I found that most of my startup items were things that I didn't need right away (Google Quick Search Box, LaunchBar, etc.). A simple AppleScript can be used to avoid the pileup of programs all trying to open at once at login. The result: a much faster login time.
The script works by opening programs one by one, with a little time in between. This gives the programs time to load, and allows you to use your computer as soon as you enter your password. The code looks like this:
tell application "Google Notifier" to activate delay 3 tell application "LaunchBar" to activate delay 3 set volume 4 tell application "BOINCManager" to activate tell application "Quick Search Box" to activate tell application "RealPlayer Downloader Agent" to activate
To make this work for you, all you have to do is paste the above code into AppleScript Editor (in Applications » Utilities in 10.6) or Script Editor (in Applications » AppleScript in previous releases), replace the names of applications (tell application...) with yours, and change the delay times to suit your needs (the number represents seconds).
Finder windows can be triggerd by inserting the following code:
tell application "Finder" to open "Path:To:Folder"
Once you've completed the script, save it as an application. Set it as your one and only startup item. This will load at login, and launch the applications one by one.
Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20091108173250445