I am sick to the death of all these "Make Windows into Mac" and "Make Ubuntu into Mac". Sick to the death, I say!!!

Now, if I could make Windows look like my microwave, then...

chustar

How about a companion guide: Give Your Mac Desktop the Complete Ubuntu Look

astrosmash

I still don't see the link, so for anyone looking: [maketecheasier.com]

Karolis

Sorry y'all, the link was missing anchor text--just added it, my bad.

Gina Trapani

@TechnoGeek: Nvm, you can just click on the link from the front page.

TechnoGeek

Jep link is broken.

srudes2

The link to the guide is broken... Either that, or my computer is being stupid.

TechnoGeek

No link?

Avengelist

As much as I like Ubuntu, Windows still runs my games a lot better than Wine does. As tempting as this post makes it to install Ubuntu, the gaming factor will keep me in Windows for a while I think....that and in order to get some things working properly in Ubuntu, it takes almost as much configuration as Windows Vista (if not more). I guess I just don't have as much time to tweak around with things :-/

ddthesm

Why would anybody want to ruin Ubuntu by doing this...

artfuldodga

Eh, I tried it and quite frankly didn't go much for it.

But then I always love customizing my Ubuntu to look more sleek. The OSX model isn't that sleek IMHO.

battra92

@ddthesm: Dual boot or use wubi to test it out before making the complete switch.

strabes

@OmegaRed59: How?

Does this work with 8.04??

vishal90

Why make it look like a Mac when you can make Ubuntu look and operate a lot better?

OmegaRed59

You can run Dreamweaver????

Nu Digi

Well, I'm not done yet, but my computer is looking a lot like a mac now! Which is good, because I like Macs, but don't have the money, and Windows was starting to annoy me for various reasons (still use it for games though). But yeah, it looks good and will look even better when I am done (if I decide to complete the look).

Ninja_of_Techno

I was going to install Ubuntu on my MacBook Pro, but then I realized that between Windows and MacOSX, Ubuntu wouldn't really add much else that I needed. OSX does all sorts of unix-y things, and it's got better usability than XP or Ubuntu, and Windows XP has the games compatibility I need.

TVarmy

i googled 3d ubuntu wallpaper and found several nice ones in the unbuntu theme. i also lowered the transparency of the taskbars, and added compiz effects. ubuntu now looks and runs good, i just have to find a use for it.

0zSpitt

I'd try this if my Ubuntu (Hardy Heron) actually became useful and supported my Linksys Wi-fi Adapter. Until then, too bad.

jonworld

Why imitate macs for goodness sake?
Try something new!

[billishere.deviantart.com]

For example this is something worth trying..

Gmanpawned

@vishal90:

Sure. It runs with Wine or Crossover, or you can run it with Virtualbox in seamless mode.

drewls

Why would anybody do that?

I really don't know what makes OSX look so special? That white and metallic look? That's really ugly IMHO.

And seriously people, try something new for a change. Don't always imitate OSX and Vista.

Loodac

yes, it does knock off OSX looks but OSX does look good (no not everyone loves the clean all the time but) so i don't see any problem there.
I have run this a variation of this setup on 3 boxes, its pretty slick.
This setup also offers an intuitive layout with good functionality soooo................... yup, good article on one way to lay it out.

CameronCook

if you really want a cool dock - try cairo dock. install insrtuctos - tombuntu.com/index.php/2008/05/01/how-to-install-cairo-dock/

ssintercept

Ubuntu looks awful as standard, the OSX ubuntu look is sweet especially with compiz rocking.
The Gmanpawned linked desktop looks well sweet thou.

snikket

@Loodac: I'm sort of on the fence as far as the "Mac Look" is concerned. It's not everyone's cup of tea but I liked it enough to run my own variation of it on my Debian desktop. On the other hand (again, my opinion) it can get a little old after a while, and I've been searching for an alternative setup; so far I haven't found anything compeling, but it would still be nice to have a change of pace.

BTW, I think everyone is so caught up in emulating the Mac look that they've forgotten the other aspect which makes the Mac interface so appealing; namely, it's intuitive nature. I would think an ideal GUI or desktop enviroment would want to emulate that feature before trying to match it pixel-for-pixel.

tech10171968

I will look into doing this on my Ubuntu 7.10 box only because Ubuntu's default theme is ugly as sin.

johnsmith1234

Will the fonts look pretty?

scottpope

@johnsmith1234: Well, I never had any problem with the Ubuntu default theme just because it's simple. Granted, I did tweak it up a little bit for the most part it stayed the same with me.

chareverie

@chareverie: I stick with Windows classic theme on Windows boxes, but gray and blue are fairly inoffensive. The default orange in Ubuntu is hideous. Plus things looks disproportionate.

johnsmith1234

@astrosmash: I'd so go for a make windows look like gnome guide

goodywitch

When I abandoned Linux for OS X in early 2002, there were plenty of attractive Linux window managers and themes. This tip just reeks of inferiority complex.

