Install Macbuntu to make Ubuntu 11.04 Unity look like Mac OS X

This post was written by admin on May 21, 2011
Posted Under: General

Macbuntu is an open-source program, designed to make Ubuntu’s appearance look like Mac OS X. I have written about Macbuntu for previous Ubuntu edition, but Macbuntu package for Ubuntu 11.04 Unity has not come out yet. So here’s how to install Macbuntu package for Ubuntu 10.10 on Ubuntu 11.04 Natty to make Unity look like Mac OS X.

1.) First, download Macbuntu for Ubuntu 10.10 from this page: http://sourceforge.net/projects/macbuntu/files/

2.) Open up a terminal window and uncompress the package:

cd ~/Downloads
tar zxvf Macbuntu-10.10.tar.gz
cd Macbuntu-10.10

3.) Run “install.sh” file will detect Ubuntu version, so first edit it:

gedit install.sh

find out this section:

chk_system()
{
echo “”
echo “Checking Ubuntu version…”
s=`cat /etc/issue | grep -i “$UBUNTU”`
if [ ! -n "$s" ]; then
echo “Failed. System not supported, script will end here”
echo “To ignore their compatibility with current OS try ./install.sh force”
echo “Exiting…”
exit 1;
fi
echo “Passed”
}

change it into:

chk_system()
{
echo “Passed”
}

save it and finally run:

./install.sh

4.) Answer questions and start installation and finally restart.

See my desktop:

Related posts:

  1. Macbuntu,One-click to Make Ubuntu look like Mac OS X
  2. Manage Ubuntu 11.04 Unity Launcher Quicklist using unity-launcher-editor
  3. Mathematical Calculations in Unity Dash using Unity Scope Calculator
  4. How to Install Unity 2D (Qt) in Ubuntu 10.10 and 11.04
  5. Change Unity-2D Launcher auto-hide behavior in Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric

    Reader Comments

    Or you could just type “./install.sh force” as indicated in the install script!

    [Reply]

    #1 
    Written By asdf on May 22nd, 2011 @ 6:25 am

    Macbuntu theme can break your system. It crashes on several installation processes, when it crashes your system will not work until you reboot your system. When rebooted it all looks good (for as far as a mac looks good) you got the mac plymouth, login screen, wallpaper and icons. But there is no docky and there are no other desktop effects to be found.. so it kinda works good but makes your system crash/unstable. And removing the macbuntu theme can be difficult and can result in reinstalling Ubuntu….

    [Reply]

    reader Reply:

    everything should be ok if u follow instructions
    if somebody have problems with desktop effects after uninstalling Macbuntu, reinstall “compiz” and “compiz-core” packages

    [Reply]

    Luigifan Reply:

    Works fine in 11.04 without crashing. Just use the Ubuntu classic when you login…also remove the compiz folder

    [Reply]

    #2 
    Written By tinuz on May 23rd, 2011 @ 2:38 am

    ubuntu11.04 is fantastic and too fast in browsing though
    it is having its own identity, i just want my computer to look like apple so tried macubuntu theme…

    [Reply]

    #3 
    Written By sumanth on May 27th, 2011 @ 1:13 am

    can you do an uninstall?

    [Reply]

    #4 
    Written By Mark on May 28th, 2011 @ 6:33 pm

    it’s easier
    gedit install.sh

    find out this section:
    # See the GNU General Public License for more details.

    UBUVER=”10.10″
    UBUNTU=”Ubuntu $UBUVER”

    replace:

    # See the GNU General Public License for more details.

    UBUVER=”11.04″
    UBUNTU=”Ubuntu $UBUVER”

    [Reply]

    #5 
    Written By Valsor on May 31st, 2011 @ 8:17 am

    Honestly I’ve tried Natty and I didn’t really like it. Besides if you want to used Macbuntu it really runs a hell of a lot smoother on Lucid or Maverick, looks nicer too

    [Reply]

    #6 
    Written By Brian on May 31st, 2011 @ 11:38 am

    Can I install normally, when I’ve got 11.04 with Gnome?

    Thanks

    [Reply]

    #7 
    Written By kauli on June 15th, 2011 @ 1:22 am

    Thnx man. It worked…. Works in 11.04

    [Reply]

    #8 
    Written By Arjun on June 18th, 2011 @ 8:17 pm

    hey dudes… In this link give a cool solution for configuration “Hot Corners with Unity”… http://911-ubuntu.weebly.com/111-mejorando-unity-con-hot-corners-mac.html

    [Reply]

    #9 
    Written By Juan Estuardo Hernández Caguay on July 8th, 2011 @ 11:07 am

    this is genius … cool one never seen a mod like this .. i o u …

    Great Work

    [Reply]

    #10 
    Written By kevin on July 24th, 2011 @ 5:11 am

    if I set the desktop to classic view, will it still work? I don’t want to have the sidebar in there

    [Reply]

    Van Reply:

    Yes it works Fine for me on the Classic look.

    [Reply]

    #11 
    Written By Jerry on July 25th, 2011 @ 12:36 pm

    crash backup

    [Reply]

    #12 
    Written By my name on August 1st, 2011 @ 10:52 pm

    it worked perfect for me. many thanks!

    [Reply]

    #13 
    Written By ben on August 16th, 2011 @ 4:54 pm

    MacBuntu works on Natty 11.04!!

    First you will need to log in using “Ubuntu Classic”. This will turn off the Ubuntu nav bar and revert back to regular Gnome with regular panels.

    Then you should download MacBuntu follow the instructions above. I have made MacBuntu work with 11.04 with minimal effort.

    All you have to do is place docky in your start up list so that it will come up and function like Mac OS X.

    The only thing MacBuntu doesn’t support is the new Natty launcher.

    [Reply]

    #14 
    Written By Ubuntu User on September 3rd, 2011 @ 2:50 pm

    Thank you very much! first thing that actually works!! Love you!! lol

    Thanks thanks!

    [Reply]

    #15 
    Written By Ada on November 21st, 2011 @ 6:43 am

    ####################################################
    I avoid anything related to Unity…

    INSTALLED MACUBUNTU 10.10

    ( Using Ubuntu 10.10 and MacUbuntu 10.10 ) WOW!!!!!!!!!!! AWESOME
    I Will Never Upgrade to anything else. Sorry UBUNTU, staying with Ubuntu 10.10 and MacUbuntu 10.10 Just like having the best of a MacBook AIR!
    Just Say NO to UNITY…
    ###################################################

    [Reply]

    #16 
    Written By Agenda 21 on November 29th, 2011 @ 12:35 pm

    Please, how can I uninstall it?

    Thanks!

    [Reply]

    admin Reply:

    run the “uninstall.sh” script from the downloaded package, and follow the on screen prompts.

    [Reply]

    #17 
    Written By Wasferraz on December 15th, 2011 @ 11:50 am

    I have install Macbuntu 11.10 succesfully but after restarting my pc there is Ubunto Icon Desktop not Macdesktop anymore

    do u have answer pls

    [Reply]

    #18 
    Written By Rajabi on December 21st, 2011 @ 10:03 am

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