X Window System replacement and new GUI Desktop environment

[crashedata]

Ok, if you use Linux you know you pretty much have to choose between two diferent desktop environments; Gnome and KDE. You also know that they are not very customizable (they can be customized but not very easily, and it never looks like you'd hope, as well as being extremely limited). Plain and simple, neither Gnome or KDE are very visually pleasing no matter what you do, and they don't keep up with what other operating systems are doing with style (example: Windows Vista Home Premium).

So, about a month ago, I started working on a new GUI/Desktop environment for Linux. Shortly after beginning I realized, KDE and Gnome were not the problem, it was the terrible and limited programming of the X window system in which all Linux desktops are built on. So, I started to program a new window system to replace the X window system (I codenamed it "Zeiler") while at the same time starting on a new GUI to go with it (GUI codenamed "Chapel").

This is a lot of work, and will take a long time. After it is complete, the Zeiler window system will be much more powerful then the X window system and the GUI will be more powerful then both Gnome and KDE. It will be (hopefully) just as powerful as the Vista GUI, including transparency support, and the alt+tab feature to tilt the windows like in Vista running Aero. When I release it, I will be releasing it as freeware under the GNU license. It will be open source. To wrap up this lengthy post, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for cool features I should put in it? Thank you,

Crashedata

[Zelmo]

Is it April 1st already?

[Javasnob]

Is it April 1st already?

No kidding! I almost choked when I saw this...

The X Window System has been the primary choice for Unix systems for so long because of its flexibility. Replacing it has been attempted before (anyone remember the Y Window System?).

If you're concerned about a "Vista-like" interface with pointlessly flashy effects and other niceties, I suggest you check out Beryl:

http://youtube.com/results?search_qu...&search=Search
http://www.beryl-project.org/

Beryl supports the features you mentioned and more, namely true transparency and flashy alt-tabbing.

[Dark_Stang]

Yeah, I remember seeing stuff about the Y window system. I don't ever remember seeing a completed version.

And as much as I would like to see this go through, I don't think it's going to work out unless you have a team of people behind you.

[crashedata]

Mine is going to be nothing like the Y window system. I have already started coding it. How do you ever expect Linux to attract people from Windows (users who aren't as computer savvy) with how it is right now? Thats right, you can't. Linux won't beet Windows with the existing X window system.

Edit: I do have a team of people behind me. Friends of mine from college. We have started designing a default theme, as well as extra themes (a team of 8 is specifically dedicated to design) and coding (a team of 8 including me is specifically dedicated to coding).

[Javasnob]

How do I expect Linux to attract Windows users? Here's the answer: I don't. Personally, I think Linux beats the pants off of Windows in almost every area (including the windowing system). But that's me. Linux works for me, and if Windows works for Joe Schmoe, that's fine for him.

I would be very interested in hearing your points on how the X Window System is inflexible compared to the Windows GUI. I personally believe the opposite, but I'd love to hear your arguments.

[cheesecake42]

I agree that as an operating system linux is far superior to windows. But the fact is that it isn't very user friendly. I really don't care that much either about un-computer savy people not being turned on to linux. I don't blame them. But it would be nice to see an extremely user friendly version that others could use and see microsoft go down.

it'll propobly never happen though

[crashedata]

You want to hear my arguments huh... well, first off, the X window system likes killing programs, especially Firefox at random, and second, I have never seen a theme on it that looks as good as the Vista theme. I have seen attempts, but not very good ones. As well, we have little to no developers support for GOOD games. All the Linux games I have seen suck. If we get more users over, we get more games being developed. You are just a close minded bastard.

[antidrugue]

You are just a close minded bastard.

I doubt you will attract much sympathy from anyone here with that kind of talking.

As with your comments about the X window system, Gnome and KDE, I can only assume that you just started using Linux, or that you are a very funny person.

[crashedata]

I have been using Linux for 7 years. And, I only said that because that is exactly what it sounds like you are.

EDIT: the point of this project is exactly what it sounds like you don't want to happen. The mainstream of a free operating system (Linux) which would either kill or severely hurt the commercial OS market, possibly eventually take down Microsoft.