Fallback Mode (Classic Session) To Be Dropped From GNOME 3.8 ~ Web Upd8: Ubuntu / Linux blog

Fallback Mode (Classic Session) To Be Dropped From GNOME 3.8 ~ Web Upd8: Ubuntu / Linux blog

Hmm, not sure what to think here.  I guess this means Ubuntu as well?  Dang, as I am not liking Unity anymore.  It seems to be heavy resource wise.  Plus, I can only get Gnome classic/fallback to get my quad monitors to work without much fuss.  I've installed Mint with Cinnamon DE on my laptop, and I like it pretty well so far.  I think I will use this if Gnome classic goes out the way.  I tried to install the Cinnamon DE in Ubuntu, but I am not sure if it worked as it looks exactly like Gnome classic, which could be good, but I thought it would look more like Mint, I dunno.

Restore Volume Button and other app indicators in Ubuntu 12.04

Restore Missing Volume Button to System Tray After Upgrade to Ubuntu 12.04 (Gnome 3 Classic/Fallback) « Ubuntu Genius's Blog


Volume and other indicators disappeared in the classic desktop - Ask Ubuntu:

gnome classic panel + unity launcher in ubuntu 12.04 precise - YouTube

gnome classic panel + unity launcher in ubuntu 12.04 precise - YouTube

edit: Well so much for that.  Compiz is apparently crashing I can't run the command anymore :(  SO I just moved the Avant bar back to the bottom, not bad, but not Unity either.  Ubuntu really needs to fix these issues including supporting multiple monitors (more than two) with ease if they want to stop the bleeding.  Fortunately, there really isn't a competitor out there (for me at least) that I have found.

Heck yeah!  I'm using GNOME classic (fallback session) because it's the only one that can run my Quad monitors fairly well (Wasn't a huge fan of Kubuntu nor Xubuntu.  I liked them but they seemed to be slow at times and things would crash on me for some reason. I've just always come back to Ubuntu-GNOME classic.)

Anyways, I really liked the Unity launch bar and tried to replace it with Avant, Cairo, and Docky.  Cairo looked nice, but I had issues with windows blocking it and didn't feel like trying to fix it.  Avant worked pretty well but once I filled up the side bar it's scrolling feature sucked.

Finally, found this, duh.  You can launch the Unity 2D shell in GNOME classic!!  The Unity 2D login didn't work for quads either which is why I am not using it if you are wondering.

Run:

sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback unity-2d-launcher


if not already installed, then log into GNOME classic, open a terminal, and run:

unity-2d-shell


The thing is I've probably read how you could do this, but I just didn't realize it.  The whole Unity, Unity 2D, GNOME, GNOME classic thing can be quite confusing.

Here is a nice post which goes into quite some detail (scroll down to the comment section as well; the author puts several informative responses there).

http://complete-concrete-concise.com/ubuntu-2/ubuntu-12-04/ubuntu-12-04-how-to-install-the-gnome-desktop

See the thing is this link^^^ says install GNOME desktop which now seems to include the GNOME 3 shell/desktop, the GNOME classic, and the GNOME classic (no effects).  Quite confusing because you can install the GNOME classic with a different command I thought.  It also seems, now that I understand, that GNOME classic simply runs on top of GNOME 3 with the GNOME 2 look alike desktop...?  Whatever, it works so far with me and my quads and I'm happy with the desktop (not Xubuntu, Kubuntu, etc).  I think I'll try to figure this out and break it down in another post some other time.

edit: plus each one runs on different window management systems such as compiz, metacity. etc...sheesh

11.10 - How do I remove an icon from the top panel in GNOME Fallback mode? - Ask Ubuntu

11.10 - How do I remove an icon from the top panel in GNOME Fallback mode? - Ask Ubuntu

Works for 12.04 too of course.

Simplyu hold the ATL key then click the icon.  The options Remove and Move should now appear.

Ubuntu 11.10 - GNOME classic install

To install the classic GNOME interface use in the terminal the command:

sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback

Found here:

http://www.liberiangeek.net/2011/08/return-to-ubuntu-classic-desktop-in-ubuntu-11-10/

http://www.webupd8.org/2011/08/installing-using-classic-gnome-desktop.html

http://ubuntugenius.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/ubuntu-11-10-fix-how-to-add-the-classic-desktop-and-gnome-3-shell-as-login-options/

However this site uses:

sudo apt-get install gnome-panel

I guess both would work. I used the first

http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2011/09/11/install-the-classic-desktop-in-ubuntu-11-10/

Rotate Lenovo X60 tablet PC screen with a single button in Ubuntu 11.04

oh, unix: Rotate tablet PC screen with a single button in Ubuntu 11.04

Ah, I finally got this to work. I had originally posted a comment on this blogger's post asking for help because I didn't get what to do with everything and where to put it. I never heard back but, eh whatever, I understand as I am pretty busy myself. They even posted a couple of links which they used to develop this shell script and how to get the desktop button launcher to work.

