proof of brain

For some people, linux is more than an operating system, it’s an art, and they are very good at it. For an average linux user, it can jaw dropping to see how customizable, unique and beautiful linux can be. So I decided to search out the best of the best of all linux desktops.

Hopefully you find these delightful as I do. I will try and post as much information about the particular set-up, as well as a link to the source on as many of them as I can. The titles are taken from the context of the source. Enjoy!

1. Color Coded
   
   Although I’m not exactly sure (check source to see what I mean), this desktop is run on Linux Mint Debian. I must say, that is one of the sickest clocks I’ve ever seen. The clock, along with everything else, flows very well with a modernly colorful wallpaper and desktop. Source
2. Six Conky
   Distro: Arch Linux
   Window Manager: OpenBox
   The unique part of this desktop is how the user almost seamlessly meshes the wallpaper and the six conky’s.  They are using pypanel. Source
3. Red Lips
   Distro: Ubuntu
   Window Manager: Gnome
   This user uses a non-default panel, called Gnome GlobalMenu, which is kind of Macish. They also took a different approach on the dock, using far less launchers than normal and text rather than icons. The theme is Amaranta (emerald). Source
4. Glowing Mushrooms
   Distro: Linux Mint 7
   Window Manager: Xfce
   Instead of setting the panel to autohide, they set it to 100% transparency and opaque when active, which is a lot faster according to them. This helps give a clean look. Source
5. Upside Down Dock
   Distro: Linux Mint
   The unique part about this desktop is that the dock is on top rather than bottom. You rarely see that, but they seemed to have pulled it off nicely. Source
6. Hanna is Good at this
   Distro: #! CrunchBang
   Hanna (the user that created this, and about 6 other amazing desktops, hence the title) goes a different approach on the conky, making it look more like a widget than part of the wallpaper. For the conky scripts visit the source. Other than that, this is a very articulate and strict desktop (in a good way). Source
7. Shakespeare Fan
   Distro: Linux Mint
   Window Manager: Fluxbox
   Simply put, this desktop is very welcoming. The conky is graphically delightful and not overwhelming with unecessary information. The panel, pbpanel, as well as the theme is simple and “warm”. All that is topped off with a nice integrated terminal. Source
8. Sharp Dressed Man
   Distro: #! Crunchbang
   Window Manager: OpenBox
   What stands out to me on this one is the “Open window tabs” at the top. Does anyone else really like those? Oh, this is another one of Hanna’s desktops by the way. Source
9. Winter Theme
   Distro: Arch Linux
   Just a well put together desktop. Source
10. Windows 7 Ubuntu
    Distro: Ubuntu
    Window Manager: Gnome
    I don’t think this one really needs an explanation. It certainly deserves a thumbs up though, because that is an impressive cloan. Source
11. Wood Mint
    Distro: Linux Mint Daryna
    The icons, circle bars, theme, and dock all have a similiar feel. Clearly, knowing the specs of their system is important to them, and they certainly manage to do that at all times. Source
12. Undertoned
    Distro: Unkown
    Window Manager: Unkown
    If anyone can tell me what distro or window manager this is, please do. I couldn’t find out, but I liked it enough to give it a spot on the list anyways. The wallpaper can be found here. Theme was done by the user. Source
13. Dot Power
    Distro: Ubuntu
    This one is really great! The CPU/Ram/HDD monitors are spectacular, as well as the panel at bottom – particularly the font choice. Source
14. Colorful Art
    Distro: Ubuntu
    This desktop has more than an awesome wallpaper. Source
15. Murrine
    Distro: Linux Mint
    Window Manager: OpenBox
    Another simple but effective desktop. They can get away without having a dock or start menu by using the OpenBox “right click feature”. They use tint2 as the panel instead of gnome-panel and PopDown for the right click on the desktop.  Source
16. Stripes Forever
    Distro: Linux Mint
    I don’t mean to offend anyone, but does anyone else think of Russia/Soviet Union when they see this? Anyways, this is “elegant brit” theme with custom icons for AWN. Sorry couldn’t find source.
17. Northern Landscape
    Distro: e17
    Window Manager: Xfce
    As you can tell this is a dual monitor set up. They have compiz-fusion running with the NOX Xfce theme and Blue Satin emerald theme. Source
18. Youthful
    Distro: Unkown
    Window Manager: OpenBox
    Two conky’s and a tint2 panel make up this slick desktop. Source
19. Crumpled Awesomeness
    Distro: Crunchbang
    Window Manager: OpenBox
    Talk about meshing the wallpaper with conky… Definately a unique and beautiful desktop.
20. Blue on Black
    Distro: Crunchbang
    Window Manager: OpenBox
    This desktop sports a modified “Nova Blue” theme. Source
21. Clemerson
    Distro:Ubuntu
    Window Manager: Openbox
    Certainly a clean desktop. The wallpaper is from “interfacelift” and the icons are “florilege” (not that you can see them but I my as well share what I know). The panel is  tint2. Source
22. Busy Mac
    
    Distro: Linux Mint
    Window Manager: Gnome
    I thought the wallpaper alone deserved a spot on this post…
23. Building Blocks
    Distro: Crunchbang
    Window Manager: Openbox
    Another nice wallpaper, but unlike the above desktop there is more to it. Overall it blends well and looks very nice. Source
24. Mountain Smile
    Distro: Ubuntu
    Window Manager: Gnome
    Another great use and set-up for conky. Also, the dock/panel is on the right side, which is not very common, but works well. Besides, how can you not like that smile? Source
25. Gray Bars
    Distro: Ubuntu
    Must I say anything? Source
26. Twitter
    Distro: Ubuntu
    Twitter on the desktop! Source
27. Manganite
    Distro: Ubuntu
    Window Manager: Gnome
    There are a lot of small details in this desktop. For example,the dock (cairo dock) is above the taskbar, with text rather than icons. The font choice is also very fitting. Source
28. Rounded
    Distro: Sabayon 3.5
    This is the only sabayon distro desktop that made this list, surprisingly. The icons must be part of a transparent-background panel. Source
29. Mountain Love
    Distro: Ubuntu
    I believe that the panel is the best feature on this desktop. Source
30. Splatter
    Distro: Ubuntu
    Window Manager: Gnome
    The clock in the middle is definately a +1, as well as the nice conky set-up. Don’t miss the “To do” conky on the left. Source
31. Big Icons
    Distro: Linux Mint
    People don’t normally think of using big icons, but I must say that i will definitely be reconsidering it now. Source
32. Blended Icons
    Distro: Crunchbang
    These icons blend in so well, I didn’t even notice them until I had looked for a while. Source
33. Ultra Turquoise
    Distro: Crunchbang
    Just like any other efficient desktop, it is minimalistic, but also stands out. (Also, this is another desktop by Hanna. That makes 3 on this post alone). Source
34. The Stripester
    Distro: Arch Linux
    Window Manager: OpenBox
    A really nice theme with a really nice panel set-up. Source
35. Truly Simple
    Distro: Crunchbang
    Window Manager: OpenBox
    All there is on this desktop is conky and a panel. It is truly minimal. The buddy list for conky is very unique to other desktops I have seen. Source
36. Inside Computer Skydome
    Distro: Linux Mint
    It isn’t exactly a desktop set-up, but I couldn’t help sharing this awesome skydome of inside a computer/control center. Source

Conclusion

That’s all! I hope you see the unique “beauty” in all of these desktop screenshots. Some of the facts that came out of this search was that 1) crunchbang linux has the most minimalist yet good looking desktops 2) conky is a popular choice because it adds eye candy without taking up space. Thank you for reading.

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