What's the Linux distro that most resembles Windows? [Archive]

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JAPPO

10-05-2006, 08:32 PM

I've used Linux in the past but I didn't feel like learning all the terminal things. Is there any distro that doesn't require the terminal to install programs??

noonebutme

10-05-2006, 09:01 PM

I've used Linux in the past but I didn't feel like learning all the terminal things. Is there any distro that doesn't require the terminal to install programs??
Ubuntu. Technically speaking, ReactOS is, but thats not something you'd want to use for the most part.

But the point of Linux is to have more control over everything, and to be able to learn something different. Not to have a windows clone.

JAPPO

10-05-2006, 09:03 PM

Ubuntu. Technically speaking, ReactOS is, but thats not something you'd want to use for the most part.

But the point of Linux is to have more control over everything, and to be able to learn something different. Not to have a windows clone.

Thanks! I'm downloading Ubuntu now.

JAPPO

10-05-2006, 09:14 PM

Oh, and do you know where a guide is to install XGL on Ubuntu?

Thanks.

wyckedone

10-05-2006, 10:16 PM

Check here (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=131267) or here (http://www.tectonic.co.za/view.php?id=916).

bird603568

10-05-2006, 11:04 PM

automan

10-05-2006, 11:53 PM

you might also want to check out PCBSD. it's an easy install and has commonly used programs available.

g33k0ft3ch

10-05-2006, 11:53 PM

I would say for performance I would say Ubuntu, for the features like Word and Office I would go with Red Hat.

automan

10-06-2006, 12:05 AM

why redhat for office apps? for a server i can understand, but for average dsktop use and office productivity, all distros can run the exact same thing.

JAPPO

10-06-2006, 12:38 AM

I know this isnt a support forum, but I tried installing it and it said "error reading disc" or something when I click "INSTALL UBUNTU OR START IT"

I don't think it burnt wrong, all the files are there. I used the normal X86 version they give.

g33k0ft3ch

10-06-2006, 01:02 AM

Ah then do you have the system to run it? I would think it would be the disk image not burning.How did you burn it?

But to automan, it can run great office apps, and the server system is great, But like I said, if you want to have fun use Ubuntu, if you need to do work use Red Hat.

automan

10-06-2006, 01:17 AM

noonebutme

10-06-2006, 02:18 AM

i thought reactos was built on a reversed engineered windows kernel and not a linux kernel
Nah - that was just an incorrect accusation made a few months back.

I know this isnt a support forum, but I tried installing it and it said "error reading disc" or something when I click "INSTALL UBUNTU OR START IT"

I don't think it burnt wrong, all the files are there. I used the normal X86 version they give.
Bad CD burn probably. Verify after installing to make sure you've got it right.

And for Office apps, i like Vector the best - it's SOHO edition comes with everything needed. But it's a slack-deviant, so it might have a steep learning curve. Remember - there's no app that's Distro-inclusive, anything can be compiled for another distro so long as you have the right libs avilable

wastern

10-06-2006, 02:46 AM

JAPPO

10-06-2006, 02:52 AM

I managed to get it installed. But I cant even play mp3 files :P

It's really nice, but I need certain applications to work so I will probably switch back to XP.

automan

10-06-2006, 02:56 AM

dont give up so easy. what happens when you try to play an mp3? do you use a sound card? if so, i bet it thinks that your onboard is what you want to use.

though, if tinkering isnt for you, maybe windows is your best choice.

noonebutme

10-06-2006, 02:58 AM

Ubuntu doesn't resemble Windows....

I'd say Linspire does most, after that, I'd just go with anything using KDE (Kubuntu maybe)

I don't recommend using Linspire though, their history is not a proud one. Plus its not a distro you can grow with
In terms of ease of use, Ubuntu's as easy as windows is.

And check to make sure ALSA can see your soundcard to output audio to. ( google.com/linux if that made no sense to you :) )

senshi

10-06-2006, 08:33 AM

Ubuntu doesn't "require" the terminal to install apps, but sometimes it's easier. Since you got Ubuntu I would register to the forums, and search for any problems you have there. (Only because the search feature is for members only.) I haven't had a problem that wasn't answered already in the forums.

theonlyalternative

01-02-2007, 09:35 PM

like automan said, Don't Give up. Try Downloading Automatix to find and easily download mp3 support. You can get it at www.getautomatix.com (http://www.getautomatix.com)

Once you have it installed, open it up from the Applications/System menu and go to the Multimedia section and install the first package. almost EVERYTHING in Windows has a well written clone in linux, You just gotta know where to look.

Hope this helps,

Will

sugarsickness

01-03-2007, 06:55 AM

I managed to get it installed. But I cant even play mp3 files :P

It's really nice, but I need certain applications to work so I will probably switch back to XP.Don't switch back just yet. I've been using Linux for about two years and I think that, whatever distribution you choose, the experience will be difficult and confusing at first. When I first tried out Linux (Ubuntu initially) whenever I wanted to do something my first attempt was a failed one because I was trying to do it the windows way and it was frustrating as hell.

At first my res in ubuntu was 1024x768 - I have to use 1280x1024 though because that's just what I'm used to. So I was told I needed to install my video drivers. Me, still thinking in Windows mode, went and got out my CD with my video drivers on it. ahahahaha.

