Where do I start looking so I can customize my desktop environment?
This is also one of the main reasons why I switched to Trisquel from Windows 8 or why I switched to Free Software from non-free. I'd like to do something really cool with it, like the Jarvis desktop theme in Windows 7 or the rainmeter theme that also works with Windows 7.
Start with:
1) What Desktop I want ?
GNOME Classic, GNOME-Shell, KDE, Xfce, LXDE et.c etc.
2) Do I really want a Desktop ?
WindowMaker, Fvwm, ratpoison, stumpwm, Compiz, Blackbok, Fluxbox
3) Do I want virtual window Manager or Tiling or Stacking ?
Hmm, I'm thinking of getting KDE but worried that I'll probably get redundant packages and icons. It will probably mess up my DE. Got solutions?
Don't worry but try it out. If all goes horribly wrong, you can always reinstall! :)
Well, better safe the list of packages you get when installing kde (copy n paste to an editor).
Just removing the meta package won't do anything.
I'd like to make my DE look awesome as much as possible, of course without losing or even better, better performace than now.
If you are using any DE based on gnome you'll find everythig on gnome-look.org.
Thanks! Super helpful! Hmmm, kde-full is the package for the KDE desktop environment right? If so, will it be listed as one of the sessions beside gnome-classic at log in?
Yes, that'll give you a full KDE Plasma installation, including several apps (games, graphical programs, educational programs, etc). You could also just install kde-plasma-desktop directly (it's a part of kde-full) if you want a more minimal set of applications to start.
For extreme customization, I think KDE Plasma is the best choice, and secondarily LXDE if KDE is too heavy. Xfce is another choice to look at; I think it's marginally more configurable than LXDE, but much more advanced/involved.
If you're worried about redundancy (it's really not that big of a deal, it just looks a little weird for the most part), you can remove the packages you don't need, or you could do a net install if you're up for it (that has you select exactly which packages to install from the beginning, I believe).
If you like a mix of old-school with a modern touch, I'd suggest Afterstep:
It's still being maintained and it's cool, but it's only a window manager and perhaps no well suited for beginners but i think it's awesome.
PD: Afterstep is good-looking by the way.