Re: gnome 3 is a pleasure to work with, but...

[1920119 googlemail com]

... so how do you change the theme? GSettings?

On 25/04/2011, Simos Xenitellis <simos lists googlemail com> wrote:
> On Mon, Apr 25, 2011 at 2:24 PM, Alexander Volovics
> <a volovic upcmail nl>wrote:
>
>> Exploring Gnome 3 under Fedora 15 beta.
>>
>> So far: very nice to work with, great usability, but it could do
>> with some more configurability options.
>> (I am making the following remarks under the proviso that
>>  I do not know if the standard (upstream) Gnome 3 is
>>  included in Fedora 15 beta and wat Fedora has contributed
>>  to the mix).
>>
>
> You can also try OpenSUSE with GNOME Shell to get a full view as to what is
> GNOME 3 and what is distribution additions. See
> http://blog.crozat.net/2011/04/gnome-3-live-image-version-110-released.html
>
>
>>
>> Are there any plans to increase desktop configurability in Gnome 3.
>>
>> For example:
>>
>> - I would like to be able to change the color of the top bar
>>  The lid of my laptop is a shiny black and the addition of the
>>  black colored top bar gives the desktop an even more funereal
>>  appearance (and makes it hard to see/read).
>>
>
> This is a theming issue, and each distribution uses their own theme.
> GNOME has no much control for this.
>
>
>> - I would like to be able to REMOVE icons from applications
>>  overviews under 'Applications' in the 'Activities overview'.
>>
>>   First I would like to remove ALL icons from the 'All' category.
>>   * This overview is not really necessary because because the same
>>     icons are included under the other categories 'System Tools',
>>     'Accessories', 'Graphics', etc.
>>
>
> You have the unfiltered view (show all) and the filtered view. The default
> is the unfiltered view.
>
>
>>   * Furthermore given the absurd and unhandy 16:9 laptop screens you
>>     have to scroll to see them all so having all icons available does
>>     not really save time/work.
>>   * Finding a particular icon among this plethora of icons is hardly
>>     easy.
>>   * Given the large size and the sometimes brash colors and
>>     non-uniform design of the icons makes this desktop full of
>>     large blobs not very aesthetically pleasing.
>>
>
> It's mostly a distribution issue.
>
>
>>
>>   Second I would like to 'prune' the icons listed under the categories
>>   retaining only the icons of the apps I use regularly (possibly
>>   putting some of these 'pruned' icons in some 'Other' category).
>>
>
> Might be possible with the integration of Zeitgeist, which follows what
> things you use often.
> Might be a good GNOME 3.2 feature.
> Nevertheless, you can pin your favorite apps on the bar.
>
>
>>
>> - I would like to change the 'top bar' to an 'under bar' and have the
>>  notifications pop up at the top (and why do pop ups and notifications
>>  need to have a black background).
>>
>
> The background issue is a theming / distribution issue. You can report to
> Fedora (they are still in Beta) or try out OpenSUSE if they got it right.
>
> Whether the top bar can become a bottom bar is probably something that might
> be addressed in GNOME 3.2. It's up to the designers, though I feel a bottom
> bar should not be out of the question.
>
>
>>
>> Personally I find these 'wishes' very reasonable and not detracting
>> from the design and usability of Gnome 3.
>>
>>
>> PS  Who designs/creates the icons/icon themes.
>>    I find the icons (too) big, brash, glaring and sometimes downright
>>    ugly with no consideration for the overall effect. (for example the
>>    'Games' icons).
>>    It would be much nicer if they were created with an overall effect
>>    in mind using compatible colors and forms (say a sleek blue/silver
>>    theme, uniformly applied).
>>
>
> It's the theming again. There might be some options for alternative themes
> as soon as the distributions are released. And you can select one that best
> suits you.
>
>
>>
>> PS  If configuration options as specified above or comparable are
>>    planned for updates or Gnome 3.1 then I would be even more
>>    happy with Gnome 3. If not, is it possible to put forward things
>>    like the above as 'suggestions' for the design team and what is
>>    the best possible place for this.
>>
>
> The next version is GNOME 3.2. While it is developed, it will be called
> GNOME 3.1 (unreleased).
> There is a thread for things to add in GNOME 3.2.
> To edit settings and so on, GNOME 3 uses GSettings. I think there is a GUI
> tool, though it's best if you google for it.
>
>
>>
>> NB  I can not and do not code myself.
>>
>>
> That's alright. If you cannot get a perfect ready-made theme, you might have
> to perform minor editing, such as specifying the appropriate color. If you
> do not mind that task, it should be fine.
>
> Simos
>