Gnome-Art Front-end: Installing Hundred of Themes in Gnome has Never been So easy!

Although Ubuntu Linux is a pretty solid, newbie friendly GNU/Linux (actually I'm not sure if it's really "GNU" these days :/) operating system. But, not everyone would agree on this, but in my point of view apart from all those powerful/solid features, creating a beautiful looking themes that are user friendly, we'll, that ain't Ubuntu's strength.

Anyhow the point is there are hundreds or thousands of themes available (for whatever the desktop that you're using) online, thus you can easily download something cool and easily solve that "issue".

Although the installation of these theme is pretty much simple, all you gotta do is just download the theme's archive (usually in "tar.gz" format) and then either extract or open the theme manager and just drag-n-drop would just do it.

But if you have a habit of continuously changing your themes (yikes!), say in Gnome desktop, then wouldn't it be nice that there is some kind of an application that automatically downloads all those themes via the official Gnome-Look web site and let you easily install or switch between themes in Gnome classic desktop easily?.

The awesome "Gnome-Art" utility...

Well there is such an application which is certainly not something new and I'm pretty much sure most of you guys know this but for those of you who haven't heard, it's called "Gnome-Art" (a front-end that uses the Gnome-look web site). It basically does the exact thing that I was rambling in the previous paragraph ;-) but to mention few of it main features...

*. Download and install GTK+ themes.

*. Application themes as well as icon themes.

*. Backgrounds.

*. Splash themes. 

*. Login-manager themes (GDM).

*. GTK theme engines.

*. Save themes to HDD for permanent access or clear the downloaded cache. 

But will this also work in Unity desktop?. Some of them, yes. But even if these themes apply under Unity, yet they won't change the color of the "dash" nor the "application launcher". So I think you get the idea. But they work perfectly well under Gnome classic desktop nonetheless.

You can install gnome-art theme manager in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal, 10.10 and 10.04 by using the below command in your Terminal window.

sudo apt-get install gnome-art

According to the developer's own words, this is not maintained anymore but it's still very useful + works quite well nonetheless.

By default it just shows an empty window. From its menu, click on: "Art" and then you'll be reveled of few sub menu, as shown in below screenshot.

From those menus, you can choose the type of themes that you want (icons or borders, etc as said before) and when you click on an option it'll start to download the category from the Gnome-look web link and then you can save them to disk or see previews before applying it as well.

It's very small yet a handy app to have around since it makes installing new themes in Gnome a hell lot easier! :).

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How to Install elementary Dark GTK Theme in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal?

Although a bit inspired (a bit! :D) by Apple, I gotta say that the Elementary team do have a talent for creating amazing applications + especially when it comes to art work... they just rock!.

Although they started off as a project that used to give (it still does) a beautiful looking complete theme suite for Ubuntu, but soon they saw their opportunity and seize it :) which is now called the Elementary OS (finally something of their own). As said when looking at what they've done and the small group of geeks in the team, it's bloody amazing what a bunch of people can achieve.

Anyhow, among many of their inventions, the previously introduced Elementary theme was a massive hit within the GNU/Linux community. As said, it's clear that they've taken few ideas from Apple but that theme looks awesome nonetheless!.

Although this may not interest many but have you been looking for a bit darker version of that elementary theme??, well if you were, then you're in for a little treat pal :) because few days ago another a deviantart user called Satya released a darker version of the elementary theme called "elementary Dark!".

Main features...

*. Two buttons instead of the usual "three". Maximize button to the right edge and the close button to the left-edge.

*. Re-customized breadcrumbs for the Nautilus.

*. Panel colors included.

*. This does not work in Unity. I mean it does, partially. For instance, in Unity, after installing, the theme will only change the look-n-feel of Nautilus and other individual apps and won't "touch" the application launcher nor the top panel, etc.

So at the moment it only supports Gnome classic desktop (metacity, GTK2).

My desktop after installing, I'm using the Gnome High-Contrast icons...

One thing that I noticed after installing it was the lightness of the mouse pointer which means that thanks to the murrine engine, unlike with the default Ubuntu theme (Ambiance, which is also based on murrine) which is a bit slowish, but the elementary dark theme "feels light"!.

