There’s no doubt that there’s a fierce competition between
Windows and Linux, even though the first is clearly the number one desktop
operating system worldwide, not according to users, but to market researchers
across the world that point to an overwhelming 90 percent market share.
Competition is a good thing and it’s pretty clear that both
Windows and Linux are getting better thanks to this rivalry, but there’s also
some sort of hate that’s developing between users of the two platforms.Linux
users claim that Windows is awful and vice-versa, but this isn’t at all
surprising given the fact that each operating system has its own advantages.
And still, there’s one thing that’s pretty hard to
understand, especially when talking about those who love Linux so much that
they’re spreading anti-Windows comments all over the web: why on Earth would
someone run away from Windows, install Linux, blast Windows, praise Linux,
laugh of Windows users, spend hours to learn Linux and, in the end, make Linux
look just like Windows?
Windows 8’s interface was heavily criticized for its flat
look, while the Modern UI was blasted even by those who are addicted to
Windows. Microsoft’s modern operating system brought a dramatic interface
change, that’s for sure, but just like everyone at Microsoft said, it was only
a matter of time until everybody got used to it.
Windows 7, on the other hand, was easier to use, pretty much
because it had a Start Menu and everything, but, more importantly, it boasted
the same user-friendly look that has been offered to consumers for years.
Windows XP impressed with the overall simplicity in terms of
looks, so everybody spent only a few minutes to get around the operating system
and learn which option is which.
Getting back to our main question (why are Linux users
making their OS look just like Windows?), it’s enough to simply search Google
for “make Ubuntu look like Windows” and you get the point. There are nearly 92
million results for this search query and you can find basically all sorts of
tutorials, including videos, apps and photos.
And still, what’s the correct answer to this question? Linux
was all about the freedom for customization, as you can change basically every
single tiny icon or button, so why make it look like Windows?
This is what Ubuntu with a Windows 7 theme looks like after
several customizations
We’ve talked to several Linux users and the only two reasons
we found are these:
1. Because
Windows looks more familiar. So this means that in order to get accustomed with
Ubuntu, users are initially trying to make their open-source operating system
look like Windows, then learn how to work on Linux and, in the end, get back to
the original interface. Sorry, but that doesn’t make much sense. And does this
mean that the Linux interface is not at all user-friendly?
2. Because
Linux is thus trying to capitalize on the popularity on Windows, especially the
soon-to-be-retired Windows XP. Well, at some level, this actually makes sense.
Windows XP users need as many alternatives are possible, so turning Ubuntu, or
any other Linux distro, into a familiar operating system is quite a good idea.
But why not designing your own user-friendly UI? Or does this mean that
Microsoft has gotten it right with Windows XP? Unity is quite intuitive, so why
the need for Windows XP themes?
Of course, it’s hard to find the right answer and chances
are that it doesn’t even exist. But what if Linux users decide to return to the
classic Windows look because they actually like it? That would be a shocker.
I’ve barely heard of a Windows user trying to make his desktop look like Linux.
In the end, it’s all a matter of choice. Every platform has
its own pros and cons, so there’s no need for making fun of each other’s points
of view. So why so much hate?
Make sure you share your thoughts in the comment box below.
Disclaimer: this article was written by a Windows 8.1/Ubuntu
13.04 user and is by no means supposed to criticize any of the two operating
systems.
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