I'm a new convert, so to speak into the world of the penguin, and for the last week have been weaning myself off XP, I've bought a new ADSL modem as the old one was never gonna work, and am willing to dispose of lots of old Windows Hardware, in favour of Linux friendly stuff like TV Cards, Webcams etc...


I digress
I have a few questions for this forum on software...

When i was using XP, i found that using the Stardock Object Dock interface was really user friendly, and i was wondering if there is anything similar for Gnome...? Its not essential, just eyecandy type stuff...

Or maybe someone has got it working with Wine?

Also i was using a package called Rainlender which basically sits on the XP desktop and provided me with a nice calendar on the screen and a todo list (i'm sometimes so busy, i would forget to open any Todo package, so having it on the desktop was nice)

Any pointers in the right direction, for these eyecandy items would be nice...

Yep,

There are linux type versions for both of the apps you want (need). For your mac-type dock you can use ksmoothdock, kxdocker, engage.

For your embedded desktop widgets check out superkarmba.

IMHO, nothing comes close to object dock yet (, I really liked that one too). Some of the above options are getting better though.