For those unfamiliar with the the concept of a Linux desktop environment, the easiest way to explain it would be to point out the the following. Basically it’s what provides you with the tight integration from like-minded applications using the same core of technology, as the desktop. So KDE apps with the KDE desktop, share a common feel and integration. The same would apply with GNOME and GNOME apps.
These days however, things have become even more complex as there appears to be a bit of a split between the folks behind the GNOME desktop and the creators of the most popular GNOME based Linux distro in history, the Ubuntu operating system. Ubuntu has opted to run something called Unity over the top of the GNOME desktop. The idea being that using Unity will make using the Ubuntu desktop desktop more user friendly and less of a hassle chasing down frequently used applications.
Unity isn’t that unifying
Having played around with Unity at length, I believe the idea is to appeal to touch screen users. And to a lesser degree, I can see the appeal of using Unity for those types of screen types. Heck, even with a netbook would makes sense given the low resolution available for that type of device. But the idea of releasing Unity on a mainstream computer is insane. It makes no sense at all. Unity is too limiting and in my opinion, dumbs down the desktop experience to a degree that reminds me of a Fisher Price toy. Ubuntu fans will remind you that you can choose to desktop you wish to boot into from the login screen. And they are 100% right. If you know to do this, you can indeed opt to select the old-school GNOME experience over the nightmare that is Unity.
Too bad there will be a forum filled with Ubuntu users who are not aware of this. Just watch, come the next release, things are going to hit the fan and the folks who say Unity is easily bypassed will eat their words. Ubuntu has done NOTHING to make the choice of desktops known. Sad. Worse, Unity leaves out the trusty Run dialog. This alone, means Unity will NEVER be used on my desktop. This is a dialog many of us use every day and Unity completely drops the ball here.
cc licensed ( BY SD ) flickr photo shared by kamstrup
GNOME Shell vs Unity
One thing I wanted to clear up is the idea that we’re talking about GNOME 3 vs Unity. In truth, both run on GNOME. What you see in Ubuntu however is the GNOME shell. What you’re running at its core, is GNOME 2.x and later, GNOME 3. Even worse, Unity runs GNOME 2.x as its core and leaves you completely without access to being able to bounce right into access with GNOME 3. That sucks.
Luckily I am the man with the plan, whose name happens to not be Stan. In less annoying speech, you’ll find that this Ubuntu PPA will allow you to leave Unity at the curb and install GNOME 3 with its own default desktop shell. To be ultimately clear, this breaks Unity completely and replaces it with a GNOME 3 shell. This is a PPA designed for the upcoming release of Ubuntu 11.04 and not for anything previous to that.