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Gorgeous new Theme Pack for Ubuntu introduced - FutureLooks!

ubuntuforums.org — This theme combines elements of all 3 Desktop OSs to create a seamless, modern appearence for Ubuntu and any other Debian derivatives.

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  • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -4/+211I'd just like to add that this is possible on *any* modern Linux distro, but it is obviously easier to install debs in deb-based distros, and the howto is tailored to Ubuntu.
    • possiblyneil, on 05/17/2008, -1/+9Well not any. You have to hunt down the calender for yourself if you are using a 64bit Linux.
    • mossblaser, on 05/17/2008, -5/+12"I'd just like to add that this is possible on *any* modern Linux distro"

      Well, any running GNOME or XFCE that is...
      • bj1989, on 05/17/2008, -11/+2Any that is capable of running gnome or xfce.
      • gutistg, on 05/18/2008, -4/+1Thanks for your work, mazza558. I won't be using it – I prefer to theme things myself – but thanks anyway, I'm sure that many people will find this very helpful.

        Sorry that everyone is being a douche-bag.
    • Kingoftherings, on 05/17/2008, -3/+1Its not even a deb.
    • tjl30, on 05/17/2008, -3/+5"debs in deb-based distros"

      Well I would think so, not many people install debs in other distros. Also its way easier in Fedora than Ubuntu, but obviously no one would know that because no one uses anything other than Ubuntu.
      • DanAtkinson, on 05/17/2008, -4/+3Um... I use OSX and Windows.
        • alexforcefive, on 05/17/2008, -2/+1He was being sarcastic, you silly man
        • mrstoneok, on 05/17/2008, -3/+2HE was being sarcastic, YOU silly man
    • djbon2112, on 05/17/2008, -4/+3...and why would I want GNOME to look even more like Windows? I love GNOME because, as is, it has the PERFECT layout. Not even Windows Classic has it beat. Sorry, but I'll pass.
      • rpgmaker, on 05/18/2008, -1/+2Gnome sucks at artwork. Luckily they've changed the iconset to Myst but even that way the colors of the theme suck.
      • djbon2112, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1I agree, but I change the colours, window borders, and icons. But it's still GNOME.
  • thewump, on 05/17/2008, -5/+42Dugg, and this comment is really just to give Mazza kudos for his Hardy Heron Beta ndiswrapper / Broadcomm efforts ( and to check out new Digg comment system! )
    • iRelinquish, on 05/17/2008, -0/+10i also was saved by his nidiswrapper wifi fix : ) Ubuntu on the dell inspiron 1501 FTW!
    • Buu700, on 05/17/2008, -0/+5Wow! That saved me too a few weeks ago! I had no idea it was the same guy until I went back and reread it:

      http://www.ubuntu1501.com/2008/04/ndiswrapper-in-h ...
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -0/+4Okay, I'm posting this where most people will see it. I've updated the emerald theme to fix the transparency problems (they made things illegible). You can find an improved version here:

      http://www.filedropper.com/gommomod2
      • Buu700, on 05/17/2008, -0/+1Thanks for that ndiswrapper tutorial! I'm not sure why ndiswrapper is screwed up in Hardy, but I couldn't get it working in Fedora 9 either. That's a cool theme btw. I myself am almost done working on one as well (here's an early screenshot: http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/7315/44552515ft ...
        • Malnilion, on 05/18/2008, -0/+2Nice start on the theme, I'd suggest changing your close and minimize buttons to be curved on the bottom like your scrollbar is curved in the window.
        • Buu700, on 05/18/2008, -0/+1Good idea, thanks for the suggestion. I think I'll do that soon if I can. Actually, this theme is based on another one from which I have switched out and/or Gimped a lot of stuff, but the scrollbar was part of the original theme (just giving credit where it is due: http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php?content ... and other components I'm using are from the Mac4Lin GTK theme (though I gimped what I took to make it red and black instead of blue and grey/silver, an xfwm4 theme called Linsta Black Plastic, and an icon theme called Oxygen-Refit).
  • dburanen, on 05/17/2008, -10/+107I appreciate the effort toward a new theme, but it's too whimsy and translucent for my liking. I need readable as well as beautiful. (see Fedora)
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -1/+22It's possible to edit the emerald theme to make it as translucent as you want.
    • Deodrus, on 05/17/2008, -0/+13The author mentions that it's completely configurable, so you can change almost any aspect of it. I'll be giving it a shot tomorrow.
    • ruddy, on 05/17/2008, -12/+5didn't know fedora was a theme...
      • Buu700, on 05/17/2008, -0/+5Well it is. Boot up any Fedora system and look for it in /usr/share/themes.
      • winmywii, on 05/17/2008, -2/+8It was obvious that he was talking about the default theme in Fedora. Which according to Buu700 is actually called Fedora. Double fail.
    • solistus, on 05/17/2008, -0/+4Remove or tone down the translucency on window bars and it's pretty damn good.
    • over900000, on 05/17/2008, -1/+5It's funny reading that thread. Everyone is praising the glossy look while they were the first ones to bash Vista for doing the same.
  • Stonekeeper, on 05/17/2008, -27/+10Meh. I've been using mac4lin lately. Now *thats* gorgeous.
    • Deodrus, on 05/17/2008, -9/+3Very nice. Thanks for the tip.