Anyhow you can install the elementary dark theme in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal, although I haven't checked this may also work in Ubuntu 10.10 and 10.04 too.

Although recent version of Ubuntu comes with murrine pre-installed as mentioned before (Ambiance is based on it) but the developers advices to have the latest, most up to date version installed.

1. So to install the latest murrine theme engine in Ubuntu 11.04/10.10 and 10.04 (using the PPA), open your Terminal window and enter the below commands.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:murrine-daily/ppa

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-murrine

2. Now you're ready to go to the next step.

The theme does not have any other dependencies but if you want the best possible integration, then you should have the elementary-mono-dark icon theme installed. To do that simply use the below command.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:elementaryart/ppa

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install elementary-theme elementary-icon-theme

If you also want the wallpapers... then use the below command as well.

sudo apt-get install elementary-wallpapers

3. Now get the actual theme from here and extract it , say to your desktop. Now open your Terminal and change the directory to your desktop (or where you have it extracted) and enter the below command.

sudo sh ./INSTALL 

Now you should have successfully install the elementary dark theme in Ubuntu Linux!. Use your usual procedure to apply it to system-wide.

If you use Fedora, to make a long story short, enter the below command and then jump to the step "3" right away. That should do it for you. 

yum install gtk-murrine-engine

However...

The bit "lighter version"... also looking good :)...

... if you'd prefer a bit more "lighter" version then there is another theme based on this one from the same dude called "elementary dark mod" that you can get from this page. Again, thank you Satya for this pretty cool theme. Enjoy!.

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Few Ubuntu Unity Desktop Themes

By default there are handful of GNU/Linux distributions that come with absolutely gorgeous themes (Linux Mint and Fedora for instance). But I think everyone would agree on the fact that it's the choices of the colors that makes them easy on the eyes and look attractive rather than any other "genius touch"... ahh the art of creative controlling :P. 

It doesn't matter how robust and stable the GNU/Linux distribution because from my own personal experience, not that long ago while I was really new to GNU/Linux and starting to learn it from scratch, the first few impressions are usually created by the colors rather than the durability which had a major "effect" and lasts forever.

After all, most of the time, emotions do play a major role controlling my own "logic" for the good or the worse :/.

In that sense as I've said before, Ubuntu started off with the wrong foot. If you remember the old version of Ubuntu came with an ugly looking theme/colors in general. But with the introduction of the Ambiance theme they're certainly making an effort by slightly changing the colors to darker ones + drifting towards more pleasant looking Orange color, not bad not bad.

The thing is that, in the past you could find thousands of new themes for Ubuntu since it was based on the Gnome classic desktop. But with the introduction of the Unity desktop (both the default 3D and the Qt toolkit written 2D versions), although you can still use those old GTK themes in Unity but those themes won't be able to change the Unity panel and the look-n-feel of the application launcher which literally define the Unity desktop module. So I thought the below 4 or 5 Unity themes might come in handy for ya all :D.

Let me go with the Blue first dudes!...

Almost everyone is fond of the Color Blue. If you do then you'll love the theme called

*. Union Blue.  

This is actually a "refreshed" version of the Elementary theme (even has the popular "e" icon) and looks beauuuuuuuuuutiful, I should be thankful to Wiseguy for pointing out this one. Thanks dude.

The installation is pretty straight forward. Just download the archive from here and use the theme manager and drag-n-drop... that it. Credits goes to NanaBuluku.

*. The Minty Freshness -

Another very beautiful theme. And as the name suggests... it's inspired by the Greeny Linux Mint theme suite. The unity panel is also changed to a version of Grey which is not too bright not too low... just perfect.

First download the archive from here and then please follow the steps as shown in this original developer's page.

*. Union Electric Blue -

This is similar version to the above mentioned Union blue. The main difference is that the panel gets a two Blue borders. Installation is pretty straightforward. Get the archive from here and drag-n-drop it into the theme manager in Unity desktop as usual.

