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Don't forget SphereXP [http://www.hamar.sk/sphere/%5D

This capability quite interesting in that it might be a more standards-compliant way of doing something like SphereSite (which is Windows-only for the moment).

While the whole sphere thing is over the top, maybe a "loop" style browser interface like deskloops would do the trick.

• 3d-Desktop,
• SphereXP

The Sphere desktop environment probably isn't quite what you're looking for, but I think it's neat. It's really more of a toy than a tool.

It's basically a program that replaces the standard desktop in XP with a spherical one. Your vision is at the center of the sphere, and you can look 360 deg, including up and down and place windows throughout the entire environment. You can also get some rather dizzying backgrounds for it.

MS is risking quite a bit in hoping that all programs (nay, the entire OS) will want to pump 3D.

If I really want to swing my windows around...I'll try the inside of a sphere:
http://www.hamar.sk/sphere/screenshots.htm ...or any of the other existing funky desktops. As for the rest of the eye candy, I'll take simplicity and speed for 1000, alex. I do agree however, that a lot of people who've never seen an Apple will drool over the aeroglass desktop.

With this, folks who'd like to maximize the use of their processor (and now main memory!?) for other tasks (think servers), MS should provide a simple CLI.

I also expect dozens of simple-minded newebs writing awful-look graphics programs, but now in 3D. Just like when we saw shareware games written in VB. Yeesh.

If you want 3D Desktops right now, check out Sphere XP http://www.hamar.sk/sphere/ It's a shell replacement that gives you desktop space in surround. Check out the videos on the site.

its http://www.hamar.sk/sphere/ sphereXP for linux

SUN fails for stealing somebody elses copyrighted work

Roses are red
My desktop's a sphere
If you think we're cute,
You must be new here.

Since hamar.sk is getting slammed by slashdotters, I setup a quick download mirror of The Sphere XP on subterrain.net.

There is a 3d interface being developed for windows called Sphere XP

I've tried out SphereXP and I have to say it's pretty kludgy. It bogged my machine down quite a bit, and just seemed rather counter intuitive. The idea of "parking" a window somewhere, and not being able to interact with it unless you restore it seemed to be a pretty big limitation to me.

If anyone wants to try a 3D UI plugin for Windows XP, I reccomend Sphere XP http://www.hamar.sk/sphere/ I have not used it in months, but it was fun to play around with. Not the most useful thing, but it shows where the future is headed.

• No taskbar
• Winamp comes out as many windows, which I have to move
• Always-on-top windows are placed on the 3d area, even though they are still visible
• Background windows are not updated at all, so I can't see the current status.
• .NET Framework. Try downloading that on a 33k modem

The only Microsoft 3d desktop demonstration I can recall seeing was some obscure handycam video of some guy moving 2d windows around inside a WindowsXP mod called SphereXP. Not to bash the guy's efforts but by comparison it looked hacked together and confusing (especially for "Aunt Tillie"). I'm looking at research.microsoft.com right now and the video of Microsoft guys talking about a 3d desktop... Then they show their implementation of one. It. Is. A. Mess. It is beyond description. You really have to see it for yourself. Nobody would want this. If you thought people's Windows desktops now were cluttered, organizational trainwrecks, you should see this thing. It would make Aunt Tillie's head spin--if it didn't give her motion sickness first.

I'm inclined to agree with you that Microsoft may already have lost its position of leadership. Listening to the guys in the research.microsoft.com video, it sounds like MSFT is mostly populated by PHB's now.

If improved a little it could make me more productive, apart from pleasent looking desktop. The thing that I'd look unto is sphere windowmamanger.

I would put on a background star map (like in skyglobe) and I would be able to look at whole celestial sky, and with zooming! (currently with xplanet I have on my desktop only current view of the sky).

Oh, and I downloaded their videos.

nah it's fun to play with when i'm bored, but this is where i got it from for pretty cheap if you really want one.

it is fun to mess with in sphere xp too.

but if your looking for something for serious FPS gaming, it's not worth it.