How to Install the MATE Desktop & Go Back to GNOME 2 on Ubuntu

If you long for the days of GNOME 2 and just can’t get along with Unity or GNOME 3, MATE is here to save you. It’s an actively developed fork of GNOME 2, and it’s easily installable on Ubuntu.
MATE isn’t available in Ubuntu’s repositories, but the MATE developers offer an official repository for Ubuntu. Unlike some methods that recommend you use Linux Mint’s repository on Ubuntu, this won’t mess up your system.

Installation

Launch a terminal window from the Dash and run the following command to add the MATE repository to your system:

sudo add-apt-repository “deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu oneiric main”

This command works for Ubuntu 11.10, Oneiric Ocelot. If you’re using a different version, replace “oneiric” with the appropriate word – for example, “precise” for Ubuntu 12.04, Precise Pangolin.

Next, run the following command to download a list of the available packages:

sudo apt-get update

Use this command to install the MATE archive’s key. The archive uses this key to digitally sign its packages:

sudo apt-get install mate-archive-keyring

Finally, run the following command to install the MATE desktop:

sudo apt-get install mate-core

Type Y and press Enter when prompted.

You may also want to install the mate-utils package, which contains the screenshot tool and other small utilities. (That’s “sudo apt-get install mate-utils”.)

Launching MATE

Log out from the menu at the top right corner of the panel after installing MATE.

Select the MATE desktop from the list on the login screen before supplying your password.

Using MATE

If you’ve been using Linux for a while, MATE will feel extremely familiar. It’s the GNOME 2 desktop – last seen in Ubuntu in version 10.10.

If you don’t look too closely, you may think you’re using GNOME 2 again. However, MATE has a different logo and name. The About window betrays its lineage, though.

To differentiate the included applications from the GNOME 3 versions, they’ve also been . The Nautilus file manager is now Caja, the Eye of GNOME image viewer is now Eye of MATE, and GNOME Terminal is now MATE Terminal.

There’s a top bar with an applications menu and a bottom bar with a window list – the kind of thing being thrown out by new desktop environments.

The number of bars, their position, and the applets on them are still customizable, of course. Right-click a panel to add applets, customize it, delete the panel, or add a new one.

For a more Ubuntu-esque look, you can use the Appearance preferences panel (located under System -> Preferences) and select the Ambiance theme.

What more is there to say about MATE? It’s GNOME 2 – and lots of users are looking for that, if you believe the comments you see all over the Web. If you’re one of them, you don’t have to beg Ubuntu and the GNOME project to change course – just install and support MATE. MATE and Linux Mint are listening to a vocal contingent of users, so it’s no wonder Mint is becoming so popular.
We’ve also covered installing the Cinnamon desktop on Ubuntu – it’s a more forward-looking desktop that’s also associated with Linux Mint.

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What do you think of MATE? Do you prefer the old GNOME 2 environment to Unity, GNOME 3, and other newer desktop environments? Or have you fallen in love with the newer desktop environments? Leave a comment and let us know.

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Install Linux Mint’s New Cinnamon Desktop on Ubuntu

Tired of Ubuntu’s Unity desktop environment? Try Cinnamon, the latest desktop environment from Linux Mint. Cinnamon offers a more traditional, GNOME 2-like layout, but it’s based on the modern GNOME Shell — and you can install it on Ubuntu.

One day, Cinnamon will be Linux Mint’s default desktop environment. It’s forked from GNOME Shell instead of being based on GNOME 2, so it can take advantage of modern technologies and shed GNOME 2’s outdated software.
Cinnamon vs. MGSE vs. MATE

Linux Mint has quite a few different desktop environments. Mint GNOME Shell Extensions (MGSE) offers several extensions that modify the way GNOME Shell works — Cinnamon builds on MGSE and replaces it. Linux Mint also includes the MATE desktop, which is a fork of the outdated GNOME 2 desktop environment. Cinnamon is more forward-looking than MATE, but doesn’t abandon GNOME’s traditional interface like GNOME Shell does.


Installing Cinnamon

You don’t have to use Mint to get the Cinnamon desktop. It’s available in a personal package archive (PPA) for Ubuntu 11.10 and 12.04.



