I find that what's especially challenging about Second Life is it isn't a "game" either; it's a hybrid environment that has a lot of elements commonly found in most OSes, and some rather elaborate ones at that, too (e.g., the Inventory window is a somewhat well-featured "file manager").
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I will admit to liking editing text with amber-on-black (I use EditPad Pro).

I haven't tried merely inversing the current Dazzle to see what that looks like, but that possibility struck me as worth trying.

Down the road, we do want themability — Dazzle is one step to get there. So right now, I'm thinking, "I agree with what you're saying… it just won't happen *yet*."

On the topic of not being intrusive, Benjamin Linden earlier created some great mockups showing SL with a more minimalist interface that didn't use so much screen "real estate". That's hopefully down the line too, but hasn't been hard-committed to.

I'll be sure your, and all the other great Dazzle feedback I've gotten will be shared with our Resident Experience Team.

Again, thanks for taking the time to share this!

@Erbo: I think some "vertex vomit" problems (on ATI cards at least) are being worked on.

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/2976/desktopscreencap2007111et5.jpg

- Infrared Wind

You ask what GUI's I like as compared to Windows XP Silver and Mac OS X.

First of all, I think there is an aesthetic difference between what is a good operation system UI and a good game UI. OS UIs are mostly for environments where work (ie reading/writing text) is the task at hand. Since most text on the screen is black on white, it makes perfect sense for the UI to follow that convention. Games are usually environments where the background is not bright (white).

UIs I like are ones that are themeable. WinAmp is a perfect example. The theme I use is MonoDark. And all the Unix terminals I use are set (by me) to employ dark (black) backgrounds and light text. And there's Ubuntu and other Linux Xwindow distros that offer many choices of interface color sets
which I also like. A lot.

Does anyone really wonder why Unix programmers who stare at screens endlessly rarely use white screens with dark text? Isn't it almost always the opposite they prefer?

Your screen cap is not as representative of the new Dazzle as it could be; the History window is using a dark background and the Inventory is not in focus. But look the Map. It has lost it's boundaries…it's no longer a window. And the top title bar is basically a florescent light in your face when the windows are all closed, as is the taskbar below. Turn on Midnight and have a look. What stands out?

A dark title and task bar are less obtrusive during the night or day SL scenes. Second Life stands out instead of the navigation.

I think if one were to take a poll between light on dark or dark on light, there would be an uneven split. Thus…I suggest at least having a choice of a light Dazzle and a dark Dazzle. We've seen at least one person here who was able to whip up an alternative color scheme based on Dazzle in short order. So it is doable. And I suppose if the choice of light/dark isn't offered, I'll dive in and see what I can do…though I'd prefer not.

I view my SL window (the screen) to be a portrait of my SL world; and in my design experience nearly all photos look better on a dark background (ie photo albums). I feel the UI should be subtle in Second Life. But ideally it should be themeable. Themeability would also help to create more buzz. There's a whole world out there of people who like theming; even if they don't use the software they're themeing for. Imagine a Second Life UI theme area on the site.

That's just an idea seed. I realize that Dazzle is likely not being designed with that in functionality in mind. But people would love it, consider the Windlight themes and how awesome that is.

Anyhow…that's all I have to say for now. I genuinely appreciate your
open attitude to my comments. I hope they get fed back to folks working
on Dazzle. I know they are putting they're hearts and minds into it.

Cheers, and again…thank you Torley…you've inspired and continue to
inspire with your enthusiasm and fun attitude for all things Second Life!

A Dark Dazzle SL UI is just the thing!

- Infrared Wind