RK launcher is a small sidebar that docks to the top/bottom/left or right of the desktop and launches shortcuts. I’ve been RK Launcher for quite a long time now and I strongly recommend it over the cluttered shortcuts all over the desktop. To add an existing shortcut from the desktop, just drag and drop it into the sidebar. A really appealing and useful software.
Click here to Download this cool application (ver 0.4 beta, 714kb, zip archive)
The text below is taken from the homepage (Just to make the post longer so as to accommodate the sample on the right 
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What is RK Launcher?
RK Launcher is a free application that will allow the user to have a visually pleasing bar at the side of the screen that is used to quickly launch shortcuts. With support for themes, PNG’s and ICO’s and with smooth amazing animations, RK Launcher is a versatile and great taskbar replacement.
It’s Rich in Features!
Zooming
When the mouse is moved over the dock, all the icons will automatically grow: this is called zooming. The advantage of zooming is that the user will be able to have a very small strip of shortcuts that virtually take no precious screenspace. Only when interaction with RK Launcher is required, the shortcutbar will automatically zoom in to allow the user to pick the icon he wants.
Taskbar
Minimized windows will normally be shown on the Windows Taskbar. RK Launcher provides an eye-pleasing replacement for the taskbar: whenever a window is minimized, it will automatically be placed on the shortcutsbar and will be represented by a small image of the contents of this window. This way, the user will quickly see which windows are minimized.
New Applications
It’s always hard to track newly installed applications: where did they go? To solve this problem, RK Launcher will automatically place a shortcut on the launcher when an application is started for the first time.
Customization
All parts of RK Launcher can be fully customized. From the number of icons that gets zoomed on mouseover to the background and icons; the user can set it all as he likes. With support for themes, users can exchange their favourite looks and change the look of the launcher with one click.
Hi that is a very fascinating view, It does give one food for thought, I am very delighted I stumbled on your blog, i was using Stumbleupon at the time, anyway i don’t want to drift on too much, but i would like to mention that I will be back when I have a little time to read your blog more exhaustively, Once again thanks for the post and please do keep up the good work,
hello – with such xp software can I then also download vista gadgets, like from http://www.gadgetsdownload.com
now I have asked on a few forum lets see what happens.
I use RK launcher + Window Blinds .. see the screenshot on the right
Gr8. Far better than installin the darn Windows Vista Transformation Pack and then having the pain of uninstallin it.
RK launcher + Window Blinds would be a killer combination