Looking for Linux desktop environment

Hi,
I recently decided to try out a Unix-like operating system, and i'm currently looking for a good desktop environment.

I'm running in VMware, so it needs to work on that. I'd also prefer one that is available in Debian, since that's what i have. But since i'm still just testing the water, i can change if necessary.

Some features I'd like (most to least wanted):
• Easy to customize theme, e.g. css, svg, etc. something that's easy to edit
• Search box to run apps, like in Windows 7 start menu
• Able to customize things like the placement of the task bar, and pin items to it
• Open terminal at current location from file manager (either as context menu or togglable side panel)
• Modern and actively maintained
• Open archives in the file manager, like Windows does with zip files

DEs i've tries so far:
• Default Gnome on Debian 7.1
• Xfce
• KDE
• Cinnamon

Of the above, i liked Cinnamon the most, but it doesn't work in VMware - it can only do software rendering, which had horrible glitches/artefacts.

I hear that MATE is very similar to Cinnamon, but built on Gnome 2 instead of 3. I'm wondering if that could be a problem. I don't know what kind of new features are in Gnome 3.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Your criteria encompass a mix of both "form" and "function". Fortunately, "form" can almost always be changed and "function" can almost always be added!

Considering your criteria of "modern and actively maintained", I think you've tried all but LXDE and Enlightenment. IMO, XFCE, LXDE, Cinnamon, & Mate probably fit the majority of your criteria.

However, Mate is indeed based on gtk2 toolkits and paradigm and is more of a "legacy" desktop for specific users and OS, IMO. Mate and Cinnamon strongly resemble each other. Cinnamon is quite popular, and I'm guessing is most similar and familiar to someone who uses Windows.

XFCE, LXDE and Enlightenment all fit your criteria, for the most part. But Enlightenment is like nothing you've ever seen or used before, with a minimalistic dock in default configuration. But it is HIGHLY customizable with docks, shelves, gadgets, etc...

I don't have much experience with XFCE, but it seems to fit most of your criteria, as does LXDE. Anything lacking can be remedied with an add-on, plug-in, or additional program. For instance, a search box to run apps can be mimiced with QuickLaunch in LXDE, or perhaps GnomeDo. Open terminal from file manager is an add-on script for Nautilus file manger (Gnome systems); XFCE uses Thunar by default, while LXDE uses PCmanFM. If Thunar and/or PCmanFM don't have terminal script add-ons, you can always install Nautilus and substitute Nautilus as a file manager. Same story with archives in file manager. Look for an add-on, if it doesn't exist for Thunar or PCmanFM, it certainly does for Nautilus.

In a nutshell, you may not be able to get everything you're looking for "out of the box" in a default configuration. But you can try different environments and customize it from there. Not suggesting this is the answer for you, but perhaps LXDE suits most of your criteria regarding appearance and customization; however, you find PCmanFM lacking in the features you require, so you install Nautilus file manager, along with "open terminal here" script. You can mix and match, it's okay! And THIS is what makes Linux so amazing and awesome! Good luck!

 

That's what i was hoping for

I played around with Xfce a bit more today, and it seems to suit me ok.
If i can get the functionality i want through plug-ins, as you say, then i'm sure i'll be able to eventually customise the environment to my liking.

I will also have a look at LXDE and Enlightenment, and maybe try them out.

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

Linux Mint and Ubuntu are good starter systems for the beginner.