crazy idea # 1:

Ray-traced desktop environment:

Would look similar to todays environments, but ray traced.  This would include total control of camera and light source placement, intensity, and direction.  Could do on the fly camera movements to simulate multiple work spaces.  Could possibly create a system for caching the dynamic look into a static image to cut down on performance issues with real time ray tracing.  Benifits include: improved eye candy, scalability.

Problems: computer performance, would most likely have to create own ray tracing system.

Timeline: 1-3 years depending on language, OS, and customizations

crazy idea # 2:

Session based OS:

This would be complicated.  Create or modify a micro kernel that would natively support sessions.  This means each time a user logs in a new "user session" is made using a newly opened set of modules independent of other user's modules.  When a user wants to perform a task, a new "desktop session" is created.  In this "desktop session", the user can go backwards and forwards, program independent.  

Ex: user wants to edit website, user creats new "desktop session", navigates to the website folder, opens a php file for editing.  Once user finishes editing, they go backwards in the session to go back to the folder.  User then decides edit was incorrect so they go forwards in the session to edit the document again.

Problem: Resources intensive.  Would require keeping many programs in RAM, depending on session size.  Extremely complex.  Whats the point if no programs will run on this new OS?  Would have to either create new programs to do everything, or make sure porting is easy.

Timeline: 3-5 years depending on kernel implementations and language support

*disclamer: most likely these will never happen.  I just like to think outside the box cause eventually i'll find something worth while.

(not as) crazy idea # 3:

GUI to sync files and folders:

I use multiple computers and multiple OS's.  Sure, there are programs out there that will do this for me, but i dont need one with all the bells and whistles.  I just want a program to sync my documents folder and other folders (like saved games folders).  This program would let you input a couple folders, then the destination computer/ip.  It would utilize a network port on the computer to sync.  Would optionally require a username/password to work.

Timeline: 3-5 months depending on complexity of network sync and programming language

more crazy ideas to come.