      On a side note, if you want to go that far, why not just use Mac itself ?
    • jjb123, on 05/17/2008, -0/+6I use that to, very nice. For anyone who wants to install it I recommend http://www.howtoforge.com/mac4lin_make_linux_look_ ...
      • aldableep3, on 05/17/2008, -0/+3thank you! i was looking for a good tut that wasn't outdated
    • Mejogid, on 05/17/2008, -0/+13As a mac owner who happens to use linux the majority of the time, using mac4lin gives me the impression of a hacked-together, clunky imitation - and the inherent differences in application design and toolkit make a 1:1 clone impossible. Besides, I think it's pretty important Linux to develop an identity of its own (see: cimi's theme engines, engines such as aurora and the various Tango themes). Oh, and there's the knowledge that if it ever gets big enough Apple's lawyers will crush it.

      These days, there really are a tonne of great looking, original themes for linux - why not use those?
      • Adelie, on 05/17/2008, -0/+1Linux, even to a fault, has been about flexibility and options. These demos just reveal how Apple and M$ lock you into whatever their marketing group decided on. I've done themes looking anything from mac OS7 to Vista, to OSX, to various consoles from Star Trek (my only regret was it was not for a touch screen, boo).

        Being able to do ANYTHING is only so impressive without getting it to look like something. It is an interesting blend.
    • SSUK, on 05/17/2008, -0/+8I know it's personal prefrence, but I'd much prefer the Ubuntu Human theme over the Aqua theme, much like I'd take the Human theme over the XP default theme. I am a sucker for Vista's Aero Glass theme though...
    • Tyr7BE, on 05/17/2008, -0/+2Ugh not more apple imitations. Goddamnit I hate that theme. One of my biggest pissoffs with OS X was that you couldn't change that glossy bubbly theme for something that looks a little better without installing 3rd party software.
  • MaxMWood, on 05/17/2008, -73/+268Way to remake Vista.
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -34/+28Ignoring the wallpaper and menu, how is this like Vista?

      Transparency?
      • MaxMWood, on 05/17/2008, -24/+33Sort of summed it up for yourself. Wallpaper, Menu, "Start" Bar, Transparency. It looks just like its Vista reskinned, and you know it.
        • ktxxx, on 05/17/2008, -20/+3Ready...1...2...3

          Who cares!

          You know how much Microsoft ripped off from the Mac and open source operating systems.

          I'm surprised they didn't rewrite their file system to be JUST like Unix.
        • jonsterling, on 05/17/2008, -9/+13No, it doesn't. Just making a list of user interface elements that one theme and another share in common (windows, titlebars, menus, application/folder launcher menu, buttons, check boxes, etc) does not mean that one is copied from the other. It does prove, however, quite definitively that they are both graphical user interfaces for an operating system. Congratulations.
        • Jesse, on 05/17/2008, -1/+5I own a Vista machine and a Powerbook running Leopard.

          yeah, jonsterling, it looks like Vista.
      • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -10/+27You're forgetting that most users don't have just one bar at the bottom and find Ubuntu System Panel (the menu I'm using in the screenshot) too hard to set up.

        Also, since when is a green, nature wallpaper only allowed to be used for Vista?
        • sleepwalkers, on 05/17/2008, -2/+1To further elaborate on your post:
          The widgets look nothing like Vista's, as it's a flat, creme colored look in this theme as opposed to the overly-glossy look in Vista.
          Only the menubar is transparent, and transparency =/= Vista. The - + x widgets look nothing like Vista.
          There is no "Start" bar. The "Start" button since it's been introduced in Windows has served as a single button to access all of the system's functionality. In Gnome, there's a list for applications, a list for system stuff and a list for places.

          Just because there's transparency and a clock doesn't mean the GUI looks like Vista.
      • Takuro, on 05/17/2008, -2/+17Yeah. It looks absolutely nothing like Vista. I only see all original stuff. A sidebar with a glossy clock, extensive use of foliage for wallpapers, the fresh, original style of the start menu... all brilliantly unique.

        *cough*denial*cough*
        • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -0/+4I actually agree with you now. I can understand why people think this = Vista.
      • over900000, on 05/17/2008, -0/+5It's funny how butthurt everyone gets when someone dares to compare anything Linux related to Vista. So completely in denial. Anyone can see with the way, the menu bar is located, the icons, the start menu, the clock and gadgets, that is exactly like Vista.
    • Deodrus, on 05/17/2008, -5/+40You don't have to change the menu like he did. That's what makes it Vista-like.

      As the user himself mentions, it's a crossover between Vista/Mac/Ubuntu.

