Linux guys, why do you use microsoft looks for your desk.

[andreimr]

Most of the linux users, started with Windows 95,98,98se, 2000, millenium, Xp, Vista etc.
Most of them complains about Windows xx, about how it crashes, how the OS get's viruses even if the computer it's turned off.

But when they get to linux: omg it looks spartan. And what they do first? They enter gnome-look.org and downloads the vista look, or xp gnome-menu etc. etc.

[jimi_hendrix]

part of the reason i use linux is it looks different (another is it is easy to code in)

[s.fox]

I also think its sometimes more than about looks. To me its about how it works and what it stands for.

[RiceMonster]

I've never done that. Clone themes are dumb, be it a Mac clone or a Windows clone.

[andreimr]

I agree with you guys. It's not always the looks, but let's face it, it has a very important procentage in the home users decision.


Gnome-look.org it's full of Windows Xp, Vist, 7 themes for linux. It's one of the highest rated and most downloaded.

[asdfhjkla]

Maybe they just like the way Windows looks?

I've never done it because the appearance of Windows or Mac doesn't appeal to me, but if someone else likes it then that's their choice. Who cares?

[CharmyBee]

I'll choose to theme my computer however I feel like it. Right now my GNOME looks like Windows 3.1 and XFCE looks like Win95. This is not for memory reasons either - 2GB of RAM. I even go as far as to stick Microsoft fonts on everything including Sans Serif.

[Therion]

Gnome-look.org it's full of Windows Xp, Vista, 7 themes for linux. It's one of the highest rated and most downloaded.
No accounting for taste, eh?

But then too I'm one of "those people" that actually LIKES the default Human (Clearlooks) theme of Ubuntu, so...

[craigeo]

Most of them complains about Windows xx, about how it crashes, how the OS get's viruses even if the computer it's turned off.


You answered your question right there... people complain about the functionality of Windows not the looks of it. Either Microsoft did a real good job of designing the look so it appeals to a lot of people or people are just used to that look and have gotten used to it. They can still like the look, but want a better functioning OS.

[billgoldberg]

Most of the linux users, started with Windows 95,98,98se, 2000, millenium, Xp, Vista etc.
Most of them complains about Windows xx, about how it crashes, how the OS get's viruses even if the computer it's turned off.

But when they get to linux: omg it looks spartan. And what they do first? They enter gnome-look.org and downloads the vista look, or xp gnome-menu etc. etc.

Nice generalization.

Check out the screenshot sticky thread, you can count the Windows clones on one hand.

[Sef]

Moved to recurring discussions.

[aysiu]

Unless the people who are complaining about Windows crashes are also complaining about Windows looks, there's no reason for you to be confused. If people like the look of Windows, it makes sense that they'd theme their Linux installations to be Windows-like.

The Windows-like themes don't make your Linux desktop crash more often.

[Gatemaze]

nothing wrong with me for windows look, except from no multiple desktops (how many time i have hit ctrl+alt+-> on windows). oh and no customisable toolbar. no possibility of having an additional bar. i also don't like the huge buttons. did i mention that it is not really customisable. yes and taskbar gets too busy. otherwise yes it's fine.

[Dragonbite]

I don't, I use minor variations of the default Gnome desktop.

One reason why is because I've noticed that with my wife, who is not very technical, seems to pick up the Gnome desktop faster than the KDE and I theorize some of it is because it looks different than Windows.

Therefore when she wants to open an application she goes somewhere different than where she does on Windows. Her expectations are to NOT look or act like Windows and so she doesn't access those memories part of the brain.

I think the Windows look is part of what I don't like about KDE though KDE looks glassy/shiny/slick. Also, KDE has a more polished look because it is more consistent across windows/applications.

[sxe4ever]

I personally don't customize my Ubuntu to look like Windows, but I see nothing wrong with people who do. Some people may like how Windows looks, and there is nothing wrong with stylistic tastes regardless of how strange or foreign they seem to us. Then again, I try and customize Windows (the rare times that I am using it) to look as far from Windows as possible ;)

[CharmyBee]

Am I really the only one that voted for 'Yes'?