[SOLVED] trying to write a script for screen rotation with xrandr... - January 25th, 2011 - http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1675299

[SOLVED] How do I add my script to the Unity launcher bar? - March 5th, 2011 - http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1700605

I still couldn't figure it out. I think I needed some screen shots and/or just wasn't familiar enough with the terminology/what was going on. (The more I looked at it the more it started to make sense, especially after messing with it in GNOME classic.)

Anyways, I first just switch DEs to Ubuntu Classic and used the GNOME classic interface. I then create a application launcher and added it to the menu, something pretty easy and straight forward in Ubuntu classic/GNOME 2.

You could also use the post I just added on the GNOME classic menu indicator in Unity where the app button should be available from where you originally put it in with the GNOME classic desktop or I guess you cold use the indicator in Unity to do it too.

So as I was trying to figure out how to do this in Unity, as it kept bugging me in the back of my mind because a) I like Unity, especially if it is the future of Ubuntu, and b) it bugs the crap out of me when I can't understand or get something wrong and it won't leave me alone until I figure it out, I came across a couple of more links in google from typing in "adding applications to the unity toolbar" because I knew I was close with the GNOME application. I then went back and looked at the script and .desktop file written by the blogger and it all fell together. One way you could go about it, which I didn't but almost did is from this link using the gconf-editor: Add Favorite Applications to Ubuntu Unity Launcher in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal - http://www.liberiangeek.net/2011/04/add-favorite-applications-ubuntu-launcher-11-04-natty-narwhal/

Arranging Applications on the Launcher To arrange applications on the launcher in Unity 2D, press Alt-F2 on your keyboard, then type the command gconf-editor and select gconf-editor program to open.

I then found this link, which was really helpful, on askUbuntu.com: How can I edit/create new launcher items in Unity by hand? - http://askubuntu.com/questions/13758/how-can-i-edit-create-new-launcher-items-in-unity-by-hand I was about to follow the selected answer post, the first, but someone commented to follow the one below it, the second and most voted. This one is much easier and more simple, I think.

This is a method without editing config files and without root privileges. First create the Launcher on the Desktop (only temporary) - right click your desktop - select Create Launcher... - create the custom Launcher as you want to.

Now you got the launcher on the Desktop. If you are satisfied with it, get it in the Launcher Panel: - Open your Home Folder. Press Ctrl + H to show hidden files if necessary. - Browse to .local/share/applications - Drag and drop your Launcher from Desktop to that folder. - Now drag and drop your launcher from .local/share/applications to the Launcher Bar on the left on your Screen. - You can now delete your custom Launcher on the Desktop if it's still there. That's it.

The blogger's script file is (sorry, as I haven't added syntax highlighting to my blogger post, will do later): TabletRotation.sh This Gist brought to you by GitHub.

#!/bin/bash rotation=`xrandr --query --verbose | grep "LVDS1" | awk '{print $5}'` if [ $rotation = "normal" ] then xsetwacom set "Serial Wacom Tablet stylus" Rotate half xrandr -o inverted else xsetwacom set "Serial Wacom Tablet stylus" Rotate none xrandr -o normal fi

RotateButton.desktop This Gist brought to you by GitHub.

#!/usr/bin/env xdg-open [Desktop Entry] Version=1.0 Type=Application Terminal=false Icon[en_US]=/usr/share/icons/gnome/256x256/devices/video-display.png Exec=/path/to/script/TabletRotation.sh Name[en_US]=Rotate Tablet PC Screen Comment[en_US]=Toggles Tablet PC rotation Name=Rotate Tablet PC Screen Comment=Toggles Tablet PC rotation

My big flaw was missing this. You need to copy your path to where you located your file by right clicking and selecting properties. So change this:

 Exec=/path/to/script/TabletRotation.sh 

Here is a screen shot of my button on the Unity toolbar.

One thing about the script is that the buttons on the round arrow pad are not inverted. Will try to fix and post about that later.