      I like it. I think the man did a good job. No need to slam his work.
      • MaxMWood, on 05/17/2008, -3/+13No I like it also, hell I may even put it on my Linux PC but my point is it just looks like Vista reskinned.
        • Adelie, on 05/17/2008, -3/+2Thank got it doesn't imitate what M$ calls functionality.
        • techprophet, on 05/23/2008, -1/+0At least God has some mercy on us poor souls to save us from more M$ junk.
    • techprophet, on 05/17/2008, -18/+6That isn't like vista. Vista cloned several different Linux Themes, not the other way around anyway. The only thing in common is transparency, and LInux had that _before_ windows.

      The secret to success is coming up with it first, which Windows hasn't done since 3.1
      • Adelie, on 05/17/2008, -1/+23.1 was a total rip off of Solaris at the time. :) Sorry, never been original.
        • techprophet, on 05/23/2008, -1/+0Oops, my mistake. THanks for the correction.

          But technically 3.1 was original in the fact that it was the first to totally rip off another :P
    • vibrokatana, on 05/17/2008, -19/+11You do know that linux has had transparency for several years before vista was even in beta right?
      • D4rkDrago0n, on 05/17/2008, -5/+4Windows has had it since Win 2000, it's just only been made fully accessible.
    • Necho, on 05/17/2008, -10/+22Try and tell me the sidebar looks nothing like Vista... I'm not bashing this but the whole look definitely looks inspired by Vista regardless if Linux had some parts first.
      • gn0stik, on 05/17/2008, -6/+5.. because vista had the first sidebar.... right.

        ever heard of NeXT?
    • gak001, on 05/17/2008, -14/+2If only Aero looked that good.
    • werries, on 05/17/2008, -3/+25i honestly don't care if it looks like vista. if you like the look, go for it. it still has the linux kernel at the heart of it.
      • jeriqo, on 05/17/2008, -8/+5Well.. actually.... no one cares about the kernel
        • techprophet, on 05/23/2008, -0/+1Yeah, people do. W/O the kernel, nothing would run. I actually enjoy optimizing my Linux Kernel to run it's best onmy hardware.
      • possiblyneil, on 05/17/2008, -3/+10Exactly, you cannot tell an operating system by its GUI.
    • deroderugridder, on 05/17/2008, -14/+2Oh noes, another windoze-only user stumbling upon the real deal ...
    • diggingaround, on 05/17/2008, -11/+1This would be definitely great interface upgrade M$ Vista...
      Not Ubuntu... I don't want anything on my Linux, even remotely to remind me of anything from Microsoft.

      Good work... but not an improvement for Ubuntu,
    • frontporsche, on 05/17/2008, -13/+13Haha, what an insult to Vista. It seems that Microsoft's "great" new operating system is basically perceived as being a desktop with transparency added an a round clock thrown in the corner.
    • dig1x, on 05/17/2008, -6/+8@frontporsche

      I agree, it is an insult to Vista. Because the UI recieved some visual improvements that made it look better, but all the engineering change isnt even noticed by the end use. That is an epic VICTORY for MS.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_new_to_Windo ...
    • TheLoneHoot, on 05/17/2008, -7/+5So what if it LOOKS like Vista? Who cares? If you don't like the looks you can alter it.

      The thing is, maybe some people like the ***look*** of Vista, but don't want to run it. The big selling point of Ubuntu as a Linux distro is that it is more user friendly to people who might be less computer savvy than others, i.e., it has a familiar Windows type feel. Having a desktop interface that looks and acts like Vista is not a sin - having Vista is. (joke people, joke). This lets people who want to have Linux as a stable OS, have a nice slick looking GUI as well.

      Get over the resemblence to Vista - you're missing the point.
  • korupture, on 05/17/2008, -24/+8Vista got a facelift?
  • knightmarex, on 05/17/2008, -4/+66I think there are better themes out there, although this one is not bad at all.
  • AzureRise, on 05/17/2008, -12/+23I like the general look of the theme. But it's obvious it's supposed to be like Vista. Great looking theme however, congrats it obviously took some work.
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -2/+12Actually, I intended it to look a little like all 3 OSs. It borrows some elements of OSX (e.g gradient panel).
      • jeriqo, on 05/17/2008, -1/+5All 3 OSs.. I'd love to hear what comes from Linux.
      • solistus, on 05/17/2008, -1/+1It borrows a lot from OSX: many of the icons, or more strikingly, virtually every detail about the File Manager. I'm sure there's plenty more that can't be seen in these 2 screenshots. It still looks too much like Windows in some unfortunate ways (e.g., Taskbar instead of Dock), but it's still pretty nice.
  • xv1ncentx, on 05/17/2008, -12/+6Mmmm, a little bit old, not innovative at all.
    See Glory-Simplex theme: http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Glory-S ...
    You could be surprised about how gorgeous this theme is.
    • Deodrus, on 05/17/2008, -0/+5Nice, but really too white for my eyes (even with my LCD brightness set to very low).
    • xv1ncentx, on 05/17/2008, -0/+2I don't think is too white, for me it looks professional and elegant.
      Use it for a while and you probably will notice that, every application looks better.

