Is the MEPIS Desktop in Need of a Makeover?
Posts: 340
From time to time, we hear from users who say that the look of the MEPIS desktop isn't on par with the quality of the MEPIS operating system. We tend to agree that the desktop could use a little makeover. The problem is that we just don't have the money to hire a professional to design a desktop, nor do we have the time to work on it ourselves. So this is a call to you graphic designers out there, and anybody else who would like to tackle the MEPIS desktop makeover. Please give us your comments and ideas, and also indicate whether you'd be interested in working on this project.
Ruud, you are talented. Hope
Posts: 4077
Ruud, you are talented.
Hope we are going to have a vote an all the wallpapers and then have a matching KDE splash and bootsplash for the winning wallpaper.
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Check out Mepis wiki: www.mepis.org/docs
the 2nd one
Posts: 2299
I like the way you changed the Mepis logo while it is still being recognizable....
Newbie or not Newbie, there's always a question
Pretty Cool So Far...
Posts: 6
I vote to use Ruud's logo (a SimplyMEPIS logo should be simple, right?) and Ko's wallpaper for the background. The swirls at the bottom look like sand dunes and light shining from the bottom upwards gives me more of a sense of a dawning (as opposed to shining down like a midday sun) and seems to radiate from the orb in the Mepis logo. (http://img224.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mepisphinxos01ss0.jpg) My only issue is that I use a transparent taskbar and even when I choose “elegant” or “for transparency” for the taskbar appearance, any lightness on the bottom makes the tasks difficult to read. I have to admit that I do not like to see the logo and “SimplyMEPIS” separated.
Ruud, you posted a wallpaper (http://www.mepis.org/node/4177#comment-42643) with the “SimplyMEPIS” wrapping around the moon. I think an updated version (with your abstract logo rather than pictures) would look pretty cool.
My only other contribution is that I still think the default theme should change for an additional wow factor. My girlfriend (non-tech XP user) really liked the fluffy theme when we ran PCLinuxOS and this is how I made our Mepis desktop “more friendly”:
Appearance Style - "Keramik"
Appearance Theme - "Keramik"
Desktop Appearance - "Enable transparency"
Desktop Taskbar - "Elegant"
Mouse Cursor Theme – "whiteglass"
:Don
ECS EZ-Buddie D1S4-2 P4 2.8 GHz, 1GB RAM, ATI Radeon7000/VE, 64MB RAM
Simply MEPIS 6.0
Rascal
Posts: 365
Well look at this than, Rascal...
I only see pictures of rye-fields in PCLinuxOS:
http://shots.osdir.com/slideshows/slideshow.php?release=617&slide=5&title=pclinuxos+0.93+minime+screenshots
So, you'll have to "dump" a screenshot, if you like...
(no excreting here please)
Ruud
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Appearance Theme - "Keramik"
Posts: 4077
Appearance Theme - "Keramik" *shudders* Anything else, please don't inflict keramik on us.
Anything else: Lipstik, Poliester, Plastik
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The Second One
Posts: 6
Ruud,
I really like the second one – kinda has a crystal ball look to it. A quick look into my mind is that I (my opinion only) like logos or symbols that can represent different things. So where I see a crystal ball (and all that it implies) someone else may see a snow globe. This is of course, without losing sight that there are still pyramids in there. Kind of curious, but what about the “An OS for the 21st century” tagline? It might be cool to stamp it in there.
As for the theme, here is what my desktop looks like:
My attempt at that logo took a few hours in Xara Xtreme, but well worth learning. I really love the packages the Mepis folks chose, but I am sure I am just singing to choir with any praise! Although I could not figure out how to wrap the letters like I originally set out to do, but you got the picture anyway.
I also do not like cluttered desktops (busy wallpapers included) but I figure folks will be changing the wallpaper as soon as they get a pic of whatever. I thought those big pic files beat up video cards during refreshes? Anyway, the translucent taskbar was the a selling point for me, and when I see some translucent mouse cursors, then it really looks very modern, and oddly seems to add more real estate to my monitor.
Kind of a cool to be a part in all this! Thanks for including me.
