What do you think of Ubuntus new look? - Screenshots

[entr3p]

Ubuntu 9.04 "Jaunty Jackalope" Is Now Officially Beta (http://www.learningubuntu.com/2009/03/29/ubuntu-904-jaunty-jackalope-now-officially-beta)

I just tried out the new beta and I have to say I love the new themes. I took some screenshots so you can check it out at the link above.

Don't be afraid to post some comments!

Oh and if you like the article then please Digg ;). (http://digg.com/linux_unix/Ubuntu_9_04_Jaunty_Jackalope_Is_Now_Officially_Bet a)

[red_Marvin]

Nice. I like the dust theme. :)

[chucky chuckaluck]

looks like they've managed to do something new and old at the same time. it's a new look, but it's still unmistakably ubuntu.

[Kingsley]

New Wave looks good. I've been using it for a while.

[entr3p]

New Wave looks good. I've been using it for a while.

Oh I never knew that but I did know that I used Dust before.:lolflag:

[smartboyathome]

They should have used Woodenlooks (http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Woodenlooks?content=90612) instead! :P

Not really, just wanted to say that. ;)

[Simian Man]

Dust looks a lot like Shiki Colors (my current fave), I will have to try it. Surely the default is still the white-colored theme right?

[Tux Aubrey]

I do like the new gnome wallpers and themes - but the usplash and gdm graphics are really good too.

Xubuntu got a new gdm theme (done with layered svg images - first time I've seen that) but has kept the older syle of usplash (so far).

[SunnyRabbiera]

Personally I am not impressed, Neither dust, new wave or shiki really appeals to me, all are just bland re dresses of clearlooks.

[entr3p]

I do like the new gnome wallpers and themes - but the usplash and gdm graphics are really good too.

Xubuntu got a new gdm theme (done with layered svg images - first time I've seen that) but has kept the older syle of usplash (so far).

Yeah I actually really like the new wallpapers as well but I'm not too fond of that "effect" you get when switching them >.>. It actually creates a big lag on my computer :|.

[smartboyathome]

Personally I am not impressed, Neither dust, new wave or shiki really appeals to me, all are just bland re dresses of clearlooks.

Actually, NewWave (and I think Dust also, though I am not sure) both use the Murrine Engine, not the Clearlooks one.

[entr3p]

Actually, NewWave (and I think Dust also, though I am not sure) both use the Murrine Engine, not the Clearlooks one.

Yeah I guess it's nothing too "beautiful" but hopefully you agree it's a step up :P.

[smartboyathome]

Yeah I guess it's nothing too "beautiful" but hopefully you agree it's a step up :P.

I liked the old Human theme, I like Dust and NewWave as well. Doesn't mean I will use them, though. ;)

[entr3p]

I liked the old Human theme, I like Dust and NewWave as well. Doesn't mean I will use them, though. ;)

Yeh the Human theme is still there so don't worry :P. It's still the default, I was showcasing the new theme.

[Victormd]

Gotta say that Jaunty looks very sexy! Great job!!!!

[entr3p]

Gotta say that Jaunty looks very sexy! Great job!!!!

Haha thanks! Hopefully I'll be finished a review soon so check out the site in a couple of days. I'm actually happy with the beta as the new "features" are little things that I think will help out new users a lot.

[4th guy]

Is that the default look? I don't like the look of the grey, so I'll probably change it once I install.

[|Porsche]

The login screen looks super sexy! I am not a big fan of ubuntu backgrounds. They are so brown!

[adoyle626]

I am currently using Dust.
I personally like it, but it might just be me.

So far I have had no bugs (crosses fingers), and everything has been twice as fast for some reason (I am not complaining).

Thank you for having a more polished beta than Vista will ever be!

[wolfen69]

darkroom has become my fav.

[sylvester_0]

...I'm not too fond of that "effect" you get when switching them >.>. It actually creates a big lag on my computer :|.

DITTO! I had a script running that changed my wallpaper every 10 minutes but decided to axe it because my whole computer froze for 5 seconds every time the wallpaper changed. I think it may be a compiz thing but I don't know how to add an exception so the wallpaper doesn't use transition effects.

(Sorry for the OT - cool theme :) )

[Pizdec]

Looks as tasteless as vista. First thay say "wow" first see this shining. But after a couple of hours they got tired because this theme is hard yo use. Looks like Mark haven't made any conclusion on the vista failure. Guys with reduced gamma have no even first impression - because any dark theme looks ugly when low brightness.

[Sealbhach]

Dust is a good theme, it's unobtrusive bit still looks quite neat if you take the time to look at it.

