Windows 7, the KDE 3.5 Wannabe?
- Image via CrunchBase
During my daily feed-skimming I noticed that the people at ZDNet got their hands on the first (and apparently only) beta of the new Vista savior, Windows 7. The review features screenshots and I must say, even though it has not convinced me, Windows 7 is a step forward from Vista, at least as far as the GUI is concerned. Although, aside from the removal of some annoying Vista bells and whistles and the new Peek and Snap window-management enhancements, it is difficult not to notice the resemblance between Microsoft’s much-touted revamped Aero and the excellent, now 3-years old, KDE 3.5.x.
But the graphical familiarity goes a bit further than Windows 7′s text-less taskbar and Kicker (sans virtual desktops, Microsoft seems to be unaware of the existance this feature), Gadgets and Superkaramba. The window buttons remind me of a (quite polished) Kubuntu KWin theme. And due to the customizability of KDE, Windows may have gotten much farther with hiring their artist to simply do a theme for KDE3 ^^
However, I hope the developers did more than just change the GUI (I flinched when I saw the good ‘ol Windows XP-style install client), because in 2009, Leopard, GNOME and KDE4 still sport a superior user interface.
I’m staying with GNOME. Still, who knows, maybe this will make Windows users easier to convert to a KDE4 or KDE3 desktop on a Linux distro?
Certainly the beauty-queen – but not very unique, is it?
Windows 7
PCLinuxOS, KDE 3.5.x
Kubuntu with KDE 3.5.x
OpenSuse with KDE 4
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I love how people say Windows 7 is a KDE wannabe. First off just becasue it looks like KDE doesn’t mean it behaves like KDE. Secondly has anyone used Windows 7 to say it actually acts like KDE3??
No, making it act like KDE would be too confusing for the poor MS users – not to mention Apple. I mean, the middle mouse button actually has a use. Although, Apple seems to think one button is enough, like I am fingerless. Will the new Mac Airs come with no keyboard? Awesome!
Yeah I’ve always had the feeling that new innovative features happen much sooner in Linux and only after a couple of years reach the Windows world. That was also one of the reasons why I switched to Linux a couple of years ago. KDE 4 looks especially advanced these days. Still a bit young and needs some time to mature. Can’t wait for KDE 4.2 to be released in January 2009. And the best thing about all this is that we get it all legaly for free and complete with open source code and without any anti-consumer restrictions. I simply love the Open Source world. Old days of Windows seem like the dark ages compared to it.
I don’t really see that much of a resemblance. Windows 7 will have very little text in the taskbar.
Also, Windows 7 looks far more polished than the KDE 3.5 types. Thy have a certain attention to detail that I wish the Linux community would have for their art.
Then again, it wouldn’t be that surprising for Windows to steal successful UI features off KDE, as they have done it with Mac OSX.
Another one for open source.
I HIGHLY doubt that Windows 7 will behave like KDE. I personally think that it will get new makeup, but still feel comfortable to the older Windows users.
I don’t see anything wrong with Windows imitating KDE’s interface, directly or indirectly. We should be happy Windows is getting a facelift; it needs it. Folks at KDE should be proud that Microsoft is using their concept. I would. That is the goal for open source: to benefit people and organizations, whether Microsoft or not. As for me, I’m happy with Gnome.
P.S. The interface defines the overall feel for the entire OS, so a cleaner GUI makes it feel “cleaner.”
Get a life people. If you’ve used both GUI’s you’ll realize they only look similar. Not to mention most taskbar-based GUI’s all work the same anyway.
[...] Read more at http://www.internetling.com/ Uncategorized December 30th 2008 [...]
Just a little correction. Your fourth screenshot is not showing Kubuntu, it’s showing openSUSE. (check the last icon to the right and and the launcher on the bottom lefthand corner)
Many Vista-installed laptops roll up with a CD which can “downgrade” them to XP to make them a little more useful… so… I wonder… will they start coming with a CD to “downgrade” then to Kubuntu or Mandriva (I think 2009.0 is the last pre-KDE4 Mandriva)?
