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A first look at Ubuntu 12.04 (Gallery)

Summary: Ubuntu’s upcoming Unity-based Linux desktop is already looking pretty darngood.

Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

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 |  Image 9 of 12

Ubuntu also comes with its own private cloud service: Ubuntu One. With it you get 5GBs of free storage to share files with other PCs that
have Ubuntu One. That includes, by the by, Windows PCs since Ubuntu One also has a
Windows client.

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Topics: Hardware, Linux, Open Source, Operating Systems, Software

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34 comments
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  • Sorry, but what you basically did was reiterate Ubuntu 11.10

    If I may, you didn't get the essence of Ubuntu 12.04, basically the new features that were supposed to set it apart from its previous release. What you referred to as HUD in screenshot two was the search function built into Unity Dash. From what I heard, HUD is a more advanced utility that enables the user to perform numerous functions through incredible shortcuts, which is missing here.

    Only the privacy settings are new as far as I'm concerned, but then again I don't think that is the major feature of Pangolin.

    Sorry man, but I must criticize this gallery or review for not addressing the gist of the product. You should've especially looked into HUD more deeply as it is the major factor that separates the product from its previous releases and the one that Canonical is widely taunting, its make-it or break-it bet.
    JOB83
    Reply Vote

    • HUD isn't the major part of Ubuntu in this release

      As I say in the review, it's an optional extra. For 12.04 HUD really isn't much more than what the Dash search function has always been.
      sjvn@...
      Reply Vote

      • Still...

        Well I heard that it was suppose to be the new feature of Ubuntu. But it's not a Dash-like product. From what I heard, it would provide a shortcut not only for programs or files in a search like function, but also for everyday functions like your application menus

        http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16731071

        But though I can concede on your point that HUD is only optional at this point, your review still basically repeats what I see on my Ubuntu 11.10 machine which I'm using as we speak to write this. I haven't felt anything about 12.04 by reading your review.

        As for some 'commentors' here, would you please catch a breath and try to understand what someone is trying to say before hurrying to bash him/her? Who said anything about commands? Geez, even I don't know more than a few which I 'accidently' discovered. Would you not want to hear about a new feature that would enable you to go to lets say preferences by just typing it (even without completing the whole word, or just using a related word in case you don't know what you're looking for) and not by exploring the whole menu bar? You think typing an everyday function you use (File, Edit, Save, Copy, etc) is a hell lot more difficult than browsing menus? Tell me off the top of your head; where would you find contrast in GIMP? Or tweak in Inkscape? Or subtitle in VLC or Visualization in Rhythmbox? If you say otherwise, I will respect your preference.

        But it is fun to see what you can set off after just 3 days. :-)
        JOB83
        Reply Vote

    • It looks very mac-ish

      If you have been using snow lepord or lion, the gui looks very mac-ish. They even copied the mac app store look.

      i have used ubuntu before. Just install the free distro on an old P4 box, tada, gehto mac.

      Why get a real mac? Linux has a lack of comercially made apps. They have good community driven apps but they usualy can't compare to proffesionally made apps that users want.
      Bakabaka
      Reply Vote

  • please explain to me

    why oh why we must now SEARCH for everything! what a stupid waste of time! The whole idea of shortcuts was to ELIMINATE having to search for stuff!! Hey! I know!
    Lets make EVERYBODY go back to using the command line! WOW! that would be progress.........
    winddrift03
    Reply 2 Votes

    • AMEN, Brother!

      Thanks for saying what's likely on EVERYONE'S MIND. If I wanted to use MS/PC-DOS or shell-based L/U-nix, I would do so! Moreover, everybody already knows that what held desktop Linux back FOR YEARS (& still haunts it TODAY) is the overwrought reliance upon the command line! Wake up folks! If they keep this Unity crap up, I'm going to eventually dump the entire distro and find an alternative, assuming I don't dump Linux altogether. I went through HOOPS to return to standard GNOME, and even added KDE as insurance. If they want to KILL desktop linux, they'll just forge ahead in this OBDURATE fashion, alienating virtually ALL NEWBIES and thereby quenching all growth. R.I.P.!
      prizmeye@...
      Reply 1 Vote

      • ?

        I'm a newb and been using 12.04 for a week or so. I'm quite happy.
        qst4
        Reply Vote

      • command line

        Surely you are kidding. After a week of MAC/VIRUS fixes that involved command line twiddling ... and 20 years of Microsoft that circle back to Win8 Server that can be run without GUI at all ... that gripe is a NON-ISSUE
        BrentRBrian
        Reply Vote

    • Why would you?

