Gnome is ugly? Kde is ugly? They both look quite aesthetically pleasing to most people.

Examples of attractive Linux desktops:
http://linuxfud.files.wordpress.com/...2006-11-20.png
http://www.geocities.com/helmi03/photo/scrn20050420.png
http://www.chrisclymer.com/articles/...x_desktop.jpeg
http://fluxbox.sourceforge.net/image...lv_fluxbox.jpg
http://www.taclug.org/albums/album01...05_02_2002.jpg

Windows:
http://windowsvistablog.com/photos/b.../original.aspx
http://www.kernelthread.com/mac/vpc/images/win2k.gif
http://www.winsupersite.com/images/showcase/xp_n_03.jpg

In my opinion, every single aforementioned Linux desktop looks considerably better than the windows ones.

I think you just proved my point! All of these supposedly attractive linux desktops were a jumbled mess with no consistancy and horrible windows.

Windows vista and OSX Still look 100% cleaner and more attractive.

WinXP - Well that's old now, not exactly in par with an open source system that's meant to be updated frequently. It's still cleaner though! Plus you can download windows blinds which will give you better themes. Alot of them are ugly too actually.

In regards to eye candy vs simplicity, this thread might interest some:
http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread108572.html

>I'd quite like to create a linux desktop ui, but don't think it could actually be implemented.
Well, if you're referring to coding your own window manager, then yes, I'd agree probably not. However, most window managers are fairly easy to customize and write themes for. Find a window manager that is capable of doing what you want (for example, use KDE if you plan on using a lot of flashy effects -- also think about tinkering with Compiz Fusion). Or you can customize an existing theme to suit your needs.

>I think you just proved my point! All of these supposedly attractive linux desktops were a jumbled mess with no consistancy and horrible windows.

I was referring to what *I* think aesthetically pleasing, not you. Based on some assumptions, here's a list that you might find attractive:

http://customisinglife.files.wordpre...3d-desktop.jpg
http://www.elblogdemaverick.com/uplo...-compiz-01.jpg
http://pagux.com/pics/linuxosx.png
http://static.flickr.com/74/190717823_3bbb5a90fb_o.png

i personally find the widdows classic theme to be the best, and use similar themes in linux

its personal choice

I don't look for sleek or pretty or glamorous in any of my tools. Not in screw drivers, not in hammers, not in pots & pans, not in laundry machines or in lawn and garden equipment.

I look for functionality and usability in my tools. I expect visual aspects to be neutral; poor/bad attributes adversely affect usability, and eye-candy attributes are a distraction. I expect safety and security to have received adequate consideration; usability suffers both when there is too little safety and security and when there is too much.

So far, XP has been the most usable version of Windows, even though its security and safety are sub-standard. The AT&T UNIXPC was my first daily-use computer at home; work systems were TOPS-20, VMS and SunOS4.x. After that, BeOS was my favorite home system. And Debian's GNU/Linux distribution has been my favorite computer tool for at least 7 years. I only use Windows for Illustrator or when I have no other choice.

Functionality and usability make for good computer systems. Not eye-candy.

i like vista under the hood but i hate how they rearranged EVERYTHING

vista + xp shell + tweaks would be nice

Who cares about what an operating system LOOKS like, seriously?

Pick a theme that's good for you, and pick an operating system that does what you want. If the operating system isn't good enough for you, install patches or get a new one.

Eyecandy seems to be everyone's first pick these days for operating systems, and I'm no different -- I have Compiz Fusion with a billion effects. But I don't use GNOME as much as I use Fluxbox, and if you want a damn attractive desktop, install Fluxbox with the default theme. That's attractive in looks, AND how easy it is to fix up and customize.