RocketDock is our classic app launcher loved by millions of people for almost 20 years. It lets you zoom through your shortcuts like a rocket with its buttery smooth interface.

At last, a solution to my design problem with Windows 11 (and 10). The idea that you should create a bar at the top (or bottom) of the screen that displays information, active programs and icons for inactive programs seems wrong.

Fitts’ law explains that the greater the distance between a pointer and a target, the longer it takes for the pointer to reach the target. However, the size of the target has a direct impact on the time required.

So the function of a bar to convey information is different to an icon that a mouse needs to hit. Obviously, program icon needs to be larger, and the information bar can be smaller.

You could put all the icons on the desktop, but they quickly become obscured by programs. What is needed is an easily accessible launch bar that would hide when inactive. I realised what the solution was when evaluating Linux Ubuntu.

RocketDock provides the solution. It provides a sizeable dock that con go on the side. It is scrollable, so the number of icons is not fixed. And each icon pops out as the mouse hovers. Here is part of my desktop.