A Better Introduction to Linux User Interface
Today I came across a nice article by cnet on Linux user interface. The article obviously was geared towards new users who might be interested in Linux. This is a welcome change where everyday more reputable blogs and technology websites are opening up to Linux and introducing it to their reader base, who otherwise probably would have never have known about linux or dared to try it out. For new users switching to Linux or even test-driving it has never been easier. But do we really think if we want to encourage new users towards linux, we can achieve it by showing an image of a Solitaire game and (oh my gosh!) a calculator? Like they did in the Cnet article:
Linux is more than Ubuntu.
I am a big time Ubuntu fan. I am the last person in the world who has anything bad to say about Ubuntu (except maybe for the new concept). It’s rock solid in performance; fast, easy, regular updates, great installation options with wubi and livecd, huge software repositories, and great support system for help when needed. But this is also true for most other linux distros. Linux is more than Ubuntu, it is more than a text editor, a calculator or a solitaire game.
Linux is about knowing that you will never have to run a virus scan or defragment your hard drive. Why should you have to waste your time and money maintaining basic user protection that should be there is the first place? With linux you can customize your user interface more than just changing your wallpaper. When you use MacOSX or Windows Vista, everyone more or less has the same user interface. With linux you can have total control over what you do with your system, you can make it look like a MacOS or Windows Vista if you want. Some linux fanboys will tell you, “But why would you want Linux to look like Vista or MacOS?”, the answer is quite simple, what makes linux different from proprietary OS is that we don’t tell users what they should or should not do with their system, we just show them everything they could possibly do. With Linux comes the power of choice. It is no more exclusive to geeky linux elitist only. Linux is open for everyone and you are invited.
Linux is more than Gnome.
Gnome has become more popular in recent times thanks to popular distros switching to gnome as their default user interface. But this was not always the case KDE (K Desktop Environment), Xfce, IceWM, Enlightenment, AfterStep (and several I am probably forgetting) has it’s share of strong user base who swear by them. With the much anticipated upcoming release of KDE4, the Linux desktop environment scene has never been so exciting. KDE4 is a complete redesign with many many new features and is still in the development phase. Here are some screenshots of popular Linux UI other than Gnome:
KDE4:
Xfce:
IceWM:
Enlightenment:
AfterStep:
Linux is also Eyecandy:
If you thought Aero effects in Vista was nice and OSX has beautiful graphic effects (which they do), than Compiz Fusion effects on Linux Desktop environment will blow your mind. Linux has a place for the nerdy programmer and casual users. To believe it you will have to see it. This video gives you a side by side comparison of Vista Aero effects and Compiz Fusion (compiz + Beryl) effects in Linux. This video is more than a year old and many things have improved since and more effects have been added than you already see in the video (for instance compiz and beryl projects merged and formed compiz fusion). Vista is still the same from a year ago.
Linux is a Media Center:
Linux media centers like LinuxMCE and MythTV can put commercial media centers to shame and often runs proprietary hardware better than their commercial counterparts.
MythTV:
LinuxMCE:
So hopefully with this brief but relatively fair introduction of linux desktop environment gave you a better understanding of the options and features you get with linux, and this will help you understand that linux is not all about Ubuntu and gnome. They are just part of the whole linux experience.
If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)
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Good article. One of the reasons i can see showing a screenshot of solitaire and a calculator is because those are two of the classic tools many windows users used back in the day when people would use calculator religiously and waste the rest of the day on solitaire.
yah, i remember reading that article and wondering why the hell they only showed ubuntu screenshots.
Great article, glad to see it got submitted to digg!
Keep up the good work..
The problem is not about how great Linux is, but people who don’t want to learn a little bit what’s the difference among them.
Normally, my friends goes crazy when they can’t find an .exe or the official messenger program.
I had these feelings too, but perseverated until I became a proud Ubuntu user.
I have to say that Ubuntu is the easiest and most reliable distribution nowadays. I am sorry for KDE but they should improve stability before the look.
Alex
“Linux is about knowing that you will never have to run a virus scan” - until its use reaches critical mass.
Good article, but don’t mislead the already confused people that you are aiming for. You state that the screenshots are of other “distros”, when they are not. They are of other desktop managers. Any of those screenshots could have been Ubuntu. Are there some distros that look like that right after install? I am sure there are, but now people who don’t know will try to find KDE4 and will be all kinds of confused.
I see your point but the original article was aimed at a certain audience and therefore presented it in a simple yet effective way. When you write an article you ask yourself who is my target audience. The original article did that.
You should say GNU/Linux, not just “Linux” http://www.gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.html
eclw, considering Linux is already used in a vast number of server applications, with overall more market share than Windows for the server market; and that many governments are converting to Linux, you’d think viruses would already be a problem.
It’s the Linux architecture and the way security is implemented so directly that stops viruses propagating. Bad usage practices could allow a virus to infect your system, however with the way most distributions are designed, it’s difficult to use it badly, especially so if you follow a few simple rules about when to use root.
