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yet another Microsoft blogger

# Wednesday, January 18, 2006

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Alt-Tab

TaskswitchxpWhat can I say, I’m an Alt-Tab guy. Tried all those Expose like utilities for Windows (TopDesk is the best) but I never end up using them for more than 7 days.

However, TaskSwitchXP Pro is simply the best Alt-Tab replacement for Windows (and it’s free).

Software | Windows Tips
Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2006    Permalink    Comments [7]  View blog reactions

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Wednesday, January 18, 2006 12:15:33 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
I have consider TaskSwitchXP Pro the proverbial bomb for a little more than a year, Omar. I install it on each and every Windows machine that is mine.

Another tool I consider indispensable is Virtual Dimension, a multi-desktop tool for Windows. Given my experience with Linux, I have to admit that I find it hard to go back to just one desktop.
Jason J. Thomas
Wednesday, January 18, 2006 4:18:27 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
This is the bomb, thanks
Mike Fullerton
Wednesday, January 18, 2006 7:48:04 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
Hi Omar,

I'm from Otaku Software, the guys who develop TopDesk, and I'd be interested to know which of the "7 day requirements" it doesn't meet. We're always looking to improve TopDesk, so it'd be great if you could give us a nudge in the right direction.

BTW, there's a new version out that addresses most of the niggles people had with the previous version. If you're interested, drop me a line I'll send you thru a copy of the full version.
James Stewart
Wednesday, January 18, 2006 10:04:32 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
Agree completely. I've been using TaskSwitchXP on all my XP boxes for more than a year now, and I have yet to find anything that does a better job.
Kunal Kundaje
Wednesday, January 18, 2006 10:20:34 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
James,

I actually paid for my copy of TopDesk. Of all the programs that offer the Expose like functionality yours is by far the best. My 7 days comment was about usage :-). I was so impressed when I tried it I purchased it.

The issue for me was mainly that I didn't get used to using function keys or corners on the screen to invoke the application. I will always end up using alt-tab cause I've been doing it for years.

I think if TopDesk offered some kind of in-between between the window flyouts and the functionality of taskswitchxp it would better fill my needs. Although I have noticed that some of the new features are quite nice (like the show desktop functionality).

Really, I found TopDesk to be top notch... but I just never ended up using it after a few days.
Omar Shahine
Wednesday, January 18, 2006 11:48:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
Omar,

You're right, after a few years ALT-TAB pretty much becomes a reflex action :).

Did you try changing the TopDesk invoke hotkey from F9 to ALT-TAB? I've had TopDesk set it up like this on my system since the first version (along with some nice mouse gestures bound to the function keys via StrokeIt) and it works a treat.

Anyway, thanks for the peace of mind about why TopDesk didn't survive the 7-day rule. At the end of the day some people will prefer the ALT-TAB way of doing things to TopDesk, and I'd much rather that was the reason someone didn't end up using it, instead of being put off because the app did something the wrong way.
James Stewart
Thursday, January 19, 2006 7:33:51 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
Omar,

This is another time I have taken your advice regarding these sorts of software apps, another more recent one was FoxIt PDF Reader. So far you have not dissapointed me with any of your recommendations. This particular one is fantastic.

Regards

TravisP
(Patiently waiting for Kahuna to be Released)
TravisP
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