Zeta allows applications to "host" other applications,
which makes it unique among operating systems. Think of it as a
host/guest relationship. In Zeta, we distinguish between two kinds
of replicants, the ones that runs in other applications and the
ones that runs in a shelf in the Deskbar.
Replicants that runs in other applications
Applications can optionally define themselves as either Containers
(hosts) or Replicants (guests). The interesting thing about Replicants,
is that they can spawn copies of themselves that stay alive even
after the application that spawned them closes.
In fact, Replicants even continue to work after you reboot your
machine. Here's how they work:
First you have to enable replicants, by selecting Show Replicants
from the menu in the Deskbar. Launch the Clock from the Applications
folder. A thiny hand-shaped widget will now appear in the Clock
application's bottom-right corner. With your mouse, grab the handle
and drag it to the desktop. A copy of the Clock application has
now become embedded into the desktop, but it has no window borders
or title tab.

The user can drag and drop any replicant into a host application,
or container. The desktop is one such container.
What are the practical applications of this? Here's a good one.
NetPositive can become a Replicant. Since the desktop is a container,
a copy of the browser can be embedded in the desktop. Make the Replicant
browser's homepage your favorite news site, and you've got the easiest
access to the most important news right on the desktop!

Container is a demo application that you can add replicants
to.
The Replicant Shelf in the Deskbar
In the Deskbar there is a shelf for status view of different running
applications. The first three replicants you will notice in this
shelf are the digital clock, the BeMail mailbox, and the volume
control. If you are using a modem to connect to the Internet, an
icon for the Dial-Up Networking will appear as well. The Replicant
Shelf won't accept any kind of replicants, only specifically designed
replicants will work in this space.

The replicants running in the Deskbar, often contains menus for
fast accessing parts of their main applications. The BeMail mailbox
icon will for instance let you Create New Message..., read
unread messages from a live query (new messages), and Check For
Mail Now.

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