:Don
ECS EZ-Buddie D1S4-2 P4 2.8 GHz, 1GB RAM, ATI Radeon7000/VE, 64MB RAM
Simply MEPIS 6.0
Isn't it all about freedom of choice
Posts: 6
I made a post a little while ago (albeit in a rather lengthy one http://www.mepis.org/node/11647#comment-43121) but in summary, I think a modified Desktop Settings Wizard will get folks to see how easy it is to make SimplyMEPIS their own. The way I see it, the default desktop can be so awfully ugly that folks will have no choice but to run through the wizard, or it can show off some cool stuff to get them interested in what else there is. With that, I think we should include as many themes as possible, (I dunno, 10?) - again to ease a transition rather than hand-picking individual icons and so on. Of the 6 that I could choose from, Keramik won out in my house. The most impressive choices were behaviors and appearances that most closely resembled Macintosh and Windows – while I am a bit more adventurous, I am guessing most folks will want some level of familiarity.
With all of this great feedback, I wonder if this forum has a polling option to record them. And if there is one, I might also suggest that each household have inexperienced Linux users take the poll as well. After all, they are the target audience, right? Just some suggestions.
:Don
ECS EZ-Buddie D1S4-2 P4 2.8 GHz, 1GB RAM, ATI Radeon7000/VE, 64MB RAM
Simply MEPIS 6.0
Well, it's your mepistechie for me...
Posts: 690
I understand that. No problem. It probably is much better to have a complete new redesign.
And this one is for the techies or geeks, I know it's a bit off-center, talk about that later....
Tell me what you think of it, or what you want to see changed...
I like it. Background plus stylized logo look good to me. Now get Warren to accept your new restyled Mepis-logo first.....
Regards, Ko
Ko Bros
I Like It Too
Posts: 5513
Ko and Ruud, I like the "techie" one also
Jon
OFF TOPIC but related
Posts: 75
Please excuse me going off topic briefly but I feel this ties into the overall MEPIS "image makeover".
We presumably would all like to see more people AWARE OF & USING Mepis? Yes? OK...
Whilst looking at some of the external links to images I noted that one had the ability to send pics to mobiles. My mobile service provider allows similar.
It occurred to me with so many ideas forthcoming for the desktop - that we could possibly later have a "section"? for wallpapers for mobile phones.
I feel it would be a great way to "get the message out there".
People tend to pass around their phones to show photos & if we had some "MEPIS wallpapers" on them it might well prompt the question "Hey, what is this MEPIS thingy that you've got here?"
After all wouldn't it then be rude NOT to explain what MEPIS is about? 
So here is just one possible example of what we could have...
Snowglobe, techie & cellphone
Posts: 365
So where I see a crystal ball (and all that it implies) someone else may see a snow globe. This is of course, without losing sight that there are still pyramids in there. Kind of curious, but what about the “An OS for the 21st century” tagline?
Okay;
Glad you like it, Rascal!
Here's your snowglobe:
Jon, does the techie look need enhancements?
Here's one idea:
or this one:
Seagull what would be the size in pixels, and what image would you like to have...
Thanks for the reply people, go on with the comments!
I will go on making wallpapers with any hint, so everyone will be happy in the end...
Ruud
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Hey I like this as one of our possible choices.
Posts: 75
Ruud
This for me is a definite preferred of those submitted so far.
This departs thankfully ( IMHO ) from the now somewhat clunky
pyramid/moon combination.
I feel the successful desktop/s will need to achieve that all important
"signature" but without the pyramids ( no disrespect )
if we are to portray the image of a modern, refined & sophisticated distro.
Stop or not...?
Posts: 365
This departs thankfully ( IMHO ) from the now somewhat clunky pyramid/moon combination.
I'm not sure if that is what everyone wants, but maybe it will be enclosed in any new release, or you could download it and use it yourself?
but without the pyramids ( no disrespect )
if we are to portray the image of a modern, refined & sophisticated distro.
We'll have to ask the MEPIS-team...
Maybe I should stop now and wait until Erin makes the gallery?!?
Ruud
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I like thins one too
Posts: 4077
I like this too it conveys the image of "Simply" maybe an option to keep in mind and have it submited for vote
Ruud
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Check out Mepis wiki: www.mepis.org/docs
Mepis Makeover
Posts: 24
I may be able to help. I have often thought that very thing myself, and I do quite a bit of web-design and a bit of graphic design as well.
A few real quick bullet points:
- The auquarium is cute...but......well I'll leave it at that.
- Icons: Somethin less cartoonish for an out-of-box icon set would be a bit more appealing to new-comers I think. Maybe Crystal-Clear or NuoveXT?
Finally wallpaper, new wallpaper would go a long way. I could come up wit hsome examples...maybe make a few mepis BRANDED ONES?
My vote
Posts: 690
The original mepistechie design gets my vote.......
http://img329.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mepistechies01zl0.jpg
Regards, Ko
Ko Bros
Setting our sights high - "Freespire did it and it's beautiful"
Posts: 75
The idea of some kind of contest is great. Freespire did it and it's beautiful:
http://browse.deviantart.com/projects/contests/freespire/?order=9&alltime=yes
Whilst we have had some great submissions here I still feel somehow we don't seem to be tapping into a very wide audience.
I keep coming back to this submission by ceti re the above link.
Please don't take this as in any way as a criticism of any of our existing submitters who I thing are doing a great job.
But our egos aside, the final 'X' desktop/s chosen will ride the front of MEPIS presumably for quite some time to come & will be the FIRST image that the world sees when it comes across MEPIS.
For that reason I would ask how we might tap more effectively into the wider MEPIS, OR non-MEPIS audience for that matter? - I'm sure many of you know friends with artistic/creative qualifications/abilities.
SURELY we can at least equal the examples shown in the Freespire link above.
SURELY we have people with at least equal ability (myself aside) to those whose excellent creations I see in that link above.
unintended duplicate -please ignore
Posts: 75
deleted - unintended duplicate -please ignore
IMHO only - and just to clarify
Posts: 75
This departs thankfully ( IMHO ) from the now somewhat clunky pyramid/moon combination.
I'm not sure if that is what everyone wants, but maybe it will be enclosed in any new release, or you could download it and use it yourself?
but without the pyramids ( no disrespect )
if we are to portray the image of a modern, refined & sophisticated distro.
We'll have to ask the MEPIS-team...
Maybe I should stop now and wait until Erin makes the gallery?!?
Hi Ruud,
That was unfortunate timing in submissions to the forums, so don't let my comments stop you.
Those remarks were not in any way intended for you specifically.
As a blanket feeling I am uncomfortable with the pyramids as a symbol & although WE know what they are etc etc I note that the semi abstract representations give me the feeling of those white/black pictures where if you look at it for long enough a glass vase becomes a face & vice versa.
Again I was not directing my comments in your particular direction.
Keep up the great work.
Regards
Seagull
Creatives
Posts: 365
That was unfortunate timing in submissions to the forums, so don't let my comments stop you.
Those remarks were not in any way intended for you specifically. Again I was not directing my comments in your particular direction.
Seagull
Hey Seagull;
Don't worry about that!
I'm okay with any comment/hint/tip/advise in any form.
So, I do not feel offended if that's what you mean to say here...
I will go on making wallpapers anyway, although I'm not sure if I should post them, yet?!?
Like you, I think it might be a good idea to see what other designers have in mind for MEPIS.
I showed what is possible in my own view, but there might/should be other angles & approaches for MEPIS.
I hope there will be a lot off them, so we can all choose the best!
This is not only my OS, I hope/know amongst the thousands (tens of thousands?) of MEPIS-users there must be at least a few dozen of Graphics Designers like me, who are eager to share their ideas with us.
So, come on all of you Creatives, grab the program you know best, and share them with us!
Get this Creative CONTEST started! NOW, please!
Ruud
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I Like These Two
Posts: 5513
I like these two a lot:
http://img329.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mepistechie2dn8.jpg
http://img169.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mepisrascal3ui7.jpg
The first because it has the glass-globe effect and the pyramids/mountains are inside/outside/on the globe. Nice optical illusion.
I like the second because it looks modern and clean!
Good job.