*. Elementary Lion 1.1 -

Another cool Unity theme for Mac OSX geeks :D. The archive can be downloaded from here. It's about 8MB in size. That's because inside of it you'll find a lot other things such as panel backgrounds, classic theme for Gnome desktop, etc.

To install, open the downloaded archive and extract the "unity" version of the them inside to the theme manager as usual.  Read more from this developer's page.

*. gekosMac -

Another pretty cool Mac OSX theme. When combined with the Faenza mac icon theme... they both together will make your Unity desktop look prettier for sure. I've already written a post about how to install it. So read it and install it too if you have a thingies for Mac :/.

Guys, most of these themes are based on the Elementary theme and to integrate well (icons and stuff) you'd better have it installed first. And for applying the theme you'll have to either log-out or restart Nautilus. If you're too lazy to log-out then use the below command instead.

nautilus -q

Final word : I know these theme do look a bit alike (a bit! :/) I'm sorry for that. As said.. finding themes that are designed for Ubuntu 11.04 Unity desktop isn't that easy. If you know better ones (with wide variety of colors, etc), I'm more then willing to hear :D. Enjoy!.

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Bisigi-Project: Beautiful Complete GTK Theme Suites for Gnome Classic Desktop!

Bisigi-Project is created for giving the classic Gnome desktop users the most complete and beautiful theme suites available. Right now they have like 15 complete themes available! and as said these are complete GTK themes that once installed (with each) you'll get separate...

*. Icon theme.

*. Wallpaper.

*. Metacity theme (the default Gnome classic window manager).

*. Cursor themes and Emerald theme (Compiz like composition manager).

Few of the theme "logos"

Each theme is unique so you can choose between the colours, etc and instal the one that suits your needs the most. You can install Bisigi project themes in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal by using their PPA with ease (+ they have builds available for Arch/Mandriva and few other GNU/Linux distributions as well).

The beautiful "Bisigi-Orange" theme...

But you can use these themes in any GNU/Linux operating system that runs the classic Gnome desktop (not the version 3). Although these GTK themes don't support the Unity desktop module... they're only for the classic Gnomes :).

Open your Terminal and enter the below command to install the themes.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bisigi/ppa

sudo apt-get update

If you want you can install all the themes at once by using the below command (it'll take some time since the themes are big in size).

sudo apt-get install bisigi-themes

Or you can install individual themes by using the below commands (you can have see a preview of each from Bisigi-Project home page).

AquaDreams:                sudo apt-get install aquadreams-theme
Ubuntu Sunrise:            sudo apt-get install  ubuntu-sunrise-theme
Bamboo-Zen:                sudo apt-get install bamboo-zen-theme
Step into Freedom:       sudo apt-get install step-into-freedom-theme
Tropical:                       sudo apt-get install tropical-theme
Exotic:                          sudo apt-get install exotic-theme
Balanzan:                     sudo apt-get install balanzan-theme
Wild Shine:                   sudo apt-get install wild-shine-theme
Infinity:                         sudo apt-get install infinity-theme
Showtime:                    sudo apt-get install showtime-theme
Orange:                        sudo apt-get install orange-theme
Ellanna:                        sudo apt-get install ellanna-theme
AirLines:                       sudo apt-get install airlines-theme
Eco:                              sudo apt-get install eco-theme
Split:                             sudo apt-get install split-theme

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How to Install Orta Theme Pack in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Natty Narwhal?

Gnome desktop is well known for its simplicity but some (including me) finds it too simple because when it comes to customizing the desktop according to your preference easily... well I've got two words for ya... "good luck", cause you're gonna need it.

Lets forget the other aspects of the desktop... but they don't even give you the ability to change the colours of the themes (title bars, buttons, fonts, etc) for instance because some core developers seems to believe that if you're an "advanced user" or use the computer for a single "major" purpose, other than doing actually nothing productive but playing with it, then you won't be needing those type of "options".

In a way this is true. For instance, I remember a time not that long ago when I was quite obsessed with tweaking themes and stuff. I wanted to make my desktop look absolutely beautiful and perfect thus I spent countless hours for doing so. And other than that... all I did at that time with my GNU/Linux (well I had Widows as well) Laptop was watching videos and listening to music.

