Before I proceed, let me first state that i LOVE the simplicity of my Linux desktop (Gnome to be precise). I am writing this post just to demonstrate that how easy it is to make your Linux desktop look like a Mac ☺
The two things that are characteristic of Mac are :
1. It's Dock at the bottom.
2. Global menu bar at the top.
There are many projects (like cairo dock, avant window navigator etc) out there that provide Mac like Dock for Linux. But the one that i find more useful and easy to configure is Docky. To find a list of dock applications go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dock_applications.
Since i am using Fedora, the details will be specific to it, but it would be somewhat similar in other distros as well.
Before we start, lets see how the default desktop looks like in fedora 14.
Let's get started
1. Installing the Dock
2. Installing Global Menu
Open up a terminal and execute
Post Install configuration
At this point there will be no visible changes, because our installed programs are not running. We need to get rid of the bottom panel. To do this right click on empty space on the bottom panel to bring the context menu and click on
The next step is to add the main GNOME menu. This is similar to custom menu bar but does not have
Similarly add Global menu to the top panel. If you cannot find this item, try logging out and login back.
The next step is to enable Docky from startup applications list. To do that execute
Change the wallpaper if you like. I have also installed gnome-color-icon theme. It provides different colored icon themes; i have selected purple one. To install, open a terminal and execute $ yum install gnome-colors-icon-theme
Log-off and login again. Here is the final desktop look.
----- Insanity is hereditary, you get it from your kids :) -----
The two things that are characteristic of Mac are :
1. It's Dock at the bottom.
2. Global menu bar at the top.
There are many projects (like cairo dock, avant window navigator etc) out there that provide Mac like Dock for Linux. But the one that i find more useful and easy to configure is Docky. To find a list of dock applications go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dock_applications.
Since i am using Fedora, the details will be specific to it, but it would be somewhat similar in other distros as well.
Before we start, lets see how the default desktop looks like in fedora 14.
 |
| Default Desktop in Fedora 14 |
Let's get started
1. Installing the Dock
Fedora uses
yum as the package manager. So to install docky, open a terminal and execute$ yum install docky2. Installing Global Menu
Open up a terminal and execute
$ yum install gnome-applet-globalmenuPost Install configuration
 |
| Delete bottom panel |
"Delete This Panel". Similarly delete the custom menu bar in the top left corner. |
| Add to Panel |
"Application", "Place" and "System" as shown in the custom menu bar. To do this right click on empty space on the top panel and click on "Add to Panel". |
| Add Global Menu to Top Panel |
 |
| Enable Docky from StartUp applications list. |
The next step is to enable Docky from startup applications list. To do that execute
$ gnome-session-properties from a terminal and select Docky from the list.Change the wallpaper if you like. I have also installed gnome-color-icon theme. It provides different colored icon themes; i have selected purple one. To install, open a terminal and execute $ yum install gnome-colors-icon-theme
Log-off and login again. Here is the final desktop look.
 |
| Pseudo Mac |
----- Insanity is hereditary, you get it from your kids :) -----
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