I don't know how you can compare it with the gaudy ugliness of Vista.

.

[entr3p]

Dust is a good theme, it's unobtrusive bit still looks quite neat if you take the time to look at it.

I don't know how you can compare it with the gaudy ugliness of Vista.

.

I'm going to have to agree. I like that it's soft on the eyes:guitar:.

[philinux]

I'm liking new wave with the newwave dark menus and the elementary ubuntu icon set. The green man is replaced with a graded dark red on/off style icon.

[entr3p]

I'm liking new wave with the newwave dark menus and the elementary ubuntu icon set. The green man is replaced with a graded dark red on/off style icon.

Hmm...I have to go and try that lol. You got me tempted haha.

[KCG102282]

Looks as tasteless as vista. First thay say "wow" first see this shining. But after a couple of hours they got tired because this theme is hard yo use. Looks like Mark haven't made any conclusion on the vista failure. Guys with reduced gamma have no even first impression - because any dark theme looks ugly when low brightness.
First off how is any theme hard to use? Secondly it isn't even dark its orange and a light grey!

[entr3p]

First off how is any theme hard to use? Secondly it isn't even dark its orange and a light grey!

Yeah I'm currently using the skin and I'm going to have to say that it's not really that "dark" but more of a soft gray.

[skotos]

The brown themes are always a bit sad.. The dark one is probably the nicest, but the default brown colour is itself probably not good and attractive to many people.

Pure brown is obtained mixing black and red (strong), while many other colours can by default contain yellow (orange = red + yellow, green = blue + yellow), ... and yellow is often identified as light and happy feelings...

Brown is too often associated with dirt and dust... I think there should be a definite fork from brown or - at least - the yellow part that is mixed with the Ubuntu brown should get more and more dominant to make the default brown themes happier than in the past.

The historical default mixture - black + red + white - is not perceived as good, but as cold and probably melancholic in something that should - instead - be sparkling, because of the renovating process it has arisen, because of the involved community, projects and astonishing successes.

[entr3p]

The brown themes are always a bit sad.. The dark one is probably the nicest, but the default brown colour is itself probably not good and attractive to many people.

Pure brown is obtained mixing black and red (strong), while many other colours can by default contain yellow (orange = red + yellow, green = blue + yellow), ... and yellow is often identified as light and happy feelings...

Brown is too often associated with dirt and dust... I think there should be a definite fork from brown or - at least - the yellow part that is mixed with the Ubuntu brown should get more and more dominant to make the default brown themes happier than in the past.

The historical default mixture - black + red + white - is not perceived as good, but as cold and probably melancholic in something that should - instead - be sparkling, because of the renovating process it has arisen, because of the involved community, projects and astonishing successes.
Wow great post. I personally wouldn't mind this theme (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Wall-light) being created and used as default ;).

[Vorian Grey]

I think the new themes are great. I usually mix and match anyway and add other themes to the mix, so it's all good for me.

[entr3p]

I think the new themes are great. I usually mix and match anyway and add other themes to the mix, so it's all good for me.

That's the good thing about Ubuntu/Gnome ;). It's easy to change the look.

[Reiger]

The brown themes are always a bit sad.. The dark one is probably the nicest, but the default brown colour is itself probably not good and attractive to many people.

Pure brown is obtained mixing black and red (strong), while many other colours can by default contain yellow (orange = red + yellow, green = blue + yellow), ... and yellow is often identified as light and happy feelings...

True. However yellow can be a bit too 'extrovert' (just like pink is) for the elegant touch in a theme. This is why blue is used so often in designs: it may or may not be everyone's favourite but is one of the few colours nobody seems to really mind. (And it is also what went wrong with Vista, the blue shades were OK; but the yellow was way too enthusiastic for most people: it has therefore been removed from 7 which has an altogether more blue look.)

About red: it is actually one of the colours which evokes strong positive feelings (sun, warmth, love, tastiness etc.), but again with yellow it can be a bit too extrovert and intrusive to suit everyone's taste. Humans are one of the very few species able to actually have 'see' red properly.

Brown is also not neccesarily sad: among other things it has positive connotations w.r.t. taste of food. Altough whether or not you want to consider your OS a cookbook and theme accordingly... :)

[Giant Speck]

Guh. I can see from that screenshot that there's still an ugly white rectangle around in the ComboBoxEntry in OpenOffice. I bet it's the same in Firefox. :(

[pulpo69]

i like the dust theme, it pleases my eyes and also i like with another icon-set (i like simple and clear icons with thin black outlines).

[BigSilly]

That Macchiato theme you have in your sig is absolutely spot on Giant Speck! Just installed it and it looks the bomb.

