Welcome to Open Source versus
Main Menu
· Home

News Articles
· Latest
· Most Read
· Search
· Syndicate
· Submit

Topics
· Open vs Closed
· Linux vs Windows
· Linux vs Mac
· Linux vs Linux
· Linux vs Win vs Mac
· Desktop Apps
· Database Apps
· Development Apps
· Server Apps


Advertisement

Login
 



 


 Log in Problems?
 New User? Sign Up!

   
Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison Apr 28, 2005
We've put together a series of Windows XP, SUSE 9.3 and Ubuntu 5.04 desktop screen shots as a side-by-side comparison of some of the common desktop features available in the modern operating system desktop.

Windows users need not fear making the switch to Linux in this day and age, with the mature desktop environments currently available. There are features available in Windows that are not present in the KDE and GNOME environments, and visa-versa, but the most common features used in Windows are present in Linux.

This comparison is based on a default Windows XP installation, the SUSE 9.3 Live DVD and the Ubuntu 5.04 Live CD, without additional software being installed. So we begin.

Keep in mind that this a only a basic visual comparison of Windows and Linux. For more comparisons on this topic click here.

Booting up
 
Loggin In
 
Desktop
 
Menus
 
Web Browsers
 
E-mail
 
Media Players
 
Instant Messengers
 
Documents Folder
 
Computer Folder
 
System Administration
 
Add Printer
 
Trash
 
Help
 
Run
 
Search
 
Taskbar
 
System Update
 
clock
 
Text Editor
 
File Manager
 
Paint/Image Editor
 
Command Prompt
 
Calculator
 
Add/Remove Applications
 
Display Properties
 
Keyboard Properties
 
Mouse Properties
 
Sound Properties
 
Taskbar Properties
 
User Accounts
 
Desktop Menu
 
Running Processes
 
Performance Monitor



 

 
Related links
· More about Linux vs Windows
· News by osnerd

Most-read story in Linux vs Windows:
Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison


Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison | Log-in or register a new user account | 107 Comments
  
Comments are statements made by the person that posted them.
They do not necessarily represent the opinions of the site editor.
Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2005 - 02:19 PM
All the same.
however XP is less secure, cost way more and you still have to spend money on apps.
three guesses what runs on my boxes


Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2005 - 04:17 PM
Congratulations!
The screenshots were well selected!


Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2005 - 05:01 PM
The ubuntu screen shot should show the snaptic program for Add Remove Applications, its a comparable graphical interface to the others.
They all have their Pros & Cons.

I run all three an a daily basis, with XP my least favorite. I do really like the choice you get with Linux. I have saved a ton of money in my home use. No virus or adware subscriptions (at least currently), no cost to install on my kids machines and tons of well designed free software. Three of my son friends now want me to dual boot their XP boxes with Linux.


Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2005 - 05:36 PM
Nice! The only one missing is solitaire.


Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2005 - 06:09 PM
So we now have reliable rich content copy & paste between apps in Linux ?

No, of course not. What rubbish.


The "Loggin In" set of photos
by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2005 - 07:49 PM
The 'Loggin In' set of photos do not show Suse's KDE log in screen. That should be fixed.


Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 02:16 AM
KeeeeewL


Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 07:01 AM
Whenever people compare Windows to Linux it's always visual. If that's as far as your comparison goes then you have no ground to stand on, that's a pretty shallow comparison.

Linux is still a command-line oriented operating system, the GUI is just a pretty little covering to make it look Windows-ish. Maturity? I think not, linux is still stuck in the 80's.

As far as security goes, security is more often than not a matter of human nature than not. Windows may give every user Administrator priveledges by default whereas Linux uses a designated root user, but people will demand the most control with the least hastle whether they need it or not, so in the end users prefer the Windows way.


Installing New Apps is Linux Achilles Heel !
by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 11:26 AM
Don't get me wrong, I and many more Windoze users would love to dump MikeRossof like a hot potatoe, and become thoroughly in love with the Linux open source community .... BUT ... a simple thing like installing new apps on Linux (outside of the now common Add/Remove built in feature) is a major problem and I still haven't got my head around it!

