What would you want in the next Xfce Live?

[Skiper]

Hello! Long time no see in such a forum.

I am thinking and have started to work on a new release of an Xfce Live CD, but based on Mageia. Comparing to the previous release, I would like to know what you think would be great or needs to be improved when integrating Xfce.

I am looking to improve the user experience by making a better software selection and configuring them in a better way.

I am thinking about which file manager to use by default. Thunar is not bad and delivered with Xfce, but seems far too simple for a lot of Xfce users. Still do not know what can replace it well (PCManFM does not seem to have more functionalities). I think I can also switch Gthumb for Shotwell. I have not found a good replacement for the ugly xscreensaver and it's too huge set of screensavers (when all of them are installed there are a lot of ugly and useless ones as well). I would also like to find a nice Window Decorator theme to replace Ia Ora's ugly one (it's seriously too old now, Steel colors does not save it anymore).

The layout of the Xfce desktop could also be changed. Currently, I have only made them smaller than in the previous release.

I'd like your comments on all these kinds of aspects. The aim is to keep a system that is both light, quick and yet attractive and useful.

I you want to have a look at the previous release, it is still there : http://wiki.mandriva.com/en/XfceLive_2010_Spring
Note that I do not have a lot of time though (I have too much things to do and more things I would like to do... but I can't). So the aim is to release an Xfce LiveCD along with the next release of Mageia. This leaves us a lot of time to think and apply ideas.

Your turn.

[winstonteacox]

Hi!

A XFCE live-cd would be a good a idea. From my point of view there should be the possibility to install it on hdd.
I liked also the former Mandrivauser LXDE-Editions for this reason - they were the ideal systems for my small netbooks ...

XFCE ist already ok as it is, i think. The software is ok with the momentary Mageia-XFCE.
I don't think, that Thunar or PCMANFM are bad choices - they have everything someone needs, but not more.
If you have the choice, take the faster program ...
4.8 is out, so we should upgrade.

The only thing I miss are some stylish themes - the XFCE standard themes look a bit old fashioned to me and using oxygen doesn't look that good either ...

cheers,
Bernd

[Skiper]

I will take a more modern window decoration than Ia Ora. I have found one theme that is among the best ones (Xaphire), but it does not look professionnal/humble enough (rahter looking hardcore gamer). There is however an adaptation of the Oxygen window decoration with extra tweaks made to xfwm4 to offer a better integration.

I think I shall drop Thunar in favor of PCManFM as default file manager. Layout is similar, but it has tab navigation and is still light. It is originally designed for Lxde, but should fit well with Xfce.

Too bad the shimmer project's themes (http://shimmerproject.org/) are designed for Xubuntu.

[winstonteacox]

Xaphire is not that bad, its just the orange color which leaves a little bit an aggressive impression ...
PCManM is a good choice, methinks ... I liked it very much with LXDE.

btw.:
A new icon-set would also be a good idea . Tango looks a little bit outdated. NuvoXT (?) from LXDE is ok, but the vertical folders are disturbing ...
Dropline - for example - from the gnome-extra-themes is not bad ...

cheers,


Bernd

[Skiper]

I previously integrated the gnome-colors icon set. I think I will keep it as it is now (default on Gnome-Brave).

[winstonteacox]

Yeah, thats also nice ...

[gerchokas]

Hello! This is my first post at the forum, and i've just started using the distro (gnome). I'm really pleased to see Mageia taking off so well!! I moved away from Ubuntu a few years ago, and i've been using Fedora XFCE spin this year.

This is a not-so-current thread but I believe it's a pretty important one! Personally, what I care the most about an OS is customization and flexibilty, while keeping it simple. Being able to tune the desktop and file managers to suit the needs and style of the user is a major step for a pleasing exerience - something crucial for any desktop OS. Gladly those features can be embraced well by Xfce, and your description about the changes being made are great in this matter!

Although modularity is kind of a Unix philosophy, some features need to be integrated in applications of regular usage. For example, i used to like Thunar until i had to search for a file... had to install a search indexer to do the job (and learn how to use it) - an all-unnecesary and impractical process... I never had a problem with nautilus, though i dont know if it can be ported to Xfce. On the same subject, following a minimalistic approach on application selection would be a good plan, as many of us end up uninstalling half of the default sofware right after a clean OS install. Choosing a "Firefox/Rhythmbox/VLC/Abiword/Evince"(etc) combo may do it, but that's just personal preference.. Finally, if the next Xfce Live media can integrate some easy desktop customization tools (allowing for -effective- theme changing and logon/splash screens, bottom bar personalization), it would already make it feel more "personal".
In a few words: clean and simple, custimizable and practical..!

Well, hope i can help the community, the project is great and there's a lot to do!