the psycho cat on an HP Mini with Ubuntu

Just Beginning
Introduction
Read this first before you try Ubuntu*

Which Ubuntu to pick?
Getting Ubuntu
Making a bootable USB of Ubuntu

Ubuntu inside Windows
Dual-boot with Windows
Install Desktop CD Ubuntu
Modest Specs

Install Software
Security in Ubuntu
Where's the Terminal?
Password in Terminal

Next Steps
Install Proprietary Drivers
Mount Windows
Install Proprietary Plugins
Finding iTunes Alternatives
Use Wine

Beyond the Basics
Backing up Ubuntu
Upgrade Ubuntu*
Change boot menu

Playing Around
Unity to classic Gnome
Unity Gnome/KDE Plasma Comparison
Install KDE
Install XFCE
Pure Ubuntu
Pure Kubuntu
Pure Xubuntu
Pure Lubuntu

Troubleshooting
Can't sudo
Graphical sudo
Forgot password

* Off-site link

Cheap Plugs
If you've found these tutorials useful, please consider donating a small amount to one of my favorite non-profits/charities. Every little bit helps.

You may also want to consider donating directly to the Ubuntu project.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Newer versions of Ubuntu include a new interface for Gnome called Unity. Some people prefer the older interface or "classic" Gnome. This is how you get back to that.

Ubuntu 12.04 (Precise Pangolin)

If you want the classic Gnome 2, install gnome-session-fallback in the Ubuntu Software Center.

If you want the newer Gnome 3, install gnome-shell instead.

Log out.

Before you log in again, click on the Ubuntu logo near the username and then select GNOME Classic.

Then you'll be logged into the old Gnome!

11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot)

Classic Gnome in Oneiric is called gnome-session-fallback, so if you want classic Gnome, you should install that package. If you don't know how to install software packages, read this first.

After it's installed, log out.

At the login screen, click on the wrench and select GNOME Classic. Then log in.

Unfortunately, gnome-fallback isn't exactly like the classic Gnome of 11.04 or earlier versions of Ubuntu, but some people may still prefer it.

Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narhwal)

In 11.04 (Natty Narwhal), Ubuntu has switched the default user interface—provided your computer meets certain system requirements—to be Unity, a slightly different skin for Gnome. If your computer doesn't meet those requirements, you will automatically get the classic Gnome.

For those whose computers do support Unity, you have some who love Unity and others who just want their old Gnome back.

If you would like to switch back to classic Gnome, first you need to log out.

After you select your username, click on the drop-down menu at the bottom and select Ubuntu Classic, and log back in again.

At least for Ubuntu 11.04 (this does not apply to 11.10), you can change the setting permanently using the Login Screen menu item.

Just click on the Ubuntu icon and start typing login.

Click Unlock, type in your password, and then click Authenticate.

From the dropdown menu for default session, select Ubuntu Classic

Last updated 04/29/12 10:06