The Windows XP start and programs menus just don’t work for me. Never really have. But I haven’t been able to find a good alternative. Most of the replacements are overly bloated being concerned with how great they look (skins) rather than how good they work.
Matt Mower has been using True Launch Bar for a year now and says it is a “real productivity boost”. I’m not committed yet but the demo has been on my PC for 24 hours when most only make 24 minutes.
And I must congratulate the authors of the software for their financial strategy. You have to register the beta versions.