First and foremost : choose an operating system. I chose ubuntu. So u will have to do that too coz u r reading my guide. Ubuntu is flexible than many other i have seen. So here goes.
To get the cool look on your ubuntu, some packages are to be installed.
For this goto System –> Administration –>Synaptic Package Manager.
Click on the search button and search for the each of the following packages.
awn-core-applets-bzr
awn-manager-bzr
compizconfig-settings-manager
emerald
fusion-icon
Click on the package and select mark for installation. Click apply to complete installation.
Now we have everything we need for style. All you need now is creativity.
Let us start…
Goto Applications –> System Tools –> Compiz Fusion Icon
Right click on the fusion icon and select window manager as compiz. Select window decorator as emerald. You can quit the application now if you want to.
Now we can go for the desktop cube. For that we need 4 desktops. Right click on the desktop switcher applet on your panel(the bottom one most probably) and set the no of desktops to be4.
Now goto System –> Preferences –> Advanced Desktop Effects (Compizconfig Settings Manager or something similiar)
Check the desktop cube option. If a popup occurs click ‘disable Desktop wall’. Also check the rotate cube, Expo and 3D windows option. Now do Ctrl+Alt+Click and drag. Now click on the desktop cube option and the transparent cube tab. Change the ‘opacity during rotation’ to near 60. Check out the other options too. Try the key bindings to know the keyboard shortcuts.
Water Effect, Paint fire on screen, Wobbly Windows etc are pleasing effects.
Under Window management, try using the Application switcher, Shift Switcher and ring switcher.
Now to give special effects to windows. Select animations under effects. The first tab ‘close animation’ describes how the window closes. Select the first option and click edit. Change the close animation and click close. Now try opening a window and closing it. Check out other animations too.
Now for the dock. Right click on your bottom panel and delete it. Now select Applications –> Accessories –> Avant Window Navigator. Customize the dock by right click –> preferences.
To change your titlebar theme System –> Preferences –> Emerald theme manager.
You can resize the desktop icons as you wish. Try right clicking on the icons.
You can find really cool themes at http://gnome-look.org/
Here are some of my desktop screenshots
B-E-A-UTIFUL! You rocks!
Wow! great screenshots. Very informative post. I can’t wait to try it out.