sudo visudo

Note: when you type your password, nothing will happen on the screen. This is normal. As a security feature, Linux does not echo back any indication of the characters you are typing in.

The command visudo does more than just open the sudo configuration file with the nano editor. It also checks to ensure the configuration file is correct (i.e. it will not let you edit the file and make it invalid). Note: you can still edit the file, so sudo becomes unusable, but the configuration file is (technically speaking) valid.

,timestamp_timeout=0

The number tells sudo for many minutes it should grant administrator privileges in this session.

A value of 0 tells sudo to always prompt for a password. Personally, this is the only setting that makes sense for me because if you are momentarily away from your computer, no one else can accidentally (or intentionally) run an administrative command while your sudo privilege is still active.

A positive number tells sudo to grant administrative privileges that that number of minutes. The number must be a whole number: 5, 15, 42, etc. Number like 3.1415 are not valid.

A negative number tells sudo to permanently grant administrative privileges during that session. The only use I see for this is if you want to have to type sudo before administrative commands, but not have to enter the password for subsequent commands.

sudo visudo

Note: when you type your password, nothing will happen on the screen. This is normal. As a security feature, Linux does not echo back any indication of the characters you are typing in.

The command visudo does more than just open the sudo configuration file with the nano editor. It also checks to ensure the configuration file is correct (i.e. it will not let you edit the file and make it invalid). Note: you can still edit the file, so sudo becomes unusable, but the configuration file is valid.

,timestamp_timeout=0

The number tells sudo the number of minutes it should grant administrator privileges in this session.

A value of 0 tells sudo to always prompt for a password. Personally, this is the only setting that makes sense for me because if you are momentarily away from your computer, no one else can accidentally (or intentionally) run an administrative command while your sudo privilege is still active.

A positive number tells sudo to grant administrative privileges that that number of minutes. The number must be a whole number: 5, 15, 42, etc. Number like 3.1415 are not valid.

A negative number tells sudo to permanently grant administrative privileges during that session. The only use I see for this is if you want to have to type sudo before administrative commands, but not have to enter the password for subsequent commands.

Installing Xubuntu Core Desktop installs only the GUI part of Xubuntu Desktop without all the extra applications that are part of the Xubuntu Desktop package (the only extra application it installs is the Thunar file manager)

The Xubuntu Desktop is a custom configured version of the Xfce Desktop.

Xfce is smaller than Xubuntu Core Desktop. Installation instructions can be found here.

An article listing alternative desktops for Ubuntu 12.04 can be found here.

If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance.

Of course, if you really hate Unity, then Xubuntu Desktop is an alternative desktop.

Xubuntu Core Desktop will install 111 MB of files and data to your hard disk.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

Compared to the Xubuntu Desktop, there are some minor differences.

sudo apt-get install xfce4 xubuntu-artwork xubuntu-default-settings

Detailed instructions for accessing a command line can be found here.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

This requires you to install 3 separate packages, so a few more steps are required than usual.

The following steps will install Xfce.

The following steps will install the Xubuntu artwork (backgrounds, colours, etc).

You should not be asked to enter a password again, but if you are, then enter it and press Authenticate

The following steps will install the settings necessary for Xfce to look like Xubuntu.

You should not be asked to enter a password again, but if you are, then enter it and press Authenticate

Note: it may be enough to just log out and log back in using the new desktop, but it doesn’t hurt to restart either.

It is only necessary to select the desktop the first time after installation. Ubuntu will remember your your desktop for future logins.

You can even install multiple desktops and switch between them.

Xubuntu is a customized version of Xfce. This is why an Xfce session appears as well.

If you select Xfce Session then you will get the standard Xfce desktop.

Notice the icon in the upper right hand corner has changed to a different icon. Some, not all, desktop environments will present an icon there.

If an icon is present, this provides a quick way to see which desktop environment you are logging into.

If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance. The mentioned tutorial is for Ubuntu 12.04, but should be the same or very similar for 12.10. Eventually, I will have an updated tutorial for 12.10.

Of course, if you really hate Unity, then GNOME Desktop is an alternative desktop.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

If you want a true GNOME 2 (traditional/classic) desktop experience, then you need to install MATE.

MATE is a fork (a development branch that has split from the main branch) of the original GNOME 2 project to preserve it.

GNOME 2 is no longer supported or developed – it has been superseded by GNOME 3.

