One of the the most frequent comments I hear from new Ubuntu users is that the default theme for the operating system is a tad too brown. I kind of like the current Ubuntu theme, but it was supposed to get an overhaul with the last release. The new default theme has got pushed back to Ubuntu 8.10, and we’re getting our first glimpse of the new theme now that Ubuntu 8.10 Alpha 1 has shipped. The verdict: it’s even more brown!
To show you what I mean here’s a screenshot that PhoroLinux provided showcasing OpenOffice.org fully skinned by the new theme:
(Click to Enlarge)
What do you think? There is always the option to go back to the lighter Ubuntu theme, but I find it interesting that they might be shipping Ubuntu 8.10 with an overall dark theme. Personally the dark theme is not at all something I would use, and I was hoping for a theme more along the lines of this mockup.
We’ll keep an eye on the progress of the new theme, and we should have a better idea what will ship with Ubuntu 8.10 as we get closer to the October 2008 launch.
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Tags: Freeware, Pre-Release, Software, Alpha, Linux, Screenshots, Themes, Ubuntu
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Yes, afraid it looks like a big brown… well, you get the point. One reason why I have been looking at linuxmint.com. At least I can say I like green.
yeah, what are they thinking??
i’m sorry, but it looks like somebody wiped their a** with that screenshot.
We’ve actually received quite a few tips sent in on Linux Mint. I haven’t tried it out myself, but everyone seems to really like it.
I was kinda wondering the same thing. Everything I’ve ever read about usability says that you shouldn’t use a dark background with light text for something that users will have to do a lot of reading on.
I think that the biggest problem is that default white background has been changed into light brown. It doesn’t look good and it messes up many things (like OOo’s white background in screenshot and some browsers’ default background color). That should be changed first I think!
This is kinda like getting a new house in Arizona, it can be any colour you want…as long as it is some variation of brown.
The current Ubuntu theme is a lot more clean and clear than this dark theme.. they should think again about selecting this as the default theme..
Wait a minute.I found that the user name on the screenshoot is a Chinese name.Are you Chinese?
I think this theme looks better than the default ubuntu theme, but it needs
alot of work.
Whatever the ubuntu team do with the theme, i doubt it will look as nice as
Linux Mint, those guys sure did do a great job with gnome.
I think Ubuntu would be great if they had a similiar layout with the menu system
and add a control panel like mint did, and only have 1 task bar, not 1 on the bottom, and 1 on the top… again.. Like mint has, but add an ubuntu feel to it.
simon
I agree, i mean… take a look at this screenshot. It looks very clean, very polished. Thats the main reason i left ubuntu, because i really hated the default theme and the menu system.
http://linux.softpedia.com/scr.....tion_1.jpg
They should use Steam like themes (see one of the color skins here http://storefront.steampowered.....ltSkin.png and here http://storefront.steampowered.....latIce.png)
They look very Ubuntuy (is that even a word?) and I think would fit well with the feel of Ubuntu.
Please Ubuntu, don’t adopt this theme. Just don’t. Take it from an old friend who is still keeping an eye on you.
Not a fan of dark themes, but I still have my hopes up as it is only in Alpha 1.
Seriously awful, it looks like the first theme an amateur designer would make. Then again, it’s the first version, but the mockup for 8.04 linked is far better. And you can always change the theme, fortunately
Yea Linux mint has got it right with the minty green theme. I ve grown used to the present orange theme of ubuntu and dark themes are nt for everyone. But hey you can always go to sites like gnome-look.org and download themes that u like.
I couldn’t help but laugh when I read that.
Nope, I linked to where I got the screenshot from.
That’s true, but you gotta create something visually appealing right off the bat so that new users are attracted to the operating system.
Ugh, that looks pretty nasty in my opinion. I really hope they change their minds…
Look at it. It is visually appalling and light years behind other operating systems and even free themes.
They must live an isolated live, these developers and designers. This brownish theme will not be able to compete with anything.
From an accessibility standpoint, I really do not like the brown theme… I work at night and I like to work in a low-light environment. I often use the color inversion plugin in Compiz to invert most windows (not all) as it works much better than changing the theme and I can easily switch back with a keystroke (Start + N/M)… With 7.10 and 8.04, the window borders invert nicely and are very easy to look at… With the brown theme, they turn almost white with a dark content area in the center… Really bad…