Can you make Ubuntu desktop seem smaller?

[GumpTron]

This may be a strange request or maybe not, but after using Ubuntu for a while one thing I wish I could change is the feel of the desktop. For example, both Ubuntu and Windows 7 both say they are operating at 1680x1050, but for some reason Ubuntu's desktop just seems more crowded and not as small or as deep as Windows 7's.

Can it be changed to feel/look smaller compared to the size of the screen?

Thanks for any help you can offer :guitar:

[aura7]

The icon size in ubuntu is a bit bigger than that of Windows 7, you can probably reduce the icon size to accommodate more icons.

To reduce icon size you can check this post.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=532891

[GumpTron]

ill try that, thank you :popcorn:

[GumpTron]

actually, it's the large sidebar that's the problem for me. can i make that smaller? I don't actually have any icons on the desktop, just the large bar on the left.

[nothingspecial]

Install and run compizconfig-settings-manager.

Find the ubuntu unity plugin section

Click the experimental tab

Then drag the launcher icon size slider all the way to the left.

[GumpTron]

thank you very much :guitar:

[jlmcp]

So, the directions make sense, but the solution doesn't work. I just tried this on both 11.10 and the new 12.04 beta. If I change the icon size from 48 down to 32, nothing happens. I've even restarted X and Ubuntu, still no change.

Is there a special "commit changes" button I'm missing?

[stinkeye]

So, the directions make sense, but the solution doesn't work. I just tried this on both 11.10 and the new 12.04 beta. If I change the icon size from 48 down to 32, nothing happens. I've even restarted X and Ubuntu, still no change.

Is there a special "commit changes" button I'm missing?
The change is instant.
Are you in the ubuntu or ubuntu 2d session?

echo $DESKTOP_SESSION


glen@Oneiric:~$ echo $DESKTOP_SESSION
ubuntu