Thanks Brad for this one, a bit late but I was moving house so I have an excuse :P Stardock has released the release candidate of ObjectBar today (v0.95). ObjectBar is a brand new program that allows users to replace or extend their Windows Start bar. For all users, it provides a faster, more powerful, and much more productive way to interact with the Windows desktop. For Windows 98/ME/2000 users, ObjectBar could be used to have the Windows XP start bar. And for Windows XP users, they gain the ability to have personalized menus even when using the new XP Start menu!
Because ObjectBar is so flexible, it can be made to look and feel like the desktop interface of any OS (Windows, OS/2, Linux, MacOS, QNX, Amgia, etc.). Each bar is fully skinnable and skins can be fully interchangeable. It also will automatically use your WindowBlinds(TM) skins. It brings the best features of all the various OSes and combines them, allowing you to create the perfect desktop interface.
It is part of Stardock"s Object Desktop, a desktop environment that when put together gives you complete control over your Windows environment.