Ubuntu 11.04 Fix: Add the Classic Gnome Menu (Applications/System/Wine) to the Unity Panel System Tray « Ubuntu Genius's Blog

Ubuntu 11.04 Fix: Add the Classic Gnome Menu (Applications/System/Wine) to the Unity Panel System Tray « Ubuntu Genius's Blog

Uh, this is pretty sweet! If you would like to add an indicator to the top right of Ubuntu Unity 11.04 which produces a GNOME-like classic menu application then run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:diesch/testing

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install classicmenu-indicator

Once installed, hit Alt+F2 and enter classicmenu-indicator as the command to run.

Or search in the Unity application button by typing classicmenu-indicator.

Quad Monitors in Linux

Well, I couldn't get it to work in Unity yet. I do have a work around for my setup which works for Ubuntu GNOME classic and KDE. This is what I posted in the Ubuntu Forums so far.

Ubuntu 11.04 + Gnome Classic + 4 LCD Monitors - http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1743715&page=2


July 7th, 2011:
Ugh, can't get 4 to work at all. I have NO problems with a dual setup. I want 1x4.

Running 8800GTS for ASUS 22" both DVI, Twinview works fine.

Other card is an 8400 GS, two Acer 19", one DVI, one VGA. I see everything fine in in nvidia x server settings, but the two Acer screens have a red tint to them when I enable them.

I've also had both Acer's working with the 8800. I wanted to add two more displays for multi-tasking so I got the ASUS screens and the 8400 (no particular reason except the ASUS's were cheap open box on newegg and the card was just something that seemed like it would work fine for what i wanted).

Running Ubuntu 11.04 Unity, I have also had the same issue in both KDE and XFCE desktops. Not sure if I've had dumb luck with duals and Ubuntu because I haven't had any issues, knock on wood.

Sorry, nothing to really add. Just wanted to log my setup and issue. Still a noob to Linux/Ubuntu (been using about a year), but I'm not looking back, I love it so far!!

Oh, and I am pretty sure I am not running any of the fancy Compiz stuff (3D, etc.). I don't want/need it.

Today/Yesterday: Sunday, August 14, 2011

Update: Still no working solution.

So I did get quad monitors to "work" but ran into the issues others have posted about (not sure if it was here or not). It was weird. I had live screens on all four monitors, but the far two "duals" on the right had the tool bar one the left of the two screens. So monitor 3 of 4 had the tool bar as if the screens had shifted from what I thought I had setup to be 1-4 starting from the far left. However, I had to click on the left two "duals" in blank space (I had a desktop background just no windows or the tool bar) which showed up on the right duals. So in order to restart or change the configurations back, I had to blindly click in monitor 1 of 4 to execute what I saw in monitor 3 of 4. Or it may have been the other way around. I forget, it has been probably a month since I did it. Sorry, should have posted when it was fresh, but I was so DAMN frustrated!! I want to say I enabled Xinerama to get the four monitors to "work" or at least display something on the screens with two TwinViews(???) since I have two monitors on one card each.

Anyways, still chugging along fine with dual monitors TwinView, except, I get black blocks every now and then on windows where I had to shrink or move the window to get everything to show again. I also noticed that Ubuntu Unity 11.04 allows the window snap feature of the half screen to work in the middle of the TwinView for both screens. I don't think that was working before, but maybe I missed it too. Thought that was pretty sweet. So if they are fixing stuff like that, then I think 11.10 and 12.04 are going to be so much better (well I am not sure if it was an Ubuntu update or nVidia or both since I did update my driver to 280.13, but I still think the next Ubuntu releases will be a big fix). Try to hang in there guys with Unity. I like it. At first I was ehh, but I got used to it. Of course everyone has their personal preferences for their needs, and I am definitely not going to "force" someone to use it or say that it is better than blah, blah, blah.

Anyways, hopefully next post will have a fix!

edit: Now that I think about, I remember I had the left two screens stretched as one screen at one point. Not sure if this was with the other two screens "working" or not. Maybe I'll try GNOME classic or KDE, but I relly like Unity now that I am used to it, .

edit2: ok, so a work around! GNOME classic and KDE allow quad monitors for my setup. However, I have "two" stretch "screens" for the left and right pair of monitors, but I can move windows to all four monitors. You have to have Xinerama enabled. Even if the pairs are treated like separate X screens then the monitors are still stretched. Also in the "separate" mode there is no bar across the right pair of screens nor can I move windows between pairs. This might be the best solution for now. At least I can use the real estate now. I can even use snap windows in KDE so I don't have to manually resize too much which I thought might be a problem with the stretched screens!! I am guessing XFCE might work in this way too. Sticking with KDE for now since a) I love blue, and b) I use Kile and Kopete anyways.

