The somewhat unimpressive input field in the Vista start menu yields great power, but it can be extended even more. A small program called Start++ from Brandon Paddock extends the start menu with powerful, customizable extensions called Startlets.

You can:

• Perform a web search
• Look-up something Wikipedia or Dictionary.com
• Play all music matching certain keywords, or by a particular artist
• Send an e-mail to a specific contact
• "sudo" - Run a command as an Administrator
• etc.

Start++ is expandable through Startlets in the form of Commands or Gadgets. Yes, you get it for free, but since it's CareWare, you might consider a donation.