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Ubuntu Releases 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin

releases.ubuntu.com

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Re: Ubuntu Releases 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin

#222
post #14

I'm one of those weird folk who run three monitors, and even though 12.04 promised better 2+ monitor support through Unity 2D, I still find it lacking. Perhaps it's the way I have it configured, but I use two nvidia cards with xinerama, which means I'm forced to use Unity 2D (no compositing support). Unity 2D just isn't as stable or usable. I really, really hope they put more effort to fixing this in 12.10.

did you try Gnome-shell ? I dont have multi monitors myself, but I have read reports that it is better.

I use gnome-shell instead of Unity on Ubuntu, and have multiple monitors. I use focus follows mouse not click to focus, so unity's whole app menu thing is ridiculous. I actually measured that I'd have to move the mouse over a metre on screen for my common window layout to get to menus. Sure I could fight all this, but I'd rather use something that is standard across distros and not Ubuntu proprietary.

That said, gnome-shell doesn't work correctly with multiple monitors. In particular workspaces affect the first monitor but not the second one so they are annoying to use. Sometimes programs going full screen on the second monitor can't be restored. There are no context menu items to move items amongst workspaces. Since the available space on each screen differs (resolution, various bars) windows can end up with the wrong size.

None of these issues existed with Gnome 2. Gnome 3 was basically 5 steps forward and 10 steps back. I do like some of those forward steps. Unfortunately the cost turns out to be loss of functionality and humungous CPU/memory consumption (I upgraded my 8GB machine to 16GB because of it!)

Re: Ubuntu Releases 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin

#223
post #212

If you despise Unity, switch to Xubuntu. A minimal amount of customization allows it to feel just like Gnome 2.

Can you easily set it to quickly search for apps using Super and change apps using Super + number hotkeys? Or something similar? I'm not really a fan of unity, but I cannot live without those 2 features anymore :S

Search for apps: try dmenu (bit fugly looking but very fast). Just use the XFCE keybinding config to set your preferred binding

See http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1746773

As for Super + number: you might have to hard wire those as separate keybindings

Synapse and similar launchers run under XCFE

Re: Ubuntu Releases 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin

#224
post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're right, XFCE isn't all that "lightweight" when you add in all the things you need to make it usable. XFCE still feels faster than GNOME or KDE on old hardware, probably because it doesn't use any semi-transparent 3D gimmicks. It is also shaping up to be a very good option for those who prefer the old GNOME look. The panel and most other UI elements are even more configurable than I remember GNOME 2 to have been…

I'm conflicted really. I am used to the old GNOME desktop, so XFCE just feels like home to me... I'll miss right-clicking my desktop for instance... but I feel that in order to better support customers going forward I need to get used to the UI's that they will be using. I do very little Linux support currently, but there are talks of deploying Linux in our schools very soon and I can't see them using anything other…

I've had teenagers using a couple of netbooks in classes running 12.04. No fuss, just handed them the netbook to access Moodle course in-class during group work, along with a few College windows laptops.

No problem. Just needed a word about how clicking on the 'cog wheel' to close Firefox won't work (windows controls hidden until mouse over). They just clicked around the interface to find things.

Re: Ubuntu Releases 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin

#225

installed it but disappointed as my wireless doesn't work. Thought it did work on 10.10 but NOT on 12.04. Poor Quality release!

Post details of wifi &c on ubuntuforums. The testing crew will be out in force on the forums with their workrounds/configuration hacks.

Re: Ubuntu Releases 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin

#227
I'd like to know how the 10.04 -> 12.04 upgrade goes in places that use the Long Term Support (LTS) Ubuntu releases as end user machines. The change in UI is quite radical if you have not worked thru' 11.04 and 11.10 6 monthly releases. It struck me that there may be people here who have access/work in organisations with large deployments.

I'd be interested in knowing about the training issues that arose and what action was taken, and how people like the new interface. Sort of a high volume test of Canonical's user testing driven design.

I imagine most of the large volume upgrades will be taking place after 12.04.1 is released sometime June.

I've contributed a poster for the coffee area...

http://spreadubuntu.org/en/material/brochure/1204-poster

Re: Ubuntu Releases 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin

#228

As someone who went to Fedora 16 after the initial Unity debacle, I've been using 12.04 on my laptops, and I must say, it's generally been a pleasant experience. I still haven't tried with multi-screens, so I'm not sure how well it works there. After a few tweaks, I'm rather chuffed with 12.04: - Change icons down to 32x32 - Auto-hide drawer - Change theme to Radiance - Set terminal font to 10 and colors to white on…

OT: There was an "Ellen" clip or something that was posted somewhere about UK-vs-US slangs words and iirc 'chuff' was there (the USAian didn't know what it was). I had to look up the definition to understand 100% whether you were pleased or displeased. :)

PSA: chuff == Brit slang for to please or delight (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/chuff)

Re: Ubuntu Releases 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin

#229

Been waiting for this! Testing and moving our 50+ Ubuntu 10.04 fat client desktops to 12.04 as soon as I can.

If 12.04 is like other LTS releases, it gets stable after 12.04.1 is out, around June.

See my other post on this thread about 10.04 -> 12.04 upgrades. Are the users of your 50+ desktops 'end user' or technical?

Re: Ubuntu Releases 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin

#230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm conflicted really. I am used to the old GNOME desktop, so XFCE just feels like home to me... I'll miss right-clicking my desktop for instance... but I feel that in order to better support customers going forward I need to get used to the UI's that they will be using. I do very little Linux support currently, but there are talks of deploying Linux in our schools very soon and I can't see them using anything other…

I've had teenagers using a couple of netbooks in classes running 12.04. No fuss, just handed them the netbook to access Moodle course in-class during group work, along with a few College windows laptops. No problem. Just needed a word about how clicking on the 'cog wheel' to close Firefox won't work (windows controls hidden until mouse over). They just clicked around the interface to find things.

That's really what I expect from implementing Ubuntu in our current classrooms.

West Virginia is making a BIG push on the school districts to have a 1:1 student/computer ratio. Most districts going forward with it are purchasing netbooks to cut costs. Their technology budgets are already thin and they are desperately looking for ways of trimming even more to make room for more machines.

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