How to make ubuntu look like Windows 3.1?

[sink]

I want to because I think this could be fun.

[TravisNewman]

I have to say, that's more masochistic than using CDE.

[madjr]

r u serious ??

[Kernel Sanders]

I want to because I think this could be fun.

Our survey says....

:???::???::???::???::???::???::???::???:

[50words]

If you build this theme, I will use it.

[potrick]

I just run windows 3.1 in dosbox. If you have an old install disc kicking around you should try it.

[cardinals_fan]

I have to say, that's more masochistic than using CDE.
CDE rocks!

[Tom Mann]

I'd personally run AmiWM :KS

[koenn]

you could install some 80's window manager such as twm or fvwm, then edit its config file to get the Win3x color scheme and configure the Icon Manager and/or Menus to mimic Program Manager etc.

It might not behave exactly like Win3x but i suppose you can get pretty close to its look-and-feel
(and it 'll get you thinking that Win3x was little more than a window manager on DOS )

[eragon100]

Perhaps because it WAS in fact little more than a window manager on DOS? :wink:

[koenn]

Well, it was a little more than a Window Manager on DOS

Although it probably was meant to be just a window manager, it had also some workarounds for the typical limitations of DOS :


Windows 3.0 ran multiple DOS applications in virtual x86 machines. It ran Windows applications in protected mode, breaking the 640K memory barrier. It had a device driver model that allowed for development of true 32bit device drivers.
http://blogs.msdn.com/larryosterman/archive/2005/02/02/365635.aspx

[bash]

If you find something, please post it here. It would interest me just out of curiousity. Actually anyone know a theme to make GNOME (Not any other DE) look like Win 95 or 98.

[Trail]

I have to say, that's more masochistic than using CDE.

Truly. And I really *hate* CDE with a passion.

[ad_267]

If you find something, please post it here. It would interest me just out of curiousity. Actually anyone know a theme to make GNOME (Not any other DE) look like Win 95 or 98.

Ubuntu comes with a gtk theme called Redmond which looks a lot like Windows 98. I'm not sure about a suitable window border but I'm sure there'd be something on gnome-look.org.

Edit: There's this for windows 2000 http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/w2k+%5Bmodified%5D?content=77213&PHPSESSID=6

[toupeiro]

wine progman.exe
sickeningly enough, I don't think this ever went away even in XP...

Program manager wasn't fun when it was in...

[collinp]

Heh, a theme to make Gnome look like Windows 3.1.... wow. I wonder how hard, on a scale of 1 to 10, it would be to find a person with enough knowledge of the Windows 3.1 interface to make a Gnome theme from it? :popcorn:

[caravel]

I remember IceWM had a theme that made it look almost like Win9x.

[koenn]

fvwm95 was yet another WindowManager with a Windows look - win95 this time
http://fvwm95.sourceforge.net/screenshot-full.gif

[RealG187]

sickeningly enough, I don't think this ever went away even in XP...

Program manager wasn't fun when it was in...

What Gnome theme is that, and what dock (AWN or Simdock, and what AWN/Simdock theme)

Anyways, I have Window blinds and my WinXP IBM machine looks like 3.1 (kinda, it still has XP features that 3.1 doesn't have, like the start menu and desktop [as not just a place to minimize stuff, but to store shortcuts and files])

Windows 3.1 is a pretty cool theme. Program manager does bring back memories (plus it would help break a bad habit http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=866317)

[littletinman]

Can someone please explain why one would want to make thier desktop look so, antique?

[RealG187]

Can someone please explain why one would want to make thier desktop look so, antique?

Because it is nostalgic and brings back memories. And looks cool

[littletinman]

Oh, never thought of that. I guess i'm in a "look-ahead" kind of mindset. I had too many BSOD nightmares to look back at windows. Not saying windows is bad, but i don't like the memories.

[jespdj]

This is the 24th post in this thread, but nobody has yet posted a link to a Windows 3.1 theme. I would like to see it, just for fun. Has really nobody made a Windows 3.1 theme?

[UbuWu]

Use IceWM with this theme:

http://themes.freshmeat.net/projects/win31theme/

[Chilli Bob]

I was thinking about doing this by doing a minimal install (see psychocats) and installing ROX window manager, and changing the theme to look like win 3.1.

In the end it was all to hard reading about setting up ROX. One day when I have more time, I might give it a go.

[doorknob60]

Use Dosbox, or install wine and type this in a temrinal:

progman

It works with my compiled version of Wine, haven't tried on on the repository version but it should work.

