Windows style shell wanted for either GNOME or KDE!!!
 

Hello.

I am new to Linux, as you can probably already tell. After being a Windows user since 3.1, I have decided to broaden my knowledge of other operating systems, namely Linux. To ease the transition of going from Windows, I was just wondering if anyone can point me towards some really good shell styles, themes, skins, distro, etc that can make GNOME or KDE more at home for me. Please don't say stuff like,"why would you want to wreck an already awesome GUI?" or "windows sucks...", etc, because, if this is the kind of support members of the Linux community provide, I don't want anything to do with it. I prefer not to have MS logos everywhere (or anywhere for that matter), but if the skin is good enough, I don't mind. It also doesn't have to be a 1:1 copy.

Currently looking into Ubuntu/Kubuntu distro for an alternative for Windows.

Thank you.

-Naito

There's a distribution called Linux XP but it's shareware, and I don't think you want that. Why don't you try newbie friendly operating systems like Fedora or Ubuntu for starters? (Kubuntu comes with KDE. The latest KDE has great graphics compared to the earlier ones). I personally recommend the latest Kubuntu since you're a new user.

Freespire aims to be somewhat similar to windows. I don't know what the deal is with them anymore, as their philosophy has changed over the years. It could be worth checking out thoe.

That said, I hope you do realize that you make your self a flame bait. I'm not going to make something out of it, other then recommend you to get used to kde/gnome right away. There is a lot of support on the web how to use gnome/kde. If you start using some small windows look'a'like you can end up in having a hard time getting someone to help you. KDE/Gnome isn't to difficult as you start to get "deprogrammed" and in the long run I believe you will profit from change to KDE/Gnome right away :)

Welcome to LQ!!

I suggest that you not make assumptions about how the Linux community is going to respond to your questions. Most will try to help, but some will give you opinions that you will reject. I doubt if the Windows community is any different.

Most distros using KDE will have one or more themes that attempt to look and act like Windows. What I find more relevant is that there are now some pretty wide-ranging de-facto standards for how the basic GUI works. Regardless, you simply need to to try some Linux distros to see what works for you.

Back to the behavior of communities, here's a thought problem:
"A Linux user is more likely to help you with Windows than is a Windows user to help you with Linux."

I guess you have proved me wrong! :P Sorry about the assumptions, it's just on a lot of other forums, some Linux users got annoyed at the fact that some users uploaded 'Redmond' themes . Anyway, that aside, I have been finding my way around Ubuntu very easily. However, I have modified the GUI layout/settings a lot from the default so I feel more at home:

Attachment 1189

There is still a lot that I am not used to yet, like the terminal commands, some of which that I don't find as straight forward as CMD Prompt, but I am always happy to learn. All in all, I am enjoying the my Linux experience so far. By the way, should I keep using Ubuntu or switch to either Kubuntu, Vixta, Linux XP or any other distro - I am happy to try them all if I have to.

Cheers.

-Naito

I don't think I would try them ALL....:) (There are over 300 out there.) A common bit of advice for newcomers is to try the top 5-10 in the distrowatch "hit list".

The biggest difference between Windows an Linux with respect to terminal commands is that the the Linux commands are FAR more comprehensive and powerful.

Well, first you are now at the BEST Linux site...;) That said, we still have members who are---shall we say---not shy with their opinions. Don't let them bother you.

Just out of interest, I went to DistroWatch.com and found that a distro called 'Mint Linux' apparently has been rather popular lately an want to know what others think of it. I have also used Fedora and Debian before and wondered if they were worth looking at again.

Thanks.

-Naito