Oct 12
Vista & Ubuntu - the similarities
VS 
Windows Vista and Ubuntu Linux - both are totally disparate entities and I am talking about similarities? Yup, I sure am. And I have reasons to believe this.
Most of us know what Vista is. Vista is the latest edition to the most popular operating system (OS) lineup - Windows. For those who are unfamiliar with Ubuntu, Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux-based OS that is available for free.
Here I discuss some of the similarities that I have noted in due course of my usage of both the operating systems.
Computer
In both, the name given to the central access point to all the disks and partitions on a computer is “Computer”. In earlier versions of Windows, we used to know it with the name “My Computer”.
Sub-folders in user profile folder
The default folders present in the user profile folder (or the home folder) are something like - Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos - in both the OSes.
Graphical effects
Starting from Ubuntu 7.10, both the OSes have given stress on providing graphical desktop effects to the end user. In Ubuntu, the effects are a result of Compiz Fusion software. In Vista, the most common and appealing effect is Flip 3D.
Creation of a new folder
When a new file/folder is created within another folder in either of the OS, the newly created item rearranges itself automatically in alphabetical order with respect to the other items contained by the parent folder. This wasn’t the case in earlier versions of Windows.
Renaming file
When a file is renamed (by right-clicking and choosing “Rename” or by pressing F2) in either of OSes, only the name of the file is selected, leaving the file extension unselected.
Navigation strip
When a folder within a folder within a folder (and so on…) is visited, a navigation strip appears near the top of the explorer/file manager window. In both the OSes, this navigation strip is very similar looking and a helpful aid.
Verdict
Does this imply anything? Were Vista’s features inspired by Ubuntu? Or Ubuntu’s features by Vista? Or neither of the cases. It’s upto you to decide. 
Note: The similarities between Vista and Ubuntu are primarily because of the desktop environment used by Ubuntu - GNOME. So, these similarities are common between Vista and many other Linux distributions that use the latest version of GNOME.
October 13th, 2008 at 3:22 am
Graphical Effects are NOT a similarity. UBUNTU IS AT LEAST 10 YEARS AHEAD OF VISTA.
Vista has only this “Flip” effect which Ubuntu does it better!!(In Ubuntu’s flip there is also reflection!)
So please edit your post and include the really amazing pictures of Cube, Cylinder,sphere, fire, water, wobbly windows, desktop wall,animations and any other you like.
October 13th, 2008 at 4:07 am
I can make it shorter: Slow, bloated, and give like operating systems (Win 2000/XP, and other Linux distros, respectively) a bad name.
October 13th, 2008 at 7:50 am
L,
Well, sure graphics effects are not exactly same, but let’s not forget that Ubuntu was the first distro to have enabled graphics effects on by default. Yeah, sure thing that Ubuntu’s effects are far superior than Vista’s.
Martin,
Yup, Windows can be given such well-deserved names.
October 13th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I do like the fact that they leave the file extensions there.
But I do have to agree that Ubuntu Linux is way far ahead of the graphical effects.
Jam
October 13th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Comparing the two more accurately would require the inclusion of user input of ease of use of both OSes. I have found that younger people adapt more quickly to Vista than Ubuntu, whilst older WinXP-weaned oldies like myself find Ubuntu much easier to grow fond of.
Not all versions of Vista include that Aero thingie, but all versions of Ubuntu include CompizFusion, which will run on most systems. The renaming file feature has been around long before Vista was even released. M$ is trying to catch up with FOSS and losing ground, I’m afraid. Oh, and one *striking* contrast between the two: price??!?
October 13th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Yup, price is the best element of difference between the two.
October 13th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
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