The Windows 7 GUI from a Linux user's perspective

[LinuxMint-4]

The Windows 7 GUI from a Linux user's perspective
Software
By Rick C. Hodgin
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 14:47

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/39937/140/

Redmond (WA) - Today, hard core Linux users were able to view for the first time some of nifty GUI features in Microsoft's next generation desktop operation system - Windows 7. Due out in Q3 2009, Windows 7 shows us that Microsoft has listened to consumers. They've gone to great lengths to bypass many of the annoying shortcomings in Vista's UI. Still, not many Linux users were impressed. The only significant feature Linux doesn't already include natively in its many free versions is multi-touch. But will these nifty new Windows 7 features be enough to keep Microsoft's user base happy? Or is it finally time for a change?


Windows 7 - Vista on steroids

If you loved Vista in Aero Glass mode, then you'll love Windows 7 even more. Windows 7 addresses many of the shortcomings in Vista, including management for those annoying popup notification messages, gadgets which are no longer locked in the sidebar (they can now be moved anywhere on the desktop), several UI enhancements which are not only attractive, but also require less mouse clicks to carry out routine functions, HomeGroup networking which automatically separates out your business and home network connections (including printers and peripherials), the ability to move app buttons on the start bar, and of course direct multi-touch support for all of Microsoft's Windows 7 apps.

Note: Read about the new features of Microsoft Windows 7 and see a SLIDESHOW here.


Of all the features shown today, only multi-touch is really worthy of significant praise.

Originally introduced to most mainstream technology users by Apple's iPhone, and known for years to most restaurant waitresses, multi-touch allows a hands-on experience directly with the display itself. No longer do we move objects many inches away from where we're looking. Now we look and touch, not just point and click.

Just as single-touch screens have allowed the user to click on visible objects on the screen and interact with their application in the past, new multi-touch abilities now allow the user to direct finger movements in ways the software can to respond to which were not previously possible.

A quick example of this multi-touch feature is squeezing the fingers in and out to make the distance between them closer or further apart while in contact with the display (like trying to pick up a bug on a monitor). If the UI focus points to a Word document, for example, then this action might result in a zoom in or out. While another 3D application might present as a new way to navigate the virtual world. Many more potential uses are there for such a user input device. In fact, while on stage Microsoft presenters encouraged the developer community out there find new and exciting uses for multi-touch.

Microsoft also introduced the ability to dock windows in various positions, allowing them to quickly maximize to full-screen. An additional, easy GUI approach to multi-monitor management is also a welcomed addition.

Still, are any of these new abilities new to Linux users (or Mac users)? Only multi-touch is new. And I truly doubt it take until Q3 2009 before the Linux community has incorporated that ability as well.


Linux and Beryl

If you haven't seen the Beryl desktop before, then I recommend watching this YouTube video. It demonstrates graphically how a GUI experience in Vista compares to Beryl.

Beryl is an add-on to Linux, one that's easily downloaded and installed in Ubuntu. It's a 3D desktop which, by all accounts, makes Vista's Aero Glass mode look primitive. Beryl makes the UI experience more expressive with video-game like effects.

Beryl presents multiple desktops arranged in a cube. The cube can be rotated to see what's on every desktop as easily as moving though a video game. Multiple applications (whether they're minimized in the desktop or not) are also visible. And selecting them and dragging from one desktop to another is as easy as pointing and clicking (and probably this time next year will be as easy as touching and dragging).


Windows 7 and Ubuntu

Windows 7 is the unquestionable follow-on to Vista. It looks a lot like Vista, uses an evolution of the Vista kernel, and it has some enhanced Vista GUI features which make it prettier. In fact, it's arguable that Windows 7 is the UI Vista should've come with. Vista users will find it a desirable upgrade path and one which makes sense considering the many annoyances of Vista's security and notification models today.

But if you don't want to wait until Q3 2009 to move forward. If you're ready to spend a few days learning the (often initially frustrating) nuances of switching to another OS. If you want your PC to be a joy to use again, then the time may be ripe for a switch.


Ubuntu 8.10

Canonical is getting ready to release their next-generation version of Ubuntu in both desktop and server versions. Still available completely for free, this release introduces native 3G wireless support, guest sessions, directly supported streaming multi-media content from the BBC, the Gnome 2.4 desktop (by default - can be upgraded to Beryl with download), and the ability to install Ubuntu from a USB drive copied from an existing 8.10 user without a new download. This allows an Ubuntu user to install on their own PC once when they get home.

Beyond that, Ubuntu is available today for free. It has the ability to add features like Beryl and VMware Server. In fact, a Linux user running a 64-bit version of Ubuntu can download the latest version, burn it to CD, install it on their machine. Then, download Beryl and VMware Server (both free). And, after installing Windows inside a virtual machine in VMware, have a complete Windows system running inside of Linux - giving them the best of both worlds.

In fact, since Microsoft is big on backward compatibility, most software they release will still run on Windows 2000, XP or Vista. So even if a user only has an older copy of Windows 2000, XP or Vista, then the migration to Linux won't cost anything other than the time required to learn the subtleties of Linux.

[KStorm]

My goodness, that looks just like KDE.

[diazamet]

Re: multitouch

Linux/X does now have mechanics for multitouch. The MPX (Multi-Pointer X) server can handle multiple mice so I can't see it being a huge leap to treat individual fingers on a touch device as pointers. Then you just need the software to handle the gestures of multiple pointers.

[allix]

Then you just need the software to handle the gestures of multiple pointers.

That is the biggest issue with a lot of stuff on linux. Take fingerprint readers, the drivers have existed for a while and yet its not in GDM or KDM or for that matter any application that needs authentication . I can see multiple pointer support taking a darn long time to get into applications .

[jedimasterk]

Quote: " My goodness, that looks just like KDE."

Yeah and they did in half the time it took the KDE developers to get theirs out (Not including the KDE Apps of course). KDE 4 is still not complete!!.

Where is Ubuntu's new theme?.

[Claudio]

Quote: " My goodness, that looks just like KDE."

Yeah and they did in half the time it took the KDE developers to get theirs out (Not including the KDE Apps of course). KDE 4 is still not complete!!.

Where is Ubuntu's new theme?.

Umm....Windows 7 is still FAR from complete. This is probably at the point where KDE 4 was some time ago. There's nothing that says that this is what Windows 7 will look like when it comes out late next year or early 2010 (if they don't push the release date as usual). Also, remember that KDE doesn't have to worry about how to improve their underlying OS....KDE 4 is just a desktop environment. Windows 7, on the other hand, is a complete operating system and Microsoft is trying to "trim the fat" that Vista introduced into the Windows environment, not just trying to make it look and act pretty. So MS really has their work cut out for them compared to KDE.

Although I haven't used either yet and I'm only basing this on what I've read about both and seen on both, I find KDE 4 to be much farther ahead than Windows 7. But I also see Microsoft's changes as steps in the right direction for Windows users. Sure it looks as though they did it in half the time compared to KDE, but it doesn't take very long to copy your competitors....that's something MS has much experience in.

[eddie]

http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/31/ligh ... -with-ver/