This aphorism is mistakenly attributed to Pablo Picasso. In fact, the poet Thomas Eliot said something similar.
Windows 10 is a good system, and it has deservedly gained popularity. But some of its capabilities were previously implemented in Linux, and Microsoft adopted them. Here are 7 striking examples.
1. Virtual desktops
Windows 10 introduces the ability to create virtual desktops. This is a very convenient way to work with a large number of windows without buying additional monitors.
But virtual desktops are not a Microsoft invention. They used to exist on macOS, and before that on Linux.
And in modern Linux shells virtual spaces have much more flexible settings than in Windows 10.
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2. Active corners
This is a very handy feature found in many Linux graphical environments. You move the mouse to one of the corners of the screen, and a certain action takes place - the window is minimized or maximized, the program opens, the screensaver turns on, and so on. This is really convenient.
MacOS also has hot corners, but their capabilities are more limited than Linux.
But in Windows 10 there is only one active corner - the lower right corner, it minimizes open windows and cannot do anything else. And in order to use it, you need an extra mouse click.
3. Task view mode
Windows 10 has a Task Viewer feature. Click on the button on the taskbar, and you will see thumbnails of the windows of all your open applications.
This feature has long been implemented in Linux, and it looks much more attractive there.
For example, in GNOME 3, to see all running programs, you need to press the Win key, aka Super.
4. Embedded Internet Accounts
Windows 10 Universal Apps connect to and work with your Internet accounts in the background. It is very convenient - you enter your username and password in the settings, and you can no longer open Gmail in your browser. Letters will appear in Mail, events in Calendar, contacts in the People application.
But what Microsoft thought of only in the "Ten" has already been implemented in Linux.
Moreover, if in Windows 10 you can connect only email providers, Linux allows you to connect to social networks, and to cloud storage, and to photo storage services.
This feature is convenient and effective and can be found right in the system settings.
5. App Store
Linux distributions are equipped with so-called stores or application managers that download programs from repositories - network libraries. You do not need to search for official sites, manually download installers and deal with updates.
Just open the manager, enter the name of the program, click the install button - and here's the latest version of the application in front of you. It will install and update automatically.
Windows 10 also has its own app store - the Microsoft Store. But it still has very few programs used every day.
If we need a browser, we go to the developer's site, download the installer, open it and click "Next" several times. Microsoft has not been able to create any single universal source like Google Play and the App Store.
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6. Calendar Integration
If you are an active user of electronic calendars, for example, Google or Outlook, then it will be convenient for you to view upcoming events right from the taskbar. To do this, you need to specify your username and password in the settings. Click on the clock, and a calendar appears with a list of planned events.
Such a calendar integrated with Google is a familiar feature for Linux users. By the way, in GNOME 3, the calendar can even collect Microsoft Exchange events.
7. Touchscreen interfaces
Windows 10 has long been rebuked for its passion for huge tiles. Microsoft planned that the same system would be used on desktops, tablets and smartphones. HappenedNot reallyhowever, the company continues to optimize the Windows 10 desktop experience for touchscreens.
Even before Windows 10 and Windows 8 came with the Metro interface, Linux users saw GNOME 3.
This shell, which has become standard for many distributions, is also designed for touch screens - it has huge icons and has support for gestures. Like the Windows 8 interface, Linux GNOME 3 fans were criticized at first, but then got used to it. So if you want to install Linux on a tablet, choose a system with GNOME 3.
Maybe you know more tricks that Microsoft unobtrusively "borrowed" from other systems? Share in the comments!
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