To the whole Linux Community: Tell me how can I make Linux like Windows or OS X?

[icett]

I used Macs for about five years. They're very slick, but wildly overpriced. You can make Linux look just as attractive and functional, or more, than OS X, and you don't have to pay big money for software which is freely available on Linux. I'd say save your money and get a machine to put Linux on instead. Just my opinion.




With reference to the above post on "Thinkin of getting a MacBook or an iMac" I have learned that it is possible to make Linux look just as attractive and functional , or more, than OS X. So if it could be made to work and look like OS X then it would also be possible to make Linux look like Windows! If so its a great OS!!! I would request to the whole Linux community here to please guide me as to how I can make Linux look like Windows and/or OS X. Your suggessions would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance. :)

[n3tfury]

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=317609

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=x1l&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=how+to+make+ubuntu+os+x&spell=1

[HermanAB]

Well, this is super easy. All you need to do is install Kubuntu to make Linux look like *******.

[aysiu]

Well, this is super easy. All you need to do is install Kubuntu to make Linux look like *******.
Really? I don't think Kubuntu looks anything like Windows, unless you mean that the toolbar is at the bottom instead of at the top and bottom. Surely it'd be easier to delete the top panel in Gnome than to install an entirely different desktop environment.

The Gnome XP-like themes look a lot more like modern Windows than KDE's Redmond themes do.

Personally, I'd recommend IceWM, which has some wonderfully Windows-look-alike silver and Luna themes.

[popch]

I do not quite see the point of the OP.

If you want a system that is in all respect like Windows, use Windows. All alternatives are bound to look different just very few steps into any working session.

Besides, the OP did not state which version of Windows Linux should make to simulate.

[Caffeine_Junky]

Here is a couple of links to take a look at:

XPde (http://xpde.com/index.php) :It's a complete desktop environment for Linux on x86. It tries to make easier for Windows XP users to use a Linux box.

Make Your Linux Desktop Look Like A Mac (http://www.howtoforge.com/mac4lin_make_linux_look_like_a_mac)

[ubuntu27]

icett. You can make any GNU/Linux distribution e.g Ubuntu look like Windows, Mac, MacOS X, and any other.

You can change the appearance and everything, but it will still be GNU/Linux.

If you are using UBuntu (GNOME), then in gnome-look.org (http://www.gnome-look.org/) you can find themes, icons and other stuff to personalize the appeareanse of your GNU/Linux.

If you are using Kubuntu (KDE), then use kde-look.org (http://www.kde-look.org/)


There are some GNU/Linux distribution that tries to be like Windows. Linspire (http://www.linspire.com/) (previously called Lindows) is one of them.

http://www.linspire.com/

There is also XPde (http://www.xpde.com/). Well, this one is just a Desktop Environment though.

http://www.xpde.com/


Beware though, Linux distribution that tries to imitate windows not just by appearenace but by its funtions... could be dangerous just as windows is. e.g having root account by default (something that Windows does)

If you want to just make it look like Windows, but not change the way it interacts with the user (and not lower the security), then stay away from those distros.

[SunnyRabbiera]

the thing is that you really dont need to.
I myself have a pretty neat theme going on here:
without window (http://picasaweb.google.com/SunnyRabbiera/MyScreenshots/photo#5129100128714826962)

with (http://picasaweb.google.com/SunnyRabbiera/MyScreenshots/photo#5129100128714826978)

[icett]

icett. You can make any GNU/Linux distribution e.g Ubuntu look like Windows, Mac, MacOS X, and any other.

You can change the appearance and everything, but it will still be GNU/Linux.

If you are using UBuntu (GNOME), then in gnome-look.org (http://www.gnome-look.org/) you can find themes, icons and other stuff to personalize the appeareanse of your GNU/Linux.

If you are using Kubuntu (KDE), then use kde-look.org (http://www.kde-look.org/)


There are some GNU/Linux distribution that tries to be like Windows. Linspire (http://www.linspire.com/) (previously called Lindows) is one of them.

http://www.linspire.com/

There is also XPde (http://www.xpde.com/). Well, this one is just a Desktop Environment though.

http://www.xpde.com/


Beware though, Linux distribution that tries to imitate windows not just by appearenace but by its funtions... could be dangerous just as windows is. e.g having root account by default (something that Windows does)

If you want to just make it look like Windows, but not change the way it interacts with the user (and not lower the security), then stay away from those distros.