Interestingly I had an another friend who primarily used his computer to use a certain application (it was a 3D graphic rendering app I think), it was basically the only program that he used (almost), I went to see him every weekend and even after several months he had the "official" theme that came with the OS and he haven't even changed a single thing!.

So in a way this is not wrong because if you're concentrating and doing something "productive" using your PC then you'll have lesser needs to think about how cool you can make the desktop and windows look, etc.

But the point is that everyone is different so are their needs and implementing something as small as giving the users the ability to change colours... I mean come one Gnome, be reasonable!. I really don't like this approach of Gnome developers of "trying to figure-out everything for the users" all by themselves and to think that it makes them unique or something like that. So please try to be reasonable.

Anyhow back to the post. Sorry about the rambling... but it kinda slipped out :).

Orta is actually a beautiful theme-suite (I guess you can call it like that) and unlike with many other themes... what I like about it that, it has an another application called "Orta Settings Manager" which basically lets you change a lot of it options such as...

*. Change window gradients.

*. Switch between tab styles (dark and light colours combinations).

*. Change expanders (square, arrows, etc).

*. Change scrollbar size.

*. Built in few Nautilus menubar styles (breadcrumbs, Nautilus Elementary type styles, etc).

The "settings manager" window...

*. Different types of menus.

*. Change panel colour (personal favourite :D).

And few other application related "fixes" for enhancing the GTK graphic rendering are the main features. So, a big thank to SkiesOfAzel the developer of this amazingly beautiful theme.

But as said, no manual colour selection is available (other than the built in ones) but the controllability and the features makes you wonder how cool Gnome will look if the developers were kind enough to include a "decent" theme manager by default :/.

Anyhow, you can install Orta-theme in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal and 10.10 by using their official PPA channel. To do that, simple open your GNU/Linux Terminal and enter the below command.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nikount/orta-desktop

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install orta-theme

If you encounter any errors saying some files are missing, etc while doing the "apt-get update" ... just ignore it... it works just fine on my Ubuntu 11.04 Laptop. 

It's made to integrate quite nicely with the Faenza Icon theme which is not necessary... but if you want the maximum "experience" ;-), then you can install it by using the below command as well.

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:tiheum/equinox
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install faenza-icon-theme

Sometimes the changes that you made via the "Orta settings manager" (accessed via: "System" -> " Preference") may not be applied unless you restart the PC or change the theme to a different one and then re-change it to Orta. Enjoy!.

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gekosMac (GTK Theme) - Make Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal Looks Like Mac OSX!

It's no secret that GNU/Linux community, Gnome developers (especially) are admirers of Apple's Mac OS usability. Although to be honest I haven't used it, but from the screenshots and few videos I've seen, Gnome desktop 2+ version (including the Shell as well) resembles Mac OSX look-n-feel heavily.

And when considering Unity's application dock, windows title buttons to the left-side, wallpaper etc and even Mark Shuttleworth said when asked whether he'd prefer iPhone over Android phones, he said, "Yes!"... so Natty Narwhal is also much closer to OSX.

In that sense if you want to make your GNU/Linux Laptop completely looks like a Mac OSX, then all you gotta do at this point is to install a theme!. Well then you might be interested in a GTK written theme for Gnome called gekosMac.

As you can see with below screenshot, in resembles Leopard and the creator advices you to install Nautilus elementary + the Faenza Mac icon theme after installing the main gekosMac GTK theme as well. Lets install the theme in 11.04 Natty Narwhal first.

1. Open your Terminal and enter the below command.

sudo apt-get install aurora
sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-aurora

2. Use the below command to install Nautilus Elementary (remember, this is not necessary, but Elementary looks more like the OSX fm).

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:am-monkeyd/nautilus-elementary-ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade 

also make sure to restart Nautilus. To do that, use the below command.

nautilus -q

3. Now the final part. Lets install the FaenzaMac icon theme. Use the below command for that.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tiheum/equinox
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install faenza-icon-theme

If you don't like the buttons on the panel, then the developer advices that you do the following (quoting himself)...

