Hello nixers,
Have you ever felt like desktop computing, or computing in general, especially interfaces be it UI or UX, has taken a turn into convergent thinking?
Have you ever felt like you got bored of the same type of screens all the time, that there was no souls or fun in it anymore?

Well, you're not alone because many of us feel the same way. Many of us are looking back with a nostalgic eye at previous era and the hype and excitement of possibilities that were in it.

From the time were computers barely started having enough resources to run a program. To the time when computing was highly influenced by the gaming world. To an era of digital skeuomorphism and graphical computing possibilities. To the time of the dot-com bubble and the possibilities that the web and interactions could provide.

It's not rare to not feel "positive" about your desktop experience, to want to spice it up. It's no coincidence many people in this community feel like they have to customize their environment to their personal needs so that they can have a connection with it.

Recently on IRC, we've had a go at revisiting software like compiz fusion, and old-school X programs like Xmountains, Xantfarm, Xroach, Xneko, among others. Nostalgia aside, these software are interesting, half between gaming and half between useless-but-human alternatives. They add this touch that is often missing.
This type of thinking is also often found in the demo-scene, inspiring itself from the limitations of the hardware in a frenzy of wonderful demos that shout "hey it's possible". Fun, games, and toys might be frowned upon but this is where creativity is found!

I don't have a real aim with this thread other than throwing philosophical ideas out, but if you've ever felt like these days you are stuck in a box created by layers of "good practices" bump this thread with your opinion. Share your ideas on this topic, let's brainstorm. Share what you think are the reasons why these sort of things happened and why they don't happen anymore. Do you feel like computing is fun and games today?

And here's a bunch of interesting links I've gathered that are somewhat related:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AItTqnTsVjA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5teG6ou8mWU
https://medium.com/@donhopkins/pie-menus-936fed383ff1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neko_(software)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3ooSiw83a8
https://www.accursedfarms.com/uploads/mo...3c9e9e.png
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/16/1...t-once-was
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...re/478167/