Cursor XP

THE INTERFACE OF CURSOR XP

The interface of Stardock's Cursor XP. To truly appreciate the aesthetics of this mouse enhancement program, you need to visit the compelling Stardock  Web site.  The amount of alterations is mind boggling. Should you get tired of the standard mice that ship with Windows XP, try this great enhancement. There is trial version. The Plus version adds great customization and will be a sure fire hit for those that want to give Microsoft's windows a fashion make over painlessly.

Saturday, October 09, 2004

Cursor XP

www.stardock.com

www.stardock.com/products/cursorxp 

For application details, check out the Stardock Website above.

Price: $ 10.00 

A review by: Kurt von Behrmann 

There are some after market add on’s to Windows XP that make computing that much more enjoyable.  If you work with a program day in and day out, some little alterations in the Graphical User Interface add just a bit of personality and fun. 

Being that I personally spend hours upon hours working on  a PC, the process of typing, sending files and other computing tasks makes you acutely aware of the interface that you work with in detail.  While there are configuration changes one can make to windows XP, there are limitations.  If you want to change a color, add an effect when you perform a certain action, the existing options in windows are not that great. 

Stardock – www.stardock.com --, a company that specializes in assorted windows customizations, has produced Cursor XP. My first introduction to the program came via Chris Pirillo mentioning it on the now defunct Tech TV. (You can view Chris Pirillo’s site at www.lockergnome.com ) Tech T.V. has transformed into GTech TV now found at www.g4techtv.com ) with some of the same programming as before.  

Cursor XP adds a bit of fun to the standard mouse with a true assortment of dazzling effects and customizations.  If you are not happen with the shadows under your mouse, this add on program can change the angle, height darkness and sharpness of your drop shadow. Even the transparency of a mouse can be reconfigured. 

Color, size, trails the degree of change is pretty broad. This program has taken just about every aspect of the mouse into consideration offering the end users a chance to create a very customized mouse.

Should you not wish to get into that type of detail, the program ships with a number of pre configured mice.  Links within the program will send you to a web page where you can see just how creative some users have become with the program. 

If that is not enough, Stardock offers a gratis version that will give you a “taste” of the options open to you. 

Should you fear making these types of changes to windows, the program is actually very sturdy and to date I have yet to see any conflicts. On the test system that I installed it upon, where I am constantly loading, unloading and operating with some very intensive programs and processes, namely huge digital file editing and video, Cursor XP was a stellar performer.   

Stardock made a clear point that the newest rendition is not system intensive or very demanding on your system resources.

Summation  

Should you get tired of looking at the same old generic mice that are on everyone’s machine, Cursor XP is a sure fire cure for the PC doldrums. This will program will add a bit of color and spice to your computing experiences. A nice upgrade for those who really want to change the behavior of mice in XP, the level of customization is amazing. Well worth investigating for those who want to make computing more fun.

My only suggestion is having sufficient memory installed on your machine. The more effects and colors you utilize, the more memory you will need. Stardock’s web site has a great faq’s page that honestly answers questions and concerns about the program. Plus, Stardock has a very visually compelling web site.