CNET Editors' review
Where most other docks fail, RocketDock soars. The Mac-style program dock and launcher for Windows 2000, XP, and Vista has it all, from a smooth installation to flawless icon transitions and an unobtrusive footprint.
The app is loaded with options. The dock can live on any of the four edges of your monitor, you can set it to always be on top, on bottom, autohide, or be ever-present. It comes with more than 20 skins; fonts and colors are fully customizable, as is the icon order; and you can choose which icons are displayed, independent of the program's actual icon. RocketDock's publisher is also growing a community around the program, and the app's Web site has areas where you can download more icons, widgets, and skins to enhance and further customize your experience.
One drawback of the program is that the main settings menu is not where you go to add in and configure these extras. Instead, they're accessible from a secondary settings menu available only by right-clicking on the dock itself. It's frustrating, but not a major problem, and hopefully can be addressed in future updates.
Publisher's Description
From PunkLabs:
RocketDock is a smoothly animated, alpha blended application launcher. It provides a nice clean interface to drop shortcuts on for easy access and organization. Now with added Taskbar support your minimized windows can appear as icons on the dock. This allows for better productivity and accessibility.
Features: Minimize windows to the dock. Real-time window previews in Vista. Running application indicators. Simple drag-n-drop interface. Multi-monitor support. Supports alpha-blended PNG and ICO icons. Icons zoom and transition smoothly. Auto-hide and Popup on mouse over. Positioning and layering options. Fully customizable. Completely Portable. ObjectDock Docklet support. Compatible with MobyDock, ObjectDock, RK Launcher, and Y'z Dock skins. Runs great on slower computers. Unicode compliant.
What's new in this version: This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 173 votes
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Current version:
4.3 starsout of 173 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"the best gadget in the wowrld"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
many options, almost infinite.
quick, and no problem at all, 3d time i install this, its always the best.Cons
no one at all, so easy to use.
Summary
many options for the look , but also disposition, actions, reactions,size and its contents !
evrithing is modifiable, and not hard on pc at all unless you put the setting to the best quality lookink, but there is almost no difference in look between high and medium quality. -
"Fully functional and looks great too."
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Can be totally customized. There are thousands of icons available on their website with something for just about every common program and file, and then some.
Cons
None, in my opinion.
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"Great product"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Every thing about it is great.
Cons
Didn't find any yet
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"The best utility for desktop"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Easy, fast, awesome
Cons
Can't see any
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"Superb GUI for going from OSX to Windows"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Almost a perfect duplication of the Mac OSX Dock.
Cons
Nothing I can think of at this time.
Summary
Its free! It cleans up your desktop. Its excellent for launching apps, file, and folders!
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"Easy to use and love it."
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Easy to use and easy to customize.
I have download many icons and png and they work great.
Free program is always nice.
Great job of design and use.Cons
None that i have run into.
For free why complain if anything to complain about.Summary
Try it and get us to playing with it.
it is fun to use. -
"Apps are easy to get to"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Customizable, easily to find commonly used programs. Different settings, it just makes life easier if you access a lot of different programs. It is unobtrusive and sits at the bottom or top or each side. It is best to auto hide the taskbar for this program to be used at it's full potential.
Cons
A little annoying at times, but that could be due to the fact that I've only been using it a short while and haven't fully gotten used to the new set up.
Summary
It's worth the price...FREE!!!!!. No nag screens, and works flawlessly. I really enjoy this app. Thanks to all who made it and to cnet for hosting it for download.
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"Not what I was expecting."
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Easy to install
Cons
Interface looked really lame.
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"It deleted my file...permanently"
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
It was free.
Cons
It deleted my file.
Summary
I had the program about 4 weeks and gave it a good run but it deleted a file I placed on it.
I removed the program because of this.
I was using it on Windows 7. -
"AWESOME!!! Best dock out there."
Version: RocketDock 1.3.5
Pros
Many skins, easy to use, stylish.
Cons
If font is white, the titles of the icons are not visible against a white background. FIX THIS
Summary
This dock is very cool and very easy to use, but I wish the icon titles had the dark bubbles around them like in a Mac or the labels in the Fan Stack Docklet.
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