This week's desktop is a bit of a curve ball and interesting (in our humble opinion) for three reasons. First, this isn't Mac OS X at all: it's a hot new beta version of Ubuntu 7.04, arguably one of the most popular versions of Linux with quite a bit of steam behind it for a number of reasons, which is likely running via Parallels or Boot Camp (we knew we could make the exception because it's from Flickr user Ali Karbassi, who we've noticed submitting plenty of Mac OS X wallpapers to our TUAW Flickr Desktops Pool). The second reason we gave this penguin-fueled desktop some time in the spotlight is because of what appears to be either some sort of dual-display setup that Ali is running, or one ultra wide display that we wouldn't mind getting our hands on. The last reason, of course, actually has to deal with the wallpaper itself: it's a great shot and we'd love to know where to snag a copy!
If you'd like to see your unique, functional or otherwise interesting desktop featured in our TUAW Desktops of the Week series, check out past featured desktops as well as the original post for the rules and to get an idea of what we're looking for. Then, upload your desktop screenshot to our TUAW Desktops Flickr group. We'll feature one or more desktops each weekend, giving credit to the desktop owner, wallpaper creator and any apps featured in the screenshot (if available). Keep those desktops rolling in!
[Update: The actual wallpaper here is the work of deviantART user el1as, titled In the dark.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-25-2007 @ 10:22PM
derek said...
Is this a joke??? A Linux computer winning the Best Mac OS X Desktop?!?!?! THIS IS FREAKIN RETARDED!
Reply
3-25-2007 @ 10:40PM
john said...
The image resolution is 2560x1024, so it's most likely a dual 1280x1024 setup, which is a pretty standard resolution for 17"+ monitors. Nothing to get all worked up about.
Reply
3-25-2007 @ 10:44PM
Dave Chartier said...
#2: Yea, but notice how the top and bottom bars (whatever they're called in Linux) only span to the middle of the display. If this were one giant display they would (I assume) span the entire width.
Reply
3-25-2007 @ 10:58PM
john said...
It's not one giant display. It's two monitors. One single screen shot, comprised of two displays. The menu bars are only on the main display, but the wallpaper spans both screens.
Reply
3-25-2007 @ 11:06PM
David C. said...
I too would like to know where to pickup a copy of that desktop
Reply
3-25-2007 @ 11:24PM
Jesse said...
ya... TUAW.
not TULW
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 12:01AM
michel said...
there are nothing 'retarded' in a linux desktop (and it's insulting for challenged people, the same way "gay" used to insult people is insulting for whatever people wants to be)
there are now some beautiful Linux desktop and easy to use. it just lacks all applications os x or windows have but there are others tool linux has than os x lacks. no perfection.
and yes Ubuntu is that good and improving.
about the "gnome panel", you can expand it on the second screen if you want. by default it's like the Apple Menu, you can move it on the screen you want.
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 12:08AM
Deuce said...
#1 & #6 to bad "tulw.com" is taken. Send me an email when we get back to the "Mac" desktop of the week. Will next week be a windows desktop via Bootcamp or parallels?
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 12:18AM
Logan said...
You know Derek, there are a lot more useful things to have a fit over. It IS a nice desktop, and I would guess that it's running on a Mac, just not OS X.
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 2:54AM
tim said...
why would they have a partition on there labeled 'windows' if they were using parallels? even mac users can have linux boxes outside of parallels.
regardless, this desktop, nice or not (not, is my opinion), doesnt belong here, bottom line. its not mac.
on a more extreme note, can we petition to have only matt lu and michael rose write for this site? maybe scott every once in a while, but mostly those other two. man im bitter!
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 4:29AM
Tom said...
Anybody know where the background picture is from? It's rather awesome!
Would like it myself!
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 6:36AM
Jonathan said...
The wallpaper can be found here: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/50757880/?qo=12&q=by%3Ael1as&qh=sort%3Atime+-in%3Ascraps
The person who created it: http://el1as.deviantart.com/
More from the same style: http://browse.deviantart.com/customization/wallpaper/vector/?order=9&alltime=yes
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 9:41AM
Chris said...
How did a linux desktop get Mac desktop of the week???
*head asplodes*
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 10:26AM
Ali Karbassi said...
Thanks for featuring me guys.
Just like all my desktops, I give credit to the original artist.
You can get it at www.deviantart.com/deviation/50757880/ It's by a 22 year old Romanian artist. Be sure to give him a shot out for an amazing piece of art. Also check out the rest of his and my gallery.
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 10:35AM
Randy said...
I appreciate that its a nice background, but you know.. I dont come here to see things about Linux.. I come here to see things about OSX or Apple. I like the desktops because I like to see what people have done with their Macs, not what people have done with their Linux boxes.
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 11:32AM
Ned said...
This blog is so horrible. Non-Apple posts over and over and over again.
Weblogs, Inc. -- please fire everyone involved on this site. I'm going to log an official complaint and I suggest everyone do the same if you feel this way.
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 12:30PM
darleen Michael-Baker said...
Good grief. Has everyone NOT had their coffee this morning or what?
Thanks for showing it ... very nice. I'm off to check out the desktop art.
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 1:24PM
Michael Rose said...
Tim -- thanks for the compliment, but Mat and I are not going to strike out on our own anytime soon. :-)
Ned -- decaf, buddy. We tried to warn David that a Linux desktop was going to get folks riled up, but he's not much with the listening...
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 1:30PM
Dave Chartier said...
Maybe instead of complaining about the choice this week, readers could get to work on submitting some more exciting desktops (note: not just wallpapers) to our TUAW Flickr Desktops Pool.
;)
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 2:41PM
Word Diggity said...
And all you loudmouthed idiots with nothing better to do than complain about the content...well..let's see YOUR Apple blogs. C'mon, we're waiting.
Only an ungrateful jerk complains about what he's getting for free.
Reply