      By the way, Linux users usually have an awful taste.
  • Deodrus, on 05/17/2008, -15/+18I think this one is the best I've come across yet. Just because it has transparency does not make it Vista !

    Can other Ubuntu enthusiasts please point me towards their favourite cool themes ? I've searched, but in the end I stuck with Human because I couldn't find anything better. (I'll give this one a shot too).
    • positron, on 05/17/2008, -0/+4SlicknesS-rounded from the SlicknesS suite found on gnome-look.org
    • Derrekito, on 05/17/2008, -1/+2go check out gnome-look.org - they have a bunch of themes. Also some allow you to customize color.
    • Ademan, on 05/17/2008, -0/+2I use this for my widgets and window border: http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Clearlooks- ...
      and then I picked a nice green background. http://img.7chan.org/wp/res/27947.html The first pic is my background.

      *chan is a great place to find wallpapers, for better or worse.
    • arcticblue, on 05/18/2008, -0/+1My personal favorite is the Nodoka theme from Fedora. You can get it working on Ubuntu very easily.
    • thevoiceless, on 05/18/2008, -0/+1Elegant Aurora is terrific (I find most Aurora themes are)
    • pikelet, on 05/18/2008, -0/+1Anyone know if there's a grayscale version of Human around? Icons are nice, I just don't need the...orange.
  • possiblyneil, on 05/17/2008, -4/+9I like this it is feels fresh and looks easy on the eye. It has been said before but this would make a very good default theme for a distro, it is certainly a vast improvement on the Human theme.
    • TheWindBlows, on 05/17/2008, -3/+2Human is actual alright if you use complimentary colors the theme is definitely neat though.
    • crazybrit, on 05/17/2008, -1/+2I don't like this theme at all. I think Human is the best Linux theme I've come across, honestly.
      • dumpyhumpy, on 05/17/2008, -0/+2Mmmmm.... human's a little dark and muddy... and a little orangey
      • possiblyneil, on 05/17/2008, -0/+1Well it is totally down to personal taste. You go for whatever theme you want.
        Live free or die.
  • TheWindBlows, on 05/17/2008, -3/+5Does anyone know if its hard to make custom menu's I have an idea of how I'd like a menu layout to be setup but idk.

    Menu Layout Plan
    [Favorite Applications] (Defaults)
    Internet Browser
    Mail Reader
    IM Messenger
    Office Suite
    Media Player
    [Custom Launchers] (possibly limited to reduce issues)

    [Recent Games Accessed] (limit the amount of them but have it handle only games because holding recently accessed programs is useless if you have a Default Applications Menu and Custom Launchers.)

    Fusing the Places Menu into it could also be benifical for intergration of the menu its a so so thing.

    I could make a cruddly looking outline if wanted but, i need to get to sleep Its 5:30 AM
    (what i slept from 11pm -1am rolls eyes)
  • TheRealToma, on 05/17/2008, -12/+63Too much transparent glass for me. Makes me want to throw stones at it. -_-
    • TheSabre, on 05/17/2008, -0/+11It's actually translucent. Not transparent.
      • xlneoMAXlx, on 05/18/2008, -0/+2I logged in to digg you.
      • TheRealToma, on 05/18/2008, -0/+2Its not actually glass. Its a pile of alpha blended pixels?
        • TheSabre, on 05/18/2008, -0/+1It's not actually a /pile/ of pixels. It's a... oh nevermind. :)
  • coltraning, on 05/17/2008, -4/+8even when they add in the compositing and the antialiasing, it still looks like it was designed by committee!
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -6/+6Then improve it yourself - do something about it and help us rather than complaining.
      • coltraning, on 05/18/2008, -1/+1now, see, right there is the problem. i'm not an operating system developer, but i'm a potential user. i shouldn't have to design it myself!
  • rollerboy, on 05/17/2008, -6/+10One of the reasons I use ubuntu is because I find Windows dull, this theme goes back to what I'm moving away from.
  • ultimateXhobo, on 05/17/2008, -22/+35Those title bars are ***** illegible

    and why does linux always imitate windows, the start menu and task bar are terrible ideas
    • NOFXY, on 05/17/2008, -3/+30it doesn't "always imitate windows." If you knew anything about linux you'd realize that there is more than one way to do anything in linux. want a menu like mac? install mac-menu. want it to look more vista-ish? do what the guy in this tutorial did. want it to look completely different than anything out there? Do it! dont like the window manager? use rat poison. want something that doesnt take up space? use any of the dozens(?) of window managers out there. My point it, just because some people choose windows looking themes doesn't mean that's what "linux" looks like.

      its customizable to however you want it and everyones will look slightly different.
      • Adelie, on 05/17/2008, -2/+1And if anyone would bother to read up on a little history, windows whole theme has been a blatant rip off of Solaris forever, and they stole the interface from Xerox.

