OSNews.com has an interesting article asking the question “Is the Linux Desktop Too Much Like Windows, Mac OS.”  Maybe, but is it a bad thing, I don’t think so.  In order for linux to continue to grow in popularity and to be adopted by regular day to day users there needs to be a certain level of crossover.  This crossover will allow new users to be able to start using Linux from day one and with very little frustration.  But I do think that each desktop environment needs to continue to innovate and to stand out on its own.  KDE has started to do this with KDE 4.x but at the same time continues to have a “start” button to allow users to get to their applications.  By doing this a Windows user that has never used KDE instinctively clicks on that icon to start navigating the OS and away they go.  Gnome is similar with a large button that has the word Applications on it.  Sure it maybe on a menu bar at the top of the screen but it still doesn’t get much clearer then that.