Can't get the Metacity theme to install though, but I'll keep trying. Thanks though GS! :)

EDIT: Done it now. Looks fantastic! Ought to be the default for Ubuntu this.

[entr3p]

True. However yellow can be a bit too 'extrovert' (just like pink is) for the elegant touch in a theme. This is why blue is used so often in designs: it may or may not be everyone's favourite but is one of the few colours nobody seems to really mind. (And it is also what went wrong with Vista, the blue shades were OK; but the yellow was way too enthusiastic for most people: it has therefore been removed from 7 which has an altogether more blue look.)

About red: it is actually one of the colours which evokes strong positive feelings (sun, warmth, love, tastiness etc.), but again with yellow it can be a bit too extrovert and intrusive to suit everyone's taste. Humans are one of the very few species able to actually have 'see' red properly.

Brown is also not neccesarily sad: among other things it has positive connotations w.r.t. taste of food. Altough whether or not you want to consider your OS a cookbook and theme accordingly... :)

Lol well that was an original diagnoses but I got what you ment. Personally I don't really enjoy yellow in an OS.:lolflag:

[entr3p]

That Macchiato theme you have in your sig is absolutely spot on Giant Speck! Just installed it and it looks the bomb.

Can't get the Metacity theme to install though, but I'll keep trying. Thanks though GS! :)

EDIT: Done it now. Looks fantastic! Ought to be the default for Ubuntu this.

I tried it out too and it's looking pretty good!:popcorn:

[AaronMT]

Regarding the new login theme, it feels very third party. I say this because I have seen similar backgrounds and themes on gnome-look before, thus it does not feel very unique and distinct.

I do like the new default wallpaper and after a switch of the login theme to one of the new alternatives, I am satisfied with the update.

[entr3p]

Yeah I don't exactly like the new login theme either. They could have done a WAY better job...or they could of left it like before >.>.

[pferraro]

Actually, NewWave (and I think Dust also, though I am not sure) both use the Murrine Engine, not the Clearlooks one.
New Wave is pixmap based.
Dust is clearlooks based.

[canoemoose]

New Wave is pixmap based.
Dust is clearlooks based.
Dust uses the Murrine engine.

In Intrepid it does, anyway.

[entr3p]

Dust uses the Murrine engine.

In Intrepid it does, anyway.

Wow...I'm a little confused with what's going on but what is the main difference with the engines? To me as long as it looks nice I'm okay with it.:guitar:

[MysticGold04]

From what I've seen of the Beta (just burned it late last week) I like it. It seems stable so far on my laptop (booted with USB stick) No sure if I'm ready to upgrade yet, but looks good!

[entr3p]

From what I've seen of the Beta (just burned it late last week) I like it. It seems stable so far on my laptop (booted with USB stick) No sure if I'm ready to upgrade yet, but looks good!

Yeah I do the same as a precaution. I always install the betas in a spare computer because I'm curious and like to try it out but from what I've seen it's actually a good "upgrade" :P. It has some fancier things but what I truly like is that they changed many things to make the installation and configuring easier for newbies.

[Chemical Imbalance]

New Wave is just plain...awesome

My favorite theme by far. It has a crisp and unique look to it with nice button highlights.

The jaunty version's window decoration buttons are way better than Intrepid's.

[pferraro]

Dust uses the Murrine engine.

In Intrepid it does, anyway.

No it doesn't. Dust only uses the murrine engine to draw menu items and checkbox/radio widgets. Check out the gtkrc yourself - the default engine is clearlooks:
/usr/share/themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc

If you want a pure murrine version (including native murrine scrollbars) of Dust check out dashua's excellent MurrinaDust theme here:
https://code.launchpad.net/~dashua/murrine-themes/Ubuntu-Testing

[entr3p]

New Wave is just plain...awesome

My favorite theme by far. It has a crisp and unique look to it with nice button highlights.

The jaunty version's window decoration buttons are way better than Intrepid's.

Glad you liked it ;). It's good that they gave us a wider choice of themes as the other ones were just too plain.

[Chemical Imbalance]

Glad you liked it ;). It's good that they gave us a wider choice of themes as the other ones were just too plain.

The more variety the better :)

I'm glad they chose to include more than just DarkRoom and Human like Intrepid.

New Wave and Dust are good choices.

[entr3p]

The more variety the better :)

I'm glad they chose to include more than just DarkRoom and Human like Intrepid.

New Wave and Dust are good choices.