MATE is the new GNOME 2.

Note: most people want GNOME Shell or GNOME Session Fallback. Installing GNOME Desktop will install a lot of extra applications that you will probably never use.

A better solution is to install GNOME Shell or GNOME Session Fallback and later install those additional applications you want.

GNOME Desktop will install 542 MB of files and data to your hard disk.

Contrast this with 84.5 MB for GNOME Shell or 35.5 MB for GNOME Session Fallback. Do you really want those ~460 MB of extra programs installed?

sudo apt-get install gnome

Detailed instructions for accessing a command line can be found here.

Note: during installation, you are likely to get a message box asking which display manager you use. It is safe to use either one.

gdm is installed with gnome.

lightdm is the display manager shipped with Ubuntu.

Basically, the difference between the two is that your login screen will look different.

Note: tapping the Windows keys means pressing it as though you intend to type it. It does not mean holding down the key (holding down the key does something else).

Ubuntu calls this the Super key

Note: as you type, search results will be displayed in the Dash Panel below.

You can stop typing when Ubuntu Software Center is the leftmost item in the panel.

Note: pressing the Enter key automatically selects the top, leftmost item in the Dash Panel. This is why it is not necessary to type everything.

Note: if, for some reason, you switch focus or change focus from the search field, then pressing Enter will not work and you will need to select the icon using your mouse (or navigate using your keyboard). This is definitely an issue Ubuntu needs to address with the Dash.

If you receive the following error message:

See this article for a possible solution.

Note: it may be enough to just log out and log back in using the new desktop, but it doesn’t hurt to restart either.

It is only necessary to select the desktop the first time after installation. Ubuntu will remember your your selection for future logins.

You can even install multiple desktops and switch between them.

Notice the icon in the upper right hand corner has changed to a different icon. Some, not all, desktop environments will display an icon there.

This provides a quick way to know which desktop environment you are logging into.

If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance. The mentioned tutorial is for Ubuntu 12.04, but should be the same or very similar for 12.10. Eventually, I will have an updated tutorial for 12.10.

Of course, if you really hate Unity, then GNOME Shell is an alternative desktop.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

If you want a true GNOME 2 (traditional/classic) desktop experience, then you need to install MATE.

MATE is a fork (a development branch that has split from the main branch) of the original GNOME 2 project to preserve it.

GNOME 2 is no longer supported or developed – it has been superseded by GNOME 3.

MATE is the new GNOME 2.

Note: even if you install GNOME Shell only intending to use the GNOME Session Fallback, the extra files installed will not affect your systems performance except for the amount of disk space used.

In general, I think it is good practice to minimize the number of unneeded files on your system

GNOME Shell will install 84.5MB of files and data to your hard disk.

sudo apt-get install gnome-shell

Detailed instructions for accessing a command line can be found here.

Note: during installation, you are likely to get a message box asking which display manager you use. It is safe to use either one.

gdm is installed with gnome-shell.

lightdm is the display manager shipped with Ubuntu.

Basically, the difference between the two is that your login screen will look different.

Note: tapping the Windows keys means pressing it as though you intend to type it. It does not mean holding down the key (holding down the key does something else).

Ubuntu calls this the Super key

Note: as you type, search results will be displayed in the Dash Panel below.

You can stop typing when Ubuntu Software Center is the leftmost item in the panel.

Note: pressing the Enter key automatically selects the top, leftmost item in the Dash Panel. This is why it is not necessary to type everything.

Note: if, for some reason, you switch focus or change focus from the search field, then pressing Enter will not work and you will need to select the icon using your mouse (or navigate using your keyboard). This is definitely an issue Ubuntu needs to address with the Dash.

If you receive the following error message:

See this article for a possible solution.

Note: it may be enough to just log out and log back in using the new desktop, but it doesn’t hurt to restart either.

It is only necessary to select the desktop the first time after installation. Ubuntu will remember your your selection for future logins.

You can even install multiple desktops and switch between them.

Notice the icon in the upper right hand corner has changed to a different icon. Some, not all, desktop environments will display an icon there.

This provides a quick way to know which desktop environment you are logging into.

If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance. The mentioned tutorial is for Ubuntu 12.04, but should be the same or very similar for 12.10. Eventually, I will have an updated tutorial for 12.10.

