Symphony - Shell evolved

**Reason NL** · May 11th, 2012

It all started early 2010 when I got tired of looking at the theme offerings of Ubuntu 10.04 and before.
It wasn't particularly about the graphics of the desktop itself, but because the inconsistencies within the interface that made me decide to jump in and draw (and code) something myself.
After envisioning this "better" theme for quite some time, Gnome 2 had come to an end and Canonical came with Unity to replace Gnome's new offering.
Basically telling me to stop and revise everything.
My initial project started of as the "Unity" theme, but as you all ready know somehow Canonical managed to use just that name to create there new shell for Ubuntu. Not suggesting anything just seems really coincidental..

This switch to Gnome Shell and Unity made me rethink my idea's and vision.

As I mentioned all over the Internet neither Gnome Shell and Unity are being happily accepted. Although both are starting to mature, they still lack somehow. That's where my ideas shifted from my initial goal.
Instead of theming own of those new "experiences" I became fascinated by creating a new one. Rethinking all what was the Linux desktop and especially how it could be, use what is great and fix where they got it wrong.
This also includes the general and consistent look and feel as well, which was my initial idea anyway.

So to continue this journey I decided to re-energize and take this project a step further and create this new concept.
Recreating, redefining and redesigning my previous efforts and the current leading desktop environments with the help of the community, with you guys!

Giving birth to:

Symphony (Click on the logo for it's website)

But I do want input from all you guys! So please help me/us to redefine the Ubuntu (Linux) desktop.
If you have any experience with either of the interfaces stated below, feel free to constructively criticize and appraise it.

- What do you (dis)like about Gnome Shell and why?
- What do you (dis)like about Unity and why?
- What do you (dis)like about KDE and why?
- What do you miss from Gnome 2 and why?

And to take other platforms into account:
- What do you (dis)like about the Windows 8 Metro interface?
- What do you (dis)like about the OS/X interface?
- What do you (dis)like about the IOS interface?
- What do you (dis)like about the Android interface?

Project website (Look for the concept explanation for now):
http://symphony.2nv2u.com/

Some impressions what I was / am after and attempted before:

Ubuntu WIKI Unity Theme:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Inco.../Unity%20Theme
Old Threads Unity Theme:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=9298495
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1483137

**zombifier25** · May 13th, 2012

I can't answer any of your questions (I'm very adaptable when it comes to DEs. I can even live with twm if forced) but I'm looking forward to what you have to offer

**Reason NL** · May 14th, 2012

Originally Posted by zombifier25

I can't answer any of your questions (I'm very adaptable when it comes to DEs. I can even live with twm if forced) but I'm looking forward to what you have to offer

Same here, I can pretty much addept to other interfaces fine, but I do have a preference for certain implementations and workflows.
The same must apply to you, otherwise why are you interested and posted in the first place?

I'm currently thinking to make some hybrid concept between Gnome Shell and Unity and started drawing a simple concept.
I personally like the workspace management from G3 but dislike the way running applications are being accessed.

I would like the workspace management to be scalable (dynamic like G3) and independant of the output (Physical monitors).
All outputs should have the ability to display all workspaces by selecting one. Even cloning (Showing the same workspace on multiple outputs) for example beamer purposes should be possible.

I like the Unity launcher but it needs to be more configurable. The dash itself looks useless to me and needs a different approach. Much more like G3's implementation.

**zombifier25** · May 14th, 2012

Ok, one of my opinion: Windows 7's Start menu has BOTH the search bar (like Unity) and the classic menu (like classic GNOME), and most DEs only have one (which is lacking depending on circumstances) so I would like to see how those 2 can be used together nicely.

**Reason NL** · May 14th, 2012

What is it exactly what you like about the "classic" menu?
The fact that it is configurable and lets you place applications in your own folders?
Or do you miss the basic menu structure like it was in classic gnome (The filter options in Unity)?