Ubuntu has tried to be the friendly face of Linux since it launched seven years ago. Maker Canonical has steered the operating system (OS) toward becoming one you can use on a daily basis, without recourse to typing text commands into a command-line console.
In our tests with a few laptops – always the most difficult PCs to support because of driver issues – Ubuntu 11.04 has largely succeeded. But Canonical has set itself another goal: to create a modern interface to control the existing functions of this popular Linux OS.
GUI goes Unity
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were first developed in the 1970s, but the paradigm of a desktop with drag-and-drop files and folders on the PC can be traced back to the Macintosh of 1984.
Back then, Microsoft tried to copy Apple's windows-based interface; it called its version ‘Windows’. When the GUI came to Linux in the early 90s it was based on the X Windows system of UNIX, before evolving into something closer to the Windows look and feel.
Two popular interface options have been available to desktop Linux in recent times. Most distros are based on either KDE, which imitates the Windows Start Menu and Taskbar, and the more Mac-like GNOME, which is often seen with a top menu bar.
Canonical has traditionally leaned toward the GNOME interface in Ubuntu 11.04 (while still offering a KDE-based Kubuntu build), but was less satisfied with the development of GNOME 3. It went on to develop its own GUI, based on one first pioneered in Ubuntu for netbooks.
In the process, it’s taken Ubuntu 11.04 another step closer to the appearance and layout of Apple's Mac OS X.
Install stage
The principal version of Ubuntu 11.04 is simply named Desktop 32-bit, with a 64-bit version also available. Both are free to download from ubuntu.com, and weigh in at 718MB and 732MB respectively.
We thought we’d chance our arm first with the 64-bit version. All went smoothly on a Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 11 laptop, until we tried to install Skype. Canonical offers plenty of software in its own Software Center, although it hosts only the 32-bit version of Skype.
Following an easy installation of the OS, the system reboots into Ubuntu’s new Unity environment. In place of the usual top menu with drop-down links to Applications, Places and Preferences, you’ll find a plain top bar with icon shortcuts to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings, speaker volume, Evolution mail, the current time, and the shut down/log out options.
At the top left of the screen is the Ubuntu logo. Clicking this brings up a full-screen search app, with oversized icons for common tasks such as Browse the Web, View Photos and Check Email. You can also invoke this screen with a dab of the Super key (usually the one with the Windows logo).
Ubuntu 11.04: The Dash is a quick way to find files or installed apps
But the most arresting sight from the Ubuntu 11.04 desktop is the Launcher, which is attached to the left edge of the screen. In common with OS X‘s Dock, it’s an icon-based app launcher and switcher, and populated with useful shortcuts. Unlike Apple's Dock, though, there doesn't appear to be any way to move it to a different screen edge other than the left side.
If you want to keep an open application here for ready access, you simply right-click its icon and select the ‘Keep in Launcher’ icon.
Comments
amit said: Unlike WIndows, active irc and forums are available on Ubuntu.. In fact , irc is already installed on Ubuntu and forks . So just click it; type your questions and get answers... what do you say to that.. and best of all its all free. The guys are very interesting and I really like chatting with them..
Mcmalins said: Have just put latest Lubuntu on an old (7yrs) p4 512mb ram wireless HP for my daughter and works wonderfully - with media - flash etc. It may work for you - I know a previous version I tried did not work on this laptop so something has improved.So much easier than trying to reinstall windows :) and seems quicker once booted.Worth a punt especially if the internet is the main useI got it her as a replacement for a portable dvd player and thsi Lubunt plays those as well.Need to ready the install instructions and tick the update and third party boxes on the install - piece of cake.
rorykoehler said: 10.10 was better. Got my 60yr old mother using it as windows was frustrating her with it's slow bloatedness and she was right at home on 10.10 but has been having teething issues on 11.04. For example the printer won't setup even tho she followed easy and clear instructions. I guess it's just a matter of time before these issues are resolved
Roland Taylor said: Will people stop claiming everything is copied from some other OS? Mac copied us with spaces, not the other way around...We've had that compiz plugin for years, it just got a bit easier to access in Unity (that's all).
sirjohng said: Understood FUD but as I explained, it did not happen for me so imagine a completely non techie facing this problem, who would they ask for help? At least with Windows there would be a friend or neighbour who would be of some use. GUIs come and go but with all of them the desktop contains basic links and it does not take long to remember where they are. Windows 7, Linux distros and Mac all have similarities in this respect and there seems to be a general convergence. So, just to be different, Ubuntu sticks it on the left hand side, Windows used to have a similar bar on the right hand side with Win 98 I seem to remember. What goes around comes around.
Kilian Klaiber said: FUDDuring installation the proprietary libraries are chosen. This is how it works:http://www.ubuntu.com/sites/ww...I've been running Ubuntu for years on several different computers. Playing CDs has never been an issue.
sirjohng said: I have tried Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu on a 2 year old Toshiba Satellite Pro laptop. All loaded perfectly and came up with the desktop. Unfortunately that is where the problems began. Presumably, to squeeze all this onto one disc, some things are left out, like media, pretty fundamental these days. When attempting to play a CD I got a message to say that I needed additional software and followed the prompts. Unfortunately, in each version, this process stalled and the laptop froze so I was unable to complete the upgrade. This also happened whilst using Firefox so I abandoned hope and went back to Windows. I was really hoping that this version, sorry, Distro, was going to be consumer friendly with easy software addition.I have also tried PCLinuxOS on an old Compaq and find the addition of software a strange and difficult experience after the ease of Windows. Otherwise, for most uses I find Linux little different to Windows except it is a lot faster on old equipment.To make Linux consumer friendly there seems to be a lot of tweaking to do and one Distro will have to gain supremacy, currently there are just too many even for me and I am an IT Consultant. The new Google machine has taken it too far to the Cloud where, if no connection is available, you just cannot use your computer, brilliant idea that and £400 to boot!
Arron Morton said: yh i have been using this linux since 11.04 come out as i used to use linux mint but was not working out for me and wanted something more powerful. this is a great os and would say with ubuntu for its great features and being more like the mac os then windows as i hate everything to do with windows including the look.