For all the “ITSAMAC!!!OMG!!!1” sentiment flung in the direction of Ubuntu, many don’t think that it is ‘Mac’ enough.
We’ve already covered turning your ‘buntu box into a Windows 7 clone but attention turns to Microsoft’s Cupertino-based rival and their popular OS X operating system. Here are five ways to make Ubuntu truly looking, behaving and feeling like a Mac.
I’m going to assume that you’ve already found a theme and icon set to your liking. There are literally hundreds out there.
1. One dock to rule them all
If you’re wanting a Mac OS X style desktop you need to have a dock. This is undisputed, holier-than-thou fact-a-rama.
There are many choices around but for something that feels, looks and, most importantly, behaves like OS X’s native launcher ‘Docky’ is the best bet.
It can look like OS X Tiger, it can look like OS X Snow Leopard – it’s up to you and with a fantastically implemented ‘Stacks’ feature on its way there’s never been a better time to become a Docky Die-hard!
2. Genie Minimize Effect
The iconic ‘genie effect’ OS X uses can be effectively re-created using Compiz, and whilst it does require moving a few settings around our previous guide it all a cinch.
3. App Menu (global menu applet)
Ubuntu users will find that Ubuntu 10.10 UNE’s new ‘Indicator AppMenu’ is the perfect foil for your imitation Mac. Better yet – Lucid users are able to install it too!
See our previous article on installing Ubuntu’s ‘appmenu’ in Lucid
4. Nautilus-Elementary
Stock file manager Nautilus is pretty cluttered. To get a paired down, user-friendly and sumptuous looking file manager you need to install the mighty Nautilus Elementary.
Nautilus-Elementary is often labelled a ‘finder clone’. There is one regard where I can concede they are similar: they are both easy to use.
Installing Nautilus-Elementary is pain-free. Lucid users see this post and Maverick users place your eyeballs here.
5. Applications
Now you’ve got the look you need the goods. Here is an unofficial quick-list of applications from OS X and their almost counterparts on Linux.
Quick Look = GloobusPreview
If you use Nautilus-Elementary than GloobusPreview is ‘baked in’ so to speak, allowing you to preview photos, videos, documents and music all with the hit of a space bar.
Jokosher is a simple, simply laid out audio editor perfect for recording your band or your weekly podcast.
iMovie = OpenShot
OpenShot is, as you’re tired of hearing us say, ‘the iMovie of Linux’. It has the features, the stability, the clean interface and the power. Check it out.
iPhoto = Shotwell
Shotwell makes photo management a breeze and whilst not nearly as gnarly as iPhoto (in many ways thankfully) it is more than capable of managing your digital memories.
Safari = Midori
Why Midori and not Firefox or Chrome? Because you probably use the two latter anyway!
Midori is fast, nimble and comes with many great features such as built-in adblocking and speed-dial.
iTunes = Banshee
“Banshee??!” you hiss in my direction. Yes. Banshee. It now has an MP3 store (using Amazon), can play and manage videos, podcasts and – and – who needs ‘coverflow’ when you can go MeeGo?
Mail = Postler (coming soon)
Ahh, one for the patient now. Postler is the Elementary project’s new mail client and, just like Midori, will be streamlined, efficient and darn usable. 
Dashboard = Screenlets
Finally, to round up this, in hindsight extensive post, comes the obligatory ‘widgets’. Screenlets + Compiz allow you to use a ‘Widget layer’ callable via a hot key or hot corner – just like OS X!
Going Further
You can, of course, go even further. Install Safari or iTunes via Wine (both *almost* work properly), skin Pidgin or Empathy with a slick iChat-esque adium theme, add in OS X system sounds, cursors & wallpaper.
You could even go the whole hog and use Portable Apps for OS X style application management!
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Before commenting on how pointless/turgid/wtf this guide may be, note that we cover a lot of differing subjects here on OMG!. Not every article is going to be a hit with 100% of readers.
This guide is for people who wish/want/have an itch to do this so, if you’ve some comments related to the topic of this post that isn’t a diatribe on why OS X sucks then feel free to leave it below.