You can fire up Dconf-editor to restore the minimize button so it works like one is accustomed. Yes, there is only the minimum of software installed but by installing Synaptic, you can access the entire universe of Ubuntu and third party repositories to configure eOS to your particular needs. Its better to install what you want than remove unnecessary applications. What do you want for themes? A Mac OSX theme works beautifully and the only drawback is the desktop is frozen solid with the Pantheon File Manager. Replacing it with Nautilus File Manager will restore a more conventional right click desktop and you can then show system icons on the desktop if you want.
This is what GNOME 3 should have been - light, easy to use and customizable. The GNOME Shell is an epic fail on the desktop and Pantheon Shell is more faithful to the desktop metaphor. If you want to combine the beautiful with the productive, its definitely the way to go!
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