TooMuchGreen

Check this out, it’s a Windows XP themed Ubuntu distro from China. Microsoft are “apparently” not going to take any legal action against the producers (Ylmf), although I’ll wager that’s said through clenched teeth

So, what’s the lowdown. Well, Ylmf is built on the latest version of Ubuntu (9.10) and includes all the standard goodies + a few extra niceties to compliment the blend. Here’s a brief run through of the install and a few added shots from the end desktop..

Initial splash, already nicely themed..

The disk partitioning & user info request screens are as per a standard Ubuntu installation however once things get rolling it drops back into character (check out the “interesting” English welcome text..!)..

Installation finished..

Log-in screen..

After adjusting screen-res & choosing a wallpaper things are looking familiar. I purposely didn’t go for the default XP desktop “field”, I just couldn’t do it, it’s just not a very good image (it never was). Check out the nicely matched Office icons for Open Office, even the lowest end user has NO excuses..

Open Office Writer, Terminal (of course) + menu..

And how’s this for attention to detail, they’ve even stuck their own Firefox “Google search” home page in the mix as default, comprehensive (and nice) indeed..

WINE is packaged and ready to roll should you wish to install any “real” Microsoft apps (iTunes or Adobe Photoshop perhaps?)..

Movie Player & shutdown panel..

Ylmf is most certainly a fun & comprehensive Ubuntu distro and whilst obviously teetering on the brink of blatant copyright issues it does highlight a most notable point regarding computer operating systems in general – conceptually they all operate in a more or less identical fashion.

All mouse driven operating systems present a graphical structure offering access to disk drives, folders and files. Within this is a “Home” user folder containing Pictures, Documents, Music and Movies. Searching and saving to these folders from menu drop downs again is standard procedure and the applications themselves all function in a statutory manner (Document formatting is document formatting etc). Cross platform apps don’t vary at all (e.g Firefox, Skype) and operating system config (display properties & file/folder display options) generally offer a list, expanding list or icon view (+ a cover flow option under Apple OSX).

With such ubiquitous operationality coupled to what are now fully cross-compatible file formats any intelligent business platform choice should be decided not for aesthetics but around core factors which do differ and which will affect enterprise infrastructure and service delivery – i.e stability, security, performance and cost, because, and as shown, eye candy can quite easily be added later, it’s what’s under the hood that counts.

Linux is a clear winner here on all counts and with an emerging strain of cutting edge Open Source strategy providers* now helping forward thinking businesses realise the alluring benefits of adoption I heartily welcome “left-field” ventures like Ylmf which concurrently raise awareness, irrespective of whatever reasons the Chinese may have had for creating it..

Ylmf (English version) can be downloaded HERE.

*MEBBI™ Solutions can provide a full consultancy and open source solutions service.