I am a student that is two years out from a senior project. I do, however, have a project in mind. I have had an idea for a new Linux based operating systemfor two years. The purpose of this is to introduce new computer users to PCs and Linux. I want to create an infant version of a Linux OS. I have discussed this idea with multiple professors and individuals. They all agree I should pursue it. I am going to make this operating system completely free and all the applications for the OS free. I'm not sure how much information to give here without giving the idea away completely. I am going to need some serious input, however, from trustworthy individuals. I have a lofty dream of shattering a particular OS's hold on the home market. How much information for questions should I submit without the idea being stolen? I am new to Linux and need some basic input from people. The first question is how to make a 3d menu on the desktop?

Motto: Don't tell me I can't because I will.

Well you can, because it probably has been done before I would not worry about somebody stealing your idea, since you will be giving it away for free anyways! Asides from the lame humour, I think you can only benefit from the feedback from other users when you give us more input on your idea.

Trust. The OS is called Prisms. Picture a 3d triangle with 4 sides. Each side is a menu. For instance, one side is called office. When you click on it or hit enter while it is face up, the triangle blooms into a new form of OpenOffice.org. The idea is to be Tab-Browser based. While OpenOffice is already tabbed in its separate parts, I am going to program a browser in which you can have the writer and calc or other parts of Ooo open in separate tabs at the same time. The desktop consists of the lone triangle. One side will be Office, the second side will be internet and security and will offer programs like Avast! and Zone Alarm. The thrid side will be Self, which will be a programmable menu in which you can set the number of sides it blooms to and what the sides link to. The last side will be the Base side. It is basically a tabbed-browser version of (pardon the term) My Computer. Ever tabbed-browser will contain a link to sides of the original triangle. Its hard to describe in detail without drawing the diagram out. though I could do that. The triangle will be standalone and have no desktop as the triangle itself becomes the desktop. So it is a triangle hovering in space. The triangle can be rotated with the keys or the mouse. This will eliminate some of the needs of the mouse as you can navigate with the keyboard easier. This is the basic premise. Any thoughts?

sounds cool! Would be a major tripout

Atleast it sounds cool although that has pretty little to do with the OS itself That's just the GUI. How to detect hardware and things like that? Boot process? I'd think you should focus on the 'heart' of the system before thinking too much about the GUI-side of it.

Anyway, good luck with your project.

I'm picturing a pyramid, correct? I'm going to assume so for now.What fills the space? I am envisioning a pyramid that is smaller than the available viewing area of my square (or rectangular) monitor. Is the area surrounding the pyramid out to the edge of the monitor just a black void? Can I change the color, can I use a picture instead? How is this different from the pseudo-cube provided by XGL and it's cousins other than the shape?

It sounds like your new OS is going to stand out because of its unique desktop environment. That is, it sounds like a Linux distro rather than an entirely new operating system. That said, does it have to be a pyramid? In my minds eye, a floating pyramid seems odd. How about an icosahedron? Bind each of the 20 desktops to one of the triangle shaped sides of the icosahedron. The icosahedron is more spherical. A sphere seems more palatable floating in the void. Especially if the background is black. Imagine if the Emperor and Darth Vader had built the Death Pyramid!

I think the artistic concept sounds cool and it could enhance the user experience. Let me know when you're ready for me to test it. Just my two cents.

BTW, Silicon Graphics has (had) a product called Prism. Might want to think about a new name.

Isn't this xgl/compiz/beryl but using a pyramid instead of a cube/hexagon? I think the pyramid shape would be visually stunning - for a little while. But the loss of useable space at the extreme top and bottom of the pyramid sides would hurt the end-user experience, not help it. If the pyramid had 4 "vertical" axis (5 total sides), then only the base of the pyramid would be viewable as a square. If it had only 3 vertical axis, then no side would be square. Also, a 4 sided pyramid would limit end-user customization of the interface (what if I want more than 4 desktops?) If more could be added, would only fixed and pre-defined numbers be permitted? What would they be? 4, 5, 6, 10? {Hey, 10 would be cool - two four sided pyramids placed base-to-base with both bases viewable}

Also take a look at Suns Looking glass project..
It was started back in 2000 or so.. 3D desktop, etc..
In looking glass you can pan 360 degrees around your desktop.. kinda like standing in one place and spinning in a circle your view changes based on the direction you are looking.

http://www.sun.com/software/looking_glass/

Okay, hopefully this will clear the concept up a little more.
1. The primary 3d triangle has only four sides. Not a pyramid but a perfect 3d triangle. (If the hover triangle is wierd, don't look on the back of the one dollar bill; even though that is a pyramid) It has a triangle as a base then three triangles completing the walls.
2. The faces of the 3d triangle are not for viewing but are used as menus. For instant, one side would have Office labeled on it. If you hit enter, then it would open (bloom) to the program. There is a chance that if I can't modify Ooo like I want to, then the main menu will bloom into another 4 sided triangle. One side labeled Writer, one side labeled Calc...etc.
3. The 3d triangle will be the basic for of this software as it will be intended for those who are unfamiliar or have had little use with a computer. It will be very basic. Excuse me for calling it an OS as it is merely a new GUI.
4. I want the menu to rotate instead of the user.
5. It might hover in black space, or I want to write it so you can create your own horizons for the object to hover over.
6. Yes, there will be the beginner and advanced settings when installing. The difference is that with advanced you will be able to program the shape and menu options. If you want spheres, you can get a sphere. And with the horizon option, you could even have the death star in space with 3d ships picture with it. Kinda cool I think.
7. The heart will be Linux.
8. The support will combine, hopefully, the community of Linux.
9. The ultimate goal for the next 5 to 10 years: a holographic desktop. A 3d triangle that hovers without a screen. You will be able to turn the menu and select it by touching the area of the hologram. (but ignore this for now)
10. Granted that these concepts are out there, but as the Good book says: There is nothing new under the sun.
11. It is a concept. If there are others like it, then it should be easier since the technology is there.
12. I am new so keep me updated if others have done this.

I once wrote a song and heard it played by someone else the very next week...3 verses the same out of four. I still play it for my children. If the only thing to come of my senior project is to say I did it, great.

13. The ultimate goal is to keep it simplistic and fun. Regardless of how many sides the coin has, it is still one object. I will leave the future modifications up to others...as with all Linux systems. This will be the first release, I hope, of many.

14. The name "PRISMS". The GUI - "Horizons"