EDIT: IIRC, Kubuntu 8.04 (KDE 3.5) had a WIndows 3.1 theme, so that combined with progman (which can run native binaries BTW) could get what you want maybe.

[smatiauda]

Try this metacity theme:

"GNOME for Workgroups (Win 3.1)"
http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php?content=48753

[Tristam Green]

sickeningly enough, I don't think this ever went away even in XP...

Program manager wasn't fun when it was in...


Quick tidbit about progman.exe.

Program Manager (progman.exe) existed as a legacy file all the way up to Windows XP Service Pack 1. Any system with a pre-installed SP2 build did not have progman.exe anymore.



One of my favorite things to do to people is to go to their task managers, kill "Explorer.exe", and start a new "progman.exe" task, thus replacing the Windows Explorer shell with Program Manager.

Watching them freak out is the payoff.




@ the OP: Make it, and they will come. But only if the Hot Dog color scheme exists with it.

[MooPi]

How does this look ?
http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss36/MooPii/Assorted/th_2010-02-24-142853_1440x900_scrot.png (http://s559.photobucket.com/albums/ss36/MooPii/Assorted/?action=view&current=2010-02-24-142853_1440x900_scrot.png)
http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss36/MooPii/Assorted/th_2010-02-24-145109_1440x900_scrot.png (http://s559.photobucket.com/albums/ss36/MooPii/Assorted/?action=view&current=2010-02-24-145109_1440x900_scrot.png)

[jenaniston]

This is an XP look with linux using IceWM . . .

Source: http://roscidus.com/desktop/screenshots

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo161/sunblush/roxicewm.jpg

[RealG187]

Try this metacity theme:

"GNOME for Workgroups (Win 3.1)"
http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php?content=48753
Thanks, will try


Quick tidbit about progman.exe.

Program Manager (progman.exe) existed as a legacy file all the way up to Windows XP Service Pack 1. Any system with a pre-installed SP2 build did not have progman.exe anymore.



One of my favorite things to do to people is to go to their task managers, kill "Explorer.exe", and start a new "progman.exe" task, thus replacing the Windows Explorer shell with Program Manager.

Watching them freak out is the payoff.




@ the OP: Make it, and they will come. But only if the Hot Dog color scheme exists with it.
Ya I was in XP SP1, I had it on my old computers with it. But not in SP2.

How does this look ?
http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss36/MooPii/Assorted/th_2010-02-24-142853_1440x900_scrot.png (http://s559.photobucket.com/albums/ss36/MooPii/Assorted/?action=view&current=2010-02-24-142853_1440x900_scrot.png)
http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss36/MooPii/Assorted/th_2010-02-24-145109_1440x900_scrot.png (http://s559.photobucket.com/albums/ss36/MooPii/Assorted/?action=view&current=2010-02-24-145109_1440x900_scrot.png)That's not 3.1.

[TheKid965]

So many posts in this thread suggest or show a theme based on Win9x, not 3.1.

Just so we're all on the same page, this is what Win3.1 looked like (http://www.guidebookgallery.org/screenshots/win31). As you can see, it's quite different.

Not the prettiest GUI by any means, but it also doesn't draw much attention to itself and might be a decent look for a work machine or a lower-end box.

Speaking just for myself, and going slightly off-topic, I personally would like a way to make my desktop resemble OS/2 Warp (http://www.guidebookgallery.org/screenshots/os2warp3). IceWM comes the closest, but still doesn't quite get it right IMO; and then there's the widget theme that would be necessary as well.

[MooPi]

Not the prettiest GUI by any means, but it also doesn't draw much attention to itself and might be a decent look for a work machine or a lower-end box.
Sorta chuckled when you wrote this but my box looks much like the screen shots I posted. I have a pretty wallpaper changer and the usual gui's for some apps but very plain Jane. It's not a low end box though, with a quad core and a recent nvidia card. Heck I don't even use a panel or menu except the minimal one that comes with Openbox.

[dnguyen1963]

I want to because I think this could be fun.

While you are at it...why not a LISA interface?:popcorn:

[Post Monkeh]

this thread made me a bit nostalgic so i installed windows 3.1 in virtualbox.
it really was pants, i can't believe i replace my atari st with that, the lgd was so much cooler.

[katie-xx]

Excellent thread.
Ive actually seen Windows 3.11 running as my employers have a client who has refused to update and still has that OS running. Funny thing is it doesnt give half as much trouble as some of our more complex modern solutions :)
My boss tells me in those days that Microsoft was thought of as the most cool company in the world and the vanguard of technical innovation ! Now look at what people think of them!! :)
Good thread anyhow ..enjoyed

Kate

[Jesus_Valdez]

I used Win 3.1 when I was at the University. I'm not "that" old, PC's at college were.

