I think Ultimte Edition should start from where every other OS and distribution has ever started. Most distros today focus on a particular type of users and no one as far as I know was ever able to make the compromise between the different types of users. Linux Mint focuses on providing a classical desktop mostly for serious work, Ubuntu tried to mix both but failed and lost some of its user base. I think Ultimate edition can start from there and make the "ultimate OS".
1- It should be based on Cinnamon and only Cinnamon; avoid mixing up desktops with all effects preenabled
2- add a touchscreeen layer to Cinnamon. I have basic concepts about integrating both interfaces: desktop + touchscreen GUI:
a- One hot corner to toggle the touchscreen on/ off (when you finish serious work you don't need to switch devices just toggle on your touchscreen GUI )
b-- use something like the classical gnome-shell overview extension which, when prompted, autohides the bottom panel
.
c- Even the desktop can be toggled on/off from a tthe "Mintouch" settings box
the output is something like this: (I made these mockup at github too)
Thus Cinnamon would integrate the following: 1- media center
2- conventional desktop
3- touchscreen
the second alternative is to enhance cinnamon with touchscreen while maintaining the same interface! how is that? I've seen a conventional Russian desktop on a documentary that runs a touchscreen-enhanced conventional desktop! You can close windows, move them and launching apps with your fingers while using a classical DE
3- Cinnamon must have a welcome screen like on Windows 7: Cinnamon takes long time to load after we log in and sometimes we start to worry. Adding a welcome screen that loads after MDM would be nice and assuring
3- add more extensions to Cinnamon :like fire effect and desktop cube because other effects are already there http://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/extensions
4- A chameleon plymouth bootsplash theme:
a- At startup loads the following colours ( or even more colours if possible):
b- At shutdown it loads only one background colour as follows: