I bought a new laptop with Windows 7 preinstalled. I am not sure if i'm keeping it, because I actually prefer the interface of XP + NS 2.81.

Yes, 2.81.
The only reason I haven't upgraded was that since NS3 there is no way to drag the NS taskbar off the screen.

I love having all my (ungrouped) tasks in a LOooooooooooooooong bar and I want to be able to drag it anywhere I want to, including completely off the screen.

Newer versions would not let me do it. Not only would they not let me drag it off the screen, if the bar is too long they would add <> buttons and transform the bar into a multirow one.

I absolutely HATE this behaviour.

Unfortunately, I found that it is not possible to install NS 2.81 over Windows 7.

I downloaded the latest beta and realized that of all the great potential of winstep I am only using the following:

1) NS's ability to hide desktop icons
2) NS's ability to hide windows taskbar and startbar
3) NS's ability to detach tray
4) NS's ability to draw its own taskbar.

I don't use menus, I don't use shelves, I don't use modules, I don't use ANYTHING else.

I'll be happy to pay for the package, even if I were using 3% of its functionality, but I really, really, really need a taskbar that works the way I want it to work.

Jorge, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE think about reintroducing it AS AN OPTION.