        And sometimes there is just a right way of doing things, and Gnome/Metacity/Compiz (+others) give you a real range of aesthetic preferences, IMHO. Personally, as far as customization goes, XFCE beats out Vista and OSX for customizable functionality, but i'll admit it isn't exactly simple, and I'll bet I'm all alone there too.
    • Derrekito, on 05/17/2008, -0/+2Yeah fonts can be a bitch sometimes. I just use arial (easiest for me to read) - and monospace for coding.
    • dig1x, on 05/17/2008, -1/+6"the start menu and task bar are terrible ideas"

      What? Are you kidding? The start menu and the task bar are exceptional ideas.
      • neFariou5, on 05/17/2008, -1/+2Well even Microsoft wouldn't agree with that, which is why they are moving to ultrafast (live) searching for files and programs from the start menu. Also more visual application switching tools over the taskbar.
    • Adelie, on 05/17/2008, -6/+2As mentioned previously, M$ didn't come up with the idea. Much of that stuff is old Sun and Xerox ideas that have roots in Unix. Just because M$W has the worst and most ubiquitous implementation of it, doesn't mean that is where the idea came from.

      For example, as much as you might like to blame Nintendo for their offensively crappy Wii controller, it wasn't even their stupid idea, they took it from a little game company in Texas, recently settling out of court for $21 Million. :)
      • wunch, on 05/19/2008, -0/+1Off-topic, but to clarify: the Nintendo lawsuit was over their Gamecube, Wavebird, and Classic controllers, not the Wii-mote. See the AP article.
    • sniper68, on 05/17/2008, -1/+5Linux also has a taskbar and start menu in case you havn't noticed.
  • pprkut, on 05/17/2008, -4/+6Its quite good but the title bars are pretty bad and the text for the icons on the desktop is too small and packed together.
  • Mancoo, on 05/17/2008, -5/+11Too much transparancy for my taste
    • jeriqo, on 05/17/2008, -1/+1For anyone that actually uses his computer.
  • rotten777, on 05/17/2008, -1/+17This one looks pretty good quality. That being said, I'm more of a fan for the darker themes. They seem to be better for readability and working late at night when I just have the monitors on. Those would probably be a bit bright.
  • brianpocock, on 05/17/2008, -16/+1hate to burst any linux users bubble, but erm... thats exactly like vista??!?!?!?
  • monkeyBox, on 05/17/2008, -9/+1It looks exactly like clearlooks, but the title bar is transparent. Also, what's the point of showing off your theme if you're going to take a screenshot of your wallpaper and the default ubuntu icons?? Lame...
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -1/+2That's because it IS Clearlooks. And it's NOT the default icons.

      Any other idiotic comments?
  • krisscofield, on 05/17/2008, -3/+15gDesklets (or Screenlets) are hideous and poorly designed Vista Gadgets. I love Ubuntu, but for every pretty, well-integrated piece of software, there is 10 more ugly as sin, poorly designed pieces of crap.
    • modestmelody, on 05/17/2008, -0/+6gDesklets is and OLD project and was one of the worst things about Linux back when I started in 2004. However, Screenlets are decent, you just have to use the right one. Of course, Vista Gadgets are really just a ***** version of Konfabulator and to be honest, I think OSX has the best implementation of widgets though it did come post Konfabulator. That being said, you can convert Google Gadgets or whatever they're called, Apple widgets, and I believe Vista Gadgets now with Screenlets to work on Linux anyway. Plus, Python is really easy to learn, so at the risk of sounding like a Linux nerd (though I'm really more a mid-level computer user)-- write your own widget.

      For me, weather, a large digital clock, and an email checker is all I use so the default widgets in Screenlets is more than appealing. The newest versions have been far more stable to the point where it's not really a problem anymore.
    • Xanium4332, on 05/17/2008, -0/+5gDesklets are NOT Screenlets. Screenlets are much better than gDesklets, and take advantage of Compiz
    • NOFXY, on 05/17/2008, -0/+2what don't you like about screenlets? i completely agree with you on gDesklets but that is a very old project.
    • renegadeafk, on 05/17/2008, -0/+1Agreed, I am a vista user but I also have toyed with linux for years. Gdesklets is just ridiculously bad, screenlet are alright. Vista's gadgets are decent, but without a doubt although I have had limited usage of OSX it's implementation is much better and the most polished.
    • Adelie, on 05/17/2008, -0/+2Agreed. gDesklets: Do they even go back and look at their own code, or just keep making new add-ons? I would almost call it offensive.
  • MrEggsalad, on 05/17/2008, -12/+13Nothing like a window that I can't read the title in.

