On Thu, Feb 12, 2004 at 07:49:10PM +0000, Wayne Stallwood wrote:
- In my opinion the user interface in MS Windows (particularly more recent
versions) is quite broken, the only reason people fine it useable is that it is reasonably familiar. The trouble is that familiarity is not reason enough to emulate. What next a: c: and d: in Linux ?
I agree, the MS UI is very sucky, you only have to take a look at the number of Mac fans to see that people don't like windows and find it inferior to Mac OS.
- By emulating the MS look and feel and being free, Linux ends up looking
like a cheap Windows Clone. Madness I know but I have heard this from people when first exposed to Linux.
Hmmm, some things share a look and feel, but then all WIMP enviroments have something in common. Personally I don't like things that are a windows workalike, but then I don't like using windows. Anyhow just because some of them look or feel like windows doesn't mean they all do.
- No matter how hard you try you are never going to be able to completely
emulate the Windows experience (Jokes about BSOD screensavers to be pasted in here) There will always be something that is different, because the underlying technology is quite different. If you can't make it "exactly" the same why not concentrate on making it better ?
Why emulate when you can improve?
Does it sound a bit like I have got it in for Xandros today, honestly I haven't, This applies to more distro's than just Xandros.
If a distro wants to be windows let them, the market will decide their fate, personally I believe in distros that include all the window manglers so you can decide your own fate, if a distro wants to customise just one option then let them, at worst it may attract users who want it to be the same, if the option of other choices is there then it isn't a big deal overall.
Adam