The project launch has been published nsCDE 2.2 (Not so Common Desktop Environment), version in which some changes and improvements have been made regarding icons, improvements to CSS support for GTK2 and GTK3 engines, among other things.
For those who are unaware of NsCDE, they should know that this is a project that develops a desktop environment with a retro interface CDE (Common Desktop Environment) style, adapted for use on modern Unix and Linux-like systems.
NsCDE can be considered as a FVWM theme Heavyweight on steroids, but combined with a couple of other freeware components and custom FVWM apps and lots of configuration, NsCDE can be considered a lightweight hybrid desktop environment.
About NsCDE
NsCDE mimics CDE, the well-known Common Desktop Environment of many UNIX systems commercials of the nineties. Supports backgrounds and palettes with color sets and has a theme generator for Xt, Xaw, Motif, GTK2 and GTK3. By integrating all these elements, the user gets a retro visual experience in almost all applications.
In addition, it is noted that is enriched with a lot of powerful concepts and functions, modern applications and font rendering, NsCDE acts as a link between the classic look and feel and a fast and extensible environment, well suited for modern computing.
NsCDE can even be integrated into existing desktop environments as a window manager wrapper for session handling and additional DE functionality.
However, NsCDE is designed for UNIX-oriented users and generally technical people, and not as something for use by the general public or to introduce beginners to Linux or some other unix-like system.
The goal is a retro comfortable environment not just a flashy toy, but a real working environment for users who, contrary to mainstream trends, really like CDE, thus creating a semi-optimal combination of usability and compatibility with modern tools with a look that's mainstream main ditched for some new fad, and… simply put, giving the wearer the best of both worlds.
Main novelties of NsCDE 2.2
In this new version of the environment that is presented, it is highlighted that the using keyboard shortcuts that comply with the CUA specification (Common User Access) it is implemented and enabled by default. For those who want to return to the old keyboard combinations, they must make a small change in the file ~/.NsCDE/NsCDE.conf, in which the parameter “InfoStoreAdd kbd_bind_set nscde1x” must be set or change the configuration in the interface of the Keyboard Style Manager.
Another change that stands out in the new version is that the ability to place the panel on top of the screen (which can be enabled by adding the "InfoStoreAdd frontpanel.on.top 1" setting to the ~/.NsCDE/NsCDE.conf file).
for the calculator kcalc, added a color scheme that matches the layout of dtcalc, besides that the design of the icons has been updated.
On the other hand, it is also highlighted that added support for Firefox 100+ style, besides the CSS files have been updated to customize the appearance of Firefox and along with it also the CSS files have been merged for GTK2 and GTK3 engines.
Of the other changes that stand out from this new version:
- Improved definition of PolkitAgent.
- Kvantum's theme engine, which can be selected in the Color Style Manager settings, implements a more Motif-like style for Qt5 lists.
- Documentation updates for all of the above.
- Keyboard Style Manager plugins, Mouse Style Manager fixes
- Added parameter –with-python-shebang=”STRING” in the configuration
to allow the user to override weird alternative managers on some systems.
Finally if you are interested in knowing more about it, you can check the details in the following link, where you can also get the installation packages if you are interested in trying out this desktop environment.