why do people like their os to look so similar

[eyeb]

seems like for past years people have been trying to make their computers all "look" the same, OS addons/browsers/etc.

For example the docks on Mac/linux/windows. Just wondering why people like them so much. I know on mac it's built with it so no choice. I'm not sure why linux users would use it but I've only used ubuntu netbook really. From what I saw of it, it had a interesting menu system that worked well. Lastly windows has a start menu/quicklaunch that acts like a dock. I've removed everything from start menu then pin applications I use to it so it is really like a dock to me.

For me, I'd use ubuntu netbook over windows xp because of it's unique menu system. I'd use windows xp because of it's deskop setup. And Mac for it's docking system. But Windows 7 is incorporating Mac like features and Mac same for Windows. Linux is/have been looking a lot like Windows.

This applies to rest of OS and browsers too. So to make long post short, how do people feel about this? Think all of them are starting to become too similiar and lost their unique charm?

[Ritho]

For me my biggest concern is functionality. Don't get me wrong, I like it to look nice, in fact, I am quite particular about how it looks. I draw the line at flashiness at the expense of loss of functionality.

I think that is what a lot of people look for as well, the perfect marriage of nice looks and usability. Also people like what is familiar or what they are used to.

I use Linux (Ubuntu) most of the time. I have a four shortcuts on my dock. Those are mostly just there for visual appeal. I launch nearly all of my programs with a program launcher called Gnome Do. You just hit the hot key for the launcher, and then just begin to type the name of the program you want to run. It memorizes the programs you launch most often so it will offer them immediately when you begin typing. When I type "f" firefox is offered and I hit enter. "c" + enter gives me chromium browser and so on. I can launch programs that way faster than finding the icon and clicking it, so shortcuts don't really do anything for me.

The dock serves as task switcher for me, as running programs icons appear there. I use the desktop as I use my physical desk. I have things I am currently working on scattered there before I file them away. This also helps me to get rid of temporary stuff I don't need, that I might otherwise forget in a folder somewhere creating clutter, and taking up space.

So I think the reason things look similar between the OSes is because people appreciate the functionality of a system, and then the other OSes copy it to appeal to the masses.

P.S. there is a launcher for windows that works like the one I mentioned. It is called launchy you can learn more about it here. http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...m-launcher.htm

[eyeb]

yeah i know about launchy, i just don't need it :S lol
WinXP allows me to put hotkeys on shortcuts so for each of the ones I want I just press shortcut and it opens. No need for 3rd pt software lol

[Jojoyee]

For most frequently used apps, I like to pin them to the taskbar (Win) or the panel (Ubuntu). One click and you're there.

For less frequently used apps, I like to group them by category through DIY Launcher (Win), or the default access (Ubuntu) which also groups the apps by category.

Somehow personally I don't quite like the key launcher, as my brain goes by accessing the apps by category.

[eyeb]

lol guess if that works for you
I found that since I'm almost always online/have firefox open I just saved links to programs as bookmarks and then I can use keyword/tag to find them lol.

[1002richards]

I rarely use the menu in Ubuntu, I much prefer keyboard shortcuts.

As to all looking the same - I guess it's something to do with market research identifying what consumers want. Or is it consumers being given less choices in the first place?

[bibzgi]

I feel that commonality is a good thing.

I prefer that my computer OS has a sensible explorer and looks as close as possible to DOS with gui.

Microsoft Windows Vista I have always changed the settings after installation from goofy to regimental.

I adore the metric system.

Unfortunately, I'm an American and I cannot get used to it. My brain is stuck with miles per hour, ounces/quarts/gallons, teaspoons and tablespoons, pounds and ounces, etc.

When it comes to the computer operating system, I feel that there is plenty enough opportunity to be unique and creative without having a unique operating system.

[George]

Graphical user interfaces on computers are being developed since about 30 years now. You might have read or heard about terms like WIMP (Windows, icons, menus, pointing devices) or CUA (common user access).

The similarity of desktop preferences I think are still based on those standards. One just got used to certain elements of a convenient interface defining what nearly everyone wants to see on his desktop. Just think about icons, drop down lists and menus. It really does not differ that much in different operating systems.

I like to change my desktop a lot but I never change the basic elements. Colors, backgrounds, position of elements and such are constantly in motion but I would not change any of the crucial navigational objects.

How difficult that can become show applications like Photoshop, Gimp or the recently as open source published video editing software Lightworks. All these are working with at least "unusual" interface elements (at the time) that makes it difficult to learn them. Or look at the new ribbon menus in the new MS Office applications. Many users still cope with that they can't find stuff anymore.

I think we see similarity in our desktop preferences for those items that we just got used to over the years and that proved to be optimal in dealing with the functions of a system. We will see differences in everything around those elements.

MacOS's application launch dock is a good example for a newer interface element that works well. Many Windows users are using it as well with products like ObjectDock, Nexus Dock or RocketDock. MacOS's denial of the second mouse button is an example of the opposite in my view.