The first thing I do when installing Windbloze, is to unplug from the Internet, and install a free Software Firewall from Disk, so that any outgoing data attempts are now in my control (just call me paranoid) - no where can I find a single tutorial on how to install and setup a decent two way Linux Firewall app.

BTW - every time I've installed a copy of Mandrake and/or Lindoze, my modems activity light started flashing like an Exhibition fun fair ! I've heard it said that most new installs of Linux are hacked in the first few minutes of bootup (can't quote the source as it was some time ago, but for the paranoid among us (moi), that was enough to make me unplug and sit on my Linux hands).

Until this reasonably adept Windows/Dos user can figure out the simplest thing like where to find a good Linux Firewall and HOW TO INSALL IT, without compiling and caboobillating ad nauseum, I'll have to stick with what works .... and therein lies the achilles heel of Linux ! Once under the hood of the new sweet, Linux GUI's, it's foreign content that works differentlly and the unitiated don't know how to make simple things work yet!

Any suggestions to help solve this dilemna would be appreciated !


  • Re: a firewall is already in the kernel you DUMBASS by Anonymous on May 06, 2005 - 09:56 PM
  • Re: Installing New Apps is Linux Achilles Heel ! by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 03:17 PM
  • Re: Installing New Apps is Linux Achilles Heel ! by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 03:52 PM
  • Re: The Linux Dumbass Speaks by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 03:53 PM
  • Re: The Linux Dumbass Speaks by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 10:23 PM
  • Re: The Linux Dumbass Speaks by Anonymous on Apr 30, 2005 - 07:04 AM
  • Re: The Linux Dumbass Speaks by Anonymous on Apr 30, 2005 - 08:15 AM
  • Re: The Linux Dumbass Speaks by Anonymous on Apr 30, 2005 - 11:35 AM
  • Re: Installing New Apps is Linux Achilles Heel ! by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 04:33 PM
  • Re: Installing New Apps is Linux Achilles Heel ! by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 05:18 PM
  • Re: Installing New Apps is Linux Achilles Heel ! by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 05:40 PM
  • Re: Installing New Apps is Linux Achilles Heel ! by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 06:51 PM
  • Re: Installing New Apps is Linux Achilles Heel ! by Anonymous on Apr 30, 2005 - 09:44 AM
  • Re: Installing New Apps is Linux Achilles Heel ! by Anonymous on May 01, 2005 - 03:47 AM
  • Re: Installing New Apps is Linux Achilles Heel ! by Anonymous on May 01, 2005 - 08:07 AM
    • Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 03:12 PM
    Too bad the fourth modern desktop wasn't also compared...OSX.
    I run windows at work, linux and osx at home, so I'm not biased
    towards it...but it would be a neat comparison.


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 06:03 PM
    I think this is a little deceptive. The Sound interface in Suse is way behind Windows XP. By default you also have to log in as root. It's not the same. I personally don't run windows at all but to mislead people into thinking that everything is user friendly in Linux does more harm than good. The first time Joe Blow installs Linux thinking he's getting a polished OS is the last time Joe tries Linux. Let's be truthful. The UI of Linux still needs a great deal of work.


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 07:01 PM
    Windows "just works".


    Re: Windows vs Linux: Nice work Man...
    by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 10:09 PM
    You put alot of work into this and I appreciate what you have done. thank you for a selfless and fine effort. Work like yours will eventually lead to the "Windoze abused" to the world of Linux. We can only hope.

    helios


    Live CD's Fair
    by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2005 - 11:36 PM
    Is it fair to use a Live CD? Doesn't that limit how much you can get from those distros?


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on Apr 30, 2005 - 12:56 AM
    You should throw in a nice picture of someone manually modifying their xorg.conf 'cause they can't get their desktop to display at 1280x1024. Or a nice picture of someone editing their Windows registry.


