CHAPTER 7

Other Ubuntu Interfaces

IN THIS CHAPTER

Desktop Environment

KDE and Kubuntu

Xfce    and Xubuntu

LXDE    and Lubuntu

MATE    and Ubuntu  MATE

Ubuntu  Budgie

Ubuntu  Kylin

References

When you install Ubuntu, by default you use the GNOME graphical user

interface (GUI). This is sometimes called a desktop, but this term is gradually
becoming obsolete as the interface is being used on more and more types of
devices. GNOME is discussed in Chapter 3, “Working with GNOME,” and
has specific strengths that appeal to many users. However, some of us have
unique requirements or just like to tinker. This chapter discusses some of the
alternatives to GNOME, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to install
them. This is not a complete list of all the options available but rather a brief
survey of some of the most popular options to consider as you get your feet
wet in the realm of Linux desktop software.

GNOME   IS  NOT THE ONLY    OPTION

When    you install Ubuntu, you also    install the Gnome   interface.  However,

this    is  not your    only    option, and you are not limited to  having  only    one

interface   or  desktop environment installed   at  a   time.   Each    of  the options we

discuss in  this    chapter may be  installed   alongside   GNOME   in  standard

Ubuntu, and you are allowed to  choose  which   one to  use each    time    you log

in  and which   one to  use by  default.    This    makes   testing a   new option  less