If you are looking to learn more about Linux, or even start exploring it as a fully-functional operating system, look no further than the default software available for use!

The most popular option is probably Unity, which comes preinstalled on almost every new user account in recent years.

However, there are many other great desktop environments (or “shells”) that offer similar features and functionality – some even better than Unity!

Many of these newer desktops aim to be intuitive, easy to figure out, and attractive to look at. Some even have specific looks and styles that make them stand out from the crowd!

This article will go over five different open source desktop environments and what makes each one unique. You will also get helpful tips and tricks for using all of them!

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links where we could receive a small commission if you choose to purchase something through this link. While we do not profit off of this, it does help support our site and content.

Find the Ubuntu Software Center

The first place to look for software in the Ubuntu repositories is via the Canonical-sponsored Application Store, known as the Ubuntu Software Center.

The Ubuntu Software Center works much like other popular app stores such as Google Play or AppStore. It offers users easy access to install new apps, remove old ones, and manage installed applications.

It also allows users to search through all available apps, and compare features of similar programs.

The best part about this software center? No need to be an expert user to use it! Even if you are inexperienced with installing apps, the software center makes installation very simple and intuitive.

There is even an option to add apps that exist only in the Ubuntu repository so that they can easily be found and installed.

Find the Terminal

The terminal is one of the most important apps in any Linux user’s toolbox, especially if you are an aspiring graphic designer or developer!

The term ‘terminal’ refers to your computer’s access point via internet, USB devices, etc. Most people know it as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari, but there are many more out there!

Most browsers have a menu item that allows you to open the terminal, which can be very helpful when needing to connect to a device or use some sort of software that requires root permissions.

There are several ways to find this app for each browser. You can search through the settings, or go into advanced features and look under Command Line Options, etc.

Find the file manager

The default file manager for Unity is called Files, but it’s not very intuitive or friendly to new users. It also does not include many features that other ones do, such as an icon view (like Windows Explorer) or context-sensitive menus (think Finder in macOS).

There are some alternatives out there, though. These will more than likely replace Files entirely, so be sure you want to switch before doing! Some of these alternative file managers have good reviews, while others leave much to be desired.

We will go over one particular app here that has been getting great feedback. Let’s take a look at this cool piece of software!

The app

This app is named Nemo and it was designed with usability in mind. Most people praise it for being easy to use and understand, which makes sense given its simple design.

It contains all of the basic functionality that most users expect from a file browser, including tabbed browsing, drag & drop support, etc. Nemo also includes several customization options which can be accessed through the settings panel.

These settings allow you to change how the app looks and behaves, such as changing the window style, adding tabs, changing menu layouts, and setting keyboard shortcuts. Unfortunately, none of these seem to improve overall performance, only cosmetic changes.

Find the system monitor

The System Monitor is your best friend when it comes to finding out what’s going on with your computer. It gives you a quick look at all of the different processes running in the background, as well as information about each process such as its name, version, and size.

The System Settings app contains an option for “System monitor.” Click this to open up the System Monitor where you can see all active processes, along with their versions and sizes.

You can also right-click any process to access additional settings or terminate it if needed.

Reminder: If you close the System Monitor while a process is still running, it may not reopen until that process has finished!

Tips: Use the drop down menus next to the process title to quickly find which application a process belongs to. You can use this to figure out more clearly what process something is. For example, the Firefox browser usually uses a lot of RAM so make sure to check there first.

Find the login screen

The first thing you will notice about the new release of Ubuntu is its beautiful look. Beyond the striking color scheme, there are some significant changes to show off as well. One such feature that has received attention lately is the inclusion of an interactive logo or “show” architecture for the OS.

You can activate this setting in System Settings -> Appearance. When enabled, the OS down-loades and reinstalls various components from online repositories every time you start it!

This seems like quite the feat given that most major operating systems already have this feature built into their software installations. What makes these ones special however, is that they are easily updatable through the internet, which is very helpful if updates are needed.

Another cool trick here is that you can choose your own image or website design for the interface! This is pretty impressive since almost all other desktop environments offer limited customization at best.

Find the theme

Choosing an overall style or look for your computer program is like choosing colors for your room. There are many styles, themes, and cliches that have become synonymous with software programs. For example, most people refer to the design language of Google as their favorite feature.

Themes come in two main forms: flat and skeuomorphic. A flat style does not use any decorations or textures to add depth to what you are looking at. All shapes and lines are solid and easy to recognize. Skeuomorphisms can be seen as digital decorations or trimmings that resemble real life counterparts.

There are several types of skeuomorphs used in software designs. Examples include leather-bound books, papers, and pictures. The reason these examples work is because they subconsciously inspire trust. By adding little touches of “real world” material, users feel more comfortable interacting with the app.

Ubuntu uses a flat color scheme with gray and white being the predominant shades. Some apps use translucent effects to give the impression of layering materials, but it is very difficult to determine where one layer ends and another begins. This effect makes it hard to identify which layers belong to the app and which ones are designed by someone else.

Overall, there is no specific reasoning as to why this design was chosen over others. It is just intuitive and clearly defines who the app belongs to.

Find the dock

The default desktop environment for Ubuntu is called Unity, which some may call ugly or confusing. It was designed to make use feel like they are using a mobile device by hiding all of your apps in an app drawer that you can access via a button in the top left corner.

However, this doesn’t work very well if you have lots of apps because there isn’t anywhere to store them. If you need more space to organize your apps, you will eventually run out of room!

Another feature that many people dislike about Unity is its way of showing applications and files. Since it uses a menu style interface, opening new windows and folders is difficult unless the program being opened already has those features.

Ubuntu still offers a wide variety of third-party software through their application center, but finding and installing these apps can be tricky and time consuming. There is also no easy way to remove apps or settings once they are installed.

Fortunately, there are other ways to configure Ubuntu to look and function even better than before! This article will go over several different options so that you can choose which one fits you best.

Find the Ubuntu logo

As we learned before, the shape of the Ubuntu circle is important to show who our brand represents and what services it offers. The shape of the circle is also significant as it contains a word that describes how people interact with each other in society.

The word inside the circle is “ubuntu” which means "belonging or friendship through shared experiences" (source). A lot of companies use this word as part of their branding strategy, so why not apply it to your own?

By incorporating the into your company's branding, you invite members of the community to feel like they belong to your organization and are supported by you. You can even add the ubuntu badge to your website and social media profiles to strengthen the connection.