New Themes.org Almost Ready; Needs A Little Help

Daelin writes: "Themes.org is almost ready to re-open! They need people to write submission guidelines and then maintain the item queue for item types that people want covered, however. This is a chance for some people to help out a hub which connects several different communities."

Comments

Collaboration At Its Best

[N8F8]

Themes.Org has to be one of the best examples to hand out to Linux newbies of the platform's advantages at its best. So many people with varying skill levels contributing their time and efforts to let people pick from hundreds of desktop configurations and appearances.
Just think about it.

Each Windowing environment has programmers writing open spec API's to allow people to customize the desktop.

Then the people who write the software to create and install the Themes. Not to mention graphics editing software and sound editing software.

Gui, Graphics and sound icon designers working on theme components.

Individuals and teams putting the peieces together to create hundreds of themes with a consistant look and feel.

All the user has to do if he/she wants to completely change the look of their desktop or make the computer an extension of their own personality is go to Themes.Org and click the download button.

Awesome. Nothing comparable comes to mind.

Uhhh... what about Linux distros?

[Ghoser777]

I don't know about #1, but I got to disagree with you on #2.

Most of the work opensource developers will put in will directly influence whether or not the companies that produce linux distros will make a profit. If linux sucks and doesn't improve, then they don't make money. If it rocks and it's getting better, then these companies will make more money (because more people will buy their distro + tech support).

People volunteer for companies that are out to make profits all the time. If I volunteer, it's not because it's for a non-profit cause, but that it's for a good cause.

F-bacher

Re:Customization in the work place

[Ghoser777]

And it's even worse when you're trying to help them fix a problem with their computer.

"Okay, now go to the StartMenu and select Run"

"The what menu"

"You know, the menu in the bottom left that says 'Start'"

"I don't have one of those"

"why not?"

"It got in the way, so I deleted it"

"Then how do you get to your programs?"

"You mean my porn?"

"Uhmm... yes"

"I don't know, that's why I was calling you"

"Do you have an icon called 'My computer' on your desktop"

"No"

"Do you have a desktop?"

"Yes, I have my laptop on it right now"

"No, on your computer."

"Why would I put my desktop ontop of my computer"

"[insert long description of what the desktop metaphor is]"

"Oh... I don't think I have one of those."

"Why not?"

"I figured if I got rid of this thing you call the 'desktop,' then I'd have more room for porn."

"[hand to forehead]"

F-bacher

Problem with Themes.org

[IvyMike]

The problem with themes.org is that it is TOO good. Why should that be a problem? It's so good that nobody else is even trying; there's no point. Unfortunately, this makes it a single point of failure (I noticed this when attempting to find mozilla themes; when themes.org was down, it was tough to find anything worth downloading.)

Ok, so that's not a REAL problem, but I have been doing a lot more thinking about redundancy this week. Other people have mentioned this 'problem' about sourceforge, too. We need to make sure that there's not a single point of failure, and that these great sites and the themes/projects are kept going and accessible no matter what bizarre circumstances might happen.

It would be cool if...

[Ed Avis]

Is there some way to automatically generate RPMs or dpkgs for window manager themes? Linux distributions could include a few hundred popular themes and a way to switch between them: that might get more new users addicted to the whole theming and eyecandy thing. Hmm, maybe not such a good idea ;-).