Sorry no one gives a shit about these. The majority of users hate visual effects. Those that add useless delay into the task they are doing, tasks that in some cases are already repetitive & tedios without the delay. Same for modern web design, just egoistical style over functions.
Windows won because of software written on it, OSX because of exceptional hardware that comes with the OS. Things like compliz are for nerds and inconsequential on the grand scheme of things
Linux is still far superior when it comes to window managers.
If you like the Windows 95 approach both Microsoft and Apple are using you have KDE/Plasma, mature, stable and full of helpful gimmicks.
If you like the out of your way approach and still have all the luxury of a modern desktop (a bit like windows 8 wanted to be) there is Gnome Shell.
If you don't want to waste resources just try something like openbox and if you hate desktops all together try something tiled like awesomeWM
If desktops would be any argument for the average users nobody would be using windows today.
And... it went nowhere. A shot at a truly amazing desktop that would put it even above OSX.
Squandered.
The desktop market is STILL, ten years after windows 8, STILL ripe for the taking.