5 ms·

Would be cool to “do it right” and have a proper window manager for Linux like this rather than “just” a skin (I really don’t want to diminish the ton of work s

by jug 3y ago

Would be cool to “do it right” and have a proper window manager for Linux like this rather than “just” a skin (I really don’t want to diminish the ton of work sunk into this). So you get the last details about windowing behavior and animations right, and achieving much more in terms of start menu, task bar behavior and so on. To be less niche and reach even more nostalgic users it could be something like a RetroWM with modes for like Windows 95, XP, maybe even Mac OS 9. If I only had unlimited time on my hands… :D

prmoustache 3y ago
Aren't you mixing up toolkits and window manager? Seems to me like we are pretty well sorted on linux with some amazing window managers that are superior to what Microsoft and Apple ever produced.
lmz 3y ago
There are already proper WMs with the Win95 look e.g. IceWM.
jwells89 3y ago
I’ve wanted to work on OS clone desktop environments (to cover all the little things a window manager alone can’t) for a while now because I think it’s worthwhile to preserve older environments and keep them available for usage even after their commercial creators have abandoned them. Finding the time to do that is a challenge though, particularly with the higher activation energy of having to learn the ins and outs of X11, Wayland, and other bits and pieces involved in building a functional *nix desktop.
- jug 3y ago
  Yeah, that’s exactly it! Unfortunately the different skill sets required here are so different. You part need deep understanding of the low level inner workings, and part need great attention to detail in user interface design. It would probably be easiest to pull of as a team effort.
petepete 3y ago
It's not Linux but Serenity OS checks all the other boxes. https://www.serenityos.org/ https://www.serenityos.org/
- jug 3y ago
  Yeah, I’m aware of Serenity and think it has a really cool combination of old school Windows and Mac OS!

by jug 3y ago

prmoustache 3y ago

Aren't you mixing up toolkits and window manager? Seems to me like we are pretty well sorted on linux with some amazing window managers that are superior to what Microsoft and Apple ever produced.

lmz 3y ago

There are already proper WMs with the Win95 look e.g. IceWM.

jwells89 3y ago

I’ve wanted to work on OS clone desktop environments (to cover all the little things a window manager alone can’t) for a while now because I think it’s worthwhile to preserve older environments and keep them available for usage even after their commercial creators have abandoned them. Finding the time to do that is a challenge though, particularly with the higher activation energy of having to learn the ins and outs of X11, Wayland, and other bits and pieces involved in building a functional *nix desktop.

jug 3y ago
Yeah, that’s exactly it! Unfortunately the different skill sets required here are so different. You part need deep understanding of the low level inner workings, and part need great attention to detail in user interface design. It would probably be easiest to pull of as a team effort.

petepete 3y ago

It's not Linux but Serenity OS checks all the other boxes. https://www.serenityos.org/ https://www.serenityos.org/

jug 3y ago
Yeah, I’m aware of Serenity and think it has a really cool combination of old school Windows and Mac OS!