Ubuntu Vs Kubuntu Vs Mandriva in respect of design.?

Question

Ubuntu Vs Kubuntu Vs Mandriva in respect of design.

Which one should I get?
I currently have a windows XP. I like desktops that look tidy and simple like I find XP to be. I don't like "fancy" ones a lot, like I find Vista to be.

Could we say that Ubuntu looks more like Vista while Mandriva looks more like XP?
or is this a stupid analogy?

Also up to what point is a linux customisable regarding its design? Which of the 3 mentioned above is the most customizable?

Answer 1

Ubuntu does not look like vista unless you run a desktop designed to look that way.



Generally, KDE (Kubuntu's Desktop manager) has more "themes" that mimic other systems like Windows.



Ubuntu has gnome as it's default desktop which is faster and more spare. Many folks who like simple like it better.



There are two or three other candidates available.



If you install ubuntu and add the kde-desktop meta-package, you will have both ubuntu and Kubuntu. If you install Kubuntu and add the gnome-desktop meta-package, you will have both ubuntu and Kubuntu.



Very extremely customizable but kde a little more than gnome. so install any *buntu and you can install the bits from the others.



D/L and burn the live cd for both in order to get a quick demo. DOn't be distressed by the speed - live CDs are slow due to cd access, since they do not touch your hard drive.



I like ubuntu but there are kde-based programs that I run as well.

Answer 2

Practically any Linux distro is customizable to any degree you would like. Theoretically it could be said to be infinately customizable. Of course the degree to which that may be possible could be limited to one's knowledge.



Ubuntu and Kubuntu are essentially the same thing. The only real difference is that Ubuntu uses Gnome as the default desktop environment and Kubuntu uses KDE. Applications designed for KDE can be typically be run in Gnome without issue and vice versa.



Mandriva uses a different software package system. I'm not as familiar with Mandriva particularly as it's been several years since I used any version of Mandrake.



There are plenty of alternate desktop environments and things like Beryl or compiz for effects. Gnome and KDE are the most popular desktops though. A linux desktop could be made to look like Windows even, but can also be configured much better per individual tastes, and it generally doesn't matter which distribution is used.



Things like kernel version/driver support, ease of adding applications / package management, stability, support and such are usually more relevant to selecting a distro.



Ubuntu does happen to be the most used distro, at least among new users of linux and is usually my recommendation. Personally I use Slackware on most of my machines, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it for a new user as a desktop machine.

Answer 3

Personally, I think it's the other way around: Ubuntu is more like XP, while Mandriva and Kubuntu are more like Vista. However, this is my opinion.



If you know how to customize it, Linux is more customizable than Windows could ever dream to be. You can customize Linux to any perceived degree you want. Linux has simple ways to customize, but you can tweak the coding if you know how to make the desktop look how you want.



If you like the tidy look to Windows, but want Linux... check out Linux Mint.

Linux Mint is based off of Ubuntu (which is based off of Debian).

The Mint Menu Bar is reminiscent of Windows '98/2000 in my opinion.



I've been running Linux Mint 7 for almost 6 months and I love it.

Answer 4

I guess Mandriva looks vaguely similar to XP whereas Ubuntu just has a plain GNOME desktop with no frills

http://www.gnome.org/



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 8 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 9.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 8 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=44



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 8 (Helena)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-8-helena



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 8 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation



Linux Mint 8 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive



INSTALL LINUX MINT WITHIN WINDOWS



To install Linux Mint within windows you will need the earlier release Linux Mint 7 which is built upon Ubuntu 9.04



Linux Mint 7 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38



Linux Mint 7 has a feature called mint4win based on the Wubi installer (Ubuntu) which enables you to install Linux Mint within windows (Windows 7 run Wubi/mint4win in vista compatability mode)



Mint4Win – A Wubi based Installer for Linux Mint

http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-a-wubi-based-installer-of-linux-mint/



Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



You keep Windows as it is, mint4win only adds an extra option to boot into Linux Mint. mint4win does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



mint4win like Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the LiveCD you have just created and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where mint4win comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Linux Mint (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Linux Mint 7 is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Linux Mint



The mint4win feature is not currently available for Linux Mint 8



CURRENT SESSION



Linux Mint 8 ext4 with switchable Beryl 0.2.1* and Compiz 0.8.4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_(window_manager)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiz

*Beryl 0.2.1 sourced from Ubuntu 7.04 repositories





LUg.

Answer 5

OpenSuse look like xp

but I guess Ubuntu is better and you can customize it like you want

Answer 6

ubuntu usless, they only work for so long then you end up with no internet connection

Answer 7

dude get windows 7





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go to youtube and type in



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