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# Open source getting a unified desktop
- URL: https://www.chrismessina.me/blog/open-source-getting-a-unified-desktop/
- Published: 2005-10-11T10:02:23.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-25T03:41:42.000Z
- Author: Chris Messina
- Tags: Uncategorized

[](http://www.tango-project.org/?ref=chrismessina.me)

[Steven Garrity](http://www.actsofvolition.com/authors/steven?ref=chrismessina.me), my good friend and creative director of [silverorange](http://www.silverorange.com/?ref=chrismessina.me), [has announced](http://www.actsofvolition.com/archives/2005/october/announcingthe?ref=chrismessina.me) the creation of the Tango Project, an effort that aims to [provide](http://tango-project.org/Tango%5FDesktop%5FProject?ref=chrismessina.me):

> A specified default native look.A subsystem to help standardize toolkits on a common look and feel.A complete, standard [set of application, mimetype, and stock icons](http://tango-project.org//Tango%5FIcon%5FLibrary?ref=chrismessina.me) to build upon a [style guide](http://tango-project.org//Tango%5FIcon%5FTheme%5FGuidelines?ref=chrismessina.me).Cross-desktop humane interface guidelines.

Looks to be an excellent project. Can't wait to see what comes out of it.

Technorati Tags: [tangoproject](http://technorati.com/tag/tangoproject?ref=chrismessina.me), [opensource](http://technorati.com/tag/opensource?ref=chrismessina.me), [steven garrity](http://technorati.com/tag/steven%20garrity?ref=chrismessina.me), [silverorange](http://technorati.com/tag/silverorange?ref=chrismessina.me)

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### 💬 Comments from the original post

**[Bèr](http://bler.webschuur.com/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2005-10-12 00:23:24

how is this different from the long-time existing [freedesktop.org](http://freedesktop.org/wiki/?ref=chrismessina.me) project? They have achieved a lot of milestones already. What makes this effort different from freedesktop?

**[FactoryJoe](http://www.factorycity.net/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2005-10-12 09:06:33

Well, judging from my first impression on both sites, the Tango Project definitely has much more visual appeal -- and has a bunch of great folks involved. I seem to remember them mentioning the FreeDesktop project as a source of inspiration, so maybe it's a second generation branch of the project... Not sure exactly, but it looks promising!