Resist the temptation to skip over this material to read only what looks like what you want to know.
If you have never seen, much less used Linux, there are a number of things you as a Windows user should
be aware of. In this series of articles the attempt will be to outline for you what to expect and how to
transistion to Linux as painlessly as possible and possibly avoid a huge disappointment with Linux that would
be undeserved.
The most obvious thing to consider is what the user interface will look like. That is a tough one. Tough
because Linux gives you choices - Windows does not. Oh, sure you can change colors and icons and such, but
you are stuck with the Microsoft Windows way of doing things. With Linux you get to choose the window
environment you like. It is called a window "manager". Or, if you dislike windows, you can stay at a command
line and use Linux natively (Windows only lets you do this from a window).
Linux window managers come in several varieties. Some are ultra smooth and simple. Others are as elaborate and
ornate as Vista or Windows 7. Trying out all of the choices is fun but does not help with transition from
Windows to Linux. To make the jump less painless, a limited number of candidates will be recommended
as window manager on Linux. These, will be discussed in detail later. But for now the limitation is based on
a minimal learning curve and fastest adaptation to the new environment.
The bigest hurdle for a new Linux user coming from Windows is unrealistic expectations. Linux is not a
made-over Windows system. There will not be one-to-one equivalencies for each Windows feature you have come
to use and rely on in every case. Terminologies will be different, menus will be different, icons will likely
be different. In short, don't expect to have a Windows-like environment on Linux. Expect to learn new menus,
terminologies, and iconic representations in the Linux window environment of your choosing.
If it is a matter of just having the windowing environment look like something familiar, almost all Linux
window managers offer themes that simulate the Microsoft themes (mostly XP). This is a look and feel that gets
you close to what you are used to with MSWindows. There are even theme add-ons for the internet browser
FireFox (the default browser on almost all Linux window managers) that look and work very similar to IE7/IE8
or Safari. Once again, this is a look to help with transition. It will not necessarily function the same as
MSWindows. Many other non-Windows themes are available that can also be used as well.
Let's look at some of the more obvious choices so you can see what is meant. The illustration shown is from
the Ubuntu distro (short for distribution) of Linux.
This window manager is called Gnome. It is simple, clean, stable, and very efficient. There are some obvious
points to note. It does not look at all like MSWindows as it comes. However, that does not mean it is lacking
in performance or functionality. It is just different. Remember it was stated above that Linux gives you
choices. The following illustrates just how versatile Linux window managers are. Without changing the window
manager, this next illustration shows the Gnome desktop with a XP style theme. The Linux operating system and
Gnome window manager are the same - only the theme has changed.
Looks just like MSWindows XP doesn't it? But it is not. Not even close. This is Linux, full on and available
in a familiar user interface. The window environment can be given just about any look we wish, even Vista, or
Windows 7.
Choices! If the MSWindows look and feel is what you are comfortable with, you can have that look and feel
while using Linux natively. This is a vital part of transistioning to an unfamiliar environment. Start with
what you know. Learn as you go, then transition away from the old environment totally. The dramatic changes
you can make in the windowing environment on Linux allows you to do this with minimal pain.