Aronzak, Windows was originally designed to emulate a Mac. That’s why it started out with fixed-sized elevators, for example, & it wasn’t until the pre-Aqua Macs were upgraded to include proportional elevators that the VMS/Mica-descendents (http://www.krsaborio.net/research/1990s/98/12_b.htm) were allowed to have them as well.
Sue them!
Yeah, KDE 4 is really innovative in quite many ways…
@LeonBrooks
Many Vista-installed laptops roll up with a CD which can “downgrade†them to XP to make them a little more useful… so… I wonder… will they start coming with a CD to “downgrade†then to Kubuntu or Mandriva
That would definitely be a downgrade, no snarky quotation marks needed. Also, KDE (along with numerous other open source projects) have been striving to emulate Windows for years.
Surely W7 cannot even begin to act like KDE (3.5 or even better 4.1.x). It may look like KDE and fortunately KDE can be used under windows, not fully functional yet but still….
My desktop (openSuSE 11.1 – KDE 4.1.3) with compiz-fusion to-the-max looks and feels ‘just right’.
In 2 or 3 years this will be possible in W7 as well.
The article says, there is a resemblance between KDE 3.5 and Windows 7, not that it behaves like it. IMO, most GUI’s act sort of the same, yada, yada…
I use XFCE, since I like my “Start” button to be an actual button, i.e, the right mouse button, while I’m on the ‘desktop’ and the middle mouse button to be my pager.
Windows is lovely for games and… well, my girlfriend.
[...] Windows 7, the KDE 3.5 Wannabe? Filed under: Uncategorized — darthchaosofrspw @ 4:22 PM Windows 7, the KDE 3.5 Wannabe? [...]
It would actually be a good thing for Windows to try and imitate KDE. After all KDE is the best desktop on this planet.
I however don’t see Windows catching up at the development pace of KDE and it will never match KDE’s functionality as long as it remains proprietary.
The power of freedom is limitless, that’s what makes open source different from the rest.
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I like the screenshot of the KDE 4 version of OpenSUSE. For me it only showed the desktop in a small box. It is nice to see it take up the whole screen. I guess I will have to learn more about KDE 4. I am using OpenSUSE but sticking with KDE 3.5 for now.
John,
I would wait till KDE 4.2 comes out to try it. KDE 4.1 is still very buggy and likes to crash.
@John: I agree with Mike. Wait for the new release, I just posted the screen-shot for the sake of showing that the KDE team is actually innovating
[...] Blogger 认为 Windows 7 çš„æ¡Œé¢æ›´åƒ KDE 3.5.X [...]
HI all,
Nice i expect you will put more about KDE.
don’t care ’bout Vista or windows 7
I’m using Xubuntu LTS
he….3x!
ya bener kawan2..!! dekstopnya hampir sama persis dengan KDE…!! mungkin windows udah khabisan akal buat yg baru..!!! ha..ha..ha….
Does it have any bugs noted as of yet?
With large icons turned on, it does look very similar. But even though I’ve used KDE a lot, I didn’t notice the resemblance at all when I started using Windows 7.
Why? Because (as stated earlier) looks aren’t everything, it operates completely differently, and much better, in my opinion. The whole intuitiveness of the taskbar puts KDE’s dock wannabe (if you’ll excuse my very bias terminology) to shame.
I like it much better. *shrug* But I’m just one opinion out there. : )
Windows is the OS of the desktop. For too long has Microsoft reigned as the undefeated champion of desktop operating systems and mostly because all competition was trying to compete using the same or similar business plan.
Not to share the blind of optimism of the year of the Linux desktop crowd, however it must be admitted that there really is no disputing that Microsoft has had to contend with users, albeit a minority of users, looking elsewhere for their operating systems and most notably to Linux which as a as far desktop platform is concerned, and whatever strategy Linux distributions are taking, is making Microsoft scratch their heads about what position to take.
If Microsoft begins listening, actually listening, to user complaints and fears users jumping ship, especially the more tech-savvy types, who pose as a risk of convincing others to change, and if Microsoft listens, really listens, then this will greatly benefit their extremely large user base, who for too long have been told what their computer experience should be.