    Reminds me far too much of OS X and Vista all in one; get your own idea, Linux!
  • Jeezoflip, on 05/17/2008, -14/+9vista?
  • lektroluv, on 05/17/2008, -5/+18What's with the fascination of using vegetation as wallpapers?
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -3/+6Vegetation is awesome.
    • gavintlgold, on 05/17/2008, -1/+5No vegetation = No humans
    • ninetimes, on 05/17/2008, -0/+14My personal theory: It's depressing to feel surrounded by cold technology all day, so people like desktop themes with warm colors and vegetation in the background. Just something-- anything-- to remind them of being outside on a nice day.
      • ligyron, on 05/17/2008, -4/+6I work outside all day. When I'm on my computer, I don't want to be reminded of that. I just put porn on my desktop
    • jeriqo, on 05/17/2008, -5/+2Well, Mac OS X did it first, Vista had to copy, then Linux.
      Simple as that.
      • aelias, on 05/17/2008, -1/+4Didn't XP come out before OSX? I seem to remember being able to change my desktop to whatever I wanted in XP.

        Now it's leaves blowing in the wind. Dreamscene FTW.
  • techprophet, on 05/17/2008, -5/+4Nice theme, I would prefer darker, but thats me.
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -1/+2You can edit the theme to make it as dark as you want.
  • BraveQuail, on 05/17/2008, -4/+4It is definitely an improvement over the default theme, but i think there is just slightly too much transparency going on. There may also be a bit too much of a resemblance to Vista (one bar along the bottom, the menu layout, transparency), as judged by a lot of the comments here. Even so, I think it's definitely a great start and a step in the right direction for future themes.
  • Smeed, on 05/17/2008, -8/+12Yeah! Vista woooo!
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -1/+2Please read the comments and article before commenting. Thanks.
  • JangFei, on 05/17/2008, -8/+1Yuck. It looks as hideous as Vista. why copy a turd... wrong path... wrong path...
  • modestmelody, on 05/17/2008, -2/+6I actually prefer far more simple themes on Linux. I think the key to a comfortable desktop in both Gnome and KDE is understanding the tremendous power of the panel and that your panels don't have to look ANYTHING like the default configuration. For my purposes, I use the default application button on the top panel, window list, system tray, and date. The bottom is an autohide panel that's transparent with all my shortcuts, about 60 pixels tall with good icons and then all th way to the right I have deskbar, workspace switcher, trash, and the shutdown module. All in all, it's pretty effective and attractive, more simple than both OSX and Vista without looking dated and works for me. But the flexibility is something most users, especially of Ubuntu are not willing to really explore and find what's right for them.
    • secleinteer, on 05/17/2008, -0/+4This is very true - people don't realize that you can drastically change the location/size of the panels. In my KDE setup, I have a autohide panel with the KDE System Menu Menu (yes, it's supposed to have two "Menu"s) in the bottom left, another autohide panel in the bottom right with the tray, KMenu, trash and time. Then, I have a panel in the top right, taking up half of the width of the monitor, with the taskbar. The taskbar overlaps part of the window title, allowing me to save screen space.
      It's amazingly efficient, but nothing like the default setup. It works for me, but it may not work for anyone else. That's why such a high level of customizability is necessary - so everyone can use the setup that's best for them. For those who don't care enough to mess with this type of thing - the default setup is adequate.
  • aldableep3, on 05/17/2008, -6/+4do want! now!
  • jeffsteez, on 05/17/2008, -2/+4Someone who is registered on that forum... can you post a mirror that doesn't need a login to view? cheers
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -1/+4The imageshack screenshot still works.
  • wastedfluid, on 05/17/2008, -13/+3This is not ***** news. No pun intended - it looks decent, but nobody gives a ***** about your theme on a SOCIAL NEWS website.

    WHY is this front page?

    Buried.
    • EtherGnat, on 05/18/2008, -0/+1http://digg.com/how

      It's on the front page because people voted for it, you anti-democratic douche, and it does have to do with Linux technology. If you don't want to see stories like this remove the topic from your preferences. I hate people who think the world should revolve around them.
  • Maccc, on 05/17/2008, -7/+2You have to love how on the Ubuntu forums the second post in the thread is announcing that "it's been Dugg."
  • dtfinch, on 05/17/2008, -3/+11Can't read the title bars.

    I like plain, simple themes.
  • mach32, on 05/17/2008, -7/+2zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  • dn11, on 05/17/2008, -5/+23the word "gorgeous" needs to be banned from any description of UI elements, themes, and/or Leopard docks. PLEASE
  • SupaDawg, on 05/17/2008, -6/+7I like it. It's pretty much Vista for Linux. This actually makes me want to give linux another go. It would feel a lot more natural for me.
  • TheSkinsFactory, on 05/17/2008, -9/+5I don't see how micro title bar buttons, bad transparency or a substandard looking "start menu" qualifies as "gorgeous". If this is a step up GUI wise from the regular looking OS, i'll stick with Windows and OS X.
  • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -35/+41Guys, for *****'s sake, use your brains for once...

