I've been experimenting with using dark themes. I've tried the Ubuntu Studio theme, which looks very shiny, and I've tried a customized theme which looks like this: http://code.bearfruit.org/~matt/MattsDesktop.jpg I used my customized theme for two weeks, I've been using Ubuntu Studio for about two hours.
Number one problem with the two themes I've used is the lack of contrast in icons, and especially text. Number two problem is that a lot of contrast between the window (white web pages, etc) and the chrome around the window or on adjacent windows makes it difficult to re-focus your eyes when switching tasks or applications. Number three problem is that some programs make poor assumptions about the background colors of some of the widgets. For example, the url drop-down list in firefox or the auto-complete dropdowns that show up below firefox's form fields. These appear to be black text on dark-dark grey and are nearly unreadable. These things will need to be addressed with care. That being said: * The transparency of inactive windows in the ubuntu studio theme is beautiful. I'm personally getting tired of glossyness, but the ubuntu studio theme's dark gloss could support transparency even on the active window. * The Orange and grey theme I've been using has turned a lot of heads. Like the Apple doc, it's long-term usability is questionable (since the lighter grey affords less contrast) but it sure does attract eyeballs. -- Matthew Nuzum newz2000 on freenode
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