Yeah. People should really start using term GNU/Linux, not just Linux. Because, without GNU there wouldn’t be “Linux”, linux is just a part of GNU/Linux system.
While I’m sympathetic to GNU’s desire for GNU/Linux to be called by its full name, you’ve got to be realistic. Popular use tends to truncate or shorten, rather than lengthen, and the punctuation character is a ‘marketing’ kiss of death. GNU is an acronym, and a rather awkward one at that. Neither it nor its associated Gnu mascot are as cuddly as ‘Linux’ and Tux.
IMHO, this is classic King Cnut stuff. In terms of popular usage, mindshare and marketing, the ship sailed and the battle was lost years ago. What’s more, it seems that the hectoring and ‘policing’ being done in the futile attempt at holding back the tide is winning few new friends.
Dude, the “new design” in Ubuntu 8.10 is *not* the ‘new design’. It is a test design to address problems with icons and visual elements for any dark background design that is implemented. That’s all.
Hope you will update the article to show this.
RMS is the only one who really cares about calling it GNU/Linux. Linus himself hates the term.
Nice article. The video of youtube is a little old. There are much features now from compiz-fusion, and recent screenlets
Hi everyone!
Thanks for your comments (whether you disagree with me or not). I have some adjustments to the article and wanted to mention it so that people who have pointed it out doesn’t look stupid.
@MA (#12), I ave changed the “new design” to “new concept”, the previous ubuntu had “concept artworks” which looks similar to the alpha ibex, it might not end up like that, but judging from previous designs, it will be close to what the alpha looks like. However, it is not a new design or the final design and thanks for pointing that out.
@Brad (#6) You are right, it was an honest mistake from my part and misguiding, so I changed it to “screenshots of popular Linux UI other than Gnome”
Thanks again to everyone else for your comments, the grammatical errors (if exists) are due to the fact that English is not my first language and I am trying to improve everyday.
pavs
I used have Ubuntu dual booted with windows. I loved it but really drove me crazy when I had to switch to windows to play games :(
Instead of arguing over “GNU/Linux” vs. just “Linux”, why not call it something like “LiGnux” , although that would be pronounced more “Lie-nucks”, it would make the whole naming situation easier. People have a tendency to shorten things naturally, and GNU/Linux is just to much of a mouthful for most people. Even my name, T.J., is only two letters, yet half the people feel necessary to shorten it, either to “Teege” or just “T”.
Nice post, and yeah, I think outsiders would think GNOME == Linux and vice versa. I stared just after KDE went 1.0, so I’ve been around many UIs since using Linux as a desktop. Personally I usually use Gnome or XFCE, although I’m still looking for the right combo of Openbox+Perl Panel and such, but I’m addicted to compiz and the transparent (real) terms it provides. Also alt-tab is my friend, and the screens they give on that help speed along things well. And thanks for reminding me that I still haven’t built a MythTV box yet! ;)
I’m using Ubuntu for almost pretty much everything EXCEPT when I need to watch TV from my computer.
Windows Vista MCE still beats any TV-related app out there.
I agree. Linux is not just Ubuntu. Its about the variety out there.
I use Ubuntu. I have tried other distros but have stuck with Ubuntu.
GNOME must credit its growing popularity to Ubuntu.
Please do not take this to be elitism; your intentions appear to be good, as do those of the CNET article writer, but:
Linux is an operating system kernel. It has no user interface.
Kubuntu ftw!
@xys (#24), I know “Linux” is a kernel, I know I should also call it “GNU/Linux”, I should also do many other things to scare away potential new users. I don’t think most linux users (including you) are elitist. Only the ones who will do whatever is necessary to make it scary and hard for new users to adopt. Let them adopt first, than they can call it “a kernel” or “GNU/Linux” or whatever they please do so.
This is a very instructive article and quite reassuring for newbies who wants to dish windows for linux. It is a good thing thuogh that users are having wider choice to make. No more sneaking around to download pirated softwares, there are free alternative offered for free with tons of free tutorials and communal support to get one going. I got here from digg, so you can bet I will Digg and Stumble this. It is a nice one. Cheers.
Linux has made great stides over the years, but until all the peripheral makers start making open source drivers, it is moot. I have an XP machine that does it all, from TV to DVD ripping ->other formats to really great sound, ironically one of my major components is a Linux tool, vlc.
As far as streaming and file serving go, the linux machine rules the network, but for talking to the receiver and television, my Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT likes it’s windows drivers. as well as the really well made creative software for my sound card.
Linux does RTSP really well and SMB/CIFS, but this is still geek land.
Arrogant Linux Elitists don’t have a sense of humor.
@Mark
Linux has decent open cource driver support, except from ATI and NVidia, and that is changing. If more users express to ATI and NVidia that they WANT open source-source drivers rather than the proprietary drivers they offer now, and that until they do, they will purchase card X, this process will go faster.
I use Linux for everything, and it works well. No viriuses, no crap-ware/spy-ware, no getting locked into M$’s next round of upgrading.
I even use Linux to run Windows. Seamless VM goodness, yummmmmy!
Jeff
forgot Elisa from Fluendo in the media-centers list