Yeah Robert uses be::shell he just made his own file manager that is sweet but he says it's got a lot of bugs in it. Don't forget :iconponymix-git: he has made some pretty sweet themes. I think he's been busy and hasn't been online in awhile.
Hey man if I can do it anyone can you know I'm a tech guy so not really any creativity but I try. I know yours will be awesome and just start of with one already made to your liking then get to modding!! hehe