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on Apr 30, 2005 - 03:42 AM
    its truley amazing how similar thay all look. Desktop Linux has come a long way since the 90's i hope we can continue the trend of usibility and quality, Ubuntu looks a lot more user friendley for a windows user then suse, in my oppinion.

    It will be interesting to see what happenes to the linux deaktop in responce to the new 'bells and whistles' of Longhorn (if it ever arrives!)


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on Apr 30, 2005 - 04:59 AM
    noticed that you did not put a picture of synatic on ubuntu, and instead used it's new add/remove thingie. most people actually use synaptic.


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on Apr 30, 2005 - 06:33 AM
    There is only one direct windows replacement in linux and thats linspire 5.0. Its easier to use than windows and cost less than windows and still gives all linux benefits along with easy application installs that anyone can do. It only takes 8 mins to install and runs forever. The click and run warehouse is just that, you click and it runs and even takes care of the dreaded conflicts situation which no other linux os does.
    Linspire 5.0 is a complete replacement for windows and it works very well.
    Low cost, a jillion programs, unlimited support, and runs better than windows, you cant go wrong with linspire 5.0


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on Apr 30, 2005 - 08:53 PM
    I would dearly like to get rid of Windows but to say "Windows users need not fear making the switch to Linux in this day and age" may be true for many users, it is not correct. In various usage areas, we are a slave to that area's reliance on windows.

    For example:
    1) Financial institutions that won't provide fraud guarantees for your on-line access if you don't use their (windows based) approved browsers.
    2) Financial software that will only run under Windows and will not provide support to users running their software under windows emulators in Linux even if you can find an emulator that is 100% accurate.
    3) Data interchange issues once you have significant data built up under Windows (though I understand that this is largely solved now)
    4) As commented on at "Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison", "Installing New Apps is Linux Achilles Heel" I suspect not as bad as made out but it is a re-training exercise that we tend to avoid when other things demand our limited time.

    In any case, I still hope Linux wins the battle. Unfortunately, some of us have one leg chained to Windows. And we prefer not have our legs going in different directions. So we can but hope that the chain can some day be removed.


    Some 3-D game
    by Anonymous on May 01, 2005 - 01:51 AM
    How about screenshot of a modern 3-D game, like Enemy Territory, that runs on all three OS ? Copyright should not be an issue since you are already posting screenshots of a Microsoft product.


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on May 01, 2005 - 10:34 AM
    There's something missing... with Linux you cannot play games (apart from few exceptions, like doom3), not even abandonware. I'd gladly switch to Linux if it would give me the possibility to run the games I like he most. Until that day I'm bounded to xp, and appreciate it for the possibility it gives me to make lan parties until the last frag.


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on May 02, 2005 - 07:10 AM
    I really like this page showing the comparisons! It's the only way you can actually see what's happening before you install Linux. Thank you very much!

    woodsh707@templejc.edu


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on May 02, 2005 - 01:47 PM
    Nice ! Now if I can't get whacked by worms and don't have to do windowsupdate every week (which twice has smoked my computer), what will I do with all the extra time I don't spend rebuilding and reconfiguring everything I've lost?

    BTW, if I buy a new PC and want to install LINUX, do I still have to pay for preinstalled Windows, or can I get a PC without Windows from major players?


    I use linux, but come on
    by Anonymous on May 02, 2005 - 02:28 PM
    Let's compare a 2005 Ferrari F430 vs 1980 Ford Pinto.

    Ferrari: Shinny Red
    Pinto: Oxidized Red

    Ferrari: Two Doors
    Pinto: Two Doors and a HatchBack!

    Ferrari: V8
    Pinto: 8 Gerbils

    Ferrari: Heated Seats
    Pinto: Explosive Gas Tank

    This is hardly a fair comparison, although, windows users are easily impressed by a slick GUI.


