Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

XMLStarlet VS Open Shell

Compare XMLStarlet VS Open Shell and see what are their differences

XMLStarlet logo XMLStarlet

XMLStarlet Command Line XML Toolkit

Open Shell logo Open Shell

Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start...
  • XMLStarlet Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-22
  • Open Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-07

XMLStarlet features and specs

  • Lightweight
    XMLStarlet is a lightweight command-line tool that does not require a graphical user interface, making it quick to install and use on various operating systems without consuming significant resources.
  • Versatile
    It supports a wide range of XML operations such as querying, transformation, validation, and editing, making it a multi-purpose tool for handling XML files.
  • Scripting Friendly
    XMLStarlet can be easily integrated into shell scripts, allowing for automation of XML processing tasks, which is beneficial for system administrators and developers.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source tool, it is free to use and can be modified to meet specific needs. Additionally, the source code can be reviewed for security and customized as needed.
  • Cross-platform
    XMLStarlet is available on multiple operating systems such as Linux, MacOS, and Windows, providing a consistent toolset across different platforms.

Possible disadvantages of XMLStarlet

  • Command-line Interface
    The tool operates via the command-line, which can be challenging for users who are not comfortable with non-GUI environments.
  • Learning Curve
    Users may face a learning curve, especially if they are not familiar with XML concepts or command-line syntax, requiring time to become proficient.
  • Limited Documentation
    Although there is documentation available, it may not be as comprehensive or beginner-friendly as some might require, leading to potential difficulties in finding help or examples.
  • Complex Queries
    Complex XML queries and transformations using XMLStarlet can become quite verbose, which may lead to difficulty in maintaining scripts and increasing the possibility of errors.
  • Dependency on External Tools
    For some tasks, users might need to rely on additional external tools or scripts, especially for functionalities that XMLStarlet does not support natively, adding complexity to workflows.

Open Shell features and specs

  • Customization
    Open Shell provides extensive customization options, allowing users to modify the Start menu to fit their preferences, from design to functionality.
  • Familiar Interface
    It offers a classic start menu which is familiar to users of older Windows versions, making it easier for them to navigate.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, it allows for community contributions, making it more transparent and potentially more secure.
  • No Cost
    Open Shell is free to use, providing a cost-effective solution for users who want a different Start menu experience without paying for software.
  • Regular Updates
    The project is fairly well-maintained, receiving updates that add new features and fix potential issues, improving user experience over time.

Possible disadvantages of Open Shell

  • Compatibility Issues
    There could be compatibility problems with certain Windows updates or third-party applications, requiring troubleshooting and fixes.
  • Learning Curve
    While it offers many customization options, new users might find the settings and customization process overwhelming and confusing initially.
  • Community Support
    As an open-source project, it relies heavily on community support rather than professional customer service, which can be a drawback for users needing prompt assistance.
  • Resource Usage
    Though generally lightweight, Open Shell can consume additional system resources, which might be impactful on less powerful machines.

Analysis of Open Shell

Overall verdict

  • Open Shell is considered a good tool for those who desire a more traditional Start Menu experience on modern Windows versions. It is reliable, versatile, and generally well-received by the community for resurrecting the familiar interface from previous Windows iterations.

Why this product is good

  • Open Shell (formerly known as Classic Shell) is appreciated for its ability to bring back the classic Start Menu functionality to Windows, particularly for users who prefer the interface design and usability of older versions of Windows. It provides a customizable menu, various skins, and additional enhancements for the Start Button, File Explorer, and Internet Explorer. The software is lightweight, free, and open source, allowing for a high degree of personalization and adaptability.

Recommended for

  • Users who prefer the classic Windows Start Menu.
  • Individuals who are not satisfied with the default Start Menu on newer Windows versions.
  • Users seeking a highly customizable and lightweight menu solution.
  • Technical users who appreciate open-source software and want to tweak their system appearance and functionality.
  • Anyone upgrading from older Windows versions who wants to maintain a consistent user interface experience.

XMLStarlet videos

XML query in Bash with XMLStarlet (2 Solutions!!)

Open Shell videos

Classic Menu for Windows 10 with Open Shell

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to XMLStarlet and Open Shell)
Note Taking
20 20%
80% 80
Programming Language
100 100%
0% 0
LMS
0 0%
100% 100
Social Networks
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, XMLStarlet seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

XMLStarlet mentions (5)

  • Upload images to imgur via `cmd.exe` with the help of `curl` and `XMLStarlet`, via a single one-liner doskey macro.
    XMLStarlet Windows binary avaiability: http://xmlstar.sourceforge.net/ cURL Windows binary avaiability: https://curl.se/windows/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Show HN: Xq – command-line XML and HTML beautifier and content extractor
    Shoutout to my go-to: https://github.com/EricChiang/pup#readme (also golang) and my 2nd favorite https://xmlstar.sourceforge.net/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 4 years ago
  • Fetch data from XML
    This sounds like a job for either PowerShell or XMLStarlet. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Is it possible for Rundeck to run a script to generate options at job runtime
    Create and run a job that creates another job via shell script. (manipulating or creating an XML/YAML job definition, maybe using xmlstarlet tool or yq). Source: almost 5 years ago
  • In Dolphin, how do I add a path to Places via terminal?
    Yes, a customisation script for new KDE (neon) installs. I think I could edit the file using XMLStarlet. Source: about 5 years ago

Open Shell mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Open Shell yet. Tracking of Open Shell recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing XMLStarlet and Open Shell, you can also consider the following products

xmllint - command line XML tool

Fences - Keep your desktop organized with Fences. This is a simple software program that allows you to sort the tabs on your desktop and create files that are easily recognizable to you.

Xidel - Xidel is a command line tool to download html/xml pages and extract data from them using CSS 3 selectors, XPath 3 expressions or pattern-matching templates.

Classic Shell - Classic Shell was developed for Windows 8 since that was the first version of the popular operating system to forgo the iconic Start menu.

Hacker News - Hacker News is a social news website focusing on computer science and entrepreneurship. It is run by Paul Graham's investment fund and startup incubator, Y Combinator.

Start Menu X - Start Menu X with Start Button. Power users know how inconvenient and time-consuming it is to launch programs from the system menu.