First, you’ll need to bring up a terminal and run the following command, which adds the personal package archive to your Ubuntu system as a software source:


sudo add-apt-repository ppa:merlwiz79/cinnamon-ppa

Press Enter when it prompts you



Second, download a list of available packages by running this command:


sudo apt-get update

Now you’re ready to install Cinnamon’s packages with this command:


sudo apt-get install cinnamon cinnamon-session cinnamon-settings

Type Y and press Enter when prompted.



Use another Linux distribution? You can find instructions for your distribution, or just a link to download the source code, on Cinnamon’s official download page.
Starting Cinnamon

Cinnamon doesn’t replace your existing Ubuntu desktop environment. It just adds a new option to your login screen. You’ll need to log out before starting Cinnamon.



After logging out, select Cinnamon from the login screen and log back in.


Using Cinnamon

Cinnamon comes with a single panel on the bottom of the screen, just like Linux Mint’s GNOME 2 desktop environment did. At the left side, you’ll find a menu that’s more similar to Linux Mint’s traditional applications menu than it is to GNOME Shell’s full-screen applications menu. Unlike GNOME Shell, the panel also contains a traditional window list.



At the right side, you’ll find music and network icons, a clock and workspace switcher. The music applet is particularly polished — it lets you control music players from your panel.



You can launch the Cinnamon Settings application from the menu, but it has few options at the moment. Linux Mint want Cinnamon to be much more configurable — another difference from GNOME 3 — but most options aren’t available yet.


Disabling the Global Menu



You might notice Ubuntu’s global menu bar still appears at the top of the screen. If you want to get rid of it, just run the following command, then log out and back in:


sudo apt-get remove appmenu-gtk3 appmenu-gtk appmenu-qt

Want it back? Just replace “remove” with “install” to reinstall the packages:


sudo apt-get install appmenu-gtk3 appmenu-gtk appmenu-qt

Cinnamon is still new, so don’t be surprised if some features are rough around the edges. Still, it’s an impressively modern take on a traditional Linux desktop layout. Cinnamon and Linux Mint are projects to keep an eye on.

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Choose Your Ubuntu: 8 Ubuntu Derivatives with Different Desktop Environments

There are a wide variety of Linux distributions, but there are also a wide variety of distributions based on other Linux distributions. The official Ubuntu release with the Unity desktop is only one of many possible ways to use Ubuntu.
Most of these Ubuntu derivatives are officially supported by Ubuntu. Some, like the Ubuntu GNOME Remix and Linux Mint, aren’t official. Each includes different desktop environments with different software, but the base system is the same (except with Linux Mint.)
You can try each of these derivatives by downloading its appropriate live CD, burning it to a disc, and booting from it – no installation required. Testing desktop environments is probably the best way to find the one you’re most comfortable with.

Kubuntu

Kubuntu is Ubuntu with the KDE desktop environment instead of Unity. Where Ubuntu started with GNOME, Kubuntu started with KDE. Historically, KDE has been the second-most-popular desktop environment for Linux.
Kubuntu includes software written with the QT toolkit instead of GTK, which fits in better with the KDE desktop. You can run Kubuntu applications on Ubuntu and Ubuntu applications on Kubuntu; they’ll just look a bit out-of-place. Rekonq is the default web browser on Kubuntu, but Firefox or Chromium can be easily installed.

Xubuntu

Xubuntu uses XFCE, which is designed to be a more lightweight desktop environment. Like Ubuntu’s Unity and GNOME, it also uses GTK, so it comes with many of the same applications included in Ubuntu.
Some people – Linux-creator Linus Torvalds included – prefer XFCE to GNOME and Unity because it provides a more traditional desktop experience without any full-screen application launchers.

Lubuntu

Lubuntu uses the LXDE desktop, which is even more lightweight than the XFCE desktop used by Xubuntu. Lubuntu is designed to be a fast and lightweight operating system with a minimal desktop and lightweight applications. It’s ideal for older computers that can’t keep up as well with heavier Linux desktop environments.