MP3 codecs are not installed on Ubuntu by default for legal reasons. You can either install the codecs (Not a hard thing to do) or you can not install the codecs and use programs that have native support for them. For example, VLC media player doesnt need codecs to paly any sort of audio or video and there are music players that dont need anything extra to play MP3s (like my fav music player, MPD).

ubuntuguide.org <-- Very helpful resource. Search for "MP3" or something and it should have steps on how to install MP3 codecs.

ubuntuforums.org <-- Helpful community that wont mind answering questions. Just do a search or two before posting as you can probably find a solution to your problem that way.

psychocats.net/ubuntu/index <-- some useful things like adding extra repositories, installing software, setting up flash, and altering file permissions.

You will want to open up a terminal once ina while to learn the basics, at least, as most if not all guides will involve the command line simply because it is a lot easier to give commands to paste into the terminal than try and explain where someone should point and click to do the same thing.

Ubuntu is a very straight forward linux distro, if you give it some time it will be just as easy to you as windows is. You'll probably find it easier in a lot of respects as well.

noonebutme

01-06-2007, 04:07 AM

Oh, and do you know where a guide is to install XGL on Ubuntu?

Thanks.
You'll need to use the terminal commands that you want to avoid to get XGL working in Ubuntu.

i thought reactos was built on a reversed engineered windows kernel and not a linux kernel
Nope

why redhat for office apps? for a server i can understand, but for average dsktop use and office productivity, all distros can run the exact same thing.
Red hat for server? god no. Gentoo/Debian for server - or something else that has a GOOD package management system at the very least. Sabayon is the best for desktops. XGL/Beryl by default + Every package you'll need, based off of Gentoo.

Ubuntu doesn't resemble Windows....

I'd say Linspire does most, after that, I'd just go with anything using KDE (Kubuntu maybe)

I don't recommend using Linspire though, their history is not a proud one. Plus its not a distro you can grow with
Lindows is probably closest to windows. but that's worse then linspire. though ubuntu is almost as bad as either of the two imo and that's really popular..

Your not gonna be able to use linux without using the command line. if thats what you want, stick with windows. or try OS X out.

bman

01-06-2007, 06:33 AM

How is this still going on....

for a linux that looks close to windows and not trying to be windows, Ubuntu.

Simple.

jdhore

01-06-2007, 06:57 AM

i think the closest thing to Windows you'll get is either Ubuntu or Debian with lxp: http://lxp.sourceforge.net/

ism

01-23-2007, 10:59 PM

i have been a distro junkie in the past, but often seem to end up with PCLinux on my desktop currently 9.3 with the Xfce / kde interface

on my travels the one distro that aims to court windows users is Xandros
http://www.xandros.com/about/downloads.html
A commercial linux company, they do have a 30 day trial desktop and server versions available - they hold the hand of the windows user and together with Crossover Office plus a lively forum provide a slick and stable interface that windows users may find easy enough to use and never find the need to go back to the dreadful microsoft.

experienced linux users may find the way Xandros do things annoying, but with patience and the downloading of 'apt' or another software manager, and visiting the aforementioned forum it can be tweaked into quite a nice system - in my case the free trial then ran out - such is life.

masherscf

01-24-2007, 01:20 AM

I've used Linux in the past but I didn't feel like learning all the terminal things.

Forgive me for saying so. But if you don't do the command line, WTF do you want to use Linux at all? The whole linux chic is the using the command line.

powerlockdoors

01-28-2007, 01:24 AM

Forgive me for saying so. But if you don't do the command line, WTF do you want to use Linux at all? The whole linux chic is the using the command line.

because everything is free. also, almost no viruses/trojans/spyware/etc. to worry about.

michael0010

02-06-2007, 01:01 PM

I'd say Ubuntu. I hate all those distros that completely resemble GNU/Linux.

Linspire is the suck.

BCModder

03-04-2007, 06:15 AM

sugarsickness

03-05-2007, 12:24 AM

I heard that linspire was previously named lindows and got or nearly got sued over the name or something, also ubuntu and kubuntu don't resemble windows no matter how you look at it(well in my personal opinion anyway :D)....however they are the easiest and nicest Ive used yet of the linux distro's.

still have to agree that one of the whole points of linux is the command line interface. :D

Well, visually, KDE has a familiar apeparance. The task bar is layed out just like windows and I would think that is what new comers would be looking for most of the time (My father got confused in Gnome while trying to check his email despite the huge APPLICATIONS menu ha).

And I do not agree at all with the command line claim. I love the command, I love mutt and IRSSI and w3m. I looove it.

But the point of linux is choice and ones ability to choose to use command line apps or gui apps, the ability to choose ubuntu or slackware or gentoo or arch, the ability to choose KDE, openbox, or gnome. The only thing that bugs me about Linux is that there are so many people that have this unrelenting hatred (Not talking aobut you specifically here haha) towards people because they use differnet things. A lot of Linux users make fun of Ubuntu users simply because they don't have to spend 4 hours configuring a base install and because ubuntu is a "newb" distro. I love linux but sometimes it makes me cry because it feels like some people don't understand that not everyone wants or needs to mess with USE flags or don't want to spend a few hours before they have a useable install.

I know the people in #archlinux have made their fair share of jokes at ubuntu users simply because it doesn't require much thought to get up and running. But that's just me ._.; I'm not attacking anyone ^__^

astralsin

03-05-2007, 02:07 PM

For the distro that most resembles Windows, try PCLinuxOS + LinuxXP desktop. One thing people should remember is that Linux isnt a free open source version of Windows and you'll not be getting the same thing as Windows. Linux is different, and in many ways better. Any distro can install anything any other distro can install, they're all the same operating system. The only thing that's different is the install method and packaging system. And really, any distro can be made to look like Windows.