You should try the 7 Taskbar Tweaker : http://rammichael.com/7-taskbar-tweaker-v2-0 (with video demo)

It aloud you to reorder the tasks in any order, for example:

  [Chrome] [Notepad] [Chrome] [Word] [Exel] [Chrome] [Chrome] [Notepad]

I am using an old version with "Grouping\Don´tGroup" enabled. But the new version can create custom groups, that seams to be better.

P.S.: And if you miss the blinking network indicator in the systemtray, you can use the Network Activity Indicator: http://www.itsamples.com/network-activity-indicator.html