Smooth Integrated Terminal for SSH: The Missing Killer Feature for Windows
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After using many different operating systems and talking to many people about why they prefer Mac or Linux over Windows, once thing that I consistently hear is how important it is that they have the integrated terminal that is used to access other systems (normally via SSH.) Every UNIX machine has a great terminal included with it and not only are these used to work on the local system but are perfect for connecting to other systems. Developers and IT people use this constantly and it is a huge feature.
Now Windows has cmd.exe and PowerShell and PS is an amazing tool for working on Windows but is almost useless for working on non-Windows systems. And the built in terminal programs for interacting with these tools leaves a lot to be desired. It is complicated and very limited compared to most UNIX terminal applications from a graphical, GUI and interaction standpoint (not complaining about language or scripting functionality, purely about the terminal itself.)
Now everyone adds Putty to Windows and Putty is great, but it is not nearly as smooth as an integrated terminal and it is not very useful for working on the local system. I've used tools like ConEmu and integrated it with Putty and PowerShell and that makes things better but is complicated and anything but integrated with the system.
So many people state that they choose Mac over Windows and their only reason is the terminal program! It seems to be that Microsoft is missing a huge opportunity here. Add a new application called WinTerm or something to that effect (NTerm, NTterm, Terminator, Terminal Velocity, Termination) that handles PowerShell and SSH, is completely integrated, is loaded with graphical goodies, has no width limitations, looks gorgeous by default, has opacity options, etc. This is a minor coding thing for Microsoft, they can do it in their sleep.
I think many UNIX admins and developers would be completely happy to stay with or switch back to Windows with that one, little thing! Add vi and emacs to the system included in the OS install and even more people will be happy.
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Integrated terminal in Windows? Yes please!
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That would be awesome, I would love having that! Especially if they do the Quake style automatic drop down as an option. Love terminals like that.
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@StrongBad said:
That would be awesome, I would love having that! Especially if they do the Quake style automatic drop down as an option. Love terminals like that.
I have this already using Auto-Hotkey and something else to run the terminal
I think I used these instructions: http://www.instructables.com/id/"Drop-Down",-Quake-style-command-prompt-for-Window/
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That being said. A native version would be better. -
Someone get Nadella on the horn! We need this, STAT!!!
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On a serious note - how cool would it be if they added terminal functionality into PowerShell ISE? Two birds with one stone.
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@AVI-NetworkGuy said:
Someone get Nadella on the horn! We need this, STAT!!!
Let's hope he reads ML!
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@scottalanmiller of course he does, it's where he likely gets all of his IT news.
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May be we can all post here?
https://windows.uservoice.com/forums/265757-windows-feature-suggestions -
And here it is already added!
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I just threw three votes at it.
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Me too, hope ML team can make a difference!
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ML.... changing the world one feature at a time.
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Anyone tried mobaxterm? I am switching soon from MAC to Windows for work (more SharePoint works!) and really need a better tool than Putty, I will really miss MAC terminal!
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I don't think that there is anything better than PuTTY. I've seen some PuTTY integratin projects, but nothing that replaces PuTTY that competes with it. An XTerm is something very different than an SSH shell and is far worse, IMHO. That's like an RDP session!
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@scottalanmiller said:
I don't think that there is anything better than PuTTY. I've seen some PuTTY integratin projects, but nothing that replaces PuTTY that competes with it. An XTerm is something very different than an SSH shell and is far worse, IMHO. That's like an RDP session!
I like both PuTTY and TeraTerm
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@scottalanmiller said:
I don't think that there is anything better than PuTTY. I've seen some PuTTY integratin projects, but nothing that replaces PuTTY that competes with it. An XTerm is something very different than an SSH shell and is far worse, IMHO. That's like an RDP session!
That's good to hear, as a non normal SSH user, I was wondering what was missing from PuTTY.
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If I need a GUI, I forego XTerms completely and use X2Go which uses the NX protocol. Works far better.
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ConEmu is a great tool. It can take PuTTY to a new level, making it feel a lot better integrated with the desktop.
