Pokki

Let's talk about Pokki, a neat little desktop program from Sweetlabs Inc. that I've been checking out. If you're using Windows 7, Pokki basically gives you a quick and easy way to keep your favorite stuff right on your taskbar. We're talking about web apps like Gmail or Facebook, and even a bunch of games.

Getting started is super simple. You install it, and you're good to go. There's a built in app store right on your desktop where you can browse and install things in a snap. You can find everything from fun games to pass the time like Four Horsemen or Tweeki to handy utilities. It's like having a mini app store for your PC.

Now, a heads up: each app you install through Pokki is its own thing. You'll need to set it up individually and log in to authorize it with the actual web service. Don't expect every single feature from the full website to be there; it's more of a streamlined, quick access version. But the cool part is that these mini apps are smart. They'll show you how many unread emails you have or notify you about new social media messages right on your desktop. It's really handy for staying on top of things without having a browser tab open all the time.

The folks behind Pokki are always adding new apps and they're encouraging developers to get involved too. So, the library is growing, which means there's likely to be something for everyone soon, whether you're into puzzles, social networking, or productivity tools.

All in all, Pokki is a pretty clever tool. It makes accessing your most used websites and a selection of fun games incredibly convenient, all from your Windows 7 taskbar. It's a simple idea, but it works well.