I don't how to manage this because of Copyright, but is there a way to get win 3.1?

[Berk]

So many posts in this thread suggest or show a theme based on Win9x, not 3.1.

Just so we're all on the same page, this is what Win3.1 looked like (http://www.guidebookgallery.org/screenshots/win31). As you can see, it's quite different.

Not the prettiest GUI by any means, but it also doesn't draw much attention to itself and might be a decent look for a work machine or a lower-end box.

Speaking just for myself, and going slightly off-topic, I personally would like a way to make my desktop resemble OS/2 Warp (http://www.guidebookgallery.org/screenshots/os2warp3). IceWM comes the closest, but still doesn't quite get it right IMO; and then there's the widget theme that would be necessary as well.

Looking at that site brings back some memories, going into work with my mom on occasion and being allowed on the computers to keep me occupied, ah heady days.

[katie-xx]

I used Win 3.1 when I was at the University. I'm not "that" old, PC's at college were.

I don't how to manage this because of Copyright, but is there a way to get win 3.1?

You can still download Windows 3.11 if you have a MSDN subscription or if your company has a site subscription to MSDN.

[oldos2er]

I'm kinda grateful to Win3.1, its ridiculous interface is what weaned me from Microsoft software.

[RealG187]

Yes it is nostalgic.

I know a site has lets you post it because it's so old not even MS cares, but I don't think I could post it here, even though it's old technically it's still copyrighted which is stupid. They should pass a law that any software the company doesn't make/support anymore gets released into the public domain and is considered abandonware...

[phrostbyte]

Like this?


http://apcmag.com/images/apc/news/windows-311-hotdog-stand-scheme.png

[haydoni]

Just like that! With that colour scheme - that would be brilliant!

Such good memories of Windows3.1 in my primary school:)

[Phrea]

I know all about nostalgia, I myself still have some running Windows 3.11 boxes, and Gnome for Workgroups seems brilliant.

I'm not a collector, but I do love my obsolete machines. :)

[RealG187]

Only thing is Gnome for workgroups has an "X" that't not what 3.1 was like...

[Phrea]

Only thing is Gnome for workgroups has an "X" that't not what 3.1 was like...

Read it, and I don't like it either.

[RealG187]

Read what and you don't like what?

[murderslastcrow]

Even in Windows 98, Microsoft had no class when it came to theming. Granted, it took a while for KDE and Gnome to catch up to the times, too. Y2K was the year of grey.

[sailthesea]

@phrostbyte

Can you post a screenshot of Black Leather Jacket?

That really would be nostalgic!!;)

[MasterNetra]

sickeningly enough, I don't think this ever went away even in XP...

Program manager wasn't fun when it was in...

lol Yea I remember stumbling on Progman early on while exploring winxp never got its point. Looks like MS really did just build on top of its old OS's. ;)

[Hyper Tails]

This should help

http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Windows+3.1+%5BALPHA%5D?content=119871

[CarpKing]

I approve of your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.


You'd think someone would have a GTK theme by now, considering how simple the interface is in terms of colors and shapes.

[ThomasAdam]

you could install some 80's window manager such as twm or fvwm,

80s? Have a laugh -- FVWM was born in 1993.

-- Thomas Adam

[Fabio K]

Well, I've been working on a Windows 3.1 theme myself, so far got XFWM4 to look like it:

http://i45.tinypic.com/2ducnxi.png

The Close, Shade and Stick buttons are hidden, but they can be activated in the XFCE's control panel:

http://i48.tinypic.com/2v7z8mr.png
I personally prefer to show the X button :D

Now I must find the "System" font in TTF and a GTK engine that fits and tweak the colors/sizes of the widgets.

[Nicolas.Perrault]

Windows 3.1? That is masoshistic.

Ylmf is a Ubuntu-like distribution that has a Windows XP theme.;)

[Phrea]

Well, I've been working on a Windows 3.1 theme myself, so far got XFWM4 to look like it:

http://i45.tinypic.com/2ducnxi.png

The Close, Shade and Stick buttons are hidden, but they can be activated in the XFCE's control panel:

http://i48.tinypic.com/2v7z8mr.png
I personally prefer to show the X button :D

Now I must find the "System" font in TTF and a GTK engine that fits and tweak the colors/sizes of the widgets.
Wow, hats off to you sir, that looks amazing...

[TheKid965]

Well, I've been working on a Windows 3.1 theme myself, so far got XFWM4 to look like it:

[images snipped]

Now I must find the "System" font in TTF and a GTK engine that fits and tweak the colors/sizes of the widgets.