#######IF YOU USE UNITY#########

Look at buttons in panel. You do not like this. You can fix that!!!!

0) All that is written to it except 4 step
1)You need to open terminal and write command

gksu nautilus

2)than go to /usr/share/themes
3) Backup Ambiance(copy to some place or add to archive)
4)extract Ambiance.tar.gz that you download
5)Replace folder that you extract from archive (delete Ambiance at /usr/share/themes and copy extract Ambiance theme to them)

THAT ALL Then Logot and login :)

That's it. Now you've successfully converted your Unity (also works on LinuxMint as well) to Mac OSX!. Enjoy.  

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Ambiance Evolution - Another "Customized" GTK2 Theme for Ubuntu Unity!

Okay, this is another theme that's based on the already existing Ambiance theme (created by the Ubuntu developers) in Ubuntu Linux. Although as far as I know, most GTK2 themes should work in Unity desktop despite the "visual" differences between Gnome classical desktop and Unity.

So you should be able to use this in Gnome desktop in Natty Narwhal as well. Anyhow, the main difference in this theme comparing with the original Ambiance (heck, there's even a Gnome3 theme as well!) is the lack of borders which makes it looks awesome btw :).

Other than that, it also has darkened tool-bars, better looking buttons, smooth transition between tool bars and title bars, enhanced/new sliders are among few of its main features.

Enough bragging Gayan!. Where can I get it?

Parley... :). Okay, um, first download the zip package from here. Then extract the content to ./themes folder in your Home.

If you don't have Nautilus elementary installed, then it is advised to edit the "gtk-2.0" file in this Ambiance theme (use your text editor) and delete the line which says " include "nautilus-elementary.rc" " which can be found at the end of the file.

If you want more information, then I recommend visiting simplegreat, the artist who created this awesome theme.

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Ubuntu Ambiance Gnome Shell (GTK3) theme

Since Fedora Core 15 is out, and if you've "switched" from Ubuntu to FC15 then you might be wondering if there is a possibility for making Gnome3 looks like Ubuntu (what would you wanna do that for! :P). Well, our creative friend, Half-Left from deviantart has created another awesome looking theme for Gnome Shell called "Ubuntu Ambiance" which is based on the classic Gnome desktop (comes with Ubuntu by default) theme called ambiance light.

The theme comes with the Natty wallpaper by default and if you use it in FC... then it'll look a bit awful :) since now FC15 looks like Natty. Anyway, according to the developer, this GTK theme supports Gnome tweak tool for switching between themes as well. Personally I don't like the colors that much, but that's just me. If you love those colors... then read-on.

How to install it?

First download Ubuntu Ambiance Gnome shell theme from here.

Here are the instructions from the creator himself...

Backup your theme directory first. Extract the zip file and rename "gnome-shell" directory to "theme" and copy to /usr/share/gnome-shell/. This path is usually where GNOME Shell is installed.
Restart GNOME Shell by Alt, F2, then type r and press enter.

Remember, it's a bit "evil" to make your non Ubuntu Linux Laptop/PC looks like Ubuntu (just kidding :P) Enjoy!.  

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"A New Start", Another Awesome GTK+ Theme for Your Gnome Classic Desktop!

If you heavily use Gnome classic desktop, not by choice for some since Unity makes is really difficult for your graphic card ;-), and bored already by using the same theme again and again then let me put you out of your misery :P. This new theme is called "A New Start" which is developed by a deviantart user called alecive.

The most important thing for me with this new theme is that, unlike many other GTK+ themes, this one is a complete package rather than a singe, "just another" theme... let me explain.

Main features...

*. Comes with the famous gorgeous looking Icon theme called Awoken!.

*. Wallpaper.

*. Few fonts of its own.

*. Panel background images.

*. Firefox start page.

Once downloaded the archive (get it from here) extract it and use the script inside which will automatically install the whole theme pack. If you want to know more about it, then please visit this alecive's deviantart page.

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