The look has not changed much in Ubuntu 11.10, but the features sure have. For those unable to use Unity 3D, Unity 2D is now available for Ubuntu users as well.

Recent Changes

The login manager is now LightDM which is fast and efficient. A new window switcher has also been added and there have also been improvements to the lenses feature. Ubuntu as always, is free to try, and remains one of the top choices for Linux newcomers.

• Banshee Media Player 2.2
• Firefox Web Browser 7.0.1
• Shotwell Photo Manager 0.11.4
• Transmission BitTorrent Client 2.33
• Totem Movie Player 3.0.1

• Brasero Disc Burner 3.2.0
• LibreOffice 3.4.3
• Tomboy Notes 1.8.0
• Empathy Instant Messenger 3.2.0
• Thunderbird Mail Client 7.0.1

When first booting the Ubuntu 11.10 live CD you will be prompted with a welcome screen asking if you would like to try Ubuntu 11.10 with no changes to your computer, or you can begin installation.

Very Simple Installation

You can also change the language used for the Ubuntu 11.10 installer. If you begin installation you will see a checklist for basic requirements, and a few options for updates and third-party software. Next you can manually or automatically configure your partitions.

As I said above, LightDM is now the default login manager and uses the Unity greeter. Gnome classic is no longer available, only Unity 2D or Unity 3D. After logging in you will see your primary panel with your system notification icons. And you will have your Unity launcher on the left side of the desktop.

About The Desktop

All applications can be found inside the Dash, and several launchers are available inside the Unity panel. The whole desktop is left quite clean, though I am still not very fond of the default wallpaper, or theme for that matter.

You can quickly search for all of your applications, music, and files using the Dash. The dash contains a search bar, and launchers for many of your applications. You can open the Dash by clicking on the Ubuntu logo that sits on the top of your Unity launcher panel.

Using Lenses

And now you can use the enhanced lens feature to narrow your searches. You can select one of the small icons at the bottom of the Dash to search everything, only your applications, only your music, or only your files and folders.

A key feature of Ubuntu 11.10 is the Unity launcher located on the left hand side of the desktop. Launchers for all of your favorite applications as well as open windows will be located here.

Organize Your Panel

And you can add your favorite applications to the launcher panel at any time simply by right clicking on an application inside the dash, then selecting keep in launcher. Items can also be dragged from the Dash into the Unity launcher.

Much has changed inside the Ubuntu software center. The interface has been re-designed for improved navigation. The toolbar has been upgraded, and top rated applications are now highlighted in the main window.

Using The Software Center

Also the ability to filter software by top-rated, name, or date is now available. A stylish new banner has also been added to the top of the Ubuntu software center window. This banner is meant to inform users about new and popular applications.

And not much has changed regarding the Ubuntu 11.10 file manager, users will still get the speed and reliability of Nautilus. Nautilus of course is a great choice for new users because of maximized default functionality.

Using Nautilus

You can launch Nautilus by clicking on the file manager icon inside the Unity dock, or click on a specific folder inside the dash. The Nautilus window is easy to navigate, and very user-friendly.

Using the Dash you can search for appearance settings to find your themes. Unfortunately only 4 themes are available by default, and you can no longer customize your themes directly through the user interface. Sadly that was one of my favorite features.

Available Themes

The Ambiance, Radiance, High Contrast, and High Contrast Inverse themes are available. The Radiance theme can be seen in the screenshot, this is the only theme I find especially pleasing.

You can also change your Ubuntu 11.10 desktop wallpaper from the appearance settings window. And thankfully there is a vast selection of beautiful backgrounds to choose from. Most are scenery and landscape wallpapers, but they are vivid and quite unique.

Adding Wallpapers

Surely more can be added probably by dropping them into a wallpapers folder, but it seems the convenient interface options are gone. The interface seems to have been reduced and simplified to a point that it lost much of what made it great in the first place, as always I'm sure things will continue to improve.

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