Mythbuntu

Mythbuntu isn’t intended for Linux desktops and laptops. It’s an Ubuntu derivative for setting up MythTV-based personal video recorder (PVR) systems for your home theater. It uses the XFCE desktop, but standard desktop applications like Libreoffice aren’t installed by default. It’s still Ubuntu under the hood, so you can install anything you like.

Ubuntu Studio

Ubuntu Studio is described as a “free, open, and powerful platform for creative people to create their art.” It also uses the XFCE desktop. Its main claim to fame is that it comes preinstalled with a variety of applications for audio production, graphics editing, photography, video production, and desktop publishing. You also have access to the full Ubuntu software repositories, so Ubuntu Studio can be more convenient than other specialized Linux distributions that don’t come with access to these software repositories.

Edubuntu

Edubuntu was previously named “Ubuntu Education Edition.” It’s an Ubuntu derivative designed for classrooms and kids. It uses the Unity desktop and includes Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) software for accessing applications running on servers, allowing the Edubuntu machine to be used as a thin client. It also includes a variety of educational programs.

Ubuntu GNOME Remix

Ubuntu previously used the GNOME 2 desktop in its official releases. When GNOME 3 was released, Ubuntu started using its own Unity desktop by default, although much of the underlying software still comes from the GNOME project. Ubuntu GNOME Remix is an unofficial Ubuntu derivative that uses GNOME Shell instead of Unity. It also includes other GNOME applications by default, like the Epiphany web browser instead of Firefox. It’s designed for people that want to experience the latest GNOME desktop on Ubuntu.

Linux Mint

Linux Mint started as an Ubuntu derivative, but it’s evolved into a more distinctive project that’s regarded its own Linux distribution. Nevertheless, Linux Mint is still based on Ubuntu, although there’s also a version of Linux Mint based on Debian (Linux Mint Debian Edition). It’s not officially supported by Ubuntu, but it’s become increasingly popular.
Linux Mint offers multiple different desktop environments, including MATE (a fork of the classic GNOME 2 desktop) and Cinnamon (a fork of GNOME 3 that aims to function like a more traditional desktop environment.)
Read more: HTG Explains: What’s the Difference Between Ubuntu & Linux Mint?

You can actually install many of these desktop environments on Ubuntu, if you want to play with them. Your application menus will be more cluttered if you install everything on one system, though.

• Install LXDE (Lubuntu) on Ubuntu
• Install XFCE (Xubuntu) on Ubuntu Linux
• Install KDE (Kubuntu) on Ubuntu
• Install Linux Mint’s New Cinnamon Desktop on Ubuntu
• Install the MATE Desktop & Go Back to GNOME 2 on Ubuntu

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Install KDE (Kubuntu) on Ubuntu

The Ubuntu default desktop uses the Gnome window manager, which can be a difficult transition for Windows users. The KDE desktop would be a lot more familiar to Windows users, as KDE has something comparable to the start menu.

If you’ve already installed Ubuntu, and you don’t want to completely reinstall with Kubuntu, you can just install the KDE window manager by installing the kubuntu-desktop package along with its dependencies.

You can install kubuntu using the GUI tools, but the easiest way is to open a terminal window, and type in the following command:


sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop

You will be prompted for your password, and then you will be prompted again asking if you really want to install. Hit the Y key to proceed, and let the install begin.

Downloading all of the updates can take a while, so you might want to get a cup of coffee or something. You will be prompted to select the login manager, which you can select as either gdm (ubuntu) or kdm (kde). I decided to leave the default gdm.

Reboot the computer, and when you get to the login prompt, click the Options button in the lower left hand corner:



You will be prompted to select the Session that you want. Here we will click KDE to continue.



Login, and you should now see the KDE desktop! All of the applications are found in the “Start”-like menu, as you can see:



Note: If you are running Ubuntu inside VMware and end up with some really strange display issues where the display resolution is really huge but the desktop is showing up in 800×600 instead (see screenshot), there is a fix for this.



When I experienced this problem, I was also unable to use the mouse. I rebooted, and logged back into the Ubuntu desktop instead of KDE, and went into the /etc/X11/ directory.