Deprong Mori

What's the aim of doing this? Is this a productivity site?
Sometimes I doubt it. Too much irrelevant topics in my opinion.

Anteater

@Anteater: It's a hack. Email the editors if you don't like it.

sventurata

Well you can make it look sorta like Mac OS X... but can you make it function as well? Small little things in the way applications and the windows all work together that can't be matched by simply making it look the same. At least it does look a little better than the ugly default Ubuntu look.

airfeed

@TechnoGeek: Yep your computer is being stupid. It works fine for me.

Samuel Wat

For those wondering "Why bother?", it's fascinating to me to see how customizable Ubuntu is.
Tat tutorial, while specifically about mac looks, showed me a lot of the underpinnings of how to customize the look of my system the way I want it to look, not how someone else wants me to keep it looking.
I played around with it and have kept the AWN dock because it, in combination with the compiz cube and the Industrial Tango theme, work really well functionally for me personally right now.
The great thing is, if I get tired of it, I can completely change it now since this tutorial basically showed me how. That's a good enough reason for me to "bother".

cainmark

@cainmark:
Ubuntu? It's called Linux. Open Source. It's infinitely customizable.

metaslugx

@Nu Digi: HAHAH Exactly!

Joseph

Mac and Apple are not the end all be all, wtf is up with this site brownnosing Apple's stuff so much.

Robert Isbell

@metaslugx You're right.

Technically and linguistically, I use Gnu/Linux Debian Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron.

It's just easier to write "Ubuntu" when that's the desktop I'm using. I don't say MS Windows, but windows, nor do I say Apple Mac, just Mac. Context carries the meaning, imho.

And it was what the article was specifically about, transforming Ubuntu to look like a mac.

cainmark

I use Ubuntu because I like how it looks *better* and I think it's more usable than OSX.

That said, I've always wanted to try one of these "Make it look like OSX" tutorials, ... just cause.

I love having AWN running, as well as having a very pretty Emerald theme installed, etc ... and seeing the confused looks on people's faces. People have no idea what I'm running :)

remi

Mine is almost perfect i just have some weirdness with the top panel having different backgrounds and sizes. anyone have a clue?

almostdvs

So linux is infinitely customizable. I'd love to see an article showcasing theming options that create a unique look and feel.

Why would i want my linux system to be like my mac? Or my PC? I'd like to see a different user experience from linux. I would think an open-source system to focus more on trying new things.

smackswell

Will this work with xubuntu or DSL because I'm going to install it on a older system. So will it be compatible (ignoring any hardware limitations). Xubuntu I assume yes as it is a leaner Ubuntu OS. But DSL is Debian Source I believe. Thanks for the help

--New in Linux

dmtofree

@TVarmy: you're right. OS X is THE Holy Grail of UNIX already so why look elsewhere. you've got the best GUI up front and in case you need "console rockz!" just open a terminal session.

JadeEmperor

"Make your Ubuntu desktop so you can't remember which of the modifier keys to use and you have to hover over the window controls to tell which is the minimize button"

@JadeEmperor: please.

muteboy

There is definitely a special place in my heart for dear old Ubuntu especially with all the customization options available (plus it made me feel smart to be running Linux). Alas after getting desktop effects and killer eye candy rocking in about an hour and a half, then a week trying to get my wireless adapter to work correctly, I gave up (it made me feel dumb to be running Linux). I keep the latest releases around on Live Cds, but the gentle, generic XP logoff music is what helps me sleep at night.

fosphen

Yep, I confirm it works fine with 8.04. I be rocking this look.

dicer999

@Anteater:
These types of articles, while a bit "off the beaten path to productivity", will no doubt spark an OS fanboy war, which is always good for hits. Must be a slow week at LH.

At least it's filed under weekend project...

petieboy

It's a slightly sloppy transformation, such as the off-centered application name on the Finder bar, and it's more than just a little complicated to pull off, but I guess that's just typical of Linux. It's far better than other transformations that I've seen for the operating system, though. The change in font style is probably the most significant difference. It's hard to tell exactly how accurate it is from those tiny images, though.

Styyl

@strabes: Using Wubi doesn't constitute as making the complete switch? I've been running Ubuntu with a Wubi installation this whole time. How do you completely switch?

geekening

@vishal90: I would assume so. The Ubuntu wallpaper on the screenshot is the one which comes with 8.04. However, one can't be for certain simply because of a wallpaper.

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