Of course, if you really hate Unity, then GNOME Session Fallback is an alternative desktop.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

If you want a true GNOME 2 desktop experience, then you need to install MATE.

MATE is a fork (a development branch that has split from the main branch) of the original GNOME 2 project to preserve it.

GNOME 2 is no longer supported or developed – it has been superseded by GNOME 3.

MATE is the new GNOME 2.

Gnome Classic displays the four desktops in the lower right corner as a small grid.

GNOME Classic (No effects) displays the four desktops in the lower right bar as individual panes.

GNOME Session Fallback will install 35.5MB of files and data to your hard disk.

sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback

Detailed instructions for accessing a command line can be found here.

Note: during installation, you are likely to get a message box asking which display amanger you use. It is safe to use either one.

gdm is installed with gnome-fallback-session.

lightdm is the display manager shipped with Ubuntu.

Basically, the difference between the two is that your login screen will look different.

Note: tapping the Windows keys means pressing it as though you intend to type it. It does not mean holding down the key (holding down the key does something else).

Ubuntu calls this the Super key

Note: as you type, search results will be displayed in the Dash Panel below.

You can stop typing when Ubuntu Software Center is the leftmost item in the panel.

Note: pressing the Enter key automatically selects the top, leftmost item in the Dash Panel. This is why it is not necessary to type everything.

Note: if, for some reason, you switch focus or change focus from the search field, then pressing Enter will not work and you will need to select the icon using your mouse (or navigate using your keyboard). This is definitely an issue Ubuntu needs to address with the Dash.

If you receive the following error message:

See this article for a possible solution.

Note: it may be enough to just log out and log back in using the new desktop, but it doesn’t hurt to restart either.

It is only necessary to select the desktop the first time after installation. Ubuntu will remember your your selection for future logins.

You can even install multiple desktops and switch between them.

Notice the icon in the upper right hand corner has changed to a different icon. Some, not all, desktop environments will display an icon there.

This provides a quick way to know which desktop environment you are logging into.

These instructions are for installing the Cinnamon Desktop v.1.4 on Ubuntu 12.04 running the Unity interface.

Installation instructions may be the same or similar for other version combinations or for other Linux distros, but no guarantee is made.

The latest information about the Cinnamon Desktop can be found here.

The Cinnamon Desktop is one of the desktops provided with Linux Mint.

Linux Mint is derived from Ubuntu and it is possible to install Cinnamon under Ubuntu instead of installing Linux Mint. This is the closest we come to being able to upgrade from one distro of Linux to another.

The Cinnamon desktop is similar to the traditional Windows type of desktop, with a Start menu in the lower left hand corner (the same is true of LXDE). It opens up a rather nice large panel divided in 4 parts: (1) quick launch icons (red), (2) menu categories (green) and (3) applications (blue), (4) search (yellow):

If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance.

Of course, if you really hate Unity, then Cinnamon Desktop is an alternative desktop.

Cinnamon Desktop will install 63MB of files and data to your hard disk.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gwendal-lebihan-dev/cinnamon-stable
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install cinnamon

Note: it may be sufficient to simply logout and log back in, but I don’t think it hurts to restart.

Pressing Ctrl+Alt+T means “While holding down the Ctrl and Alt keys, press the T key as though you intend to type it”. Do not press or hold down the Shift key. It does not matter if the Caps Lock key is on or off.

Cinnamon Desktop is not part of the regular software sources used by Ubuntu, so you have to add the sources for Cinnamon.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gwendal-lebihan-dev/cinnamon-stable

To cut and paste the line into the terminal:

1) Select the line and press Ctrl+C.

2) Right-click on the terminal. This will pop up a menu. Select Paste from the menu:

Note: when you type your password, nothing will happen in the terminal. It gives no feedback as the password is typed in. This is normal.

Before Cinnamon can be installed it is necessary to update the software sources so Ubuntu knows where to fetch the required packages from.

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install cinnamon

It is only necessary to select the desktop the first time after installation. Ubuntu will remember your your desktop for future logins.

You can even install multiple desktops and switch between them.

Notice the icon in the upper right hand corner has changed to a blank circle. Some, not all, desktop environments will present an icon there.

If an icon is present, this provides a quick way to see which desktop environment you are logging into.

Unless otherwise specified, all observations and screenshots are for v.1.2.

Installing MATE Desktop is very much like going back to the original GNOME 2 desktop that was part of earlier version of Ubuntu.

