Windows XP desktop for Linux

thelink123 · 08-24-2008, 10:22 AM

Hi,

I have used my computer using Windows XP as the OS. But i love Linux and really want to hack its kernel. But i need to have the same desktop features of XP in Linux. What i mean is that i should get the same feel of desktop, icons, navigability of XP in Linux as well. I have heard about Xpde(http://www.xpde.com/releases.php). Is it the correct one? Please tell me the correct one and explain how to install it on Linux.

Thanks,
--thelink123

arizonagroovejet · 08-24-2008, 10:47 AM

If you want an environment that behaves and looks sort of like Windows XP I guess xpde is certainly something to investigate. Where xpde is 'the correct one' is another matter. You're never going to get Linux to look and behave exactly like Windows XP.

I have to say, I think if you have to ask for help with installing a desktop environment, (did you even try reading the provided instructions?) then you're going to have a hard time hacking the Linux kernel. Though maybe when you say 'hack its kernel' you actually mean something entirely different to what you said.

thelink123 · 08-24-2008, 11:10 AM

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Actually i have not started hacking the Linux Kernel.
I am very fond of Linux, but i have just started to learn Linux. I am not much interested in the distribution side of Linux. I want to get directly into the kernel. But i would love to have an XP environment in Linux before i actually start working with the Kernel just to get same feel of XP environment in Linux as well.I am new to installing something on Linux. I have downloaded the Xpde and tried to install. Read the INSTALL document and did as per the document. But i could not find XPde seesion as one of the sessions like KDE while logging in.Hope i have made my question clear. Anyways thanks for the help.

thanks,
thelink123

raggaro5 · 08-24-2008, 08:01 PM

the best look alike for windows is KDE or Kubuntu because xpce looks more like a mac than a windows.the kde has even the start button on the bottom like windows and the my computer logo and stuff, so check out kde.org

pinniped · 08-24-2008, 08:12 PM

In addition to what raggaro5 posted, KDE (well, many other window managers as well) can be set up to behave a bit more like WinDuhs - for example, requiring double-clicks on icons to start something rather than the traditional UNIX single-click.

/usr/darien · 08-24-2008, 08:18 PM

If you are looking for an XP desktop that behaves and looks like XP while you “hack” away at the Linux kernel (not being interested in the distributions), you best bet is to actually use XP and run Linux in virtual machine using VMplayer or Sun’s Virtual Box. This way, you can hack away w/out any permanent ill effect.

http://www.vmware.com/products/player/
http://www.virtualbox.org/

thelink123 · 09-02-2008, 11:54 AM

Hi,

I have installed VirtualBox and its working perfect for me. Now i hack the Linux Kernel while enjoying the feel of Windows XP. Thanks a lot for all the responses and especially to /usr/darien.

regards,
thelink123

pixellany · 09-02-2008, 01:06 PM

Personal opinion only---please take for what it worth:

I think it is a big mistake to try an get a Linux environment to look and act like Windows. My logic is simply that you will never get it 100%, and you can cause problems for users by creating the expectation that everything is the same.

Imagine creating a Honda instrument panel and controls (user interface) that was exactly like the typical GM car, except for a few key controls like lights and maybe wipers. Imagine the accident potential when someone was expecting GM all the way and grabbed th wrong control.

snares · 09-02-2008, 02:04 PM

Try this http://ubuntu.online02.com/node/14

thelink123 · 09-02-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixellany

Personal opinion only---please take for what it worth:

I think it is a big mistake to try an get a Linux environment to look and act like Windows. My logic is simply that you will never get it 100%, and you can cause problems for users by creating the expectation that everything is the same.

Imagine creating a Honda instrument panel and controls (user interface) that was exactly like the typical GM car, except for a few key controls like lights and maybe wipers. Imagine the accident potential when someone was expecting GM all the way and grabbed th wrong control.

Hi,

Well sorry for this. U got this wrong i think.It is not Linux looking and acting like Windows.Virtual Box allows a quest OS(linux in my case) to be installed in host OS(Windows XP in my case). Linux will not lose anything because of this.The good thing is that u dont have to reboot the system while switching between the two OSs. Moreover one can get the feel of XP while hacking the kernel at the same time. Well i am talking about all those people who are interested in Linux kernel and not in the distributions as such.Hope i made my point clear.

Thanks for the reply,
thelink123

pixellany · 09-03-2008, 11:55 AM

Well....Here is what you said:

Quote:

But i need to have the same desktop features of XP in Linux. What i mean is that i should get the same feel of desktop, icons, navigability of XP in Linux as well.

I read that as wanting Linux to look and behave like Windows.

schneidz · 09-03-2008, 12:22 PM

i remember fvwm '95 which was like windows 95 for freebsd. it was kinda silly but still fun to play around with to fool people in the computer lab looking for internet explorer.

henry_shadowjet · 09-03-2008, 07:27 PM

Sounds fun! Damn, why didn't I think of that!

The best prank I did was in high school, to completely freeze their computer with a batch file sending unlimited dummy files. It was actually very amateurish but it still worked anyway.

I just had to put it in All User's Desktop as "Batman.bat" - WHAHAHAHAH.

Anyway, this is completely off topic.

Back to the original topic, you cannot make Linux behave like Windows, they're just two completely different systems. But as far as the desktop environment goes, KDE resembles Windows a lot, and that's as much as you get from it ^^

Good luck!