Unity Desktop Is Not That Bad

Unity 2D in Ubuntu 11.10

Gnome Session Fallback, combined with Unity Launcher (click to enlarge)

Unity has brought Ubuntu to new “tragic” direction : it has made Ubuntu loses its popularity. Based on recent Distrowatch hits, Linux Mint has became the first, and then Ubuntu in the second. For many Ubuntu fans, this is probably a most tragic tragedy in Ubuntu history. But, if we want to honestly make a confession, Linux Mint “win” is also ultimately Ubuntu “win” (Linux Mint is directly a non-official Ubuntu derivative).

Alongside this dynamics, after much time enough exploration, I have to say a fact that : Unity is not that bad. In my opinion, Unity is just less efficient. We need to make more clicking to find and run an application. Example : to open Terminal, we have to click Dash > More Apps > Filter Results > Accessories > Terminal.

But, for the look and feel, Unity is cute and awesome. Everybody loves Ubuntu Ambiance Theme, everybody loves Ubuntu look, and unity-panel is obviously gorgeous : it is elegant, and looks professional (compare it to Gnome-Shell panel, that looks just black without theme). But, for me, the most favorite part of the Unity Desktop is Unity Launcher. Although it resembles Mac OS X dock, it is better in behavior and simplicity.

Because of its inefficiently, now, I'm using a combination between Unity Launcher and Gnome-Session-Fallback. I always need Gnome classic menu and task bar at bottom panel, but I also love the Unity Launcher. To perform this UI, I did this ways :

1. Install Gnome Session Fallback

   sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback

2. Add Unity Launcher to the autostarted application list

   Create a folder /home/ourname/.config/autostart (If we haven't had it yet already)

3. Open Gedit, and write these lines :

   [Desktop Entry]

   Name=Unity Launcher

   Exec=unity-2d-launcher

   Save as unity-launcher.desktop (or whatever.desktop) and put in the folder /home/ourname/.config/autostart

4. Logout and login back. And now, we have a pretty combination between familiar classic gnome desktop, and modern Ubuntu style :)

System Comparison :

System : Ubuntu 11.10

GNOME Session Fallback : 3.2.1-0ubuntu1

Unity Launcher : unity-2d-launcher 4.12.0-0ubuntu1