[ZackM]

I use Linux because I like the stability, and the security I have. I don't mind the way Windows LOOKS but feel that the program itself leaves a little to the imagination. I don't use Windows themes, but I don't see a problem with people who do. They may like the way Windows looks, and like the way Linux runs. It's all about personal preference.

[sertse]

For the people saying "What are you talking about, I use nothing like it", consider the how you might not be the consensus.

I'm saying this even though I love the screen shot thread, I'm one of the more frequent contributors to it. The screen shot thread is more about showcasing new, inspiring and innovative ways of presenting the computer than actually representing of what most users are using. After all the main reason you'll post in that thread is to brag ;)

Gnome-look captures a broader audience, more of the "average user" audience than your own testimonials and other sources. It is a fact the most popular themes there are variations of Windows and OSX.

As for the topic; agree with the others. Win and OSX theme ain't bad, in some ways it seems the have the right amount of polish without being too bling. Deviating a bit, but I say the same about desktop effects - Compiz gives so much freedom that users don't regulate themselves and over-bling it, than conclude it sucks. Aero has just enough that your desktop feels more fluid, yet not in face.

[Viva]

Most users are sick of the XP look and many install mac themes instead. Either way, those who use it use it because they can, unlike the windows users who have to install a patch just to use a different theme:lol:

[SunnyRabbiera]

For most folks its about familiarity when using a Windows like look and interface.
Me personally I use something in between a Mac like layout and a windows like layout, my current KDE is like Frankensteins monster in terms of looks.
But I do it for fun, as thats the wonder of linux: to make it look the way you want it.

[Grez]

I don't use a Windows look. I've got fairly standard Gnome on my (old) home PC, Shiki-Colors Gnome on my (new) main home PC and out-of-the-box KDE on the one at work. On the old 256MB RAM I had at work had out-of-the-box XFCE.

I like the choice and variety of the styles and TBH providing I can find the stuff I need, it doesn't really matter what it looks like as long as it's easy on the eye.

I suggest that some people like the Windows-style look because they're used to it; they can find where everything is in a fairly intuitive way (because they've probably used Windows a lot), and so they like it...
End of story.

I use Ubuntu because Windows Vista simply didn't cut the mustard on this PC. I find it stable, easy to use, treats you like a grown-up, secure, powerful and quick. Vista, on the other hand, was none of these things.

So to answer the question: "Why do I use Microsoft looks for my desktop?" - I don't. Simple as.

[JordyD]

No accounting for taste, eh?

But then too I'm one of "those people" that actually LIKES the default Human (Clearlooks) theme of Ubuntu, so...

:) I like it, too.

[tcoffeep]

Windows has some pretty nice themes. I can't blame some people for dressing up like Linux. If it looks -and- it works, why not? I use openbox, and couldn't be assed to make a windows-like theme, but, then again, I find my desktop lovely as-is. :)

[SuperSonic4]

I just use the KDE 4.3 ones, they're pretty enough to start with

[CJ Master]

I love the look of Windows '95 for some reason. I sometimes use it for fun on a spare DE. Otherwise, I don't use it because I like KDE's look much better. But who cares who uses what theme?

[yoasif]

everyone in this thread is getting trolled pretty hard.

[CJ Master]

Am I really the only one that voted for 'Yes'?

*BANG!*

*drags dead body into alley*

[tcoffeep]

everyone in this thread is getting trolled pretty hard.

If by trolled, you mean giving an honest answer with no emotion whatsoever, then yes, I was trolled. But trolling is supposed to an attempt at getting an emotional response, and if you think this is trolling, then I don't know how you'd respond to half the forums I've been in. =\

[rookcifer]

everyone in this thread is getting trolled pretty hard.

Bingo. :popcorn:

[starcannon]

I haven't used any new MS products in so long, I barely know what "MS Looks" are. I certainly didn't appreciate XP themes much. I've seen enough Aero to recognize the window frames, but outside that I wouldn't know Aero if it kicked me in the teeth.

