Well, I guess I'll try to use ObjectDock as a launchpad.  It seems to be behaving itself and doesn't use too many resources.  Also, I'd like to have more of my taskbar space back (I use multiple quicklaunch toolbars to separate by program function and hardly ever use the awful start menu).

So I'm going to try and make some new icons in the "glass bauble" vein since I enjoy keeping things the same.  I've already got a number of programs and games cooked up and could use some advice.

While I could a) make MS Office icons *and* WordPerfect icons (along with some other productivity icons) or ask permission to include pre-existing icons in my glass bauble scheme, I thought I might try to go one better and create a set of productivity icons that are more generic and yet useful so that people who have different programs could use the icons.

What do you prefer, the icon that actually is associated with your program or do you think it could be cool to have a more generic icon that represents the function or "thing" your program does?  Eg- Powerpoint would be a "projector", Outlook/Thunderbird would be an envelope, Browser would be a globe, Wordprocessor would be a fountain pen.


One metaphor I'm stuck on were I to do this though: spreadsheet.  I thought of using a calculator, but I thought people would associate that with a calculator program or MatLab.  That's a very hard thing to come up with a good metaphor for.  The Greek symbol Sigma is about the closest I can come and even that might confuse a lot of folks.

Thanks for any help,

Bedwyr