The Retro Google Windows Desktop

Harkening back to the days when searching Google meant sending in a postcard and waiting for the subsequent results to be delivered in an envelope to your door (OK, that never happened), Flickr user HoaxCap put together this retro Google desktop that despite its old-school looks is packed with useful features.

Want the same look for your Windows desktop? It’s easy. Here’s what you’ll need:

• The wallpaper from Desura (the original was at previously mentioned Desktoppr, but it’s down for maintenance)
• The Rainmeter system management and configuration utility for Windows
• The Pricedown Rainmeter Clock for the date and time
• The Date, Time, and Weather Skin Final for Rainmeter for the weather
• The iTunes for Illustro Rainmeter utility for media player control on the desktop
• The GoogleBar utility for Rainmeter to turn the Google “search bar” on the wallpaper into an actual Google search bar
• RocketDock to replace the Windows taskbar at the bottom of the screen
• The Stacks Docklet to make the folders in the centre of the screen spring-loaded, so clicking on them brings up a bubble with icons of the items inside

I have to admit, this is one of the most creative desktops we’ve featured, partially because of how it turns a witty wallpaper into a really functional and useful workspace that’s fun to use. The components are easy enough to set up, but if you have trouble transforming your desktop into a retro Google terminal, head over to HoaxCap’s Flickr page to ask how he did it, and check out our Rainmeter guide for some tips.

Mac users looking to get the same effect can do a lot of the same things with GeekTool and our setup guide, while Linux users can try their hand with Conky for the desktop items and Docky for a replacement dock.

Old School Google [Flickr]