Alternative Windows 7 interfaces?

[Subjective Effect]

I wonder if anyone knows of a nice Windows UI (shell?) out there. I know about Rainmaker but I didn't really like it, or I couldn't find a nice theme.

I'm after something that looks cleaner than the standard interface. Ideally I'd like a panel based front end where I can assign programs and folders to panels/icons. The themes on Rainmaker that looked like they fit the bill just didn't seem to have the functions I wanted. And the existing default folders and whatnot kind of "intruded" too.

Any ideas?

[voodoo47]

http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

makes win7 actually usable.

[Ladron De La Noche]

Talisman has all sorts of themes to choose from, 30 day trial and then it'll set you back $25.

WinXP,Vista,Win7

[Subjective Effect]

Thanks for the links guys.

However, I tried to get some Win7 gadgets (just to see how much I could do with them) and they've been discontinued. Why? Because apparently Win8 will use HTML/CSS/JavaScript for tinkering of your own interface.

I'm there.

[Azaran]

Window blinds is pretty neat

[bikerdude]

http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

makes win7 actually usable.

This is just a start menu changer, but that said I have been using it for over a year now.

[voodoo47]

true. had a derp moment there.

[Kolya]

Classic shell also provides improvements to IE and windows explorer. Of course these are better avoided altogether.