The Engine Core Desktop

[EmptyNest]

by Alan Henry
Flickr user PrattLegacy wanted something original and fun for his desktop and application launcher, and this circular layout, complete with a small launcher on the side and tons of useful information in the center, is the result. 
Want the same look for your Windows desktop? It’s not that difficult to make:

• The wallpaper from Imgur
• The Rainmeter system monitoring and customization tool for Windows
• The Tech-A skin for Rainmeter (and, if you need it, this tutorial on how to install it) for the circle in the center and its system tools—which actually rotates!
• The Radiance theme for Windows 7 to replace the taskbar and window glass
• The RocketDock application launcher on the right side of the desktop
• The Token icon set for RocketDock

This one involves a little Rainmeter hackery to get started. If you’re not sure how to go about it, you can always check the tutorial in the video above, or visit PrattLegacy’s DeviantArt page, where he’s hosting a setup script that will walk you through the process. While you’re there, or if you’re over at his Flickr page, make sure to let him know how great his desktop looks while you ask your questions!
Do you have a beautiful, creative, and functional desktop to share with the world? Maybe you can recreate this one on the Mac using GeekTool, or in Linux using Docky and some well-placed shell scripts? Submit it to the Lifehacker Desktop Show and Tell Flickr Group so we can see it! Please include a description of how you made it - without that, we can’t tell others how to make it for themselves. Do these things, and it may just be the next featured desktop!
Vortex | Flickr