Xfce Gets Mac & Unity Makeover

Xfce, a popular open-source desktop environment, can be given a Mac or Unity-style makeover using the Panel Profiles app and some manual tinkering. The process involves rearranging panels, adding separators, and adjusting plugin settings to achieve the desired look.

The Panel Profiles app supports a dozen alternative layouts, including macOS, Unity, MATE, and GNOME 2. However, some of these layouts require manual adjustments to work properly. For instance, the Unity layout's global menu is immediately followed by the status icons by default, which can be fixed by adding a separator after the appmenu and setting it to Transparent and Expand.

To customize Xfce panels, users can access the Panel Preferences dialog box, which has three tabs: Display, Appearance, and Items. The Items tab lists all the plugins the panel currently contains, with buttons to change their order. This allows users to rearrange the layout and add or remove plugins as needed.

For a more Mac-like look, users can hide the Whisker menu label and adjust the 'Cupertino' layout by unchecking the 'Expand' option for the AppMenu plugin. These tweaks can help users achieve a customized desktop layout that suits their preferences.

## Why it matters The ability to customize Xfce's desktop layout is important for users who want a personalized computing experience. With the Panel Profiles app and manual tweaks, users can choose from a variety of layouts and adjust the settings to suit their needs. This flexibility is a key advantage of open-source desktop environments like Xfce, which allow users to tailor their computing experience to their individual preferences.

## What happens next As users continue to customize their Xfce desktops, they may discover new layouts and plugins that enhance their computing experience. The Panel Profiles app and manual tweaks provide a powerful toolset for users to experiment with different layouts and settings, allowing them to create a unique and personalized desktop environment.