Ubuntu 12.04 Desktop Issues
People are getting prompted to install 12.0.4.1, doing it and then either it breaks or they are totally lost.
Resolution
If its completely broken:
backup and reinstall 10.04
otherwise: install Mate and Gnome Classic .
Installing Mate and Gnome Classic
Note: to open a terminal in Unity, press the windows key, or click on the Ubuntu symbol top left ("dash home"), then type term and click on terminal when it appears below.
Mate
sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu precise main"
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mate-archive-keyring
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mate-core mate-desktop-environment
http://mate-desktop.org/install/#ubuntu
Make sure you put a shutdown button (and a logout button), on the top panel.
On Mate make sure you put a shutdown (and optionally a log
out button), on the top panel, on gnome classic put a link to firefox (and evolution) there.
Gnome Classic
sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback
Then put a link to firefox (and evolution) on the top panel. IIRC you need to press alt + right click to add things to the panel in Gnome Classic.
We should install both but select Mate as the default.
Tweaking
sudo apt-get install mate-indicator-applet mate-notification-daemon
This will allow you to add the notification icon (i.e. the envelope in 10.04) on the pabel and enable popup ballon notifications in Mate.
sudo apt-get install gnome-themes-extras community-themes shimmer-themes gtk-clearlooks-gperfection2-theme mate-icon-theme-faenza
This brings in extra themes. Faenza is a well regarded square icon theme. There are lots more
aptitude search theme
System -> Preferences -> Appearance allows the user to tweak the theme, selcting custom allows you to change the icons, controls window border, fonts as well.
Selecting the Default Session
You switch between sessions on the log in screen by clicking on the Ubuntu logo/circle next to the username. This is non-obvious. Once you have selected a session once it will remember your choice.
Don't forget to do this for every user.
You will need to backup the password file (cp /etc/shadow /etc/shadow.bak) so you can change the password ehern doing this in Tech Support. Don't forget to copy the password file back over. (You don't need to do this if you have the password)
Antelope in Tech Support (on the left) has a 12.04 virtual machine with Mate and Gnome Classic on them. Mate has been set up with shutdown added.
Using the Unity Desktop
There is a basic tutorial on how to use Unity here, if you are interested: