- Linux distributions: Fedora 15 and 16
- Distinguishing Characteristics: Activities, Gnome Shell
Quick Overview
The Gnome Shell presents itself as a different way of working on the desktop. Gnome 3 was ignominiously tossed aside for Unity in Ubuntu due to the direction of the work which is surprising considering the similarities between the two. Gnome 3 is a clean, tasteful, and slick desktop and a huge leap from the very popular Gnome 2.
Feature Highlights
1. System Settings are pared down compared to Gnome 2 (which is already quite trim on its own).
2. Activities Overview provides access to open windows and available applications. It also doubles as a pager.
Work in Progress?
1. I like how Gnome 3 looks and can definitely see it being implemented in a room full of professionals. Unfortunately, having it used it for a few months now, I've found out its not as functional as I thought it would be despite my initial glowing review. On a netbook, Gnome 3 simply does not work as well as more traditional desktops such as KDE and Gnome 2. Option windows don't fit and arranging windows are impossible.
2. There are many user interface issues that can be tweaked manually by the discerning user. Most of the tweaks are fairly simple such as switching on the right-click options, bringing back the maximize and minimize buttons, and adding a workspace manager. Out of the box, however, Gnome 3 can be a frustrating experience not only for small screens but for multi-tasking. Gnome 3 demands that the user focuses only on one task despite the Gnome Shell's switching options.
2. There is little doubt Gnome 3 has a lot of potential but as of the moment doesn't serve as the best desktop available for serious productivity. The Activities Overview isn't the fastest desktop feature and absolutely pales in comparison to LXDE and Gnome 2 in usability.
Unity
- Linux distributions: Ubuntu 11.x
- Distinguishing Characteristics: Unity Launcher, the overwhelming Unity Dash, Notify OSD
Unity was released to much criticism and fanfare. Canonical's efforts to produce a flexible and friendly desktop produced much comparison with Mac OSX and the company Microsoft. For all intents and purposes, however, Unity is an innovation that looks forward to touch-screen devices and a more mainstream desktop. Love it or hate it, Unity is a sign that Linux and Ubuntu is finally addressing the need for a new look to Linux.
Feature Highlights
1. The Unity Launcher strip runs down the left side with nice, colorful icons.
2. The Unity Dash pops out and similar to Gnome 3, overwhelms the user with a cornucopia of icons and options.
Work in Progress?
1. I'm not an early adopter and it took me awhile to move to KDE4, but I await the day I can have an extra production system with Unity installed. I like Unity and I actually find it more usable than Gnome 3, which probably didn't receive as much flak as Unity. Having been bored to death with Mac OSX's dreary desktop and Windows' vomit-inducing tone for years, I like the burst of color and whimsical brightness of Ubuntu Unity. The Launcher works and despite all efforts, it's still very similar to Gnome 2, OSD and system indicators and all.
2. Unity doesn't restrict window management as in Gnome 3 and window options pop out properly on small screens. Unity isn't perfect but it's usable. Granted, Unity is somewhat slower than previous iterations of Ubuntu and distros running LXDE, but it's no less slower than KDE4 on bootup.
3. Like Gnome 3, Unity needs a little bit more work but so did Gnome 2 and KDE4 during its early stages. With its bright and friendly approach, Unity may not seem like a professional desktop.
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