StartOS: An XP Like Linux OS

[Mtangoo]

StartOS is an independent Chinese Linux distribution with the GNOME desktop tweaked to resemble Microsoft Windows XP. In the beginning it was based on Ubuntu, but starting from version 4.0 it adopted custom package management (called YPK) and system installer, though the underlying live medium is still built using Ubuntu's Casper tool.

Its user interface closely resembles that of Microsoft Windows XP. The distribution was originally not available in the English language, though shortly after the initial release in late 2009 an English language version of StartOS was released. Despite the very similar likeness to Windows XP's Luna theme-the default theme for Windows XP-Microsoft does not appear to be planning to take any sort of action against the operating system or its developers. StartOS 4.0 looks similar to Windows Vista, but also has a Mac OS X cursor scheme.

Applications wise, you have a handful of typical Ubuntu applications, including Firefox, OpenOffice 3.1, Totem, Rhythmbox, Brasero, and many more. Ubuntu Software Center handles the installations. Codecs and Flash are included by default. This is every important for people with limited or slow Internet connection, who cannot afford to waste hours downloading essential software.
YlmF uses Pidgin rather than Empathy.

The Version History
1.0 (based on Fedora 11)
1.15 (based on Ubuntu 9.04)
1.5 (based on Ubuntu 9.10)
2.0 (based on Ubuntu 9.10)
3.0 (based on Ubuntu 10.04 )
4.0 (based on Xiange Linux
, not available on the English website, but can be installed in English)
5.0 (beta, now called "StartOS")

Screen shot (of the older version)

Video Demo (I have not watched it full)


References:
DistroWatch.com: StartOS
YlmF OS - Ni Hao!
StartOS - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ylmf OS is a Windows XP Styled Linux System

Commentary:
I have two questions that I would like to put here as my comments. Why didn't M$ do any effort to sue those guys? We know that they would be on good side of winning "hands down"! Is that MS move to make its Window Psychological war even effective?

And why did these guys make something like windows? Why on earth do they want Linux to be windowish? To Attract NewBees? To Make themselves a name or what? (For this feature you can check the other guys that have done the same)

All in All these Chinese guys have done a good job and we Tanzanians have a lesson to learn!

 

[Gurta]

Much better with ZorinOS than this ----.

By the way, hawa watu wants o make things that looks and feels like WinXP or 7 because not many of the users are new and those who are not, want to use something that they know or have an idea of what is. I am a self proclaimed FOSS evangelist and the challenge you always get is whether the OS you want to him (in the sense of 'any guy')to install in his computer 'looks' like Windows!

 

[Mtangoo]

Better with ZorinOS than this ----!

That is what I linked in my last statement when I said

(For this feature you can check the other guys that have done the same)

By the way, hawa watu wants o make things that looks and feels like WinXP or 7 because not many of the users are new and those who are not, want to use something that they know or have an idea of what is.

I think this adds to Psychological effect of "if its not like Billgate its not worthy". I believe apple can do it without being windowish so should Linux be. They can borrow some things but not make such a window promoter move.

I salute Canonical and Ubuntu and Redhat with Redhat and Fedora OS and many others who does not buy the window-like agenda. They will finally succeed without being windowish 🙂

I am a self proclaimed FOSS evangelist and the challenge you always get is whether the OS you want to him (in the sense of 'any guy')to install in his computer 'looks' like Windows!

Sometimes one have to be "forced" to taste honey so that he knows what sweet means. When the sweetest thing you know is sour grape, you cannot understand what "sweet honey means"

BH

 

[Zuia Sayayi]

Saf sana ii k2