Here is my windows machine... I got the skin to work by using a patched uxtheme.dll file...I prefer that because I dont have any 3rd party programs running, so its faster and doesnt hog up resources. Heres my linux machine.. Ive also tweaked my machine quite a bit, but not half as much as what cougar did
I like KDE as a GUI for Linux, very clean and nice. I don't know how you changed the theme of your Windows machine though, i have never heard of someone using uxtheme.dll to do it.
Mine ... rather bland .. I reduced the resolution quite a bit (from 1440x900 (native res) to 1120x700) to make it easier for everyone to view.
My screen is small 800X600. I don't have money to buy a new one. and If I change the resolution mode it looks wierd. I don't really care about the size of my screen though, as long as my pc is fast then I am fine.