GNOME Classic Panel in Ubuntu 11.10

It's no big secret that I'm not the biggest fan of the Unity Desktop Environment being included in the latest Ubuntu releases.  Call me 'old school' or maybe just set in my ways.  But I like the look of what now has been dubbed the 'Classic Ubuntu' look and feel.  Naturally, after Ubuntu 11.04 was released; one of the first tasks at hand was to figure out how to ditch Unity and jump back into good, old Ubuntu as I've always known it.  It was simple, just pick the option at log in to jump into 'Ubuntu Classic'.  And all was well.

Not the case with Ubuntu 11.10 'Oneiric Ocelot'.  Looks like with the release of 11.10, the 'Ubuntu Classic' environment was completely stripped out of Ubuntu.  So naturally, I tried to install the Classic Panel in Ubuntu 11.10.  And to be completely honest, it's terrible.  Much of the cosmetic filler that gives the panel a nice smooth appearance is missing.  The time and date is misplaced and over all it just looks bad.

For those who want to check it out for themselves, this video will walk you through installing it.  And who knows maybe it will be fixed by the time you install it for yourself (that would be great).  But as far as my tastes are concerned, until the issues with the GNOME Classic Panel are resolved (if they get resolved); I'll more than likely be using Ubuntu 11.04 in Ubuntu Classic mode for my Ubuntu fix.  It would be nice if Canonical would throw Ubuntu Classic back in for future releases.  But unless enough people complain about it, I seriously doubt they will.  Especially since Unity is the direction Ubuntu is heading anyways.  After all, isn't one of the core foundations of Linux the fact that user's have options to make changes as they need/like.  I'm not a programmer, so aside from a working solution to using GNOME without Unity than this may be a great opportunity to try out some other Linux distributions.  Time will tell.

So with the exclusion of a working 'Classic' mode from Ubuntu 11.10.  This will launch our new video series highlighting ways to install other Window Managers/Desktop Environments from within Ubuntu 11.10.  Later this week our first 'alternate' desktop will be KDE.  So tune in then!

Ubuntu Classic in Ubuntu 11.10

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Help Ubuntu!: Speed Up Ubuntu

The latest video in our 'Help Ubuntu!' video series has gone live!  In this video we will cover a few basic tips that will help us speed up our Ubuntu 11.04 installation.  And we will not have to uninstall any software packages or even touch the Terminal!

Who would need to do this?  Anyone running older hardware that seems to have issues keeping up with the new Unity desktop environment or the speed demon who is constantly trying to get their computer to boot as fast as it possibly can.  Let me go on record to say that there are more advanced ways to speed up Ubuntu by removing some packages, language packs, etc.  This is probably fine for the more experienced Ubuntu user.

But for those who are newer to the operating system and may not be ready to jump into the Terminal and hammer out a string of commands for which they have no clue what it does, only on the promise that it will work, we'll try to start you off easily.  That way when you get to the point where you can understand what Terminal commands handle what functions, it will make that learning experience a lot easier (trust me, I've been there).

So, without delay see our latest video below.  Feel free to leave a comment or visit and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/techiesmarts

Help Ubuntu!: Speed Up Ubuntu

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Help!: Ubuntu Video Series- Installing Unity 2D & Switching to Ubuntu Classic in 11.04

If you have been following along with our video series on Ubuntu, than you should be ready for our latest video!  In our latest video we will cover how to download and install Unity 2D and how to switch between Unity, Unity 2D, and Ubuntu Classic.

So, why would you want/need to install Unity 2D?  Simple, by default Ubuntu 11.04 includes Unity as it's default Desktop Environment.  It requires OpenGL to be run and can slow things down somewhat (especially boot times).  Not to mention you need a machine with decent hardware specs to run it without too much trouble.  And as we all know, a lot of people turn to Linux to breath new life into older hardware.  So default Unity may not be the best choice.

For example, you install Ubuntu and one of three things will happen:
1- You will meet Unity and immediately fall in love.
2- Your machine can't run it and will be thrown into Ubuntu Classic mode.
3- You absolutely dislike it.


Let's say you fall into either the first two cases listed above.  Let's say you like to idea and look of Unity but you're computer just can't seem to pull it's weight as fast as you'd like with Unity as default.  That's when you should look into Unity 2D.  Unity 2D gives you the functionality and appearance of Unity but without OpenGL being required to run.  In other words, Unity 2D runs from Qt and cuts some of the bloat away from standard Unity.

If you happen to fall into the third scenario; where you log into Ubuntu 11.04 for the first time and aren't too thrilled with Unity.  Relax, don't freak out and start looking for other Linux distributions to use.  There is a little something here for you too.  It's really easy to switch back to Ubuntu Classic.  Ubuntu Classic is the new name for the desktop look and feel everyone has come to know and love from Ubuntu including every release prior to 11.04 (Natty Narwhal).  Personally, this is my choice.  Just because I have always like how Ubuntu looks.  And I feel that Unity may be better suited for a touchscreen situation (my personal opinion).

So, without further delay; check out our latest video on how to download and install Unity 2D and switching between desktop environments.







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