[ Debian 7 Wheezy] Help Changing and Understanding Themes
 

So I'm still newer to linux been practicing basic navigation and such, doing some ebook reading and what-not. I'm growing tired of the look and want to change my theme around to my liking. When I do I constantly get errors or run into issues.

For instance, I went to download and install this:
http://customize.org/gtk/themes/79162

Now when I opened the gnome tweak tool and selected the package it said invalid,
when I extracted the files and placed them in /usr/shared/themes It didn't even show up.

Trying to understand what I'm doing wrong and get a more in depth understanding at the same time.

Would anyone happen to have some extra knowledge to drop on the subject to help a fellow out?

As always,

Love and respect.

-ADHDlinux

There is no /usr/shared/themes
It should be /usr/share/themes

Yea sorry, just noticed it. After you mentioned that I did a double-take.

You get the idea though. I forgot to clearly illustrate in my body of text that it is debian 7 wheezy. I know it's in the title but i figured it should'v belonged in the text-body as well.

The easiest way to install packages on most distributions is to install them from the distribution's repository. That is especially true with Debian. If you download packages from outside the repository, it will usually involve installing from source. Debian's repository has quite a few Gnome themes.

May I be so bold as to ask if you'de mind going more into detail?
I was curious on this topic because if I run into something and want to do it, I don't want to have to settle for what's easiest.
If I hit a blockade with anything in life including linux I analyze it, and fix it. Not simply re-route because there was a clear path, I make way.

Any further incite into the topic is much appreciated.

This doesn't even remotely help, it hardly touches on a most simplistic style of: "Type these commands" and "Connect to this random persons dropbox to download "______" theme that your not interested in to begin with."

Looking for actual help and in depth details, Such as:

"The link to the theme you provided in your initial thread does not work because ______" (whether I lack certain components, wrong version, incompatible because of whatever reasoning.)

and a follow up would be nice regarding: "If you want to change your theme try this methodology
or a more compatible theme that uses _____ or is based on _____"

More of a breakdown.

appreciate your suggestion though.

WTF is there to "touch" on?
Get the theme.
Put it in ~/.themes
Select it in whatever GUI themechanger you use.
Marvel at your leetness...

Really now? your arrogance astounds me.
Let me get a kde theme for cinimon and install it on my debian wheezy distro, oh, no?
Why's that? cause there's simply shit that will and will not work with this or that. The question at hand is why?

If you took more then two seconds to comprehend what i was asking rather than skimming and raging mindlessly maybe you'd appear to have more competence than a stoned hipster art major.

Just saying there chief.

Just taking a very quick look at the compressed files the theme you have chosen to use is GTK2, the current Gnome uses GTK3.

Finally a helpful answer! Thank you kindly good sir.

For installing packages, in most cases easiest is best. To be honest, I do not install anything from source. With systems like Debian that have huge package repositories, there is no need for most people to install anything from third parties.

The reason to only install from source if it is necessary, is that the packages in the repository are modified to be compatible with the system, and install easily and smoothly (integrate) into the system. The good thing about a package manager like APT is that it makes installing packages extremely easy. The bad part is that it makes installing from outside the distribution's repository a pain in the ass.

A friendly word of advice:
You will not make many friends with that attitude. Everyone on fora like this one are volunteers. So if you are rude, intentionally or unintentionally, people will ignore you. You want to learn, which is a good thing. Just remember that everyone will help as well as they can, but some people have more to offer than others. Good will is required by both the person asking a question and the person answering.
:)

Completely understandable, however don't think (whether abbreviated or not) an individual replying with "What the fuck is there to touch on?" and recommend I "Marvel" at my "Leetness" for installing a theme is not condescending in the slightest?

I'm not saying that two wrongs make a right, but respect is given until someone does something to lose it.

I would suggest, for Gnome, you look here for themes if you are not happy with the ones provided by the Debian repositories. On the left side of the page you will see a list that links to appropriate themes for the different GTKs. In current Gnome make sure you choose the gtk3 group. Also be very aware that GTK3 changes with each release, what works in GTK3.10 may not work in GTK3.12 and vice-versa.