Ubuntu's Unity desktop has got both appreciations and criticisms from lots of people. As Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth put it -
The new shell is designed to use screen space more efficiently and consume fewer system resources than a conventional desktop environment.
Well this might be true but for most of us, it seems like a hammer on productivity. The main issues most people complain about is -
- Too difficult to switch between tasks.
- The much liked bottom task bar is gone and so are most applets.
- Minimizing windows that are not currently focused is not possible.
- The simple and convenient "Applications" menu is gone.
Ubuntu is moving away and Gnome 2 is going to be completely phased out, so instead of finding ways to go back to the old interface, its better to find ways to maintain productivity using Unity itself. Here is a list of things to do that can bring you back on track. To be more precise, we will see how to move from this -
to this-
Since I am using Ubuntu 11.10, the same can be used for Gnome desktops as well.
1. Update drivers - The first step you should do after installing Ubuntu is to install additional drivers like your Video card driver. Use the home button on the unity launch bar to search for "Additional Driver" and open it. If it lists drivers for you, install them.
2. Add Taskbar - Now let's go for the task bar that you can see in the on the bottom right of the image above . Although Ubuntu unity does not pack any task bar, many third party applications are available and we will be using Avant Window Navigator. It is simple, easy and highly configurable.
You can get Avant by running the following code in a terminal-
$ sudo apt-get install avant-window-navigator
Avant provides many themes to choose from. The theme you see in the picture below is "Clearlooks Dark" theme. You can also choose what applications to show by default in the panel. In the example below, we have the classic Ubuntu menu applet on the extreme left and a "Show Desktop" applet on the extreme right. To access all customizations, right click over the dock and select "Dock Preferences".
3. Video - The pre-installed movie player is nothing but crap. VLC is the best option available which can play almost anything you throw at it. To install VLC, run the following in a terminal -
$ sudo apt-get install vlc
4. Audio - There are many audio players available for Ubuntu and the top among them are banshee, Rhythmbox and audacious. My personal preference is audacious as it is light on CPU and has never hanged on me. Plus, it comes with Winamp themes which are more familiar. You can use the following code to install it-
$ sudo apt-get install audacious
5. Guake terminal - If you are a power user and use a shell or terminal often, Guake is something you should really try out. It can show itself and hide itself completely with a hot key (F12 usually). It can be a real life saver if your work involves checking terminal occasionally. You can get it with this command -
$ sudo apt-get install guake
You might be a little annoyed with the default transparency of Guake, but it is easily configurable. Configuration options are accessible by right clicking on the shell area.
These tools would definitely improve your Unity experience and bring back some sanity on the hair-pulling situation you were in, after experiencing Unity or Gnome 3 for the first time.
I will also be writing a follow up post about the details of the theme and settings used to make the screen look exactly as in the picture above. Stay tuned via RSS or Email news letter so you don't miss the updates.
Also See: How to download Youtube Videos in Ubuntu.
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Oct 26, 2011
What is the side bar? It's not a task bar? I use it as one. Reduce the icon size, make it more transparent and put all of my most used apps on it. For those that I don't use much I use the "Super" key to quickly search.
Why command line? The Ubuntu Software Center is much easier to use to install applications AND I found a lot more cool stuff than you are telling me!
How about some real tricks? How to navigate better, use multiple desktops better, etc!
Oct 26, 2011
Oct 27, 2011
If you mean the Unity bar on the left, it has lots of limitations like multiple windows having only one icon etc. It is currently made as a launcher taskbar. The mixing has caused both functions to be messed up.
Beware of the Ubuntu software center. It has a bug which can cause a hang during software install at debconf. A new empty window comes for debconf and it doesn't go. It's still not resolved as far as I know. Hence the command like usage.
You can easily add a desktop switcher applet to the avant task bar as well. I was really amazed by the number of items you have as applets.
Oct 27, 2011
Sadly I don't know a way to kill the Unity bar right now :( It really sucks!
Oct 27, 2011
Does Avant put icons for every window? I've never needed it because of how I use the additional desktops it doesn't affect me. That side bar works like a champ for me...with few exceptions that are easily changed via CCSM.
After using unity for a bit, I think it works very well. There are still a few niggles, but the clean view, easy to use task bar, lenses, and search options rock. It's too bad people are so resistant to change.
Oct 27, 2011
I think the bug is -
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/ source/software-center/ bug/735070
Most people have reported the debconf window to disappear after 2-3 minuts. For me, it hanged fully although the software installation went fine. Happened while installing restricted extras.
Avant shows up as a bottom task bar as shown in the figure. It can hold two things -
1. Launcher icons for applications.
2. icons for applications which are running.
Yes it shows in each desktop. After installing you can configure it for showing what all launchers or applets you need it to show. By applets, I mean like weather, time, netspeed etc. In my deskto[p whose screenshot is shown above, I have added my favourite Ubuntu menu on the left and a showscreen applet on the right. All applets come with avant installation. U need not install anything extra as well.
Guess the problem is laziness to change once you get set comfirtably with something. For me, I do a lot of window switching and the default Unity launcher/taskbar on the left felt so difficult. Even thought of abandoning Ubuntu till I found Avant :)
Oct 28, 2011
Oct 29, 2011
apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager
DashHome> type compiz> click unity plugin> update the way you want.
Oct 30, 2011
Oct 30, 2011
to select which window you want to go to, you double click the icon and the instances will become selectable.
sorry if the instructions aren't that great. you'll have to give it a try and let me know if you have any problems and/or what you think.
at first glance i didn't care for it but the more i mess with it the better it is. i'm still on the fence about it but i always try to adapt to change because often it turns out to be for the better imo. right now i'm more curious about where this is going in the long run and i'm interested in seeing how it plays out.
Oct 31, 2011
I was so used to the task bar with un-grouped icons to switch windows, not having one made me pull my ears. You are right about how to open multiple firefox windows. Just the "how to open" part has now become a bit different.
Lets wait and see how it plays out :)
Nov 16, 2011
sudo apt-get remove unity && sudo apt-get install gnome-shell
Nov 21, 2011
I'm protesting against Cannonical. Put this image as a signature in your forum accounts:
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/669/fffuuubuntu.png
Share it with friends, post it in image boards & even post it in the official Ubuntu forums. Let's stick it to Cannonical for not consulting the public on such a drastic change.
John Rose
May 21, 2012
I did "sudo apt-get install avant-window-navigator" (which installed about 50 packages),but it doesn't give me a task bar. Is there a trick to making the Taskbar appear:I've tried logging out & in?How do I remove all 'navigator' dependencies as well itself?I did "sudo apt-get install guake" but F12 has no effect.My conclusion is to use MATE as it gives a close experience to Lucid.I don't want to use Gnome Shell instead of Unity,as it seems much the same as the Unity Dashboard.
Arun
May 31, 2012
Oh, I am sorry, just start avant by running the command "avant-window-navigator" in a shell. Once it starts, click on the "Start AWN automatically" option so the dock starts up everytime on bootup.
For Guake, you need to start guake first by running "guake" command in a terminal (better to have it as a background process using "guake &"). Once it starts running, you can use F12 to toggle visibility.
Oct 26, 2011
BTW, waiting for the theme settings :)