Ubuntu is a great distribution of GNU/Linux. Currently it is the most popular and has played a large role in converting people to Linux. This solid and well maintained distro is definitely a leader but one thing that constantly drives people away is its poor appearance. Why would such a great distribution limit itself by being aesthetically unappealing? Majority of people that I know think that Ubuntu is ugly. Not only do they complain about the brown and orange colours but the whole look and feel of the distro. Usually when I install Ubuntu on someones computer they want me to make it look nice. Thankfully GNU/Linux is very customizable and getting cool themes is not that difficult. However, it is time consuming and I wish that Ubuntu would finally get our message. Ubuntu seems like it has come from an era of Windows 95. We have been promised a new look several times but all that was provided is some pathetic little themes, colours, login screen and few wallpapers. This is definitely not enough. Ubuntu Linux needs a huge overhaul to make it look like a distribution that is serious in being a leader. A new radical change was suppose to come in Ubuntu 9.10 but it seems that it will not be ready. We have been waiting for a change for quite some time now. Usually, new users to Linux do not care about the code but rather what they see is the graphical user interface. Ubuntu has already proven to be a functional distro so lets show the new users that it is a good looking one as well. Please Ubuntu change your look to a more up to date Linux distro. Be contemporary, chic and gorgeous.
16 comments:
Simple, switch to KDE >= 4.3 and you get an instant amazing and polished UI.
just change the theme, install compiz add wobbly windows and the 3d cube with rotate and then install a panel for the bottom such as awn or cairo, that will or should impress your friends. True the standard install is ugly and simply not appealing. But with a few steps its very cool. Its also way better then the xp bar, Blue and Green wtf was ms thinking. Apple has always had a nice interface but doesnt do it for me. For a nice UI i recommend the black theme > compiz > and possibly one of those bars or make the bars transparent so it matches your background.
Two words: Linux Mint
Design team must be fired.
I suggest you to switch to a not so well known distro :
Mandriva.
regards,
glyj
amen to this
Personally, I like the look of Ubuntu. Also one of the key things about Ubuntu's philosophy is that "it just works." I've never had an install not work, on the first time.
However because of this philosophy sometimes I think they've had to give up the "prettiness factor" in order to make sure that it works across the board.
Personally, I run Ubuntu 9.04 (which is Gnome/Compiz) and then installed and configured Mac4Linux so even my koolaid drinking mac friends are astounded how much it behaves like their macbook.
I've tried KDE, but honestly, If I wanted an XP clone, I'd run XP.
Perhaps what needs to happen is people create really easy to install .deb packages that give really good UI's.
Try the meta package ubutnu-studio-desktop. Its very nice looking.
Absolutely, Ubuntu's native UI is ugly with all the orange and brown. I did have a lot of cairo and compiz in action and made it look just like Mac OS X Leopard.
But then even that got tired. Must say MS has created an operating system that's worth using for the first time in 30 years. Windows 7 is very fresh, crisp and absolutely good looking.
That's the sort of rethink we need to have for Ubuntu. With KDE 4.3, I've made the jump to Kubuntu and must say, this is the first worthwhile KDE version and one that i find good looking and useful (at the same time).
The windows taskbar remodelling and UI refinements that MS has brought in have to be appreciated and that is the sort of rethink, Ubuntu has to bring in along with the polish.
I think Windows 7 is a good marker for Ubuntu and I think Mark Shuttleworth acknowledged it in one of his interviews. Expecting something really stunning and useful from Ubuntu (not very far from now).
Currently on Kubuntu 9.10 alpha 5 KDE 4.3.1 and Windows 7 dual boot!
never been more happier! Expecting more things from KDE for sure after 4.3
What is ugly, the splashscreen and wallpaper, or the Gnome theme?
The only thing I hate about Ubuntu is the “human beings” thing, that implies that users of other distros such as Debian are not human beings.
Linux Mint is definitely pleasing on the eye.
Well, *MY* installations of Ubuntu are breathtakingly beautiful. They NEVER fail to get compliments. If you're running Ubuntu and you think it's ugly, you're either using Gnome or you're not taking advantage of KDE's features!
The first thing I do after installing Ubuntu is head to www.KDE.org and grab the latest release. Then goodbye ugly, brown/orange Gnome, hello beautiful desktops.
Switch to KDE, customize it to your liking, and then sit back and watch as the compliments start pouring in. People are actually in awe when they see my Ubuntu desktops. It's all about KDE. :)
I agree with the poster that the Human Theme is ugly. However, it fits with the whole Africa motif and Mark comes from South Africa. I get it, but enough is enough.
As for the comment about Debian not being human that is just plain false. Check out the meaning of Ubuntu. It is not meant to be exclusive but inclusive. In other words, by Ubuntu being for humans it is community based and is for everyone. It is an unfair characterization to see it as a shot a Debian. That was never its intention and the Debian vs Ubuntu rivalry has only heated up since Ubuntu became popular. The human concept came from the philosophy and preceded any controversy.
As for the Mandriva comment, Mandriva is RPM based and Ubuntu is Debian based and once you have tried Debs you will never be happy with RPMs.
An as others have commented, I prefer Kubuntu with KDE 4.3. I am using Karmic now and am very happy with the performance. The best is yet to come!
I must be a weirdo, but to me ubuntu's default theme is prettier than xp's, vista's, and kde's. Mac's is uncontestable though.
Ubuntu's default look is unattractive to me. It makes a nice base for many other distros. I personally like the look and feel of Linux Mint. I am very pleased that the core of Mint is Ubuntu.
Look and feel is such a tricky thing. You certainly know Ubuntu when you see it which is something. I will stick with Linux Mint but I am sure glad Ubuntu is there, even if it does matches my mom's old drapes :)
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