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Switch from Ubuntu to Ubuntu Gnome?

If you like and use Gnome Shell, then yes, is a good idea to switch to Ubuntu Gnome Remix. Actually UGR is nothing but an Ubuntu with Gnome Shell and GDM, without Unity and with kinda a different set of applications pre-installed. You can easily make UGR identical to Ubuntu and the other way around -at least in this version (12.10).

In my personal opinion, the reason to switch (other than you have a ready Gnome and you don’t need to install Shell, GDM and set GDM as default) is that UGR is a community project, with future plans to be under Canonical’s support in 13.04 -but it will still remain a community driven distro.

Is it ready for use?

The short answer is NO, as the stable version comes out in October 18. However for me is working perfectly so I won’t hesitate to recommend it as your main box. Before, don’t forget to check out for the known issues of Ubuntu Beta 2.

How does it feel?

Some distros might be more advanced, faster and more updated (in core system). The huge win of Ubuntu over them is the Ubuntu PPAs and the stability. You can get everything from PPAs, the latest kernels, drivers, applications ..plus you have to try really hard to break your system. Even if you do, with some knowledge of “apt-get” you can revert it back.

Gnome and Ubuntu also seems to work pretty well together. It is not that good as a Fedora/Gnome combination, but Jesus, I can’t wait for “yum” anymore :)

Expand it

At least for 12.10 version you will need some extra PPAs, in order to get all the Gnome features. These are Gnome Testing, Gnome 3 Team and you might want to add the more unstable Staging. In any case you should read the notes of each PPA before you add it.

I made a video, kinda a promoting (or a detraction?) for UGR but I use things that are not installed by default like Ubuntu Software Center, Documents, Boxes and Gnome Control Panel 3.6. In UGR you can install anything as a normal Ubuntu.

The default set of application:

What’s Included

The Ubuntu GNOME Remix ships with the GNOME 3.6 release candidate. GNOME 3.6.0 will be updated right after the Beta release.

GNOME Shell 3.6 and GDM 3.6. Among other improvements, the login and lock screen have been redesigned.

Web (epiphany-browser).

Abiword for word processing and Gnumeric for spreadsheets.

Evolution as email client.

Software (gnome-package-kit), which also includes its own update manager. You can install updates by opening Software and clicking Check for Updates in the Software app menu.

GNOME Classic (gnome-panel 3) is included but GNOME Shell is the default session if your hardware supports it.

Tweak Tool and dconf Editor are provided for customizing advanced settings.

Cheese is a fun webcam app.

Gwibber allows you to easily connect via social media.

The complete GNOME Games collection.

Rhythmbox is the default music player.

Shotwell is the default photo manager.

Useful utilities like Simple Scan and Transmission.

What’s Not Included

Some GNOME apps will not be upgraded to 3.6 for the 12.10 release. If you want these, try the GNOME3 PPA. Affected apps include Aisleriot, Nautilus, System Settings, and Totem.

Web does not support Flash in Ubuntu 12.10 (1001229). If you need Flash, try Firefox or Chromium.

Boxes is not included as it wasn’t working earlier in the release cycle (1038763) . Also, qemu-linaro (qemu-kvm-spice) doesn’t built on i386 in Ubuntu. qemu-kvm with spice support does build in Debian though on i386. (928432)

Documents is not included as it currently depends on LibreOffice, at least as packaged in Debian & Ubuntu.

LibreOffice is a more powerful office suite.

Ubuntu One is not included by default as it doesn’t feel like a GNOME app.

If you want the GNOME Classic with-effects session to work, install compiz.

If you want Ubuntu-style notifications in GNOME Classic, install notify-osd.

Don’t hesitate, get it now!

That goes to Ubuntu users, don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting you to change your distro!

Learn more and download it from: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuGNOME/ReleaseNotes/12.10Beta

Congratulations to Ubuntu Gnome Team!

*Aw, by the way, Ubuntu 12.10 Beta 2 also is out :)