    This is NOT Vista! I am NOT trying to copy it! Transparency does NOT equal Vista! You can CUSTOMISE this theme! illegible titlebars can be CHANGED! You DON'T have to use the menu! I'm also loving the people who dugg this up and then decided to complain.



    /endrant



    • SupaDawg, on 05/17/2008, -4/+11You may not have tried to copy the look of vista, but you did just that. The "start bar", blended transparent title bars and the use of widgets in that specific location all give a heavy appearance of a standard vista install with the vista sidebar running.... even your background choice is very "vista".

      That said, i blame your screenshot. The theme could offer a lot more, and be a lot more customizable, but for the most part people are going to look at this and think vista.

      Like i said earlier however, the similarity to vista alone is what intrigues me. I wouldn't be trying this otherwise.
    • TheSkinsFactory, on 05/17/2008, -18/+7It doesn't matter that its not for Vista... the UI is dull looking. The buttons too small. And for "*****'s sake" don't release crap to the public if you can't take criticism. And i buried this topic because there's nothing "gorgeous" about it. There's 100s of themes on deviantART that blow this crap away.

      And before you tell me i don't know what i'm talking about... i own a user interface design studio.
      • localzuk, on 05/17/2008, -4/+13Lol, well done anonymous person on the net. Way to try and discourage people from releasing their work on the net.

        Tell you what, shut your mouth and let the guy release his pack, for free, to people on the internet without him feeling like there is no reason to contribute to the community.
        • TheSkinsFactory, on 05/17/2008, -8/+5Anonymous? www.theskinsfactory.com think again.

          People shouldn't release things to the public if they can't take criticism. And i'm not here to encourage some moron who yells at people and tells us to "use our brains" because they can't take some negative feedback. So back off troll.
        • localzuk, on 05/17/2008, -3/+11Hah, i'm the troll? You post random abuse at someone who has posted something online for others to use and think I'm a troll for calling you on it?

          The whole idea behind open source and collaborative working is to post things you make for others to download and edit for themselves.

          But then, you are in the market for money alone. Not everyone does things just for money.

          And, it isn't really helpful saying 'there's 100s of themes on devianART that blow this crap away'. So what? Variety is the spice of life.
        • ProfBagelwood, on 05/17/2008, -0/+3@TheSkinsFactory: If you don't want people to respond to criticism, then don't go on sites that have a "reply" button. Also, from one user interface developer to another... Sorry, but no, you don't know what you're talking about. Go grab a screenshot of Vista and hold it up next to what this guy made.

          Quite frankly, it's just amateurish and cliche to have "It reminds me of Vista!" as a kneejerk reaction like so many people seem to have.

          If we were doing a graphic design lesson and the assignment was to digitally create a screenshot based on Vista, this would probably not get a very good grade. Again, go hold it up next to Vista, and you'll see. It's pretty clear, really. I think that Microsoft's UI team and the artist that made this would both agree that the Vista interface and this are both distinct from one another. If either party were to accuse the other of plagiarism, it would be laughed out of court.

          Oh, and if you say that they're similar because they both have the panel on the bottom and stuff like that, then please go learn about the history of computers, the history of human-computer interface guidelines, and that kind of thing. Those kinds of things are universal interface theories, so it's not really appropriate to treat them as a unique style for any system. It's the application and presentation that define the "style," and clearly, they look quite different.

          If you're going to try to present yourself as the discerning and educated professional designer, then please act like it, and get out of the "Everything looks like Vista!" zombie mob.

          And also, if you really are a professional user interface developer, you should be just as annoyed by people saying that absolutely everything looks like Vista! All of the people I work with are incredibly annoyed by that, and it's been making a lot of developers want to not release their work simply for fear of having to deal with it even though their stuff doesn't really look like Vista. 99% of the time, it's an uneducated and misapplied criticism. This is one such case, and if you're a self-respecting graphic design professional, you should try to rise above this kind of thing.
      • scronide, on 05/17/2008, -1/+7As you can see, Jeff Schader of The Skins Factory is a pompous, self-important bully that spends his free time kicking the sandcastles of hobbyists in their faces because the plebeians without Fortune 500 backing dare to create on their own time.

        He is the type that would tell your five-year-old that they have no business drawing because they can't do hands correctly, before tearing the picture up and leaving his business card. He is a vile little man.
    • Chunken, on 05/17/2008, -0/+4Theme looks great, I'll probably check it out later. But the first thing I thought after seeing the screenshots was "wow looks like vista." It's not a bad thing, just sayin.
    • ultimateXhobo, on 05/17/2008, -2/+2why not make it usable and good looking in the first place rather than ask people to piss about and change things
    • aldableep3, on 05/17/2008, -3/+4its an excellent theme.. people are just stupid thinking it looks like vista. what makes it look like vista, transparency? sigh..
    • n3tfury, on 05/17/2008, -4/+5some transparency, a big fat clock on the desktop, the overdone close-up blades of grass background. you're right - i don't see how people are drawing comparisons between vista and your theme.
    • brownr21, on 05/17/2008, -6/+2Meh, just use Vista, it looks better.
      • TheLoneHoot, on 05/17/2008, -2/+6Oooooooooooooooo good point! Use an entirely different operating system based solely on looks. EXCELLENT!