Wow, that looks amazing! Any chance of releasing that to xfce-look or somewhere?

[2hot6ft2]

That brings back memories. When you're finished don't forget to include the blue crash screens...:p

[CarpKing]

I wonder... could you simulate "minimize to desktop" with a totally transparent AWN theme with no launchers? Or actually, if memory serves, you'd want a single launcher labelled "Program Manager." Proper icons would also be important.

[Fabio K]

I wonder... could you simulate "minimize to desktop" with a totally transparent AWN theme with no launchers? Or actually, if memory serves, you'd want a single launcher labelled "Program Manager." Proper icons would also be important.

Well, you can simulate the minimize behavior with ROX, as I did once:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RDgiGdImTjw/SwMS4DVtshI/AAAAAAAAAM0/w9OPrrygRD8/2009-11-17-190906_1440x900_scrot.jpg

Though they are set up to show at the upper right part of the screen instead.
This: Metacity + ROX = less than 100MB in RAM

The actual Windows 3.1 interface had "Program Manager" open all the time, if you close it, you're thrown back to DOS. Probably possible to do with ROX anyway, along with some scripts.


Wow, that looks amazing! Any chance of releasing that to xfce-look or somewhere?

I might just do that. The others I found online were for Emerald...

Fun fact: XFWM4 also closes windows by double-clicking the "menu" button, just like in Windows 3.1.
Fun fact 2: Windows 3.1 installs and runs flawlessly in DOSBox, as shown in the first screenshot :D
Fun fact 3:

That brings back memories. When you're finished don't forget to include the blue crash screens...:p
It's possible to change the colors from the BSOD up to Windows 98 I think. Messing around with .ini files...

[Hyper Tails]

Well, I've been working on a Windows 3.1 theme myself, so far got XFWM4 to look like it:

http://i45.tinypic.com/2ducnxi.png

The Close, Shade and Stick buttons are hidden, but they can be activated in the XFCE's control panel:

http://i48.tinypic.com/2v7z8mr.png
I personally prefer to show the X button :D

Now I must find the "System" font in TTF and a GTK engine that fits and tweak the colors/sizes of the widgets.

Ha! cool!

Are you running dosbox?

just asking..

but awesome work, now do one for windows 95

[RealG187]

Well, I've been working on a Windows 3.1 theme myself, so far got XFWM4 to look like it:

http://i45.tinypic.com/2ducnxi.png

The Close, Shade and Stick buttons are hidden, but they can be activated in the XFCE's control panel:

http://i48.tinypic.com/2v7z8mr.png
I personally prefer to show the X button :D

Now I must find the "System" font in TTF and a GTK engine that fits and tweak the colors/sizes of the widgets.
Hmm with you running the real 3.1 in DOS box that can get confusing...


When you're finished don't forget to include the blue crash screens...:pDid 3.1 have those?

[witeshark17]

Why not just gather a huge collection of 3.1 screenshots? :popcorn:

[Hyper Tails]

Did 3.1 have those?

yes

[Fabio K]

Posted: XFCE-look.org (http://xfce-look.org/content/show.php?content=121526)

[chriswyatt]

Thanks! Great theme.

It's tempting to change the icons to the Windows 3.1 icons and have an ugly tiled background.

[maximo1010]

Did 3.1 have those?

Ctrl+Alt+Del=BSOD

[Gerontion]

Fantastic work. Insane, but fantastic!

[maximo1010]

Superb work! However, I don't know what that is for on my laptop. Ultimately, Ubuntu's Ambiance theme is the best theme I ever seen. Not of the "classic" kind, of course :KS.

[johntaylor1887]

I just run windows 3.1 in dosbox. If you have an old install disc kicking around you should try it.

I installed it in virtualbox. Pretty useless though.

[carolinason]

this thread is getting as old as win 3.11, but very, very cool. i started getting the itch for a win 3.11 theme when i switched from a solaris looking theme, mofit to Gtk. i found a win 3.11 theme at xfce-look and installed that and run the redmond style from the settings manager. i'm looking for icon sets now.

/* note -- my second pc was a powermac 7100, the alternative would have been an ibm aptiva running windows 3.11. windows 95 came out that summer. my first pc was an apple ][ plus in 1983. i got it for a high school graduation gift. -- */

[Bandit]

I want to because I think this could be fun.

Not sure I even remember what Win3.1 looked like. Gonna have to look to google and be horrified for a bit.
Redmon theme is much like Win 95.


EDIT:
Ehh now I remember.. Why??

[Giant Speck]

The OP hasn't posted on UF since 2009. :shock: