From Mac to WindowsApple’s OS X Lion was just announced, and developers are scrambling to duplicate its features on Windows. The upcoming Launchpad feature has generated a lot of buzz, because it makes it easier for you to find the application you want to use amongst a sea of applications installed on your Mac.

JumpPad 2 for Windows is a Launchpad-like application that brings very similar functionality to your PC. It consumes very less memory and scans specified folder for all available application shortcuts. Accessing the desired applications on your PC has never been easier.

Interface and Ease of Use

JumpPad 2 is a very small application, and it is very easy to use. Once you download it, unzip the files to an empty folder, and run JumpPad.exe. When you place your cursor in the upper left corner of your screen, the JumpPad will appear in front of your Desktop, and provide a list of all of the applications on your system.

Using Jumpad on Windows

You can perform the following functions from the JumpPad window.

· Click on any icon to run the application.

· Click the Windows button in the upper left corner to refresh your application list.

· Click on the arrow (directly below the Windows button), and your Favourites will appear.

· Click on the X in the upper right corner to close the JumpPad and return to your Desktop.

· Click on the green Checkmark button to open the application configuration screen.

Configuring JumpPad

JumpPad is exceedingly easy to configure for your specific needs. Once you’ve launched the configuration screen, you can change the size and location of the HotSpot that triggers the JumpPad from your desktop. You can choose to Dim the screen behind JumpPad, put an Aero Border around it, force it to Always Refresh Icons, use Short Paths, and choose an Icon Size.

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You can also add custom folders to appear on your JumpPad. If you add your Documents folder, Pictures library, or Music library, you would have easy access to all of your essential files. There is a warning about adding folders with a lot of files, because they can slow the application down, or even cause Windows to hang.

Tips for Using JumpPad

  • When you unzip JumpPad, add a shortcut to it in your Startup folder, so it automatically runs when Windows starts up.
  • If you an icon size larger than 32, the icons become blurry.
  • If you have a long list of icons, you can just scroll up or down with your mouse to see the entire list. There is no scroll bar to indicate that there may be icons out of view.
  • If you hate icon clutter, you can remove all of the icons on your Desktop and the applications pinned to your Toolbar and replace them with JumpPad.
  • If you run Windows from a Mac on Parallels, JumpPad will display all of your Mac applications along with your Windows applications if you Share Mac Applications with Windows.

Jumpad Interface

Our Verdict:

With JumpPad you can find your apps in a fraction of the time it would take you to find them using the Start menu. It’s a great app for you if you have a good visual memory and can easily recognize what application each icon represents, but a lot of users rely on seeing the application name.

The current version only gives you a description of what the application does when you hover over an icon. JumpPad is a very useful free app, and will speed up your workflow tremendously. However, it is still needs refinement, and is missing features that a lot of people rely on when they search for apps on their PC.

See Also – Other Interesting Freeware