You can use Active Desktop since you've Windows 98 + IE 4 (or better) installed.

With an Active Desktop, you can have the desktop you've always dreamed at. Indeed, you're not dependant of Windows icons anymore, you create your HTML page which represent your desktop.

You can keep informed on many subject since you can use the pull technology, that is to say your desktop download text or multimedia files automatically.

You can combine your Active desktop with Active channels, may be you've already see somes, this is a little panel such as a little program on your desktop and which keep you informed on subjects you're interested in.

Now, if you're interested in this subject, i will describe my Active Desktop.

First, you have to know i'm french, so text and images won't properly work if you download it.
There is a link for each hard drive.
There is a permanent clock.
The state of the cable network (i have cable)
Weather
TV programs
Search link

This link will give you a preview of what can be your Active Desktop

By clicking here, you'll launch my Active Desktop in your navigator (do not worry nothing special will happen). But since you'll see that on the Internet, not everything should work..... To have a better idea, you should download it.

This one has been created one year later

All features of the first version have been kept, i just modified a few things making it faster, more beautiful.
A few bugs have also been corrected.
It's now easier for a newbie to modify the look of the page to adapt for his own computer.
There is a link for each hard drive.
There is a permanent clock.
The state of the cable network (i have cable connection)
French weather
Used links
Links for search engines

This link will give you a preview of what can be your Active Desktop

By clicking here, you'll launch my Active Desktop in your navigator (do not worry nothing special will happen). But you'll see that on the Internet, not everything should work, you may encounter missing images..... To have a better idea, you should download it.

This environment has been made from the Bluesteel theme from Litestep shell. In order to have a desktop really bluesteel oriented, i recommand to download bluesteel skin for winamp and bluesteel theme for windowblinds