One of the new cool features of Windows 8 is the new Metro UI. If you are using Windows 7 you don't have to wait for Windows 8 to get the Metro feel right now. Two utilities are available to get this done Omnio 4 and Mosaic.
Omnio is a multi-functional interactive desktop information center based on rainmeter. It offers interactive tiles which are easily customization and gives you the information you need at a glance.
To download Omnio 4 for Windows 7/Vista :
- Download and install Rainmeter 2.0 or higher here.
- Download Omnio 4 here.
- Double click on the 'setup.rmskin' file and leave the rest to Rainmeter.
- Once the setup is complete you can customize the skin to suit your preference and requirements.
Mosaic is an alternate to Omnio. It was formally known as Metro Home 2 and it uses live widgets that show content from both the web and your computer. Mosaic supports WPF and HTML widgets, but remember that this software is still in it's alpha stage of development, so could be quite unstable. You can download the latest version of Mosaic here.
Here are some tips on using Mosaic:
- To open Mosaic menu move mouse cursor to the right border of screen and click. This could not work if your task-bar placed on the right or left or you have more than one monitor.
- To add widgets open Mosaic menu click on the Widgets… icon and choose widget
- To remove widget click on widget icon in Widgets menu again
- By default widgets are shown over your windows and can be covered by them. There is fullscreen mode in the Mosaic options which makes Mosaic to cover whole screen
- If your widgets covered by windows just click on the right border of screen and they will quickly bring to front
- Some widgets has options which can be accessed through context menu
- If widgets animation annoys you, you can disable it in Mosaic options
- "Me" widget shows your avatar from Windows. You can change it by dr
Whatever you decide to use, it will do nothing more than prepare you for whats to come from Microsoft with Windows 8.
Share your thoughts below on what you prefer and your experiences in using these packs.