I'm new to KDE so I don't know all of its tricks. I am liking it so far.

Screenshots:

edit3: Ok, so KDE was running slow. Not sure if it had to do with the screens or not. Quads do work in XFCE and Xubuntu. I am going with Xubuntu for now.

Next steps: 1) see if I can get separate screen for each monitor and be able to move windows amongst them all and 2) get this to work in Unity!!

Ubuntu Unity - some additional thoughts, some alternatives including Unity 2D and Lubuntu

Here are a couple of links to the Ubuntu forums on some discussion about Unity.

I am dating the articles so that myself and readers can see some chronology. Some of these posts on Unity were on some alpha/beta versions of 11.04 before the official release.

Post began May 1st, 2011 Improving Unity - http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1746352

Post began March 20th, 2011 Have you changed your mind about Unity? - http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1711109

Some info on the latest of the next Ubuntu release, Oneiric Ocelot Ubuntu 11.10.

Run Ocelot, Run! (Unity Report for 13 July) - http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/?p=17599

Some more Unity story/article links.

Ahhh, the ultimate guide on Unity with a butt load of links posted by a Ubuntu Community Team, Canonical Ltd. developer, Jorge Castro. I've seen him on the Ask Ubuntu site too!

Apr 22, 2011 The Power User's Guide to Unity - http://www.linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2011-04-22-011-41-NW-AP


This ^ links to here -> The Power User’s Guide to Unity -http://castrojo.tumblr.com/post/4795149014/the-power-users-guide-to-unity

May 10, 2011 How Ubuntu's Unity Can Be Improved - http://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2011051000439OSDVUB

This ^ links to here -> May 9, 2011 How Ubuntu's Unity Can Be Improved - http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/osrc/article.php/3932966/

May 18, 2011 Other Linux Distros' View of Ubuntu's Unity: It Ain't Pretty - http://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2011051800141OSDT

This ^ links to here -> May 17, 2011 Other Linux Distros' View of Ubuntu's Unity: It Ain't Pretty - http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/osrc/article.php/3933716/Other-Linux-Distros-View-of-Ubuntus-Unity-It-Aint-Pretty.htm

Apr 25, 2011 Ubuntu's Unity in 11.04 - Not All That Bad - http://www.linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2011-04-25-007-41-OP-GN

This ^ links to here -> April 18, 2011 Ubuntu's Unity in 11.04 - Not All That Bad - http://all-things-linux.blogspot.com/2011/04/ubuntus-unity-in-1104-not-all-that-bad.html

May 20, 2011 Top 4 Lightweight, Official Ubuntu Based Alternatives for Ubuntu 11.04's Unity - http://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2011052000139OSHLUB

This ^ links to here -> May 18, 2011 Top 4 Lightweight, Official Ubuntu Based Alternatives for Ubuntu 11.04's Unity 3D - http://www.techdrivein.com/2011/05/top-4-lightweight-official-ubuntu-based.html

This ^ article also talks about Lubuntu and Unity 2D as well as Kubuntu and Xubuntu.

Lubuntu is Ubuntu running the LXDE or the lightweight version of the X11 Desktop Manager similar to how Kubuntu and Xubuntu run Ubuntu in alternate desktop managers, KDE and XFCE. Apparently, Lubuntu or the LXDE system is even lighter than the already light XFCE, that is it uses less resources such as memory and hdd space and/or other low-spec hardware. Lubuntu might also be a great alternative for tablet PCs and/or netbooks.

Links to information on Lubuntu and LXDE.

Lubuntu - https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Lubuntu

LXDE - https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LXDE

Install LXDE on Ubuntu 10.04 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbObK2_YQls

June 29, 2008 - LXDE - Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment for Ubuntu - http://www.ubuntugeek.com/lxde-lightweight-x11-desktop-environment-for-ubuntu.html

Lubuntu - https://launchpad.net/~lubuntu-desktop

LXDE - https://launchpad.net/~lxde

Lubuntu - http://lubuntu.net/

LXDE - http://lxde.org/

An article on using a GNOME like menu interface with Unity using Cardapio.

May 17, 2011 Get the Best of Both Worlds,Your Own Alternative to the Default Unity Main Menu - http://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2011051700739NWSWUB

This ^ links to here -> May 15, 2011 Get the Best of Both Worlds,Your Own Alternative to the Default Unity Main Menu - http://www.ubuntuvibes.com/2011/05/get-best-of-both-worldsyour-own.html

Edit: 8-22-11

Here is another article on Cardapio.

