how do i get Ubuntu to run like windows?!?!?!?!?

Question

ok so i have a desktop computer that i got from an old roomate of mine, he totaly screwed his system up, so when i got it the first thing i did was to overwrite the windows OS with Ubuntu because I have heard good things about it. Now I am as N00b as they come, when it comes to any linux systems so, naively, I thought that it would be basicly the same exact thing as windows, just looking different and by someone else. I was WRONG... I HATE linux systems now because most of your computer comtrol is based upon command line prompts, which is like chinese to me. I have scoured the internet for info on working and adapting to the system but i just canot grasp it. it is so unfreindly to the user its retarded. There has to be some way to get it to run like windows. or maby a different open source OS that I can use that I can operate just like a windows OS. No command line crap, or anything like that. I want something based in human reason, not computer coded crap.

Answer 1

First, don't judge Linux based on Ubuntu; they are not synonymous. If the Unity interface is too different and/or the lack of Flash and media codecs (MP3, DVD etc) is frustrating, try something like Mint.



Second, expecting Linux to act like Windows isn't reasonable; no one would have bothered developing or using an alternative OS if they were happy with the existing one; they have different underlying approaches to how an OS should work, and most of Linux's strengths lie exactly in where it differs from Windows. The same can be said of Apple's Mac; it wouldn't be a success if it's aim was merely to ape Windows.



A motorbike and a family sedan will both get you to your destination, but you can't drive one like the other.



Lastly, Ubuntu and it's derivates like Linux Mint, Zorin, and Pinguy are considered "noob friendly" exactly because there is little or no need to bother with terminal commands for almost all general use cases. At the most, when troubleshooting a problem you have to copy and paste commands provided by Ubuntu's help pages or forums, and IMO that isn't asking to much of a user is search of a solution.



Some resources:



http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

http://ubuntuforums.org/

http://askubuntu.com/

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

http://www.webupd8.org/

http://www.tuxmachines.org/

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/

http://distrowatch.com/

Answer 2

There are a lot of advantages to knowing shell syntax and cli commands. It's faster once to get the hang of it for one thing.



http://www.catb.org/esr/writings/unix-koans/gui-programmer.html



Unity really sucks until you learn the keyboard shortcuts.



You may want to try a more traditional desktop such as kde, gnome2 or xfce. (just search the software center, install one, and then you should be able to select it as your session when you log in.



As for other FOSS systems ... linux really is the most desktop ready.



Also if you bring up the specific issues you could find help here or several other places. Some things are easy to solve (wireless, new desktop environment, mp3, dvd, flash) some things are better left untouched (say itunes or netflix or certain printers).



If you wan't windows your best off buying windows. Otherwise there is a learning curve. Give yourself breathing room and time to adjust as there are several benefits of a Linux system beside simply being free as in free beer.

Answer 3

definite, that's achievable. the only difficulty is that abode windows won't see the D: partition, through fact Ubuntu desires a diverse report gadget that abode windows would not know (ext4). i'm twin booting Ubuntu and abode windows 7 precise now, and that i've got not got any difficulty with that. you will additionally could create a transformation partition, someplace between a million - 4 GB massive, you would be delivered on for the period of the installation.

Answer 4

It is true that you need to learn a few things to get it up and running but once you do that you have a os that kicks windows butt.



You only need to know how to bring up the browser which is usually only a different name and set up you mail.



I myself use Knoppix - but find it great for most projects.



If you had not over written windows you could have added Ubuntu to the system and been able to use the dual boot up. Meaning that you could have decided whether to boot up Ubuntu or windows.



I would suggest that you spend just a little more time with the system and will send you a few helpful sites to get you going. -



http://www.ubuntu.com/support



Temp down - http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=326



http://ubuntugeek.com/forum/index.php



There are many more and they really want to help others learn the tricks.



Hang in there. You may grow to love it...

Answer 5

Download and Install "Linux Mint 14 Cinnamon"



It will be very much like Windows.



You never ever have to venture into the command line.

(though anybody would be an idiot not to learn how to actually use a computer)



It's really easy, has a "start" manu.





Programs are really easy to find, install, and use.





The forums love noobs.





It where I first learned. Now I'm epic 1337 pro





x86

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=117



x86_64

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=118

Answer 6

u don't:)