Yeh. Jaunty may not have too much flash but it feels Ubuntu is getting a more "professional" look...which is a good sign.:P

[Chemical Imbalance]

I think to counter-balance the 2 good dark themes they need to include a lighter theme also like Shiki Colors or another popular one. I personally like dark themes that are done right (not too dark.

[MysticGold04]

Yeah I do the same as a precaution. I always install the betas in a spare computer because I'm curious and like to try it out but from what I've seen it's actually a good "upgrade" :P. It has some fancier things but what I truly like is that they changed many things to make the installation and configuring easier for newbies.

Maybe I'll take my Hardy machine down and install the beta on that.. although I had plans to turn it into a server ;)

[entr3p]

I think to counter-balance the 2 good dark themes they need to include a lighter theme also like Shiki Colors or another popular one. I personally like dark themes that are done right (not too dark.

Yeh. Even though I like the dark themes...I always prefer a lighter one. Not too dark..but not too light to hurt the eyes.:guitar:

[Chemical Imbalance]

Yeh. Even though I like the dark themes...I always prefer a lighter one. Not too dark..but not too light to hurt the eyes.:guitar:

That's one of the reasons New Wave is so awesome ;)

[entr3p]

Maybe I'll take my Hardy machine down and install the beta on that.. although I had plans to turn it into a server ;)

Woow strange, I had the same idea lol. But hey...curiosity killed the server...(dodges rotten tomato).

[canoemoose]

No it doesn't. Dust only uses the murrine engine to draw menu items and checkbox/radio widgets. Check out the gtkrc yourself - the default engine is clearlooks:
/usr/share/themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc

If you want a pure murrine version (including native murrine scrollbars) of Dust check out dashua's excellent MurrinaDust theme here:
https://code.launchpad.net/~dashua/murrine-themes/Ubuntu-Testing
Hmm. Where in the file is the default engine specified??

It seems I'm being really stupid here. All engine references I can find reference Murrine, hence my comment. If I'm wrong (as it seems I probably am) then I'm sorry if I've caused confusion!

[entr3p]

Hmm. Where in the file is the default engine specified??

It seems I'm being really stupid here. All engine references I can find reference Murrine, hence my comment. If I'm wrong (as it seems I probably am) then I'm sorry if I've caused confusion!

What is the main difference between the engines? *Just asking*

[Lunx]

Yeah I actually really like the new wallpapers as well but I'm not too fond of that "effect" you get when switching them >.>. It actually creates a big lag on my computer :|.

Glad I'm not the only one who finds it annoying. First time it did it I thought it was actually a bug, doesn't transition smoothly on this machine, it tends to be a little jerky.

[entr3p]

Glad I'm not the only one who finds it annoying. First time it did it I thought it was actually a bug, doesn't transition smoothly on this machine, it tends to be a little jerky.

Yeah...it's very blocky in a sense lol. When I first switched the wallpaper it took at least a couple of seconds to even begin the transition. I believe that they should take that feature off at least until they find out a way to smoothen it out.

[pferraro]

Hmm. Where in the file is the default engine specified??

It seems I'm being really stupid here. All engine references I can find reference Murrine, hence my comment. If I'm wrong (as it seems I probably am) then I'm sorry if I've caused confusion!

Ah crap.
You're not being stupid - I am...

You said you were using Intrepid, right? I think Intrepid shipped with the 0.2 branch (via the community-themes package). The 0.2 series used the murrine engine. The 0.3 series (in jaunty's gnome-themes-ubuntu packages) uses the clearlooks engine. My bad. :(

Anyway, the Dust theme has improved nicely since 0.2.9, so you may want to consider upgrading to the latest version (0.3.4):
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/DustTheme

[entr3p]

Ah crap.
You're not being stupid - I am...

You said you were using Intrepid, right? I think Intrepid shipped with the 0.2 branch (via the community-themes package). The 0.2 series used the murrine engine. The 0.3 series (in jaunty's gnome-themes-ubuntu packages) uses the clearlooks engine. My bad. :(

Anyway, the Dust theme has improved nicely since 0.2.9, so you may want to consider upgrading to the latest version (0.3.4):
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/DustTheme

Lol so this mystery is finally put to an end?...hopefully lol. Oh and by upgrading you mean downloading the theme and installing it? Or is there another way to do this?

[pferraro]

Lol so this mystery is finally put to an end?...hopefully lol. Oh and by upgrading you mean downloading the theme and installing it? Or is there another way to do this?

Just download, unzip, remove your old /usr/share/themes/Dust*, and copy the archive contents to /usr/share/themes/.

Alternatively, you might be able to find a ppa with an updated community-themes package.

