Cairo: A New Desktop Shell Replacement In Development
Slick stuff
Friday, February 29, 2008 by Zoomba | Discussion: WinCustomize News
From the guys who brought you Samurize comes Cairo, a new Desktop Shell Replacement for Microsoft Windows.
The goal with Cairo is to "transform your desktop from the dated Windows user-interface to a brand new system that will change the way you use your computer forever." Pretty ambitious stuff, but looking at the concept work and screenshots they've released so far, it's at least going to be a damn pretty custom shell!
Cairo is rapidly approaching Milestone 1, and they've selected their first batch of testers. Keep an eye on this project though as it looks very promising. Hopefully it'll be easy to skin...
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JeremyG
Reply #3 Friday, February 29, 2008 11:44 AM
Reply #3 Friday, February 29, 2008 11:44 AM
So it's Windows Vista Explorer with some of the toolbar buttons removed....and it uses the "picture folder view" for everything?
Oh and they removed the tree-view from the left pane. looks revolutionary.
Oh and they removed the tree-view from the left pane. looks revolutionary.
killajosh
Reply #6 Friday, February 29, 2008 1:27 PM
Yeah, if I just wanted pretty I could superglue some lillies and baby's breath to my monitor. I'm all about the functionality.
Reply #6 Friday, February 29, 2008 1:27 PM
It is pretty though.
Yeah, if I just wanted pretty I could superglue some lillies and baby's breath to my monitor. I'm all about the functionality.
PoSmedley
Reply #7 Friday, February 29, 2008 1:49 PM
Reply #7 Friday, February 29, 2008 1:49 PM
There is more info on the site... CAIROSHELL
Interesting bits...
"Cairo is in the early stages of development for Windows Vista. Windows XP support will come once Vista compatibility is complete."
They also have a Cairo Elements Download section that contains PSD's for most of the app's elements.
There a pics of all the different aspects of the shell and a forum. A lot of interesting information.
Doronila1
Reply #8 Friday, February 29, 2008 1:58 PM
Reply #8 Friday, February 29, 2008 1:58 PM
I remember seeing this a while back. Looks good. Add a bit of Iconpackager and a different wall and your good to go 
DrJBHL
Reply #9 Friday, February 29, 2008 2:21 PM
Reply #9 Friday, February 29, 2008 2:21 PM
Nice visually, and agree with Zubaz re functionality.
If you like the look, Zubaz, I spotted a "Cairo.wba" theme for XP at dA:
http://samurai3.deviantart.com/art/Synthesis-inspirated-New-78121838
I think samurai3 put together a good looking theme.
and a great weekend to all!
and a great weekend to all!
Leo the Lion
Reply #10 Friday, February 29, 2008 3:21 PM
Reply #10 Friday, February 29, 2008 3:21 PM
Yep, I tried Samaurai's theme a few days ago and it's pretty nice but not something I would use
Surj
Reply #11 Friday, February 29, 2008 3:41 PM
Reply #11 Friday, February 29, 2008 3:41 PM
it is nice looking, i just don't see the whole "change the way you use your computer forever".
ketchupy
Reply #12 Friday, February 29, 2008 4:50 PM
Reply #12 Friday, February 29, 2008 4:50 PM
I would Like to know what is it the programme for jpeg Group, Mp3 Group on the screen ? Thanks very much !
DrJBHL
Reply #13 Friday, February 29, 2008 4:51 PM
Reply #13 Friday, February 29, 2008 4:51 PM
Leo...I don't like the dark areas to type in...reversing dark background and light letters. I wish I knew how tho chage it around. (
DrJBHL
Reply #14 Friday, February 29, 2008 4:52 PM
Reply #14 Friday, February 29, 2008 4:52 PM
it is nice looking, i just don't see the whole "change the way you use your computer forever".
surj...I agree...hype is the norm, I guess.
Mykinius
Reply #15 Saturday, March 1, 2008 9:42 AM
Reply #15 Saturday, March 1, 2008 9:42 AM
This shell looks interesting. I hope it isn't as buggy as WB is for me, because there are some tiny bugs that I can't stand. I am also glad because it's being made specifically for vista. Yay!
DigitalCHET
Reply #17 Saturday, March 1, 2008 9:58 AM
Reply #17 Saturday, March 1, 2008 9:58 AM
It'll be definitely worth trying. I imagine a lot of people will find it useful, since that's it's aim, but then as is usual, there'll be those resistant to change. 
I for one, look forward to trying it out.
I for one, look forward to trying it out.
PurrBall
Reply #18 Saturday, March 1, 2008 2:35 PM
Reply #18 Saturday, March 1, 2008 2:35 PM
It's exciting to see how Cairo is being noticed all over the internet.
One thing about the article to point out, Cairo has no relation with Samurize. It's being developed with C# and WPF.
Also, you are using a very old design, which is not what Cairo is being coded off from currently. The image that should be shown is here:
WWW Link
Our Features page is coming soon.
One thing about the article to point out, Cairo has no relation with Samurize. It's being developed with C# and WPF.
Also, you are using a very old design, which is not what Cairo is being coded off from currently. The image that should be shown is here:
WWW Link
Our Features page is coming soon.
Mykinius
Reply #19 Saturday, March 1, 2008 3:13 PM
Reply #19 Saturday, March 1, 2008 3:13 PM
I actually like the taskbar on the top picture, without the logo. But that's ok, because the rest is so cool!
DrJBHL
Reply #20 Saturday, March 1, 2008 3:46 PM
PurrBall...Where's that link? Something didn't come through.
Reply #20 Saturday, March 1, 2008 3:46 PM
Also, you are using a very old design, which is not what Cairo is being coded off from currently. The image that should be shown is here:
WWW Link
Our Features page is coming soon.
WWW Link
Our Features page is coming soon.
PurrBall...Where's that link? Something didn't come through.
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Reply #1 Friday, February 29, 2008 11:10 AM
I'm all for having options for my shell . . but I guess I want better options . . not just a clone option.
Is it faster?
Is it easier?
Does it have more features?
Is it skinnable?
The "Feature" page is pretty light on details.
The history is interesting:
Cairo was originally created by Michael Ciarlo as a simple Samurize project containing a floating taskbar and hovering ’start’ menu. After a few weeks of work Michael abandoned the project; it had no future as a Samurize shell replacement and was limited by the program's abilities.
A few weeks after development ended on the Samurize shell, Joseph LaFountain contacted Michael and offered to help develop the project in a different format: Desktop X. Accepting the offer, the two began working on concepts for the new Cairo shell. Once the project shifted away from the original floating taskbar and start menu concepts, both developers knew that Desktop X would not be an appropriate development platform. Days later, concept work began for a shell written in C#. Cairo was on its way to revolutionizing the Windows desktop.
Also very cool that our own PurrBall is a dev over there (according to the forums).