can anyone who likes the 12.xx Unity interface tell me why?
After hemming and hawing for QUITE some time, I finally decided that there were updates to certain programs that I needed that 10.04 just wouldn't run. So I bit the bullet and upgraded to 12.04, knowing all the time that Unity was the new interface. As much as I hate change, I promised I would give it a try. After 24 hours, I'm done.
This is the most confusing interface I have every used. Instead of menus, I either have to type in what I want, or scroll through 193 programs all lumped together. I can't find a "Show Desktop" icon. Running programs are added to the bottom of the sidebar, meaning for me that I have to scroll down through a dozen icons to pull up one that is "minimized". I hate the "Minimize/Maximize/Close" buttons on the left side, but I can't figure out how to get them on the right...
Can some one who LIKES unity please explain to me why? What is it that appeals to you? What am I missing?
In the meantime, I am going to try and install Gnome-Panel. Failing that, I created a backup before I "upgraded," so I'll just upgrade it back to 10.04.
Re: can anyone who likes the 12.xx Unity interface tell me why?
For me it is just a dock. I really like the HUD (accessed by hitting alt or the super key, I can't remember).
The 12.04 box I have is my old web development machine.
Re: can anyone who likes the 12.xx Unity interface tell me why?
Things I like about Unity.....
- Keyboard centric. Just hitting the Super key and then typing the name of whatever it is I am looking for and it finds it (especially if it's something I access frequently).
- I will admit this was slow at first, but has become much faster in later versions. (I am using 13.04, now.)
- The ALT-TAB works well for finding minimized apps and has a Show Desktop option built in. (Although I rarely minimize.)
- I like that when I maximize a window all the stuff I don't really need to see all the time (the menus, the titlebar) get pushed up into the bar at the top, so I have more space for the content of the application.
I do still tend to think of the launcher on the left as not much more than a launcher and I actually almost never use it. Of course you can set this up to hide itself giving you more space if you also find that it gets in the way. Since most screens have moved on to the 16x9 format the extra width means the launcher doesn't really interfere too much and to me, seems like a more logical place then on the top or bottom.
Anyway, there's my two cents. It did take some time to get used to, like anything. But now that I have made the switch I don't miss the silly application menu at all.
In the end, this is Linux and you can always find something different. That's the beauty of it. If you don't like Unity, by all means, use a different desktop. I have used xfce and it is a very good alternative.
Have fun!
Re: can anyone who likes the 12.xx Unity interface tell me why?
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Re: can anyone who likes the 12.xx Unity interface tell me why?
Unity looks nice and fancy. And for me it does just fine.
Re: can anyone who likes the 12.xx Unity interface tell me why?
As Charles mentioned...it's just a dock...that's all...like the dock on the mac...except this one is on the left instead of the bottom...Best way to use it is to put your favorite apps and most of your frequently used apps on the dock and when you need that less used app (say like the terminal for example) just start typing the first few letters in dash search and there it is...
I also make my unity dock smaller (38 pixels seems ideal to me) and auto hide of course and increase the sensitivity about 2 notches up to make it come out a bit easier...used like that, i think you will find that, after a week or two...it will be second nature and you will like it a lot...and looks cool too...
I'd urge you to give it a fair chance before seeking out other desktop environments (or downgrading)...Many here didn't like it or were at best lukewarm at first and now we either like or even love using it (myself included) :D
Re: can anyone who likes the 12.xx Unity interface tell me why?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CharlesA
... I really like the HUD (accessed by hitting alt or the super key, I can't remember).
....
Last time I used Unity (early 12.04), the left alt key got me the HUD for the particular program that was in focus. I don't remember what super did just by itself :(
Re: can anyone who likes the 12.xx Unity interface tell me why?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
vasa1
Last time I used Unity (early 12.04), the left alt key got me the HUD for the particular program that was in focus. I don't remember what super did just by itself :(
You are right about the Left-Alt key bringing up HUD, and the Super key brings up the dash
Re: can anyone who likes the 12.xx Unity interface tell me why?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Derek_Tombrello
Can some one who LIKES unity please explain to me why? What is it that appeals to you? What am I missing?
Patience. Take the time to explore both how unity works and answers to your questions.
Start by typing "help" in the dash.
All these issues have been discussed ad nauseum and easily searchable.
I make a few changes to unity and prefer it above all other desktops.
Re: can anyone who likes the 12.xx Unity interface tell me why?
i think the appeal is you use keyboard mostly. it involves searching for stuff you need while keeping the most used things on unity bar or whatever that side thing is called. it also saves some screen space on top by putting menues in window.