An up-to-date look at free software and its makers
Projects on the Move

© Kirill Zdorov, Fotolia
Now that we have entered the age of three-dimensional desktops, suggestions on redesigning controls keep springing up like mushrooms. When Gnome 3.0 sees the light of day, will the menus be circular and include files alongside applications?
Until a couple of years ago, the 3D desktop was considered to be a novelty that got in the way of meaningful work. Despite early skepticism, the major Linux distributions do not want to lose ground to Mac OS and Windows Vista, and all of them now offer user-friendly three-dimensional desktop support.
Wobbling windows, transparency, rotating cubes when you switch workspaces – these visual effects raise some doubt as to the 3D desktop's ability to help users work more efficiently. But at least they give the GUI a more modern and advanced look. Today's other major operating systems – Windows Vista and Mac OS X – have a similar look, and once you have grown accustomed to effect-packed window managers like Compiz Fusion [1], you will not want to do without them. Although the benefits might not be tangible, they do much to boost the user's feel-good factor.
If you need more evidence that the wobbling desktop on Linux has grown up over the past two years, just consider the fact that unnerving setup marathons – involving much trial and error and regular crashes – are now a thing of the past. Still, there is room for improvement. Although the KDE and Gnome desktops now integrate Compiz, users are still waiting for a paradigm shift in basic controls. So far, the problem of how to reconcile two-dimensional input devices, such as the keyboard and the mouse, with a 3D desktop is one that not many people have considered. Little has happened to change the WIMP model (windows, icons, menus, pointers) over the years.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.