Kubuntu default look

[Scott]

Flavio Tordini wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm a Kubuntu user since the very first release. I'd like to propose 
> enhancements to the default Kubuntu look. Sane defaults are vital for people 
> not able or not willing to customize their desktop. I'm aware that this topic 
> is highly subjective and that there is no perfect solution, anyway here are 
> my proposals:
> 
> 1. Use nuoveXT (http://nuovext.pwsp.net/) as the default iconset. nuoveXT 
> looks very professional and is available for both for KDE and Gnome. Kubuntu 
> should come with both versions installed.

They are nice icons. I've used them in both GNOME and KDE, but they do 
look too much like Windows Vista.
I don't object to them at all, but they don't belong in a default theme 
for KDE.

> 
> 2. Use DejaVu Sans Condensed instead of DejaVu Sans. The Condensed version is 
> smoother. The "sans" alias should be resolved to the chosen font and not to 
> Bitstream Vera.

Agreed

> 3. Provide GTK+ libs configured with the ClearLooks theme, nuoveXT icons, and 
> Dejavu Sans Condensed. ClearLooks is cleaner and more stable than GtkQt, 
> users care more about great looking apps than identical widgets everywhere 
> (think OSX Aqua and Brushed Metal). A typical user will surely need at least 
> one GTK+ application, and it has to look good out of the box.

I prefer GTK-QT even with all the bugs.  I prefer consistency. I prefer 
it to the point that I don't use individual "skins" on apps that offer them.

> 4. Use bigger icons, 16x16 icons are a relic from the past. 

Why do you consider them a "relic"?

>The toobar icon 
> size should be 32x32. Some applications still have way too much toolbuttons 
> (e.g. KOffice), they should be simplified. Small icons should be 22x22. 

Agreed.

>Icons in the KMenu should be set to 32x32: 
> http://purl.org/net/flavio/download/kubuntu-proposal/kmenu.png

That makes the menu too big, especially if you turn on all the options 
(like Preferences, Terminals etc).

> 
> 5. The color set is too dark/bluish. The "Redmond XP" color theme is a good 
> starting point, especially the light gray background. The "Contrast" setting 
> should be set to "Low". The "Alternate background in lists" should be set to 
> white. The violet Konqueror filelist background should be dropped in favor of 
> a plain white one.

Must everyone copy the OS they so love to hate? I don't quite get that. 
  I don't care for your theme ideas, I like it even less than the 
current default.

> 
> 6. The Lipstik style should be configured as shown in this screenshot 
> http://purl.org/net/flavio/download/kubuntu-proposal/lipstik.png, 
> especially the menu gradients should be removed.

I like the menu gradients...

> 
> And here's the final result:
> http://purl.org/net/flavio/download/kubuntu-proposal/filemanager.png

No thanks.

My personal preferences...

Style --> Comix http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=16028
Windeco --> Mallory http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=21650
Icons --> KDE Professional UltraFlat 
http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=29816
-- 
Scott
www.angrykeyboarder.com
© 2006 angrykeyboarder™ & Elmer Fudd. All Wights Wesewved