Unity (desktop shell): description, features and reviews

With the development of operating systems, there have been many changes associated with the desktop. The appearance of the working environment, functionality and methods of interaction gradually progress and become more convenient. One of the most advanced and interesting desktop environments is Unity, the desktop shell for the Ubuntu system. Its appearance should have a big impact on the development of a particular distribution and, in general, on the working environment of Linux.

Ubuntu Linux

In general, Linux operating systems are not in high demand among users, and until recently they were completely skeptical, many called it not for people. Over time, Canonical achieved certain results in the promotion of its product, and Ubuntu began to enter the world market and attract more and more ordinary users. Mark Shuttleworth, the founder of Canonical, promised to give the people a free and high-quality system. Ubuntu platform and Unity desktop shell, in particular, rightfully took the position of the most popular Linux distribution for users who migrated from Windows or just beginning to use a computer.

The system is characterized by absolute openness, free distribution and approach to design, similar to that of Apple. For what many have called the system a mixture of Windows practicality with the aesthetic advantage of OS X.

The system is equipped with a branded application store. It included all the main Linux applications. Also Ubuntu became one of the first platforms for which the Steam playground was ported.

Another component of the system is the Ubuntu One cloud for synchronizing all sorts of content. Some of the products were submitted for the monetization of the system, since it was distributed free of charge. The same is true for the Ubuntu One application, which works when paying for a subscription.

Desktop

In the history of the development of computers and operating systems, many desktop environments have been created, including for various Linux distributions.

Desktop environment is not only visual changes in the system, it is also a set of programs and utilities for working with it. Often shells carry additional functionality. Some fundamentally differ from everything that existed in the future, one of such advanced environments is Unity.

Unity - the desktop shell: the history of appearance and implementation in Ubuntu

This shell is not something completely unique, in the first place it is an add-on on the Gnome work environment. It uses the same applications, libraries, in general, is completely based on it, is technically dependent on it.

Initially, the creator had big plans for this Unity software solution. The desktop environment was to be ported to other distributions, to become available to everyone, to provide a standard of speed and security.

The Unity desktop shell was created due to the fact that Canonical had a special look at building an interface. What was developed by the Gnome team did not suit the specialists. Moreover, Unity developers said that the extra competition will only benefit everyone.

Shell Features

Initially, Unity was conceived as a unique solution for netbooks, since they had small displays. It was necessary to create a design that can intelligently use the workspace, this is exactly what Unity came up with. The environment of the Unity desktop was distinguished by the presence of a sidebar on which selected applications were located. This panel resembles that in newer versions of Windows. It is also active, directly from it you can go to certain sections of the programs or launch any actions related to the programs without launching them.

Also, the shell carries and various kinds of information, for example, the number of unread messages will be displayed above the icon of the mail client, and above the browser icon - the progress of downloading a file. It is noteworthy that this panel is located on the left and is completely connected to the top toolbar, not as in other systems.

Also in the system appeared the Dash menu, which became the second distinctive feature of Unity. The shell of the desktop got a full search. This development is similar to what was already on other systems, for example, you can compare it with the Spotlight search engine in OS X, and went far ahead of what can be found in the Microsoft system.

An important difference is the unique design and the ability to interact with the finds, for example, to run the found audio files. Search can be performed both inside the system, that is, among local files, all kinds of documents, as well as via the Internet. Some applications are implemented in the Dash menu, such as YouTube or social networks like Twitter. Such services are integrated into Dash through specialized, adapted interface elements called lenses. Lenses is the mass of programs. It is possible to find people from the contact list, find the right letter and quickly ask for replies to the Network. Also search is carried out and on the store of applications Ubuntu.

Unity 2D - adapted version

In Ubuntu Unity (the default desktop shell), a special Unity version appeared, which was designed specifically for weak machines. Computers that do not have a powerful video card in their equipment could hardly cope with the animation and effects of the new interface, so the developers decided to create a new graphical interface that was simplified as much as possible to work on old low-power computers.

Criticism and scandals

Unity - the shell of the desktop is notorious. At the time of publication, she could not boast of considerable stability and speed of work. Users who were forcibly forced into a new working environment were extremely unhappy with what was happening to their computer. The praised Dash often failed, the search service did not work as it should have been. Many programs and elements of the system began to behave unpredictably due to global changes in the system (and this despite the fact that the basis has remained the same). With bugs and errors in Ubuntu began to associate Unity. Review of the new shells did not do without the latest development from the company Canonical. Alas, due to problems at an early stage of the launch, all the reviews were full of bad comments.

Another reason for indignation was the collection of information about users. The fact is that the proprietary element of the Dash interface was equipped with a special lens that allowed to search for goods on online stores, including Amazon, eBay and the like. The problem was that the data was transferred to the unprotected server productsearch.ubuntu.com, which after the processing of the information sent it to the stores. This mechanism was criticized, as many did not understand the idea of Canonical. Employees planned to make Dash a search not only inside the system, but everywhere. It also had to replace any search services and applications.

There were precedents for detecting spyware in the Ubuntu system, and only in the version with Unity preinstalled.

Alternative solutions

The rejection of the new appearance, the lack of understanding of the principles of the new services and the distrust of Unity - all this resulted in the total departure of users to other distributions, a rollback to the previous shell and the choice of other solutions like Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Gnome Shell. The benefit of the user was the choice: Unity or alternative desktop environments.

Kubuntu, rich in software and aesthetically pleasing

This version of Ubuntu is based on another popular KDE shell. This is a powerful software product that abounds with a huge number of applications for different purposes, rich in functionality for working with desktops and capable of showing off a pretty design.

Xubuntu - minimalism and simplicity

This version is built on XFCE - this minimalistic desktop environment has become capable of reducing the consumption of RAM, eliminating the need to use a powerful video system and processor. In the kit there is a minimum set of software based on the same principles.

Gnome Shell - a classic for those who are not used to change

Many users, frightened by the changes, decided to return to previous versions of Ubuntu, but after that a special updated version with the old Gnome interface was created.

Development of distribution distributions

When the world was Unity (the desktop shell), the types of Ubuntu distributions began to appear more often. The emergence of such a controversial product entailed the creation of several new distributions based on Ubuntu.

1. Mint is designed to maximize user experience.
2. Elementary is a minimalistic system for the most uninteresting consumers.

Reviews and opinions

Despite the fact that the first impression was not the most pleasant, many users left the distribution or chose a different interface. The general opinion about the shell as a software product was positive. The functionality of Unity was appreciated by many users, even those who previously spoke poorly. Most of the errors have been fixed over time, stability has increased significantly, compatibility with older software has appeared. Most of the problems disappeared.

All users of the Canonical system have appreciated the look of Unity. The desktop shell at the time of its release could boast of a rather unusual and beautiful interface (then there were few beautiful distributions).

Many appreciated the search engine. True, Russian users are faced with the problem of access to all of its functions. Search of the goods and some other Internet inquiries were impossible within our country. Unfortunately, this problem exists on many platforms.

Working with the sidebar was often compared to the performance of that in Windows 7, despite the fact that the Canonical solution was ahead of that from Microsoft. Interaction with each application and information blocks with time appeared in Windows.