NsCDE is a retro but powerful UNIX desktop environment which resembles CDE look (and partially feel) but with a more powerful and flexible framework beneath-the-surface, more suited for 21st century unix-like and Linux systems and user requirements than original CDE.
NsCDE can be considered as a heavyweight FVWM theme on steroids, but combined with a couple other free software components and custom FVWM applications and a lot of configuration, NsCDE can be considered a lightweight hybrid desktop environment.
It also contains themes for Qt, Gtk, and more, to ensure a consistent CDE look and feel. NsCDE 2.2 has just been released, and it contains a ton of improvements. This is such a cool and fascinating project.
Long time reader here. This must be the first time there was an article with a link I wanted to click as the first word in the quotation. The .single blockquote:after needs a pointer-events: none so that it doesnt block clicking on the link =)
Refreshing read from the Author on the github site. “….making semi-optimal blend of usability and compatibility…”
I think it’s great to see some 21st century retro WMs.
Right? I wish someone would pick up AmiWM and make a full blown Workbench that sits on top of Linux / BSD. I have a mac, and don’t need that on there… there are just some really cool concepts and the layout of things that AmigaOS got right that I would love to see in a modern system.
I entirely agree about AmiWM, and indeed I specifically mentioned this idea in a story a couple of months ago:
https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/17/linux_desktop_feature/
There is a new project aiming at that:
Scalos for the AxRuntime
Scalos is an (old) open source 1:1 Workbench replacement for the Amiga.
AxRuntime is a library the allows running recompiled AmigaOS programs to run under Linux.
https://axrt.org/index.php?tab=releasenotes#AXRT413
https://ae.amigalife.org/index.php?topic=947.75.msg12171#msg12171
From the developer Deadwood:
1) Each program is a separate process memory protected from others, so one faulty program does not bring whole system down
2) Each Intuition window becomes a separate X window that interacts with other X windows, opposed to hosted AROS where all Intuition windows are “locked” into single AROS desktop screen
3) Amiga tasks and processes are running in SMP using all available cores, where in AROS hosted they share a single processor
“Porting and integrating an Amiga desktop is on the TODO list.”
https://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=43751&forum=42&start=120&viewmode=flat&order=0
Seeing FVWM back is a pleasant surprise. Back in the day it was greatly customizable. (Even remember FVWM95 for a very good clone of the Windows 95/98 UI).
That being said, I can’t say I am a fan of the color / font selection in this UI. Yes, I have used CDE back in the day (on actual UNIX not that pesky free Linux copy like some kids… okay joking). But I somehow remember it looking better.
That’s because the GNOME people love MacOS font rendering. Sharp fonts are sooo 1990s so we can’t have them anymore.
Grayscale is a safer option. Subpixel rendering needs to know the subpixel layout of the LCD panel or it will look worse if the panel isn’t the assumed RGB layout.
Apple picked grayscale because of desktop publishing. Grayscale gets the screen shape of fonts as close to the printed shape as possible.
If you’re going to say Windows enables subpixel hinting by default, IDK it’s Windows.
HiDPI scaling partially fixes this problem. But then you’d be using a 4K screen as 1080p and sacrifice resolution get very good results.
Fortunately there seems to be some positive progress on the Linux side. However personally fractional scaling only worked on Cinnamon, not GNOME for me.
Yeah.
Panels with really high pixel densities have been my solution. 27″ 4Ks are gorgeous. 25″ 2Ks are really nice too.
I’m not sure where the HiDPI scaling work is at. It’s not something I’ve wanted, but it would be a nice accessibility feature.
It would be nice to see OpenLook back some day http://www.xwinman.org/screenshots/olwm.gif
A modern interpretation would be nice. I miss being able to minimize applications to the desk top.
Obligatory link to Thom’s article on why CDE is the best DE. 😉
https://www.osnews.com/story/18969/pt-vii-cde/2/
Never used CDE or FVWM, but thought I’d give NsCDE a try. After two days, I find it perfectly usable, but I miss my admittedly cluttered desktop with its multitude of launchers.