Phoronix has posted screenshots from Big Linux 2.1, which offer out-of-the-box 3D Desktop capabilities in both GNOME and KDE.
Ever since Microsoft had released information regarding Avalon with its 3D support, the graphics subsystem that is going to be used by the Longhorn, more enthusiasts have been after 3D desktops. Project Looking Glass (LG3D), a 3D windowing and visualization project devised by the developers at Sun Microsystems and community supporters, was what had caught our attention (due to the Linux support) regarding the future of computer desktops. As stated by the LG3D project page, its intention is to break the boundaries of the "2D-ness" for current generation desktop environments and the way desktops evolve. On May 13, 2005, Big Linux, a relatively un-heard of Portuguese based Linux distribution, released its new version, 2.1. This is the FIRST Linux distribution to offer out-of-the-box 3D Desktop capabilities in both GNOME and KDE. At Phoronix, we have pictures to display our findings, keep in mind, we found this release to be INCREDIBLY slow and extremely buggy (even limiting the potential of these screenshots).Check it out