What makes Windows so popular? Some say it is so user friendly. What exactly makes it so user friendly? An answer to that question could be that is has an incredible desktop environment with which almost any user can sit down and interact. More choices are available because, Linux is coming into the arena with some desktop environments that are just as user friendly as Windows. These will offer as much versatility if not more to allow for some great customization and installation of separate applications.
Before discussing the different desktops, a definition of a desktop environment is in order. In the book, The Complete Guide to Linux Administration, Wells defines it by saying “the desktop interface is a graphical application that provides a comprehensive user interface, including menus, desktop icons, and usually several integrated applications” (2005). It can also include or provide drag and drop capabilities. Simply put, it is something that involves the windows manager, but then “kicks it up a notch with greater integration” (Hartley, 2011).
The window manager sits below the desktop environment and the graphical application or the X client sits above it. It should also be noted that the desktop environment is an optional component, but it is an excellent companion to run in conjunction with the command line. It gives the Linux operating system a little more visual depth and visual interaction among components. A good example where the desktop environment fits in the components of the X windows system is displayed table 1.
New Linux users may find themselves baffled over the different desktop environments offered in the world of Linux operating systems. How does one decide what to install. Moreover, what is important to...
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I was very interested in computers and technology as a child, both playing games and building fake parts for them. Still in elementary school, I was fascinated by these computing machines, spending hours on end working with DOS to satisfy my curiosity. Around my middle school years, Windows became graphical, and I found interest in even more computer games with even greater experiences and capabilities. Windows was the dominant operating system at the time, but I was soon to find there was a whole different world out there of operating systems. While out on vacation in Washington, DC, my Dad and I were able to meet with the local Tech Fanatics group, HackDC. It was here where I discovered Linux. Linux, an alternative to Windows, immediately grabbed my attention when I saw it in use. It appeared to me as something that only the extreme computer users even heard of. Upon my return home,
“Ubuntu is probably the most well-known Linux distribution. Ubuntu is based on Debian, but it has its own software repositories. Much of the software in these repositories is synced from Debian’s repositories. The Ubuntu project has a focus on providing a solid desktop (and server) experience, and it isn’t afraid to build its own custom technology to do it. Ubuntu used to use the GNOME 2 desktop environment, but it now uses its own Unity desktop environment. Ubuntu is even building its own Mir graphical server while other distributions are working on the Wayland. Ubuntu is modern without being too bleeding edge. It offers releases every six months, with a more stable LTS (long term support) release every two years. Ubuntu is currently working on expanding the Ubuntu distribution to run on smartphones and tablets (hottogeek).” Ubuntu has a reputation for ease of use, which is why it’s popular on many desktops and servers. Ubuntu also helps users keep up with the latest software versions by releasing updates on a regular schedule. The drawback of frequent updates is that it's harder to keep bugs from slipping into the mix. To this end Ubuntu releases an LTS version periodically, which stands for "Long-Term Support". The LTS version uses package versions that are considered more stable than cutting-edge, making it more suitable for use on a production server than the interim Ubuntu releases. If you're completely lost as to which distribution to run Ubuntu LTS is a safe place to start. Its widespread adoption means there are several forums and sites on the Internet that provide help resources for Ubuntu
Let us now examine a number of perspectives that should be considered when designing software solutions. In most cases, these perspectives will have direct consequences to the design of the user interface.
Windows by icons on the desktop and on the start menu. The world we are trying
Apple was definitely “thinking different” when it created the new addition to the Macintosh family, the iMac. It’s creative design and refreshing departure from the computer industry standard of boring beige boxes is gaining this marvel many optimistic reviews. This new personal computer, which is pronounced eye-Mac –the “i” stands for Internet, combines the computer and the monitor in one unit making it, in effect, an updated version of the original one-piece Macintosh. That makes the iMac ideal for people who want to conserve desk space.
In 2012, Windows 8 was released and it operates efficiently for both touch and mouse and keyboard. Among the improvement in Windows desktop is that the windows comes with a new taskbar and reorganized files management. Windows RT was developed for glossy devices and for higher battery longevity, and for apps execute from Windows Store. Windows RT support touchscreens using an integral version of office.
It is a well-known fact that Microsoft is the most marketed operating system. This can be explained by the decision by Microsoft to design and sell its operating system to other computer manufacturers. This meant making it compatible with other hardware. Apple did not choose to do this, making its operating systems only compatible with its own computer hardware (Derene, 2009). In a website article called “HongKait.Com: Online Tips for Designers and Bloggers” Nina Krimly states statistics that identify Microsoft as controlling 91% of the market while Apple Mac around 5%. The exclusivity of Apple did not make it popular among those who used the computer to work on projects both at home and at work in the past ...