Jon
Rate them!
Posts: 365
Hey everyone;
If you like any of my pictures posted in this thread/string rate them in the "imageshack-way" by just clicking on any number from 1-10,
so after that I'll have a look to fine-tune the best, if necessary...
Take a look again:
Hope you don't mind I do it this way, Warren?!?
Ruud
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I like #3
Posts: 6
Yes, I already know that I over analyze, but unless a logo has some meaning, I am not sure of its purpose. I want to see something in the new techie logos, but I just don't. Truth be told, I also do not know the significance of pyramids either. Anyway, my vote went for the third one. The pyramids look more like mountains, but combined with a sphere (instead of the moon) and wrapped “SimplyMEPIS” and I think there is more to go on with interpreting the logo. Immediate thoughts that come to mind are “brings the world together” (orb looks like earth) and “the pinnacle of Linux distros or OSs in general” (with the mountain tops).
Real cool stuff, but I reflect back on one of Ko's posts where concern was expressed about identifying volunteers and project management. By now the MEPIS folks should know the answer is yes, the MEPIS Desktop is in need of a makeover; now I just need to indicate that I am interested in working on this project! So, yes, I am interested, but as you already know from my screenshot of my desktop, I am not very good at graphic design - just full of opinions and eager to help out a distro that lasted longer than 2 weeks on my computers.
:Don
P.S. According to wikipedia “Woodford has said that MEPIS is a multipurpose acronym that can represent, among other things, Managerial/Medical/My Educational/Entertainment and Personal/Private Information/Infrastructure Systems/Society/Security.” Kind of aligns with my thoughts on the logo, being ambiguous.
ECS EZ-Buddie D1S4-2 P4 2.8 GHz, 1GB RAM, ATI Radeon7000/VE, 64MB RAM
Simply MEPIS 6.0
go ahead
Posts: 4864
Rudi has specifically asked for others to design wallpapers.
On That note
Posts: 24
I am playing with some more "corporate" looks. What about something like this?
http://band.diebrucke.net/mepis/snapshot1.png
http://band.diebrucke.net/mepis/snapshot2.png
A skyscape type look, transparency, crystal win dec.
Here is folder where the wallpapers are:
Very nice!
Posts: 4077
apostate, that's very nice!
I am playing with some more "corporate" looks. What about something like this?http://band.diebrucke.net/mepis/snapshot1.png
http://band.diebrucke.net/mepis/snapshot2.png
A skyscape type look, transparency, crystal win dec.
Here is folder where the wallpapers are:
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Check out Mepis wiki: www.mepis.org/docs
Clouds are cool...
Posts: 365
I am playing with some more "corporate" looks. What about something like this?
Hey Apostate;
These clouds and transluncent windows look great!
Now go on a bit further, and try some fiddling around with the images...
Ruud
remember to vote people: http://www.mepis.org/node/11647#comment-43599
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Thanks guys! Check that
Posts: 24
Thanks guys!
Check that folder again, there is a variant with a pyramid. I am all for moving away from the motif, but since this one seemed to work...
LESS CRUMBLED PYRAMID...
Posts: 365
Thanks guys!Check that folder again, there is a variant with a pyramid. I am all for moving away from the motif, but since this one seemed to work...
Hey Apostate;
Do you have a less crumbled pic of a pyramid?
It would be more representative to MEPIS, hahah!
Only kidding, it looks wonderful!
Ruud
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Similar...
Posts: 365
The thing I'm trying to say Ko, is that it would be too similar to the SphinxOS atmosphere...
Which probably gives legal problems, even in Linux!
If you want to do so for yourself, give me your e-mail and I will send it, so you can use it at will.
Or just download the pic I linked and Photoshop your head off!
Have fun in Australia!
EDIT
Ko I understood from Erin that you were one of the SphinxOS team, if you already informed me about that (or tried to), I must have missed that, I'M SO SORRY!
I will add the Pyramids and place this wallpaper on the site, have a look later!
/EDIT
There you go:
And this one is for the techies or geeks, I know it's a bit off-center, talk about that later....
Tell me what you think of it, or what you want to see changed...
Ruud
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