Lastly I always have to admire the efforts of the large open source projects that have not even a fraction of the virtually unlimited resources of both man and money that Microsoft has. Many new Linux users or die hard Microsoft fans fail to realize this and harshly criticize whatever shortcomings, real or perceived, exists. Because for the user what is most annoying about Microsoft is not that they’re big rather that their products quality hardly reflect the amount of money they possess.
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Why is Aero turned off on the Windows 7 Screenshot?
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I’ve never cared for KDE.
That being said, The reason I never liked KDE is because it always looked and performed very much like Windows 3.1. I’m no fan of Vista or Win/7 either but it seems to me that KDE has been unsuccessfully playing catchup to windows for about 10 years.
But then again, I’m a minimalist. When I use a GUI, I use Fluxbox. It’s fast and stable. Every couple of years I’ll try KDE just to see if it’s improved but each time I’ve been disappointed.
One of the strongest arguments I’ve heard against KDE from those with the patience for it, is that users frequently have to go back and reconfigure X every time KDE is updated. For me it’s not an issue but for the new Linux user who is likely a casual user (read: not a geek), it’s generally enough to cause them to go right back to Windows. As a rule, you won’t be kicked down into a command prompt after a Win/update.
I do see great untapped potential in KDE but it’s developers seem to continue to re-invent the wheel with every update and ignore the backward compatibility issues that can make the casual user start pulling out their hair. In my opinion, KDE just isn’t ready for prime time and from past experiences I’m doubting it ever will be.
Many new Linux users will choose KDE not for it’s functionality but simply because IT LOOKS LIKE WINDOWS and seems less intimidating.
As bloated Linux GUIs go, I feel Gnome is far superior but I’d guess it might be a bit intimidating for someone moving from the Windows world.
At first glance KDE looks like windows 7, but as far as I hav managed to customize KDE, I have not managed to make it behave like the windows 7 taskbar. I’d love to KDE work in a similar way to windows 7′s taskbar though
Wtf?
Just because 2 things look somewhat similar when you take a look at a screenshot doesn’t mean one is a ripoff of another.
The main difference between UIs is function, not on-the-surface stuff like what can be shown through screenshots.
I’ve just installed Windows 7 Release Candidate on my Sony VAIO VGN-FS515E… I’m quite pleased with the performance – much faster than Windows XP which is what my laptop shipped with – but for some reason I’m not getting any sounds at all. A big Minus point in my reckoning. Hopefully they can roll out a newer driver for my hardware soon.
I admit it looks very similart to KDE on Linux, but I prefer the look of GNOME instead, and will probably use Ubuntu 9.04 for the time being for Internet access and OpenOffice 3.0 and leave Win 7 on for games.
They both look the same.
I’ve used both KDE on Linux and Windows 7 and the task bar is similar. Smaller writing doesn’t make it similar? Come on…. It’s still the same layout.
How will KDE be hard for windows7 users? If anything KDE was the easiest of the linux GUIs I’ve used. It resembles Windows so it’s an easier transition from Windows to *nix
The only thing that makes Windows 7′s GUI appear to be a KDE rip off is the enlarged task bar, now called the Super Bar. End of story.
I think Win7 just looks like Vista, but with big square icons on the taskbar. They say they looked back to Windows 1 for inspiration, and I think they’re right: check out these screenshots of Windows 1.01 from 1985 in glorious EGA color
http://www.retrosoftware.net/museum/windows.htm
A row of big icons right along the bottom of the screen! No taskbar or start button yet, that didn’t come until Win95.
Whoa looks like you’re right. The taskbar is very similar
Interesting.I hope you will put more about KDE.
