Free Desktop Environment

[novomente]

Hi guys.

Are you unhappy with current desktop environments like Gnome 3, Kde, LXDE, XFCE etc? Imagine there is a new desktop environment. What would you like it to be? What features should it have? How should it look like?

I would like to let you know that there is a new activity around creating a new desktop environment and you have a chance to influence how it will look, how it will function, how would you work with it etc. Or if you are interested you can contribute to it in any kind of your activity - just visit our group at OpenDesktop.org (on following link):

opendesktop.org/groups/?id=582&PHPSESSID=ad0e382a4f2f13a59e8bea4d62c5d126

regards,
novomente

[Jonathan183]

I'd like it to be lightweight, something like IceWM but with the menu system like Linux Mint and ability to use desktop icons. I'd also like to be able to easily pick the applications I want to use, including from other desktop environments.

Ed: Give me a simple, quick, reliable desktop environment that I can easily configure. Things like Compiz are an optional extra I am unlikely to use ... it looks good, and the effects keep you amused for a few minutes ... but when I need to work I just want something that works with the minimum fuss and distraction.

It would also be good to be able to run the basic system on limited hardware, and give users the option to switch on additional features and eye candy if their hardware will cope with it

[MASONTX]

I would want a desktop that lets me arrange icons into groups or lines in the order I want, then align them to a grid to keep everything neat and in line and column. I don't like it when I want to rearrange icons and the system insists on returning them to their original position or alphabetizing them. It should give me flexibility to run icons left to right in rows like puppy, top to bottom, or any combination I choose.

[Etna]

Will prefer to have an environment which is capable of leveraging the PC's hardware to feature some fantastic visual effects. Like what SUN did with Project Looking Glass.

Considering how most PCs in use today that are about 3-4 years old will have a powerful Intel C2D (or even a Nehalem or Sandy Bridge processor) or its AMD equivalent coupled with a decent performing Intel IGP that is more than suitable enough to handle all compositing effects, it is time fordevelopers to stop being so frugal with a DE's hardware requirements and start going all out to impress.

[fishin4guitars]

Might I suggest a layout similar to LXDE, ie components that can be run individually? The components could probably be broken up the same, too: panel, window manager, file manager, login manager, etc.