      You don't have to search for anything. Why do you think you have to search for something if you don't want to. Like all OS on the market there is one central place where all app can be found.
      (1)Fact between ubuntu/osx/windows 8 ubuntu is the easiest to get to your apps.
      (2)Fact you can add all the app you use on a daily bases to the dock or a dock.
      (3)Fact add app shortcuts to the Desktop. Oh Yes that is still an option for those who want icons on the desktop. (looks nasty with all the apps on a desktop IMHO but it's there for you)

      P.S Canonical revamped "GNOME Classic" for those who just can't let go of gnome 2x and it actual works really well http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/03/gnome-classic-in-ubuntu-12-04-its-like-nothing-ever-changed/

      Just like nothing has ever changed
      Faces1
      Reply Vote

  • SEARCH OR CMD :)

    I think that is not "go back". The command line is the nature of Linux. So SEARCH with a few words it is a very GOOD progress for Linux and its users.... :)
    keling33
    Reply Vote

    • Huh?

      Conduct your own survey: Ask a group of Linux newbs what they think of typing/searching for EVERY command in lieu of an icon, then revisit your thoughts. Do you wish Ubuntu/Linux to DIE from lack of adoption? Gurus may love it, but new adopters will certainly die off. Seen an iPad lately? The DUMMY-type interfaces are storming the market, NOT typing in text!
      prizmeye@...
      Reply Vote

      • Huh?

        Well you don't have to type everything matter-a-fact you don't need to type anything at all and the app list is still much easier to find than in Windows 8 and OSX Lion/Mt. Lion. The menus are all still there for all apps and folders. Typing in the dash and HUD only allows you to find what you are looking for and launches things much faster than any other OS in the market.
        Faces1
        Reply Vote

      • easier than menu searching

        The reason most new users of the Ribbon interface hated it so much is that they had to relearn where all the menu items were that they used on a daily basis. The reason MS changed to the Ribbon interface was in an attempt to help users find new features.
        Ask any new user why they're trying Linux and it will most likely be because MS failed them in some way. I can almost guarantee some are switching due to the prevalence of the Ribbon interface.
        I can also guarantee that everyone on the planet is now very familiar with search (not command line, Search). Due to this familiarity, typing in a word to find something is actually easier for most than searching through menus. Those "DUMMY-type" interfaces tend to be at least as difficult to use as the interfaces they're replacing. Search based interfaces, however, aren't any more difficult than Google-ing who won the superbowl.
        For me, Gnome Shell has done this in a way that Unity hasn't caught up with, integrating Google search into the operating system, allowing me to type in a subject and instantly search Google, my files, my apps, my contacts list and my history for that subject.
        That's so much better than just going through menu items.
        tmsbrdrs
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Search or CMD

    That's fine for Geeks and admins, but not for people that want to just get their tasks done, be it a spreadsheet or wasting time on twitter. As a former admin with my roots in Sun OS and Solaris, I think I know what I'm talking about. Most people want their computers to be as simple as a toaster! Not saying I agree with that mindset but it is what it is. I myself could care less about the command line in day to day usage, and I use a graphical interface for reasons, I'm lazy and its fast and easy: Move mouse, click, there's my program opening VS click, type, type, type, select, then click or enter.........I know how to search, I know how to use the command line, but, I don't want too and shouldn't have to.
    winddrift03
    Reply Vote

    • This is what happens when you're too old to too.

      Started in the 60s coding when we coded COBOL on punch cards and we did math regressions until we spit nickels. Yep, the Xerox lines were howling back then and I went into another profession. Retired, I jumped to Ubuntu 8.04 onward and have 10.04. Now I'm learning to code C++ and OOP is strange indeed. I'm fast no more and worried I'll get left behind in the dust with this Unity. I'm not interested in going back to mountains of redundancies. I hope Ubuntu can keep it simple.
      Seaumas
      Reply Vote

  • Kernel changes are interesting

    12.04 is using 3.2 kernel. All of those changes are here: http://kernelnewbies.org/Linux_3.2#head-7b93b86873b6491c3d194837efa1aa40ae8d0211
    The interesting one is to limit the CPU utilization and throttle the TCP stack. Both of these point to virtualizations, and I think it is interesting that Google's name is involved with both.
    yet_another
    Reply Vote

  • yes it best but ,,,,i would like to tell u that ,,,,

    how we r working in win os like software wise that kind of i want work in ubuntu .....the developer has think about this ,,,,,,they make that kind of a way to work......
    ashfaqh
    Reply Vote

  • I want a proper menu!

    I don't want a big chunky sidebar. I don't like Dash and I want a proper menu. I've dumped Ubuntu for now and am using a tailored Debian with Gnome 2x. Also using Fedora with Gnome 3.2. I don't particularly like Gnome 3 but I think Unity in it's current configeration sucks.
    angie15@...
    Reply Vote

  • I am was new to Ubuntu with Dapper

    I made the choice to use Ubuntu because of all the faults with windoooooz. Ubuntu are not trying to please me they are trying to give me a better computing experience and i think that they are doing well. I didn't like Unity at first but i have kept with it and it works well. So Ubutnu keep up the good work.
    peterfc
    Reply 1 Vote

  • RE: Ubuntu Linux 11.10: Unity comes of age (Review)

    12.04 = Ubuntu Vista
    JeremyBoden
    Reply Vote
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