What is X Windows? The X Window System, often known as X, is a windowing system for graphics workstations developed at MIT with support from DEC, Indiana University (1997-2005). What is the Microsoft counterpart? Microsoft's Windows Graphic Device Interface or (GDI) performs the same functionality for Windows as X Windows does for UNIX or Linux operating systems. We begin the journey by separating out the Windows manager (KDM) from the X Windows (XFree86) on the Knoppix Linux disk. This is the first step in identifying the similarities of X Windows and Windows and is required prior to comparing the major advantages, disadvantages, and components in Windows and on the Knoppix Live CD... Even though the Windows manager runs, in essence, in conjunction with X Windows, Cooper, P. (1999).
Not long ago computers were non-existent in many homes. When computers were first introduced to the world, they were for the sole purpose of performing business functions. The only people who owned computers were large organizations. Eventually, computers were introduced into the homes of those who could afford to buy them. Today, just about everyone owns some form of system that they use daily to help manage their day-to-day operations. What many once survived without now seems impossible to do without. As technology continues to grow, it has a greater effect on families and the education system. Some companies such as Microsoft and Apple made it possible to reinvent a new form of technology that would change the world. Each company had some form of struggle and overtime had to keep up with the changes of time and the way people communicated. From the first day of its invention, organizations have had to steadily implement new operating systems to keep up with the demands of the people while staying afloat with competitors. The ways of life for many have changed as well as the way people communicate. It is evident that the history and uses of computers have changed the world but these computers could not perform without the operating systems. Various operating systems will be discussed, how they began and how they each changed since they were first introduced. Although, they all had a purpose each varied in how they performed and changed the lives of many and will continue in the near future.
Against the above background, this report is intended to provide an objective review of where and how Linux might fit into your business related plans and activities moving forward. The aim is to deliver insight rather than recommendations – i.e. it is not my intention to either advocate or discourage desktop Linux adoption, just to help understand the potential benefits, issues and practicalities so the fit...
It is argued that The main aim of a GUI is to make the interaction between users and computers easier. Galitz (2007) suggests that programmers should provide clear objects and processes as well as simple and explicit texts and metaphors, therefore the familiar objects such as icons, list boxes and reserved words can provide a clear using of any user interface. Thus, the requirements of users should be taken into account because they are the ...
It is crucial that you maintain in mind several of the advantages that go along with owning several types of computers when you are doing your research. To that end, this article provides five important reasons to purchase desktop computers.
Desktop computers were commonly used since the late 90’s. The increasing number of applications on desktop computers allowed us to do all kinds of different activities like games, music, video, document editing and so on. In comparison with laptop computers, desktop computers have more stable performance, greater capacities, and throughout history, they have proven themselves more reliable to handle every job they have been assigned.
An Operating system is system software that controls the system’s hardware that interacts with users and the application software. As we all may know, Windows Microsoft has always been a commercial high-level sale in the retail industry and an in domain operating system used today. But there are more operating systems than just Windows Microsoft than the general population may assume. Linux is another well-known operating systems, which is free and open-source software. Linux is also used in companies we would have never thought of like Google, NASA, USPS, Amazon and many more companies. Linux and Microsoft operating systems have been in competition to see which one is the best operating system in the market. There are so many resemblances
Modern society heavily depends on the abilities of computers, Information Technology, and information processing. As such, since access to information occurs mainly through digital means and media, the way information is arranged and presented on the screen is crucial. Because of this need for fast access and easy arrangement arose, in the early 1980s, companies started to work on various graphical user interfaces (or GUI for short). Most dictionaries define a GUI as ‘a way of arranging information on a computer screen that is easy to understand and use because it uses icons, menus and a mouse rather than only text.’ Introducing such software allowed a human-computer interaction on a visual plane, and took computing to an entirely new level of experience. The first GUI started to emerge, as stated above, in the early 1980s, and within the last 3 decades have completely dominated the way in which human-computer communication occurs. Although some sources argue about it, it is acknowledged that the first company to use a proper graphical user interface was Apple. In 1984 they released the Macintosh computer, which used a graphical system to present information on the screen using boxes and taskbars, and utilized a revolutionary pointer device, now widely known as the mouse. Following this event, other companies started releasing their versions of GUI based operating systems, until in 1995 Microsoft presented Windows 95, which soon became a dominant power on the market, and along with its later installments, led Microsoft to be the IT giant of the 20th century. Since its appearance, the GUI have greatly influenced the IT-centered society, and the role computing and digital devices play in its growth.