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Making Ubuntu Look Like Windows 7

Posted by timothy on from the ok-fine-click-on-the-blue-e dept.

DeviceGuru writes "Although it won't help Linux run Windows-specific software applications, this easy hack produces an Ubuntu desktop that looks and feels a lot like Windows 7. It's particularly suitable for reviving older PCs or laptops on which the main activities will be web-browsing, email, document writing, and streaming music and videos from from the web. The process installs a Windows 7-like GNOME theme on an otherwise standard Ubuntu 10.04 installation, although it might work on other Linux distros with GNOME and appropriate other packages installed. Naturally all this begs the question: why would anybody want to do this? Why indeed!" People have been doing this sort of look-and-feel swap-out for years; it seems best to me as a practical joke.

14 of 473 comments (clear)

  1. begs the question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative


    Naturally all this begs the question

    No, it doesn't. Proper use of "begging the question.

    1. Re:begs the question by zill · · Score: 4, Informative

      The "improper" way is so widespread it has become acceptable usage now, perhaps even the standard usage.

    2. Re:begs the question by zill · · Score: 4, Informative

      I think this sums it up perfectly.

    3. Re:begs the question by recoiledsnake · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually, I think "it raises the question" is a better fit for the usage that I have seen.

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  2. Re:I see you are running Windows 7... by Neil+Watson · · Score: 3, Informative

    Mmm Kay

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    UNIX/Linux Consulting
  3. Copyright Lawsuit waiting to happen. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    I think its a good idea to help ease people into using Ubuntu by making the desktop work the same sort of way as Windows. They're already going to have to relearn a lot of the applications (except the applications that are cross platform like Firefox) without having to learn a new desktop too.

    Actually putting Microsoft icons, wallpapers, registered trademark logos on is probably going to kill this though. (Not a lawyer but) it looks like the pure intent is to make people think this is Microsoft Windows which is misrepresentation.

  4. Re:Who else is disappointed? by Steauengeglase · · Score: 2, Informative

    Windows 7 doesn't (by default) use dark UI elements, there's no transparency for the task/menu bar,

    Win7 Grue edition?

  5. Re:"But look! You can make it look like Windows 7! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    use Microsoft powershell then, once you get to know it's oo model, it is stronger than bash

  6. Re:"But look! You can make it look like Windows 7! by Lunix+Nutcase · · Score: 4, Informative

    Then use Services for Unix or PowerShell. Problem solved 11 years and 6 years ago respectively.

  7. Re:Dock by il1019 · · Score: 2, Informative

    0) Gnome-Do in Docky mode 1) Gnome-Do is a incredibly flexible launcher, allowing you to start any program with the keyboard only. Most docks that I know of have zero keyboard integration. Having this makes it much more useable. 2) Gnome-Do with Docky is missing some things (pinning and unpinning of icons, drag and drop ordering) that I enjoy in Windows 7. I just read what came after your questions and feel like I've added nothing.

  8. Re:Ugh by Quartinus · · Score: 2, Informative

    On the other hand, if anyone wants to point me to how to move the minimize/maximize/close buttons to the top right hand side of windows I'd appreciate it

    This is quite simple to do, but it does require some text editing. Here is a simple step-by-step guide -Quartinae

  9. Re:Dock by russlar · · Score: 2, Informative

    I use Smooth Tasks in KDE4, and it's identical to the Win7 taskbar. It'll even do full-sized window previewing if you hover over the a program in the taskbar.

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  10. Re:Why use a sub-standard Desktop? by Hatta · · Score: 2, Informative

    Either you are in the business to make tools for smart, tech-savvy people (see Linux) or you are in the business for the general population (See Microsoft). Depends how do you want to measure success, I guess.

    See, that I can agree with.

    I bloody hate Virtual Desktops. Why do they even exist? I'm serious... I don't get it. What's their advantage?

    Organization. Give each desktop a purpose, and you can switch between tasks much easier. Say I have a bunch of PDFs open on one desktop and I get a notification that a download has completed. I don't have to search around for whatever window in my task bar. I just go to the torrent desktop and it has the client right there and a terminal open in the relevant directory where i left it.

    I don't know how people can get along without this, minimizing and maximizing all the time, just letting windows pile up, or even closing apps. With virtual desktops I can come back to a project days later, after all sorts of casual computer use, and pick right up where I left off.

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  11. Re:Why use a sub-standard Desktop? by jedidiah · · Score: 3, Informative

    > I bloody hate Virtual Desktops. Why do they even exist? I'm serious... I don't get it. What's their advantage?

    You can use them to organize desktop clutter, like any other desktop container.

    You don't need a 2nd and 3rd monitor just to have things sorted and nicely laid out and handy.

    If you do anything but use your machine as an xbox or a web kiosk, the extra real estate and organization is very handy.

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