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0e1f616
(Get the code!)
For those who dislike Unity intensely but do not want to leave the Ubuntu community (yet) here are couple of possible workarounds that might offer you the familiar look-and-feel you require.:-
1. sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop
This will install the beautiful-looking and Windows7-like KDE4 desktop. The start button is in the right place. The pop up applications menu, the task bar and status area all make sense. And you can have the desktop as a desktop or a folder or an app or widget or slideshow - your choice. In fact most people I show it to ask if it's a new version of Windows! Most of KDE's notorious early issues have been resolved. Basically KDE4 was released long before it was ready. But it's OK now.
pros:- Familiar look-and-feel; very feature-rich; very pretty; highly customisable; shed-loads of eye-candy; lots of extensibility; super KDE apps available (though you can run these on other desktops too); ; my girlfriend likes it - so does my bro.
cons:- Can be a bit resource hungry; you really need a decent machine, especially if you want to use all the whirling desktop cubes and wobbly windows and stuff; there are still a few annoying minor bugs that remain unresolved.
Not sure if this is a pro or a con:- After you have used KDE 4 for a while, and customised it to your liking, all other desktops, including Macs might seem crude, or lacking in functionality. My g/f has to use a Mac at work and frequently comes home complaining about all the "Things the bloody Mac won't do!"
2. sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop
This installs the simple but stable XFCE desktop. This is fairly customisable but generally has the look and feel of a plain vanilla Windows 95 desktop. XFCE can be beautified. However, my experience is that many XFCE users are not interested in beautiful desktops. They just want to look at the web or read their email etc., with the least amount of hassle or delay.
Pros:- Very stable, very simple; very familiar look and feel; does not hog resources; doesn't get in the way; Linus Torvalds uses it; my mum likes it.
Cons:- It's a bit plain-looking.
FWIW, I chose option 1 (KDE) for my desktops/laptops and option 2 (XFCE) for servers, for most of my customers and for elder family members. I have just one customer still determined to give Unity a fair go, and even he's considering dumping it.
HTH, best wishes, G.