Ubuntu launched the desktop environment Gnome 3 integrated with Ubuntu’s Unity shell interface with ubuntu 11.04, and from there started the rage against gnmoe 3 and ubuntu’s unity shell interface.

I have been a ubuntu user for past 6 years. I installed the new ubuntu 12.04 on my desktop, its really annoying. I understand, its because i have been used to working the gnome 2 way. I don’t want to go to search everytime, when i need an app or anything, it should be accessible from the menus in the desktop panel.

The Gnome 3 doesn’t have a gnome panel, above or below, there’s a side panel, on the left hand side, to access apps and you can add your regular apps to the side panel. but its still doesn’t feel convenient. it seems gnome is trying to go the apple mackintosh way, the only difference, mackintosh has dock at the bottom, where you have your apps and files or folders minimized and gnome 3 has the same style, its just that, your apps and minimized files and folders go to the side panel on left.

I formatted my PC, switched back to ubuntu 10.10, feeling stress releived. But i realized, there’s nothing annoying about Ubuntu OS, its the desktop environment, thats annoying.

I googled for alternatives to gnome 3, and i found this link 5 Alternatives To Unity For Ubuntu Users, so, instead of formatting my PC, i could have just removed and purged the gnome and gdm and installed XFCE or LXDE, they both seem very much similiar to Gnome 2, need to try them out.

I am not alone, i googled and have gone through ubuntu forums and posts, i have read the anoyance against gnome 3 and Ubuntu’s unity, and people switching to Debain 6 or LinuxMint or to prvious versions of ubuntu, like i did. But, you don’t need to switch to a different distro, you can just replace the desktop environment.

If you have worked or are working with XFCE or LXDE environment, please do share your experience.

Related articles

• Xubuntu is not a refugee camp (open.knome.fi)
• GNOME is simply losing its grasp (techrepublic.com)
• Tips on Choosing your Linux Desktop Environment (junauza.com)
• Coming soon: A ‘pure Gnome’ Ubuntu Linux (infoworld.com)