Use A Classic Menu In Unity (ClassicMenu Indicator Or Cardapio) - 04 Jun
2011 - http://www.webupd8.org/2011/06/use-classic-menu-in-unity-classicmenu.html

Some articles on using GNOME 2 in Ubuntu 11.04 also known as Ubuntu Classic.

How To Switch Back to the Old Gnome Interface in Ubuntu 11.04 - May 3, 2011 - http://techhamlet.com/2011/05/how-to-switch-back-to-the-old-gnome-interface-in-ubuntu-11-04/

Ubuntu 11.04 Change From Unity To Classic Gnome - March 5th, 2011 - http://scottlinux.com/2011/03/05/ubuntu-11-04-change-from-unity-to-classic-gnome/

Ubuntu 11.04 : Uninstall Gnome3 and revert to Gnome 2.x - April 26, 2011 - http://www.ajopaul.com/2011/04/26/ubuntu-11-04-uninstall-gnome3-and-revert-to-gnome-2-x/

Installing Kubuntu and Xubuntu (KDE and XFCE desktops) in Ubuntu

Just upgraded to Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal distro, and many changes have occurred. One, which I think I understand, is that Ubuntu has switched from the GNOME classic desktop to Ubuntu Unity desktop (which is still GNOME?). Apparently in the next release, the GNOME classic will not be available but GNOME version 3.0 will be the default (as Unity?). Anyways, the Unity desktop is a pretty big change from 10.10, and it has taken me a few days to get use to it. Some features I love, some are a little awkward, but like I said I am slowly getting use to it.

Basically the differences between Ubuntu, Kubuntu, and Xubuntu are the desktop interfaces and installation packages that come with each version. For example, Ubuntu uses the GNOME desktop, Kubuntu uses the KDE desktop, and Xubuntu uses the XFCE desktop which I just read is a more lightweight desktop than the others. Ubuntu now uses the Unity desktop, but you can still use GNOME if you don't like Unity. I am posting this because Unity has scared off some users so some people might want to check out other desktops. I personally like Unity and think it just takes some getting use to.

A link on how to install Kubuntu

How to install KDE on Ubuntu

The simple terminal command is:

sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop

and Xubuntu

Installing Xfce on Ubuntu

The simple terminal command is:

sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop

From the same website, http://www.psychocats.net, a post on going from Unity to GNOME

How to return to classic Gnome in Ubuntu

and a post on the difference between GNOME and KDE

KDE and Gnome Comparison

This site, http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu, also has several other post concerning Ubuntu so you might want to check it out!

Some additional links from howtogeek - http://www.howtogeek.com/:

Install KDE (Kubuntu) on Ubuntu - http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/install-kde-kubuntu-on-ubuntu/

Install Xfce (Xubuntu) on Ubuntu Linux - http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/install-xfce-xubuntu-on-ubuntu-linux/

A good, but short, post on the different desktops in Ubuntu 11.04 from http://scottlinux.com/:

Ubuntu 11.04 Change From Unity To Classic Gnome - http://scottlinux.com/2011/03/05/ubuntu-11-04-change-from-unity-to-classic-gnome/

http://www.xubuntu.org/

Xubuntu is a community developed operating system that is well-suited for laptops and desktops. Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Xubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.

Xubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Xubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.

We issue a new Xubuntu release every six months. That means you'll always have the latest and greatest applications that the open source world has to offer.

Xubuntu is designed with security in mind. You get free security updates for at least 18 months and with the Long Term Support (LTS) version you get three years support. There is no extra fee for the LTS version, we make our very best work available to everyone on the same free terms. Upgrades to new versions of Xubuntu are and always will be free of charge.

Everything you need comes on one CD, providing a complete working environment. Additional software is available online.

The graphical installer enables you to get up and running quickly and easily. A standard installation should take less than 25 minutes.

Once installed your system is immediately ready-to-use. We provide you with a desktop offering that includes a full set of productivity, internet, drawing and graphics applications, and games.

http://www.xfce.org/

http://www.kubuntu.org/

Kubuntu is a community developed and supported project. Since its launch in October 2004, Kubuntu has become one of the most highly regarded Linux distributions with millions of users around the world.

Kubuntu will always be free to download, free to use and free to distribute to others. With these goals in mind, Kubuntu aims to be the most widely used Linux system, and is the centre of a global open source software ecosystem.

http://www.kde.org/

Plasma Desktop

http://www.gnome.org/

GNOME Ubuntu Classic