Your thoughts on Ubuntu 12?

[Atticus]

I just loaded Ubuntu 12.04, Precise Pangolin, and was terrified to see the new interface (Unity, apparently). IT was not hard to change it to Gnome, but even then every thing was behind a rock: Adding users have to be done from terminal etc. If Ubuntu's aim has been to make a popular distribution, it's imo going to wrong direction.

Anyhow, am I judging it too fast? HAve you learnt to like it? Would it be wiser to stick to it?

I think I switch back to 10.04 for now, but could give Pangolin another try.

 

[Zelig]

I haven't tried it, but I generally enjoy making people learn new interfaces that are only marginally better than the old ones.

 

[Atticus]

I'm not sure whether it's an improvement or not. It resembles tablet/iPhone interface. I thought of switching to Linux Mint, which has some more options. Apparently due to Unity Mint has now become more popular in downloads.

 

[Till]

I like it well enough. Unity is no xmonad or awesomewm, but it's way better than gnome/kde.

 

[Atticus]

Did you find it better on the first use, and if not, what made you come up to that conclusion?

 

[Till]

Under gnome/kde, i would only start programmes through the launcher (Alt F2?). If i couldn't recall the name of the programme i wanted to use, it usually was quicker to google it, than to browse through the start/application menu.
Now i can type stuff like "scanner" and the launcher (often) finds the correct application.

Launching several applications led to a cluttered desktop by default. Now everything is maximized, which i consider a step up.

 

[innonimatu]

I'm not sure whether it's an improvement or not. It resembles tablet/iPhone interface. I thought of switching to Linux Mint, which has some more options. Apparently due to Unity Mint has now become more popular in downloads.

It isn't. Go for Debian.

Under gnome/kde, i would only start programmes through the launcher (Alt F2?). If i couldn't recall the name of the programme i wanted to use, it usually was quicker to google it, than to browse through the start/application menu.
Now i can type stuff like "scanner" and the launcher (often) finds the correct application.

Launching several applications led to a cluttered desktop by default. Now everything is maximized, which i consider a step up.

Once upon a time there was this old, old thing called a command line. Early windows environments even used to automatically open one for the user. Supposedly it fell out of fashion because people didn't want to type in the name of the programs they wished to launch. Now typing is again an improvement - amazing what "new" things these interface guys come up with...

 

[Atticus]

It isn't. Go for Debian.

Might give it a try! Is it as easy to use (or nearly as easy to use) as Ubuntu and Mint? I'm not that much of a Linux nerd, and don't want to learn everything right away.

There seems to be Debian Mint too...

 

[Iranon]

Loved the HUD (search-based alternative to application menus, to supplement the search-based launching that we're having everywhere by now).
Didn't like anything else - Unity is limited and very resource-heavy, many little things went wrong on my system, I find the heavy commercialisation somewhat distasteful.

*

@ Atticus: A rather late reply but...

Debian doesn't go as far as Ubuntu to give you inviting defaults.
Apart from a seriously dour installer and making you install non-free things (codecs, flash, etc) yourself as a little penance, it's a very sensible system. Probably the most stable option that doesn't expect heavy DIY, and does about as much automagical configuration as it can without becoming obnoxious.

Linux Mint Debian is Debian Testing touched inappropriately to keep it from misbehaving, with rather limited success.

 

[innonimatu]

Another thread I had forgotten. The current version, Debian 6, is much like Ubuntu was until 10.10. Be warned that the upcoming Debian 7 (wheezy) which is not yet considered stable will be bringing the new GNOME 3, another abomination. But you can install other desktop managers.

 

[Souron]

Personally, I use Kubuntu. It's got all the advantages of being the number 1 distro, without the disadvantage of Unity.

 

[Civrules]

I like KDE, therefore, I like what Souron said. =) But I used to run Unity too. Shrug. You can make anything work if you're not too picky.

 

[Beam]

I am pretty happy with 12.04. I have it running on 3 CPU's without a hassle. The only issue I have is how to run Civ 5 on it while I ordered it thru Steam on Windo$e. All advice appreciated.

 

[TheMeInTeam]

I am pretty happy with 12.04. I have it running on 3 CPU's without a hassle. The only issue I have is how to run Civ 5 on it while I ordered it thru Steam on Windo$e. All advice appreciated.

It should work on at least some versions of WINE through steam for windows right now...but past that you'd need to be a lot more specific.

 

[dutchfire]

My office computer now has Ubuntu 12. When I open gedit and select text, it becomes invisible. Who made these color defaults?

 

[Zelig]

Presumably whoever configured your office computer, since those aren't the Ubuntu defaults, I'm pretty sure.

 

[Beam]

It should work on at least some versions of WINE through steam for windows right now...but past that you'd need to be a lot more specific.

Most likely the starting point I need right now. I'll keep you posted.