How does the Ubuntu desktop look?

[Mithrandir]

I'm really wanting to install Ubuntu, but I need to put my spare PC parts together first.

How long should the installation take?

Also does anyone know of links to show how the ubuntu desktop looks.

[Workaholic]

Took about 30 minutes to install on my cousins computer, not far from windows,

and here's a screenshot from google:

[kidzer]

Theres the desktop of my 'headless' machine sitting behind my door, acting as a test machine justnow, running Ubuntu 7.04

[Mithrandir]

Thanks guys. Looks good. Might clear the next bank hol weekend to set this up

[mike_w]

http://shots.osdir.com/slideshows/sl...se=790&slide=4

Loads of screenshots for other distros on there as well.

[Mithrandir]

Thanks mike_w. Looks very good. There are some great desktops there.

[chrestomanci]

As with most distros, you have a choice of which desktop environment you have. The main ones are Gnome and KDE, though there are several others that are less popular. All the screen shots that have been posted to this thread so far are of Gnome Deskops, so here is my KDE one:

(Click for a full size version)

The different desktops have different looks. Note how mine has an Icon bar for example. There are also different default programs, so my web browser is Konqueror instead of Galeon, and my messaging program is Knotact instead of Evolution, though there is nothing to stop you using a program from another desktop instead, for example I used GIMP (a Gnome program) to take the screenshot, as I am more familiar with it.

Both desktop environments can be skinned and themed, like windows classic look or the new 'tellytubies' look. I am currently using the Keramik theme, which gives me the rounded edges. there are dozen to chose from, and many of the screenshots you will see on-line will be of very funky themes. With Ubuntu, they have created different names for the distro, so the KDE one is called Kubuntu, and it has a different install CD, though it is basically the same distro, just with different defaults. There is also Xubuntu which is recommend if you have an older, low spec computer. (More than about 4 years old)

[idlewild]

Theres the desktop of my 'headless' machine sitting behind my door, acting as a test machine justnow, running Ubuntu 7.04

May I ask, is that an X client you're using there or just a vnc client?

[kidzer]

Thats just me connecting using UltraVNC, I had to set that machine up to logon automatically, or else I can't get VNC to connect because the VNC service on the Linux box starts during user login it seems.

Im thinking about setting something up that lets me remotely view the mahine as soon as GDM starts, using part of the guide in Project Remyth, done by Directhex - a very knowledgeable chap

[Phil_P]

^^ Nice

[Phil_P]

Here's a couple of mine, both CentOS 5:

Grey theme:


Beryl: