Introducing the Computing Machine Desktop Theme

Jamie Michelle · 2019-08-27 01:46:34

Hi, everyone! I created the following Linux/Unix-like desktop-environment theme entitled Computing Machine. It is for GTK+ 2/Gnome 2 applications; GTK+ 3/Gnome 3 applications; and Qt 5/KDE 5 applications via the Qt5 Configuration Tool ( https://sourceforge.net/projects/qt5ct/ ). The following is its OpenDesktop.org Pling page and its GitHub source-repository, respectively:

https://www.pling.com/p/1315191/ , https://github.com/Jamie-Michelle/Computing-Machine

This desktop theme is intended to be visually reminiscent of classic desktop user-environments. See the included "Information.txt" file for instructions on how to configure this theme.

The computer-desktop background/wallpaper image featured in the pictures is entitled Angel Skin, and is available here: https://www.pling.com/p/1315563/ , https://github.com/Jamie-Michelle/Angel-Skin

The Conky setup depicted in the images is available here: https://www.pling.com/p/1315871/ , https://github.com/Jamie-Michelle/Conky-Files

Already Computing Machine quite usable, at least with my desktop-environment setup. It was developed on the XFCE desktop-environment versions 4.12 and 4.14. I haven't tested it on other full desktop environments, just on window managers such as Claude's Tab Window Manager (CTWM), Feeble Virtual Window Manager (FVWM), Motif Window Manager (MWM), Tab Window Manager (TWM), and Virtual Tab Window Manager (VTWM), and it works quite well on them when the instructions in its included "Information.txt" file are followed. So on different full desktop environments, it may require some modifications to work well.

My intentions with this theme are to create a classic style of desktop theme while attempting to keep the code for it simple. As such, it doesn't attempt to make the GTK+ 2 and GTK+ 3 portions of the theme look exactly alike; but rather, to make them similar-looking in a retro style while keeping a consistent color scheme between them. Also to that end, this theme doesn't attempt to exactly mimic any actual historical user-environment theme, but instead is in the general pattern of them, e.g., sharp-cornered rectangle buttons and entry fields with solid-line pseudo-shadow edges; solid colors (e.g., no bubble-buttons with pseudo-shadow gradients); etc. This theme is intended to be practical in a form-follows-function manner.

For those who like classic-style desktop themes, I hope you enjoy!

Last edited by Jamie Michelle (Today 20:14:10)

Jamie Michelle · 2019-08-27 04:50:49

By the way, since I'm a bit of an '80s girl at heart, were you goodly folks aware that the Computing Machine computer-desktop theme has its own official '80s retrospective theme song? Yes, it's true. After all, what computer user-environment theme could possibly be complete without having official theme music selected for it? Since we're being thematic here. If Tony the Tiger can have an official theme song, then surely a computer-desktop theme can. So with no further ado, I present the theme song selected for Computing Machine:

* "Liquid Stranger & Space Jesus - Dragonhawks", WAKAAN ( youtube.com/user/TheLiquidStranger ), Sept. 5, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HizLy8FmjUk . Mirror: "Liquid Stranger & Space Jesus - Dragonhawks", Second Phase ( youtube.com/user/1080pDubstep ), Apr. 20, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nREN5CPReUU . Mirror: "Liquid Stranger x Space Jesus - Dragonhawks", Echo Music ( youtube.com/channel/UCXcq_IoUl1kNyV-Oa1nOb9w ), Apr. 24, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQSByNJOilg .

Enjoy this completely normal-sounding music which harkens back to an '80s classic!

kunzlata · 2019-08-27 15:23:51

HI, I haven't installed it but it looks nice, particularly the panel.

You know, this relief effect is actually a usability thing.

Jamie Michelle · 2019-08-27 19:05:03

kunzlata wrote:

HI, I haven't installed it but it looks nice, particularly the panel.

Thank you, Kunzlata!

You know, this relief effect is actually a usability thing.

That's how I think about it, too. I think the old-style pop-in, pop-out buttons; the recessed entry fields; etc., better help to provide visual cues that trigger the naturally-evolved perception in the brain of how light and shadows work.

Last edited by Jamie Michelle (2019-08-27 21:03:05)

Jamie Michelle · Today 20:17:52

Great news, everyone! The epic quest for interfacial perfection has reached a zenithal milestone. At least with my operating-system setup, the Computing Machine theme has become quite refined and polished. If you haven't yet taken a look, now at version 9 there's never been a better time to feast your eyeballs on the tungstenlike, austere glory that is Computing Machine!

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#1 2019-08-27 01:46:34

Introducing the Computing Machine Desktop Theme

#2 2019-08-27 04:50:49

Re: Introducing the Computing Machine Desktop Theme

#3 2019-08-27 15:23:51

Re: Introducing the Computing Machine Desktop Theme

#4 2019-08-27 19:05:03

Re: Introducing the Computing Machine Desktop Theme

#5 Today 20:17:52

Re: Introducing the Computing Machine Desktop Theme

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