with the arrow keys, and you change colors with Z, X, and C.
You can either be red, blue, or yellow, and you can switch at any time during the game. Each color has different capabilities -- yellow can double-jump, while red has a longer dash (which is like a forward sprint, activated by double-pressing DOWN).
Each ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pallab De said 10:41AM on 12-24-2009
Thanks. Will take a look at it. But doesn't really look my type. It seems to be less work and more style.
Btw, have you guys tried FARR? I recently downloaded it just for reviewing on my blog, but man I am hooked. I used to be a Launchy fan, but FARR makes Launchy look dumb.
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csnoke said 10:57AM on 12-24-2009
I don't understand why the icons in the back (looks like 'settings') are spaced further apart than the icons up front. It doesn't make any sense from a design point of view or a 3D perspective... the icons in back should be similarly spaced to the ones up front, just a little closer together.
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Rich said 11:32AM on 12-24-2009
As far as launchers go, I have used both Launchy and FARR but have settled on Blaze. Its the most intuitive, low overhead tool I have tested. I can very quickly hit alt-space and start typing and Blaze will get the app right even if I misspell the name.
Its simple, open source, no nag software. Nothing beats that.
If you want a launch deck, RocketDock is the one and only.
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Brian said 12:38PM on 12-24-2009
Krento installed fine on Win7 x64 but I can't get it work on that PC.
It just starts and exits. I have tried compatibility mode and running as an Admin (which I am) without any luck.
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Tylwright said 12:47PM on 12-24-2009
Same thing happens to me
Inception8 said 8:45PM on 1-10-2010
Yup. Doesn't seem to like x64. The Krento name flashes for a second, then nothing.
Brian said 9:01PM on 1-10-2010
I had followed up with the developer. He said it does not work on Win 7 x64 yet but he will be releasing a version for that later.
whackster said 2:05PM on 12-24-2009
Magic formation is much better than this, only downside is that it hasn't been developed in a while...
http://tokyodownstairs.blogspot.com/2008/03/magic-formation.html
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Arekku said 11:36AM on 12-30-2009
I did'nt think I could find someone else who really liked Magic Formation. I've been checking their site for over a year for updates. So sad, it really is a cool app. I really like it.
techpops said 1:01AM on 12-25-2009
Shame I was going to give this a spin on my win7 box. It seems to be getting more and more rare that we have real software to install. Everyone seems to have moved to the web to develop there.
I also agree that it doesn't make sense to space the icons the way they are in the screenshot from a 3D perspective. Wonder why they did that.
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laero said 6:02PM on 1-03-2010
I was all over these launchers until I "discovered" the run command. With some registry tweaking I got the same functionality, well almost anyway. At least it saves some memory for that app I'm about to launch.
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Bugger said 6:21PM on 12-28-2009
What's up with the taskbar on the right? I've seen quite a few images with that, from several bloggers, and it seems that would drive anyone else using the computer CRAZY. What's wrong with the good, old-fashioned "taskbar at the bottom, set to auto-hide"?
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Freezer said 6:41PM on 12-28-2009
I've found that turning off UAC solves quite a bit of problems when it comes to program launching
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Freezer said 9:20PM on 12-28-2009
And I've found there's no readily apparent way to disable or change the keyboard or mouse shortcuts. So if you've got something tied to middle-click or Win+C, you're SOL.