[entr3p]

Just download, unzip, remove your old /usr/share/themes/Dust*, and copy the archive contents to /usr/share/themes/.

Alternatively, you might be able to find a ppa with an updated community-themes package.

Oh alright thanks ;). I normally install themes that way anyways but I just wondering if there was any other way to do it...I'm a very curious/nerdy person.:lolflag:

[canoemoose]

Ah crap.
You're not being stupid - I am...

You said you were using Intrepid, right? I think Intrepid shipped with the 0.2 branch (via the community-themes package). The 0.2 series used the murrine engine. The 0.3 series (in jaunty's gnome-themes-ubuntu packages) uses the clearlooks engine. My bad. :(

Anyway, the Dust theme has improved nicely since 0.2.9, so you may want to consider upgrading to the latest version (0.3.4):
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/DustTheme
OK, cheers! Just put my mind at rest. I've been hacking about my gtkrc and wondered if I'd deleted something important!

Don't worry, we all have those days.

Canoemoose

[entr3p]

OK, cheers! Just put my mind at rest. I've been hacking about my gtkrc and wondered if I'd deleted something important!

Don't worry, we all have those days.

Canoemoose

Good to hear that everythings been cleared...it was a pretty long debate :P!

[daWsOn_s]

really disappointed, where's the new theme? it's always the same with different colors.


These are *NEW* themes (http://www.linuxhaxor.net/2007/12/20/new-ubuntu-mockup-32/)

[Vaun]

I'm getting closer.

In testing, needs some minor love. ;)

[entr3p]

really disappointed, where's the new theme? it's always the same with different colors.


These are *NEW* themes (http://www.linuxhaxor.net/2007/12/20/new-ubuntu-mockup-32/)

I would much prefer....this:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Wall-light

That's a true beauty.

[daWsOn_s]

I would much prefer....this:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Wall-light

That's a true beauty.

yes even better

[Amaranth]

Have you guys actually tried to use Wall-light? It looks great in screenshots but is not nice to use regularly.

[taavikko]

Have you guys actually tried to use Wall-light? It looks great in screenshots but is not nice to use regularly.

Havent used.
Do agree, screenshots are nice.
Like the idea of non-existing borders (may be hard to resize them)

too much space is wasted (especially on small resolution) on window borders
1pt is enough :) compared to some themes that set padding to ~4pt side and bottom

[Chemical Imbalance]

Like the idea of non-existing borders (may be hard to resize them)

too much space is wasted (especially on small resolution) on window borders
1pt is enough :) compared to some themes that set padding to ~4pt side and bottom

I agree completely with this. 1 pt borders really help usability on netbooks and small screens. Xfce includes some compact borders that I'm fond of.

[phenest]

Have you guys actually tried to use Wall-light? It looks great in screenshots but is not nice to use regularly.

Where do you get it from?

[Amaranth]

I made a mostly complete real theme based on the wall-light mockups but tossed it after trying to use it for a couple days. Dunno if someone else has done so and published it or not.

[entr3p]

I made a mostly complete real theme based on the wall-light mockups but tossed it after trying to use it for a couple days. Dunno if someone else has done so and published it or not.

Sorry for being out of the loop but hwat is wall-light? *hides* :KS

[mc4100]

Sorry for being out of the loop but hwat is wall-light? *hides* :KS

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Wall-light

[entr3p]

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Wall-light

Lol I linked to that before :P. Yeh now I know what he/she ment. I got the Login Screen running right now...now they need to make a GTK theme.

[pferraro]

I'm getting closer.

In testing, needs some minor love. ;)

Very nice. I assume this is Rust?
http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Rust?content=102166

Suggestions:
* Use integrated stepper ;)
* Add a prelight glow for buttons
FYI - the index.theme uses the wrong metacity theme - which is a great fit, btw.

[entr3p]

Very nice. I assume this is Rust?
http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Rust?content=102166

Suggestions:
* Use integrated stepper ;)
* Add a prelight glow for buttons
FYI - the index.theme uses the wrong metacity theme - which is a great fit, btw.

Hmm nice theme just it's too brown for me...I can always dream of Ubuntu having a beatiful yet original look.:lolflag:

[Polygon]

wall light looks good. although it seems that ubuntu is uninterested in community art designs, as they have hired their own in house teams to make a theme.

[Vaun]

Thanks.

I fixed that in trunk and should be uploaded to Ubuntu-Art.org.

Steppers and prelight are fixed along with many other tweaks.

Working a few things out. Separator-menu-item is also fixed in trunk.

I added an individual branch for Rust as I think I'm going to be doing a lot of work to this theme.

bzr branch lp:~dashua/+junk/Rust