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on May 04, 2005 - 09:17 PM
    This is a pretty desktop comparison... Very nice!!! lol Iv'e been using Linux for many years and it amazes me how far it has come with the desktop. GUI's are nice but remember.. a shell is the direct user interaction with the system. Open source is an open door for the development of 1000's of applications compiled to run on an open architecture system. Makes sence. Windows is a user friendly OS. It doesn't take much in the way of brains to use it. That's the way it was designed. My kids will trash an XP box in a week! They love linux and never trash a thing and continue to learn on a real and honest level about what an OS is, what a file system is, how to manage files and programs, and have hours of fun decorating their desktops. No viruses, no popup's, no junk, too many free applications to list.


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on May 06, 2005 - 05:19 AM
    Thanx guys for this nifty comparison; however, I feel I must speak out. All that you have done is show three "desktops" not windows vs linux. Windows vs linux, imho, should have been something like - "Look MS we're running seven heavy applications and it's still stable not to mention that it has been running - without a single second of downtime for 588 days!! what's that you say?? You're still advising me to install single application dedicated boxes?? No, wonder DELL promotes your server systems above all".

    Don't get me wrong - I am a firm believer of - "the best application in the right environment. We're running Linux backend and XPPro desktops. The linux backend keeps me sane and I can sleep very well at night knowing that my servers will still be running - just like I left them - when I get back to the office. As for the XPPro desktops - if one flips or dies - ghost to the rescue and voila - within 15 minutes - as the day she was born (the first time).

    Gui desktops are for clickers - black (is beautiful) consoles are for tickers. I love my KDE 3.3 desktop on SuSE pro 9.2 and my SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 running various server apps.

    Thanx for reading.

    Arden

    ps - greetings from The Netherlands


    Re: Windows vs Linux: a modern desktop comparison
    by Anonymous on May 07, 2005 - 08:20 AM
    First, this is a really nice graphical comparison, although I have never used ubuntu. I came to this site looking for a flaming "windows vs linux" article, but these screen shots are a wonderful way to compare the GUI of the three systems. I agree with a previous post that it would have been nice to include Mac OS pics along with these, but this is still an awesome comparison. Good work! Now... for all you people hating on linux, I have a few words in its defense! (Sorry, it had to be done...) This is just my opinions, so don't flame me too bad! =) Windows is the most commonly used OS worldwide (for home users at least), so it is targeted more by adware/spyware and exploits. It is also used by non techno swavy users that will be more inclined to fall for the fake downloads and not set their security settings correctly. However, a person can secure their windows system by taking ceartain precautions. This usually includes modifying their default security settings and using some third party apps. Unfortunately, it takes some advanced skills to secure your windows system properly. And, don't forget about games, Windows has the market here. The younger audience (and some older, including myself) love their games! Windows is here to stay for a long while, at least I think so. Windows user base is so large, it is easy to solve major problems by just doing a search on the web. You may have to look harder for linux answers, but they are there as well. Linux has come a long way since I began using it in the early 90's (after I learned how to partition my hard drive!). Dual booting was a pain in the arse, but Linux distros have come a long way since then. Now most novice users can install a linux distro without any major complications. Linux is, of course, more secure out of the box than windows, but no system is absolutely safe. Linux employs a great deal of security by default. And yes, there is a friggin firewall included with linux (it would be easier to list what programs are not included with linux)! Everyone who decides to use linux should research their choice before they make the leap. For the person who said linux is stuck in the 80's -- byte me! I think linux's command line interface is the OS's strong point more than the beautiful desktops you can get for it. Linux may take a more advanced computer user to use it efficently, but that is the price you pay for unlimited graphical and system customizations. Oh yea, almost forgot, linux is open source (99% of the distros anyway)! If you take the time to learn how to do some programming, you can customize every single little insignificant aspect of your linux system! P.S. Linux users are just have more stlye than winblows users! haha If you are scared of learning new things, stick with windows and be a slave to the corporate machine forever! Let the flames begin (dance my puppets... dance)!



    All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. The comments are property of their posters, all the rest (c) 2005 by OpenSourceVersus.com