14 DAY TRIAL // There is no shortage of Linux distributions, but with very few exceptions that include the defunct Pear OS and elementary OS, nothing too exciting has been happening on the desktop shell front. Now, a couple of development teams are preparing to launch a new operating system that will blow your socks off.
In most cases, if you have seen KDE, for example, in just one operating system, you can guess how it’s going to look in other Linux distributions. Sure enough, there are some people who dare customize it beyond recognition, but they are few and far between.
The most recent Linux distribution that tried to change the status quo was elementary OS. Even if only two versions have been released until now, the latest one is by far one of the most attractive you will get to see. Not too functional, but really pretty.
Now, maybe some of you have heard about Nitrux and Numix. For the most part, both groups are responsible for designing and developing beautiful themes and icon packs, for other desktop environments.
If you have seen their work, the collaboration between the two teams seems to be only natural. Their projects complement each other, and a new operating system, with a revolutionary new desktop shell, is just evolution.
“We are basing our shell on Gnome-Shell and we will use Gnome apps. Our shell will be made from extension for Gnome-Shell. That means we are NOT forking Gnome-Shell and we're not moving away from Gnome as a base. There have been some conclusions drawn yesterday (or rumors if you prefer this word) that we're forking stuff, so to clear up that confusion - we are not forking anything,” reads the announcement made by the Numix Project.
Being based on GNOME Shell and using GNOME apps might not seem like an evolution, but the truth is that both are extremely configurable and both ensure another important compatibility, with GNOME extensions. For example, elementary OS also makes use of some GNOME packages, but they are modified to such an extent that it’s impossible to utilize the power of the GNOME extensions.
Also, the new operating system will be targeting gamers and will have Steam preinstalled. The desktop shell will be minimalistic, and its designers have said that it will look stunning.
Moreover, the guys from Nitrux are also looking for some developers that can do some Java work for the new operating system and, if all goes well, they might even see some revenue.
We'll keep you apprised with more information about the new operating system. In the meantime, you can enjoy this mockup of the upcoming OS.