Thanks everyone for the guidance as yet. To be specific I wish to make Linux look like Windows XP in its appearance and functions like theme, icons and other stuff. But I understand that it would still remain GNU/Linux. I wish it to remain as GNU/Linux as it is. And I don't want to make it imitate windows by its functions for e.g. having root account by default. I just wish to make Linux easier for Windows users so that I may show it to my friends and family and convince them to use Linux. Also may be I would share it with my fellow Linux users here if legal. Hope I would get enough help. :)

[SunnyRabbiera]

the one that can probably get the closest in looks to windows XP is KDE.
There are a few apps on KDE that can spiffy up your system to the way you like it:
first is a applet called KBFX, it is a kmenu replacement that can be made to look similar to the one in XP.
another one is kde's quicklauncher.

here is a screenshot I have of an older distro I used to use with KBFX on it.
I think I used baghira as my system theme, and I used the suse window decoration if I remember right
look here (http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=adifferentworldyl1.png)

of course I made my system look like other things too, like here with PCLinux I had a vista like theme:

Vistalike 1 (http://www.linfx.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10174/vistalike1.png)
Vistalike 2 (http://www.linfx.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10174/vistalike2.png)
Vistalike 3 (http://www.linfx.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10174/vistalike3.png)

one major feature on there that ubuntu doesnt have is the kickoff menu, another XP like menu...
but KBFX will do fine

[spamzilla]

I do not quite see the point of the OP.

If you want a system that is in all respect like Windows, use Windows. All alternatives are bound to look different just very few steps into any working session.

Besides, the OP did not state which version of Windows Linux should make to simulate.

I quite agree, but it's his computer so who cares :)

[FG123]

I dislike the idea of getting Linux and then soon after morphing it to look like another operating system. You can take good ideas from other systems, like using a dock, but if you start changing the wallpaper, panel, icons and interface to resemble Leopard or Vista identically, I dunno. Just feels like a waste, even though you're free to do so of course. It's an imitation. But, do what you like of course.

Now, ignore this crap about having to require Mac hardware to run OS X:
http://www.osx86project.org/

[Gremlinzzz]

If ya want to have your system look like windows use this as wallpaper.

[boast]

its called

mac4lin

[320blues]

i HAVE to agree that 1) it's his computer and we do strive for the "freedom" to do what we think is best. BUT! 2) i came here to break the tie to the corporate monopoly of windoz and gates. making something different look "the same as" something else kind of defeats the point, doesn't it?
but :confused: maybe that's just the old hippie in me.

[toupeiro]

*twitches at subjects like these*

To each his own with what they want to do with their system, but out of curiosity can someone explain why they would ever want to do this? Someone decides to use something other than Windows and OSX, like linux, then tries to make it look and feel EXACTLY like what they are trying to alternate away from?

Is this kind of like those people who throw acura logo's on their honda's as if people won't know the difference?

[Linuxratty]

its called

mac4lin
Yeah,Ive read about it.

http://www.howtoforge.com/mac4lin_make_linux_look_like_a_mac
For KDE users:
http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=8692

[bruce89]

Don't, it just looks crap.

I find the Oxygen icon theme awfully OS X like.

[icett]

Guys thanks for all the inputs. How if I use Freespire instead of Linspire since Freespire is free. And as far as I know it very much resembles with Windows. Never tried it but wish to know from you all, does it really resembles with Windows? If so I could customize it. Also those who have used it please inform about its performance. Does it work problem free and is easy to use? Many of my fellow Linux users here have commented that if I am so fond of using a Linux OS very similar to Windows why not go and use Windows. I would like to clarify to them that I like the Windows look and feel as well as ease of use but I dont like its instability and insecurity. I have found Linux very stable and secure and whats wrong with me if I wish to have it Windows like in look and feel and ease of use as much as possible? Does that mean that I dont like Linux and am pro Windows? I am all for Linux and for it to become the most popular OS in the world even if this means Linux to copy good features of Windows because there is nothing wrong in copying success! I wish Linux to look attractive and easy to use even if that means copying a very similar type of look and feel and ease of use as that of Windows, it would always remain UNIX based! So it would be easy for me to convince my friends to use Linux. Whats wrong with that?:)