Low End Front End

**McGinty** · 12-26-2005, 04:07 AM

I am about to install a p3 1ghz laptop with 256mb ram

I have installed and fiddled with centrafuse and i like its layout and styling, and i suppose it runs moderately well (when i click something, it goes there and its not overly sluggish)

BUT

what i really crave is like a commercial touchscreen style system where it is all instant and looks like a beatiful integrated seamless system, not a TS controlling a computer.

SO

what is a front end that will be really responsive and fast but still look cool and has some good skins. I think centrafuse may be just a little complex for my modest computer. Any ideas?
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**0l33l** · 12-26-2005, 04:17 AM

Check out Road Runner or Frodoplayer.

CF is written in .NET, it is buggy and low

**DJiK** · 12-26-2005, 06:50 AM

If you're going the "beatiful integrated seamless system" route, I'd suggest you to learn some programming of electronic boards.

You should first concentrate on the compatible computer's BIOS:
Program it thoroughly to make boot up time near instantaneous.
Make sure that all of the unnecessary services which are provided by BIOS are disabled (such as WakeOnLAN, Memory Check, and many others)

Now you should be looking at your OS options... Don't have to be a programmer yet, but you're getting closer to it:
Choose an OS that's 100% customizable to suit your needs. I'd say Linux or UNIX. Of course you could try DOS, but you won't go past the MP3 playback stage.
Keep in mind to maintaint your boot-up times to a minimum.

Finally, choosing/programming the front end to include everything you need and absolutely nothing you don't need; you gotta know how to write apps for this one:
Create a front end or choose one in which you could customize every single feature you'd want to remove. Also, don't forget that you have to be able to add features that the front end creators didn't think about.
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Whew... Easy for me to say, as I have not gone that route, and don't plan on doing so in the near future either.

Your other option:
Outline exactly what you want your Front End to do for you.
Read thoroughly through the forums.
See what best MoBo/BIOS/OS/Front End combination is the most popular among this site's members.
See what else could be done to shave seconds off the bootup time.
Try it out.
Ask specific questions about a problem you'd stumble upon...

Oh yeah, in case you're wondering...
I'm running WinXP SP2 on a P4 2.40GHz (ex Desktop).
I've spent a week creating a Winamp skin that'd suit my needs.
...I've had my carputer since April '05 and haven't yet found a Front End that I'd like use on a daily basis.

**Bugbyte** · 12-26-2005, 12:05 PM

Road Runner has a lot of skins. If you are adventurous, you can create your own skin with only the functionality that you desire and make it look and feel OEM.