You will probably see that your xorg.conf file was backed up to xorg.conf.1 during the KDE / Kubuntu installation. Just copy the xorg.conf.1 back to xorg.conf, reboot, and everything should be fine.

Again, don’t mess with the xorg.conf file unless you are actually experiencing this problem.

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Install Linux Mint’s New Cinnamon Desktop on Ubuntu

Tired of Ubuntu’s Unity desktop environment? Try Cinnamon, the latest desktop environment from Linux Mint. Cinnamon offers a more traditional, GNOME 2-like layout, but it’s based on the modern GNOME Shell — and you can install it on Ubuntu.
One day, Cinnamon will be Linux Mint’s default desktop environment. It’s forked from GNOME Shell instead of being based on GNOME 2, so it can take advantage of modern technologies and shed GNOME 2’s outdated software.

Cinnamon vs. MGSE vs. MATE

Linux Mint has quite a few different desktop environments. Mint GNOME Shell Extensions (MGSE) offers several extensions that modify the way GNOME Shell works — Cinnamon builds on MGSE and replaces it. Linux Mint also includes the MATE desktop, which is a fork of the outdated GNOME 2 desktop environment. Cinnamon is more forward-looking than MATE, but doesn’t abandon GNOME’s traditional interface like GNOME Shell does.

Installing Cinnamon

You don’t have to use Mint to get the Cinnamon desktop. It’s available in a personal package archive (PPA) for Ubuntu 11.10 and 12.04.

First, you’ll need to bring up a terminal and run the following command, which adds the personal package archive to your Ubuntu system as a software source:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:merlwiz79/cinnamon-ppa

Press Enter when it prompts you

Second, download a list of available packages by running this command:

sudo apt-get update

Now you’re ready to install Cinnamon’s packages with this command:

sudo apt-get install cinnamon cinnamon-session cinnamon-settings

Type Y and press Enter when prompted.

Use another Linux distribution? You can find instructions for your distribution, or just a link to download the source code, on Cinnamon’s official download page.

Starting Cinnamon

Cinnamon doesn’t replace your existing Ubuntu desktop environment. It just adds a new option to your login screen. You’ll need to log out before starting Cinnamon.

After logging out, select Cinnamon from the login screen and log back in.

Using Cinnamon

Cinnamon comes with a single panel on the bottom of the screen, just like Linux Mint’s GNOME 2 desktop environment did. At the left side, you’ll find a menu that’s more similar to Linux Mint’s traditional applications menu than it is to GNOME Shell’s full-screen applications menu. Unlike GNOME Shell, the panel also contains a traditional window list.

At the right side, you’ll find music and network icons, a clock and workspace switcher. The music applet is particularly polished — it lets you control music players from your panel.

You can launch the Cinnamon Settings application from the menu, but it has few options at the moment. Linux Mint want Cinnamon to be much more configurable — another difference from GNOME 3 — but most options aren’t available yet.

Disabling the Global Menu

You might notice Ubuntu’s global menu bar still appears at the top of the screen. If you want to get rid of it, just run the following command, then log out and back in:

sudo apt-get remove appmenu-gtk3 appmenu-gtk appmenu-qt

Want it back? Just replace “remove” with “install” to reinstall the packages:

sudo apt-get install appmenu-gtk3 appmenu-gtk appmenu-qt

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Install Xfce (Xubuntu) on Ubuntu Linux

Ubuntu by default includes the Gnome desktop environment, but it’s easy enough to install another window manager. We’ve already covered installing KDE (Kubuntu) on Ubuntu in a prior article.
Xubuntu is a lighter version of Ubuntu that uses Xfce as the window manager. From the homepage: “Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for various *NIX systems…”
To start the installation, open up a terminal window and type in the following command:

sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop

You will be prompted for your password, and then you will be prompted to select yes (just hit enter)

After the installation, you will need to logout or reboot your machine. When you get to the login screen, select the Options button in the lower left hand corner:

You will be prompted to select from one of the available window managers. Select Xfce and then login.
The Xfce desktop looks a lot like Gnome, but without all the fancy gadgets:

Stay tuned, more articles about window managers coming soon.

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