GNOME 2 is now obsolete and had been replaced by GNOME 3. Not everyone was happy with this (including Canonical). Canonical (the makers of Ubuntu) decided to create a new desktop called Unity.

A developer named Perberos decided to fork GNOME 2 (i.e. create a new independent project based on GNOME 2) and continue development under name MATE.

While this is the “traditional” desktop, it has some issues. Some applications, like System Monitor, don’t work properly under MATE, so a MATE compatible version is provided.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of System Monitor shipped with Ubuntu 12.04 (on left) and the replacement System Monitor included with MATE (on right) (click for larger image):

Unlike other desktops which install alternate applications that function the same as existing applications (e.g. Thunar and Nautilus), MATE installs duplicate applications. This can be seen in the screen shot below:

Note the duplicate entries. One is the version installed with Ubuntu 12.04, the other the replacement installed with MATE. The original versions don’t quite work / look right under MATE.

An article listing alternative desktops for Ubuntu 12.04 can be found here.

If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance.

Of course, if you really hate Unity, then MATE Desktop is an alternative desktop.

MATE Desktop will install 316MB of files and data to your hard disk.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

While installing MATE will give you a true classic GNOME 2 desktop, there are potential problems and incompatibilities. Ubuntu 12.04 is built on top of GNOME 3, but with a customized interface Canonical calls Unity.

There is always the possibility that MATE and GNOME 3 may not coexist happily on the same system. One of the bug fixes to MATE was to change file names to avoid clashes with GNOME.

As well, some applications may not look / function properly under MATE. I have not done exhaustive testing, but aside from the few applications MATE installs to replace the equivalent Ubuntu ones, I have not encountered any problems.

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu precise main"
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mate-archive-keyring
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment

Note: it may be sufficient to simply logout and log back in, but I don’t think it hurts to restart.

Pressing Ctrl+Alt+T means “While holding down the Ctrl and Alt keys, press the T key as though you intend to type it”. Do not press or hold down the Shift key. It does not matter if the Caps Lock key is on or off.

MATE Desktop is not part of the regular software sources used by Ubuntu, so you have to add the sources for MATE.

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu precise main"

To cut and paste the line into the terminal:

1) Select the line and press Ctrl+C.

2) Right-click on the terminal. This will pop up a menu. Select Paste from the menu:

Note: when you type your password, nothing will happen in the terminal. It gives no feedback as the password is typed in. This is normal.

Before MATE can be installed it is necessary to update the software sources so Ubuntu knows where to fetch the required packages from.

sudo apt-get update

The error occurs because, for security reasons, Ubuntu requires various software sources to be authorized. The next steps add the necessary authorization.

sudo apt-get install mate-archive-keyring

You will be warned about trying to install an unauthenticated package. This is normal.

We will need to update the software sources again.

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment:

It is only necessary to select the desktop the first time after installation. Ubuntu will remember your your desktop for future logins.

You can even install multiple desktops and switch between them. Although, I am not sure if MATE and GNOME can exist happily together on the same system.

Notice the icon in the upper right hand corner has changed to a blank circle. Some, not all, desktop environments will present an icon there.

If an icon is present, this provides a quick way to see which desktop environment you are logging into.

An alternative to Xfce is Xubuntu Desktop.

Xubuntu Desktop is Ubuntu with a customized Xfce desktop. It also installs a number of applications. Some of these applications duplicate the functionality of applications already installed in Ubuntu 12.04. Installation instructions can be found here.

An article listing alternative desktops for Ubuntu 12.04 can be found here.

If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance.

Of course, if you really hate Unity, then Xfce is an alternative desktop.

Xfce will install 67.8MB of files and data to your hard disk.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

sudo apt-get install xfce4

Detailed instructions for accessing a command line can be found here.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

Note: it may be enough to just log out and log back in using the new desktop, but it doesn’t hurt to restart either.

It is only necessary to select the desktop the first time after installation. Ubuntu will remember your your desktop for future logins.

You can even install multiple desktops and switch between them.

Notice the icon in the upper right hand corner has changed to an open circle. Some, not all, desktop environments will present an icon there.

If an icon is present, this provides a quick way to see which desktop environment you are logging into.

GNOME Session Fallback is the absolute minimum GNOME desktop you can install.

A slightly larger alternative (which includes the GNOME 3 desktop) is GNOME Shell. Installation instructions can be found here.

