How to add more eye candy to the GNOME desktop

The Linux desktop was an exciting place in the early 2000s. Various window managers and desktop environments were inundated with special effects. These effects made Windows and Mac desktops look old and tired next to Linux

I had Linux desktops that amazed my family and friends, so much that some of them decided to switch to the open-source operating system.

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However, most Linux desktops have migrated from a fun to a serious approach during the past decade. But that switch doesn’t mean you can’t reclaim the past glories of Linux. And I’ll show you how to add a bit of panache to your desktop.

Here are my top ways to add eye candy to the GNOME desktop.

Install the Extension Manager

Before adding any of these features, I suggest installing the GNOME Extension Manager because it makes managing things much easier. Here’s how.

1. Compiz Cube

I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Compiz Cube. The Cube presents your virtual desktops as a 3D cube you can spin around to select the desktop you want to work on. This approach is fun and offers a much easier way of switching between desktops. 

Fortunately for GNOME users, there’s an extension to add the Cube effect. Open Firefox, go to the Desktop Cube extension page, and click Install. If you get a warning that you need to install the Browser Extension, go ahead (it’s a necessary step to install extensions via Firefox). 

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Once installed, click the Workspace Overview (top left corner of the desktop), click and hold your left mouse button, and then drag the cursor around to view the cube.

2. Burn My Windows

Burn My Windows is another fun bit of eye candy. This extension has been around for a while and adds various user-selectable special effects when opening and closing a window. You can choose from several effects (such as a Star Trek-like energize, Doom, Broken Glass, Apparition, Fire, Glide, Glitch, and more). 

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Once you’ve installed the extension, you’ll find it listed in the Extension Manager, where you can select which option you’d like to use when you open and close windows.

3. Wobbly Windows 

Another favorite tool of mine. Once you install Wobbly Windows (also known as Compiz Windows Effect), a window wobbles when you drag it around your desktop. Settings allow you to change how much the window wobbles. 

The one warning I will give you about Wobbly Windows is the effect isn’t quite as smooth on machines with underpowered graphics cards. But when you have the tool working, it’s fun.

4. Top Bar Transparency

I’m not a huge fan of top bars. When they must be used, I prefer them to look elegant (instead of just a black or gray bar across the top). I always install Transparent Top Bar (Adjustable Transparency) to create that touch of class.

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This extension offers only two configurations — the amount of transparency you want to use and whether or not you want the top bar to switch to opaque when a window touches it. The only con to this extension is that the text and icons in the topbar can be slightly 8-bit looking. However, this simple extension does exactly what it says — and does it well.

There are other ways to add eye candy but these four tools are my favorites. If you want more, search the GNOME Extension site and ensure you install tools suited for your version of the GNOME desktop.