Even with the release of Vista I’ve noticed changes that looked very KDE like. My best example I first noticed was the menu. Does that not look like a KDE 4 menu? Infact it is the same style that OpenSuse had in 10.3.x! Vista copied it verbatim is would seem, I suppose thats why they have the agreement with Novell ;-}
The thing is that linux is free and beleve me it works on my old P2 466 computer fine with all bells and wistles, so why put bloatware on a decent pc, looks are`nt everything speed and dependency are !
linux has a far superior GUI and feel of a not so distant file system (AMIDOS) controll your own world and don`t be fooled by the bull from winDoZ.
Devlin, how did Vista copy the KDE 4 menu if Vista was for sale months before the first alpha of KDE 4 came out?
Colin, As I mentioned above OpenSuse had the menu in 10.3.x which was based on KDE 3.5.x. I don’t know what other distros used it but apparently it became popular enough to add officially in KDE 4.x.x,
Your comment inspired me to do some Google-ing, and came up with this page http://en.opensuse.org/Kickoff which describes the development process that went into the new OpenSuse menu for 10.2 and 10.3. They did usability studies comparing it to the Vista Beta 2 start menu, and while they can be proud that they got better scores than Vista in their survey, obviously Vista Beta 2 (already identical to the release version with desktop search etc.) was available first, and Novell was aware of it.
So if one is a “verbatim” copy of the other, well…
[...] seria KDE 3.5? o_0 haha Fontes sobre o que eu to falando: Internetling e Quartoestudio Se não é plágio, então o que é? O KDE 3.5 existe já há muito mais tempo que [...]
Windows 7 is everything what vista should be
@winter you asshole you go to system preferences and click mouse and for the second mouse button make it that you dumb fuck, thats what i do, god so brainless fag
I had a problem with windows 7 to put my picture on samsung lcd tv.With xp all working fine.I will try to find something on google for this kind a problem.
I juste rad xp vs win7..and it definitely win7 is winner by many criteria.
I am not a fan of Microsoft, at all. People who know me also know that I rather despise MS. The problem, however, is – regardless the impressive advances Linux has made in the past decade, it is still a very unstable environment. By unstable, I do not mean it crashes every 5 minutes, like Windows. I mean that Linux is unpredictable how it will behave among the various hardware combinations that are out there. What workds really well for one user will be a disaster with another. And that is just the OS. The available applications have a lot of maturing to do, as well. As a professional photographer, I find that GIMP just does not have the robust features that Photoshop has. Sure, you can do a lot with GIMP, but just not as well as Photoshop. Does Photoshop have a Linux port? Nope. Does it work well with WINE? Questionable. CS3 works okay, but not very stable. I use CS4 which does not even install, under WINE. In short, Linux has impressed me with its growth over the past several years. But Windows remains a polished operating system that just works under all hardware combinations (PC-wise, that is). If you know what you are doing, you can use Windows securely. But, I anxiously await the day that Linux becomes the reliable, polished operating system that Windows has become.
@ Dan Harvell. I am a Linux user and lover ever since I discovered the OS. There were times in the past years that Linux could really be painful to set up the way that one wants it to but that taught me a lot and today I can really consider a lot of Windows users as ignorant and unaware when compared with the least among Linux users.
Windows is obviously programmed for such people and to get them hooked like crack addicts.
However, I have to agree with you to a certain extent although I have to say that it’s not really Linux’s fault.
By default there are a lot more hardware that work with Linux than do with Windows. One can also do a lot more with Linux than with Windows on a default installation BUT there are a lot of hardware manufacturers out there that write drivers FOR Windows – that’s the big difference.
That’s why some programmes and/or hardware don’t work as well on Linux as they do on Windows.
If hardware vendors would stand behind Linux half as much as they do behind Windows then I could guarantee you that Windows would be DEAD in the very near future. The same applies to companies that write software for Windows. But they most likely won’t do that (stand behind Linux) because these are proprietary vendors who go to bed with M$. They are all in the same boat, all grinding the same axe. In the meantime Linux continues to grow from strength to strenth and like the laws of nature, nothing can stop it.
[...] the Win7 toolbar seems very similar to the KDE 3.5 one. Here's a link to an article all about it: Windows 7, the KDE 3.5 Wannabe? | Internetling __________________ Muhammad BJ Linux addict since August [...]