Interesting discussion you have going here people.

Has anyone thought about maybe just trying to improve the existing guidelines for UI or suppliment them? Most developers like to have consistent stanadards to work too and for inexperienced users a consistent look and feel reduces confusion.

Please keep in mind that the UI is there to accomplish an job: interfacing the application and the user. The primary task of any interface should be the ability to perform tasks with the application in as easy a way as possible. Various elements come together to accomplish this task with consistent visual cues helping (hence themes). If this can be accomplished with aesthetic panache and flair thengreat, but not at the expense of ease of use.

Afurther thought is that of accessibility. Consistent use of UI and stock objects means that tools to enhance accessibility can be coded. In some countries there is even a legal right to this accessibility (UK being a case in point).

Chris, I understand your frustration when you feel you can contribute but maybe I can suggest another approach to go in parallel? How about mocking up some nice 'Fantasy Applications' interfaces? Show off your talent with example screens, even if the app doesn't exist or make sense. Then show people what you have. Maybe some of you could look at the existing guidelines and suggest some examples of bst practice that take the guidelines but show how they can be used for more aesthetic effect?