        Tard.
    • psylence, on 05/17/2008, -7/+5Lipstick on a pig... And Mazza appears to be quite the douchebag, congrats!
    • el_jefe, on 05/17/2008, -1/+1Not trying to copy it? Look at the menu? Looks like a windows menu. Unless you are the one person that has never seen or used windows...it looks copied...or perhaps you would perfer...windows inspired.
    • greydonkey, on 05/18/2008, -0/+2I know full well that transparency doesn't == Vista, etc, etc. But here's the problem. I installed ubuntu today and showed my silver surfer dad the desktop effects, guess what the first words he said were...

      ... yep. "That's like Vista!"

      Get used to it. It may not be fair or right but that's what the majority of windows owned people will think and say, until(?) Linux can make a bigger impact.

      Personally I hope that ubuntu 8.04 will be one of several distro's that makes that breakthrough change.
    • Jibberwalk, on 05/18/2008, -2/+2Mazza... I'm impressed you've managed to stay as composed as you are. So far as a theme for Debian distros go, I'm sure the people who actually use Debian-base are stoked to have another option and someone hard at work for the community.

      I think most of the people bashing and claiming you ripped Vista are mostly Windows/Mac users and not Linux users (who should appreciate any active effort made by the community -- whether it is their style or not).

      My two-cents on the theme... I love it. It's minimal and sleek. Once I get back to me home, I'm giving it a go on an eee900.
  • minorthreat, on 05/17/2008, -15/+6I tend to stay away from bloatware
  • Panda200x, on 05/17/2008, -8/+4Hot.
  • deroderugridder, on 05/17/2008, -3/+5Just wanna thank the author via this way - great job !
  • PatrickBrown, on 05/17/2008, -6/+3ick, I do not like the look of this at all. I will stick with my current theme thank you.

    This looks like something that may have been introduced 3 years ago... certainly does not compete with other top emerald themes. A couple of screenlets, a panel, and a crappy theme does not equal gorgeous.
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -2/+2I'm only using one screenlet. You are free to use as much or as little of the pack as you want.
  • localzuk, on 05/17/2008, -2/+18Looks good. We need more themes that look this professional. There are too many themes about which look like a 2 year old hit a crayon box.
    • streetstealth, on 05/17/2008, -0/+1I guess a 16 year old hitting the gradient box *is* preferable, but still...
    • TheRealToma, on 05/18/2008, -0/+1I blame GTK2's utter uglyiness. Its really just pushing ***** uphill when you try to theme GTK, IMHO.
  • Vigacmoe, on 05/17/2008, -9/+7I can't believe this post made it to the front page...
  • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -11/+7Okay, I've updated the OP with a different screenshot. Still looks like Vista?
    • LowFuel, on 05/17/2008, -9/+6Yup... pretty much.
    • Jibberwalk, on 05/18/2008, -0/+3It didn't look like Vista in the first place... people are just r-tards.

      Edit: You're getting dugg down... but please man, don't take it personally. There are a lot of us that appreciate your work. Don't let some diggers who don't take part in the community affect you.
  • Gavin, on 05/17/2008, -4/+3lol hurray!
  • clesch, on 05/17/2008, -0/+46"Q: I don't like it.
    A: Close your browser, shut down your computer and go outside."

    Huh, ok.
    • mazza558, on 05/17/2008, -11/+5An exaggerated way of saying "if you don't like it, why are you reading the digg/ubuntuforums thread in the first place?"
      • AHHHHH, on 05/17/2008, -2/+7Because there are other themes that are original. Your themes aren't the only ones on Ubuntu forums. Learn to take criticism, and then you can appeal to more people.
        • TheLoneHoot, on 05/17/2008, -0/+1Learn to GIVE criticism - criticism doesn't have to be mean spirited.

          @ all the negative repliers:
          Be mature for once and if you don't like it, just let it go. If you do then say so or don't. There's no need to belittle someone's work. There are better ways of critiquing that don't involve being an ass.
      • bluntphallus, on 05/17/2008, -0/+6Better: "If you don't like it, please tell me why so I can look into it. Thank you for your constructive feedback!"

        It isn't hard. For what it's worth, I've looked at the theme. It looks OK, but the titlebars are impossible to read.
      • digitalunit, on 05/17/2008, -3/+2Better: Make a theme that doesn't look JUST like Vista. I wish we could get a side-by-side shot.
    • PueSi, on 05/17/2008, -1/+12That's not even a question.
  • uziko, on 05/17/2008, -21/+4good, now make it default and i might actually use it. i hate having only one choice for operating systems. unfortunately i don't have a choice right now because linux and macosx are the crappiest trash i've ever had the displeasure of using
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