Ubuntu
unity package

11.10 switching desktop decor

Asked by John Winterton

Is it possible to switch from the Unity desktop to the classic desktop? The Unity desktop may by all very well for a new user, but I find that it cramps my ability to accomplish ordinary tasks.

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actionparsnip
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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

It is not included in Oneiric, Unity2D session replaces Ubuntu Classic session. I suggest you install XFCE, KDE or LXDE if you like the taskbar at the bottom. You can still use the same apps in the other desktops.

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John Winterton (jwinterton) said : 		#2

Thanks for your prompt response. Well, that's too bad. What I really miss is the top of screen menu and other panel items. I really don't care about the status panel at the bottom of the screen.

Any way to get a panel installed? I really don't have enough space in the applications gadget on the left for everything I want.

Regards,

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Best actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

You can make XFCE look like that without much effort at all. To get XFCE installed, simply run:

sudo apt-get -y install xfce4

Log off, then select XFCE as your session at login and start customizing.

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John Winterton (jwinterton) said : 		#4

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

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Rodney (rciwan) said : 		#5

I,m not sure I understand your question so if my answer seems off base, please forgive me. When I installed the latest Ubuntu, I did not like the screen either. However, when you first boot up and it asks you for the password, look at the bottom of the screen. It gives you a choice of changing back to classic view (which I also prefer). I choose classic view and everything came back to the old familiar layout, my choice.

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John Winterton (jwinterton) said : 		#6

I don't think I have the same login screen you do. I have the one you get by doing an install off the live CD for Beta 1. Much streamlines and less clunky than the one on 11.04. I think I may have to use Action Parsnip' solution. He is usually pretty good on this kind of thing.

One comment for the "developers". Don't spring surprises on the standing users. This new desktop sucks. It also sucked when you put it in on 11.04. I have been in this business longer than most of you have been alive, and that is one thing I have learned sometime in the 1960s. Fashion must not drive software upgrades. You must not mess with the work habits of standing users. This leads to loss of customers. I am very nearly at the point of going back to Microsoft.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#7

Then use a different DE as I said. There are a LOT more desktops than Gnome, so saying you are 'going back to Microsoft' just because ONE desktop is not to your taste makes you look extremely immature. You can just as well run the apps you run in Gnome in ANY other DE.

Do you not know this?