My increased needs prompted me to dig and find the best Webmin theme that can enhance productivity and add some convenience. Webmin is one of my favorite software for WebUI based server administration, with or without a desktop environment. It makes Ubuntu and other Linux server administration tasks (eg. setting up scheduled cron jobs) a breeze. Previously, I have shown how to install Webmin on Ubuntu Server and secure it. I also showed you how to extend Webmin's features by installing Webmin modules. I like Webmin so much that I added it my famous AtoMiC ToolKit, which makes installing and managing home server apps easier. But enough of Webmin praise. Now let me describe how to take your server WebUI to a whole new level with some of these best Webmin themes.
I do several of my admin tasks on WebUI, one of them being file editing. The default Webmin theme is great and lightweight. The recently upgraded file manager is awesome, yet navigation is not the best and reaching modules and folder locations of my interest were not the easiest of tasks. I found myself wasting a lot of time and clicking too many times to do these. [Read:How to install Shellinabox on ubuntu?]
This led me to do some research and find a good Webmin theme that can enhance my webmin experience. In this post, I am sharing what I found to help others out.
1. Authentic Theme
Update: Authentic theme is the new default Webmin theme since version 1.740.
First of all, let me blow the surprise and tell you upfront that Authentic is my favorite Webmin theme. Authentic is being very actively developed on GitHub (if you like it please consider donating to the project). It is a Webmin/Usermin/Virtualmin/Cloudmin theme based on Bootstrap and Font Awesome. Its development objective is to make the theme fully support Webmin and Usermin modules, be beautiful, fast, light and easy to use, and be compatible with all platforms and devices.
Authentic Theme Features:
Configurable theme options using Webmin UI
Favorites feature for any content page
Unprecedentedly convenient and complete navigation menu for both desktop and mobile
Notification slider for quick access to pushed system messages
Autocomplete for quick and effective navigation with ability to execute shell commands *
Hotkeys for quick access control
Dynamically updated page title based on current module
Security mail notifications
Code highlight when editing files manually
Extensive list of customizable theme options, with ability to embed user logos, styles and scripts
Extended support for File Manager and ConfigServer Security & Firewall modules
Listed below are some screenshots to show how awesome this Webmin skin is. Webmin Authentic Theme is responsive, meaning it adapts and displays well on devices of all form factors. As shown below, it displays well on both desktops and mobiles, although Authentic Filemin Theme is still not very responsive. But compared to the default it is significantly better. [Read:5 Easy steps to Increase Shellinabox Security]
Authentic Theme For Webmin - Desktop And Mobile
The layout of the left sidebar menu and icons are well thought out and in my opinion very modern looking. Most modern Linux servers should be able to run Authentic theme without any issues.
Webmin Authentic Theme Webmin Configuration
Two biggest features of File manager that sold me on this skin were 1) right-click context menu and 2) tabbed file browsing.
Webmin Authentic Theme File Manager
The file editor pops out and supports several shortcut keys that make coding very easy.
Webmin Authentic Theme File Editor
All supported shortcut keys can be viewed by clicking the "?" icon on the right-top corner of the editor. The favorites feature also makes reaching various sections of Webmin or folders a cakewalk. Hopefully, this summary shows why I think Authentic is one of the top Webmin themes.
2. Bootstrap Webmin Theme
Bootstrap, is another great Webmin theme that is being actively developed. This is my very close second choice and I was torn between this and the Authentic Theme. Like Authentic, the Bootstrap theme is also beautifully designed, responsive, and open-source (GitHub). Once again, if you end up liking this theme, please donate to help its development. This theme is also developed with Bootstrap and Font Awesome frameworks.
Bootstrap Webmin theme is also responsive and adapts to desktop screen or mobile screen.
Bootstrap Theme For Webmin - Desktop And Mobile
Custom icons and design make the theme very stylish and professional. I prefer the Authentic theme's look but some of you may like Boostrap better.
Webmin Bootstrap Theme Webmin Configuration
Boostrap theme's file manager looks different than the default file manager but is not significantly different in terms of functions and features. For example, tabbed browsing is not supported (at least at this point).
Webmin Bootstrap Theme File Manager
The file editor is the same as the default theme's file editor although the styling is a bit different. Unlike the Authentic theme, the Bootstrap theme lacked shortcut keys and other features that make coding easier.
Webmin Bootstrap Theme File Editor
The Bootstrap theme also lacked the favorites feature that greatly simplified navigation in Authentic theme. It is due to the lack of this feature and some of the file manager/editor features that in the end I settled with the Authentic Theme.
3. Gray Framed Webmin Theme
My third favorite webmin theme is the Gray Framed Theme, which is the default Webmin theme. The gap between the first two themes and the default theme is huge in terms of features and appearance. But the default theme is very lightweight and is not bad looking by any means.
The Gray Framed theme is not responsive and so using Webmin on mobile devices is not very user friendly.
Webmin Default Theme - Desktop
The styling of Gray Framed webmin theme is light and easy on the eyes. However, it is still not as modern as the Authentic or the Bootstrap theme. For lower powered hardware, the default webmin theme is one of the best Webmin themes. However, most server hardware these days, including my low-power energy efficient home server or a $5 Digital Ocean VPS droplet, should be able handle the Authentic or the Bootstrap themes easily.
Webmin Default Theme Webmin Configuration
The new default Webmin filemin theme is significantly better than the Java based file manager that Webmin used to use until recently. Java file manager made me use alternative web-based file manager such as Pydio and eXtplorer. With the new file manager, I have stopped using anything else for managing files.
Webmin Default Theme - File Manager
Finally, the new default file editor is also a significant upgrade from the Java file editor that Webmin used to use until few months back. Not only was Java incompatible with some browsers, it was causing security issues and was slow as hell. The new file editor is great for coding and offers syntax highlighting. However, it still lacks convenience features (eg. shortcuts) compared to Authentic theme.
Webmin Default Theme File Editor
The Gray Framed (default) theme should already be installed. Authentic and Boostrap themes are available for installation easily through Webmin configuration page. All three themes should work flawlessly on almost any current Linux server hardware. For me, at this point the editing shortcuts, favorites feature, and tabbed browsing feature of the Authentic theme sold me on it. In conclusion, I think Authentic theme is one of the best Webmin themes currently available.
Anand is a self-learned computer enthusiast, hopeless tinkerer (if it ain't broke, fix it), a part-time blogger, and a Scientist during the day. He has been blogging since 2010 on Linux, Ubuntu, Home/Media/File Servers, Smart Home Automation, and related HOW-TOs.
