Work in style with the Enigma desktop package

Daniel Pataki
Jan 6, 2009
Updated • Dec 5, 2012
Linux
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5

While I'm a huge fan of desktop customization I always actually work with a solution which is the simplest possible. I love elaborite desktop configs, but I find most of the stuff gets in my way. I have found a setup which looks extremely good and easy on the eyes and while still a bit too much for me, it might be just what some of you are looking for. The Enigma Desktop is actually a package containing almost everything you'll need for your desktop too look this good. You will need to download the apps the creator uses, like Rainmeter and Samurize, but the package contains the config files you need to make things happen.

What I like about the setup is the simple lines and design despite the complexity and elaborate nature of the configuration. Despite my distaste of over-complex designs, I am impressed, because it functions as a "dashboard" should, it gives you a lot of at-a-glance information. RSS feeds from your favorite blog, the time and date with weather, and a whole bunch of other stuff, like the handy Gmail notifier.

While this may not appeal to the hardcore "clean desktop" people, I urge you all to give these setups a try, some of them might work. the reason I stray from them is that when I am working on something I tend to generate a lot of icons on my desktop which ruin the nice looks. I could of course use a different directory, but this is the most readily accessable place. if you know of any other cool desktop configurations like this be sure to drop us a note in the comments!

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Comments

  1. woohoo said on March 5, 2010 at 6:51 pm
    Reply

    boi, this package you are writing about – is it for Wind0ze or GNU/Linux?

  2. Kaelri said on January 7, 2009 at 3:22 pm
    Reply

    The config is modular. It comes with two (optional) sidebars and a taskbar, and the user can add however many (or few) items he wants. Thus, five clocks, five choices. The screenshot above is a preview, rather than an action shot; I wanted to show off what it could do. I never thought anyone would *use* it like that. (Although, frighteningly, at least one guy did.)

    I appreciate your post. :)

    Nohbdy: I’m not sure why a desktop monitor app like Rainmeter would interfere with your global hotkeys. Care to elaborate?

  3. Nohbdy said on January 6, 2009 at 11:22 pm
    Reply

    Almost every modern keyboard out there worth a damn has controls on them that are shortcuts for commonly used functions such as volume, application launch, media playback, and so on.

    Enigma does not support these and it’s why I had to install it. It was a good app but I simply could not live without my quick volume controls.

  4. Daniel Pataki said on January 6, 2009 at 11:17 pm
    Reply

    Yes, it is a bit overboard there. Actually it’s not that bad because they are pretty unobtrusive (except the middle one), so you sort of see the time wherever you look, which can be convenient.

  5. Axel said on January 6, 2009 at 10:56 pm
    Reply

    Five clocks?

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