I use what ever I think looks good to me a the moment when I'm browsing gnome-look.org or kde-look.org. I don't consider what it may or may not look like.

Windows guys, why do you use OSX looks for your desk?

[subdivision]

My desktop looks nothing like Windows.

That said, people certainly are allowed to make their desktop look like Windows. I don't see the big deal.

[Bachstelze]

My desktop looks nothing like Windows.

That said, people certainly are allowed to make their desktop look like Windows. I don't see the big deal.

Ditto. Well, my *NIX desktops, at least. My Windows ones do look like Windows. :p

[Twitch6000]

I admit I like gnomenu(it has a vista like menu).

Other then that though i look for dark themes or cartoonish themes :].

Besides if I wanted to mimic an os I would use mac4lin :p.

[khelben1979]

I don't. Have never had any thoughts about going for a Vista look.

[cph05a]

I've personally never cared for the way windows (vista or nt) looks, or osx for that matter. There are things I like about both, but my desktop looks the way I want to in linux.

[starcannon]

I thought about this a bit more, and I'd like to add, beauty is only skin deep. If one wants their OS to look like XP, Aero, or Aqua, or Whatever, it really does not matter, that is nothing more than icing. The flavor is in the cake, and it may be to the artists that their "look" is enjoyed by people from various operating systems.

Today's styles are tomorrow's fashion fopaux, but stability is forever.

[Ryaka]

Yes I do use a windows theme, and I have serveral (albeith not always good) reasons for that

1) I use a very good XP theme (http://ubuntu.online02.com/node/14)to help family transfer from XP to Ubuntu, skipping Vista and 7 for several users. It saves me a lot of trouble explaining stuff.
2) As an IT consultant it sometimes helps that your Linux is camouflaged as an XP, saves you a lot of trouble from the security experts who have to clear your PC on their network.
3) I honestly don't like the current Human Theme, so I have serveral themes installed, including a Windows Theme.
4) It's a choice ;-) which I'm free to make, and that's the nbr1 thing I love about Linux

[Blacklightbulb]

It really made me sic when I saw the most downloaded themes based on Vista Aero.

How is vista in any way better looking?

[jonian_g]

I don't like vista looks. Once I installed mac4lin but I barely used it for a week. My favourite is human murrine with new wave metacity. People can use what they like, who cares.

I thought about this a bit more, and I'd like to add, beauty is only skin deep. If one wants their OS to look like XP, Aero, or Aqua, or Whatever, it really does not matter, that is nothing more than icing. The flavor is in the cake, and it may be to the artists that their "look" is enjoyed by people from various operating systems.

Today's styles are tomorrow's fashion fopaux, but stability is forever.

Well said =D>

[CharmyBee]

It really made me sic when I saw the most downloaded themes based on Vista Aero.

How is vista in any way better looking?

There are people that don't have Vista but want to 'impress' friends with having a Vista knock-off of a desktop.

I know I did the same when XP just came out, I remember ricing my Pentium 166 laptop with WindowBlinds 3.0 and various faithful XP imitation themes. Amazingly on 32MB RAM, it didn't really slow it down.

[Wiebelhaus]

NO , And I have an issue believing that anyone runs off and customizes theirs to look like Vista , Vista's UI is horrible and ugly as sin. Makes me feel like I've been in 100 degree sun all day swimming and eating hot dogs and drinking light beer , feeling sick and kinda wavy with that to much sun feeling in the upper torso.

yuck.

[Dragonbite]

Vista doesn't look too bad, just not my cup-o-tea.

[Kazade]

Yes I do use a windows theme, and I have serveral (albeith not always good) reasons for that

1) I use a very good XP theme (http://ubuntu.online02.com/node/14)to help family transfer from XP to Ubuntu, skipping Vista and 7 for several users.

Wow, I just ran that script. It's bloody amazing! It makes Ubuntu a better Windows than Windows! :D

If only Wine worked 100% then I could switch people without them knowing :p