The largest GNOME installation is the GNOME Desktop Environment. In addition to installing a desktop it also install numerous applications. Installation instructions can be found here.

An article listing alternative desktops for Ubuntu 12.04 can be found here.

If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance.

Of course, if you really hate Unity, then GNOME Shell is an alternative desktop.

GNOME Shell will install 34.8MB of files and data to your hard disk.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback

Detailed instructions for accessing a command line can be found here.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

If you receive the following error message:

See this article for a possible solution.

Note: it may be enough to just log out and log back in using the new desktop, but it doesn’t hurt to restart either.

It is only necessary to select the desktop the first time after installation. Ubuntu will remember your your desktop for future logins.

You can even install multiple desktops and switch between them.

Notice the icon in the upper right hand corner has changed to a different icon. Some, not all, desktop environments will present an icon there.

This provides a quick way to know which desktop environment you are logging into.

GNOME Desktop includes the desktop environment as well as many applications. Some of these applications perform the same or similar functions as applications already installed with Ubuntu 12.04.

A smaller alternative is the GNOME Shell. This installs the GNOME Shell and fewer applications than GNOME Desktop. Some of the applications perform the same or similar functions as applications already installed with Ubuntu 12.04. Installation instructions can be found here.

The lightest weight alternative is GNOME Session Fallback. It only installs the GNOME Classic desktops. Installation instructions can be found here.

An article listing alternative desktops for Ubuntu 12.04 can be found here.

If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance.

Of course, if you really hate Unity, then GNOME Shell is an alternative desktop.

GNOME Shell will install 414MB of files and data to your hard disk.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

sudo apt-get install gnome

Detailed instructions for accessing a command line can be found here.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

If you receive the following error message:

See this article for a possible solution.

It is only necessary to select the desktop the first time after installation. Ubuntu will remember your your desktop for future logins.

You can even install multiple desktops and switch between them.

GNOME Classic is pretty much the traditional desktop you are most familiar with.

GNOME Classic (No effects) is the same as GNOME Classic except without fancy graphics effects. This desktop is probably faster than GNOME Classic – especially on older machines.

GNOME is the new GNOME Desktop. Because of the path GNOME has taken in its desktop development, Canonical (the developer of Ubuntu) decided to develop Unity because they didn’t like the direction GNOME was going).

The new GNOME desktop looks like this:

While it looks similar to the classical desktop, it is at least as different from the classical desktop as Unity is.

Notice the icon in the upper right hand corner has changed to a different icon. Some, not all, desktop environments will present an icon there.

This provides a quick way to know which desktop environment you are logging into.

GNOME Shell includes the desktop environment as well as a number of applications. Some of these applications perform the same or similar functions as applications already installed with Ubuntu 12.04.

A lighter weight alternative to GNOME Shell is GNOME Session Fallback. It includes only the GNOME Classic interfaces. Installation instructions can be found here.

There is also a GNOME Desktop Environment. This includes the GNOME Shell and many more applications. Some of the applications perform the same or similar functions as applications already installed with Ubuntu 12.04. Installation instructions can be found here.

An article listing alternative desktops for Ubuntu 12.04 can be found here..

If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance.

Of course, if you really hate Unity, then GNOME Shell is an alternative desktop.

GNOME Shell will install 72.3MB of files and data to your hard disk.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

sudo apt-get install gnome-shell

Detailed instructions for accessing a command line can be found here.

Some images may be clicked for full sized versions.

If you receive the following error message:

See this article for a possible solution.

It is only necessary to select the desktop the first time after installation. Ubuntu will remember your your desktop for future logins.

You can even install multiple desktops and switch between them.

GNOME Classic is pretty much the traditional desktop you are most familiar with.

GNOME Classic (No effects) is the same as GNOME Classic except without fancy graphics effects. This desktop is probably faster than GNOME Classic – especially on older machines.

GNOME is the new GNOME Desktop. Because of the path GNOME has taken in its desktop development, Canonical (the developer of Ubuntu) decided to develop Unity because they didn’t like the direction GNOME was going).

The new GNOME desktop looks like this:

While it looks similar to the classical desktop, it is at least as different from the classical desktop as Unity is.

Notice the icon in the upper right hand corner has changed to a different icon. Some, not all, desktop environments will present an icon there.

This provides a quick way to know which desktop environment you are logging into.