How do I get a gnome desktop on 12.04?

Asked by tadiv

OK - so I have 12.04.1 up and running and using my /home partition... I want to transition from 10.04 (currently have a dual boot setup) but WOW what a change in the UI. I'm lost on this new desktop...

Is there a way for me to get the desktop to look/behave like it did in 10.04 (I think it was a gnome desktop, but I'm not sure)?

Thanks,
Tom

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Warren Hill
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Best Warren Hill (warren-hill) said :
#1

The desktop in 12.04 is gnome but it is very different to the old 10.04LTS desktop. If you want to get a feeling for the new user interface take a look at the manual here:
http://ubuntu-manual.org/downloads

If you want to get back to the old user interface open a terminal (CTRL+ALT+T) and enter

sudo apt-get install gnome panel

Now next time you boot there is a small circular icon next to your user name and above the password entry box. Click on it then select "Gnome Classic" before you enter your password. It's not quite the same as the old one but its close.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said :
#2

Unity is a shell for Gnome. If you are using Unity, you are using Gnome. Unity does not replace Gnome. The command Warren gave is slightly off and should be:

udo apt-get install gnome-panel

(missed the hyphen). Or you can install xfce4 and use XFCE for the old Gnome2 feel. There are forks of Gnome2 in the shape of Mate and Cinammon but they are not supported by the Ubuntu channels.

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tadiv (tadiv-comcast) said :
#3

Thanks Warren Hill, that solved my question.

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tadiv (tadiv-comcast) said :
#4

Outstanding - thank you both!

Tom