X

Gallery: Ubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3

In terms of the user interface, Canonical’s Ubuntu 11.04 “Natty Narwhal” represents a significant departure from previous versions. Will end-users accept the changes?
By Jason Perlow, Senior Contributing Writer
6200558.jpg
1 of 8 Jason Perlow/ZDNET

Ubuntu Linux 11.04 now uses the "Unity" user interface, which features a prominent "Task Bar" on the left hand side that acts as both a task manager in addition to a common application launcher. Shown on the desktop is LibreOffice Writer, the word processing program that comes with the new LibreOffice productivity suite which replaces OpenOffice 3 in previous versions of Ubuntu.

See also Jason Perlow's full report, Ubuntu Linux 11.04: A whale of changes for Canonical's user base.

6200559.jpg
2 of 8 Jason Perlow/ZDNET

Nautilus is still the default file manager although it now uses the context-based menuing system in 11.04.

6200560.jpg
3 of 8 Jason Perlow/ZDNET

Firefox Version 4 is the default web browser that ships with Ubuntu 11.04. As you can see the web browser menus appear in the top menu context navigation area, a la Mac OS X.

6200561.jpg
4 of 8 Jason Perlow/ZDNET

Virtual desktops can be paged through using the Unity Taskbar. Applications in the Taskbar automatically zoom to the correct desktop they are running in when selected.

6200562.jpg
5 of 8 Jason Perlow/ZDNET

 

The Windows or "Super" key brings up the main search interface which allows you to find applications and files on your computer.
6200563.jpg
6 of 8 Jason Perlow/ZDNET

Here's another search view showing installed applications.

6200564.jpg
7 of 8 Jason Perlow/ZDNET

Banshee is Ubuntu's equivalent to iTunes. You can connect and sync it with your iPod, iPhone and even Android devices. A built-in music store allows you to buy content from Amazon or Ubuntu One. You can also stream live music from Last.fm.

6200565.jpg
8 of 8 Jason Perlow/ZDNET

Here's how file management is represented in the within the Search interface.

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
Holiday lights in Central Park background

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes

21 Photos
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
Wooden lodge in pine forest with heavy snow reflection on Lake O'hara at Yoho national park

Related Galleries

Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting

21 Photos
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
3D Rendering Christmas interior

Related Galleries

Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes

21 Photos
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
img-8825

Related Galleries

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza

26 Photos
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
img-9792-2

Related Galleries

A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex

22 Photos
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
shutterstock-1024665187.jpg

Related Galleries

Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup

8 Photos
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'
Full of promises!

Related Galleries

Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'

8 Photos