Digital Home Server

Customization is one of the things a computer can do best. What's more, this is also possible for your personal space by populating it with various gadgets, colors or background images. There are even specialized applications like Digital Home Server which aim to completely change it and the way it is used.

Once the application is launched, the whole screen is covered by the new environment. It's visually appealing, with a small dock at the bottom the holds quick access buttons to most functions. However, in order to fully take advantage of what it has to offer you need to equip it with modules and widgets, depending on your needs.

Ranging from multimedia players and image viewers to schedulers and accessibility tools, modules are similar to applications you install and use on a regular basis. The list isn't abundant and it seems to be missing an important element, namely a text editor.

Another feature left aside is the possibility to access the Internet other than you normally do. Since the application completely replaces you desktop, it's a pity it's not equipped with all it needs. Moreover, you rely on your desktop to access other applications, since there's no feature to create shortcuts to other files or programs.

As an overall design, the application might come in handy for touch-sensitive devices, with all buttons clearly visible and emphasized through large icons. What's more, where there's a text field you need to fill, there's a button to bring up a virtual keyboard for enhanced accessibility.

Taking everything into consideration, we can say that Digital Home Server does not really manage to impress through design or unique features and nor does it come in handy for a common desktop user. The lack of an option to create shortcuts for external applications is a disappointment, not to mention other basic but necessary functions like a text editor or web browser.