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This is a total newbie question, but I can't seem to figure out how my Ubuntu (16.0.4) desktop appearance works. I can't even understand the terminology so I don't know what to search for.

I know there is something called Gnome and KDE, also after installing gnome desktop as in 'How to change from GDM to LightDM?' I learned that Gnome can be GDM or LightDM.

Both modes look completely different from what I have on Centos and Redhat machines (which according to How can I find which desktop enviroment I am using? is also Gnome). The latter is what I actually want.

I don't want to waste helpers time, so if someone can just explain the terms/hierarchy in high level so I can look it up.

And if someone feels extra generous might help me achieve what I actually want which is a desktop like I have on my RedHat machine (last image below). Thanks.

Here is what I get when setting GDM3:

enter image description here

Here is what I get when setting LightDM (looks exactly the same, only without login screen):

enter image description here

On my home laptop there is some purple desktop where the menu is on the side and has a 'whirlpool' button on top... (I don't remember the name)

Here is what I would like to have:

enter image description here

Elad Weiss
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    gdm and lightdm are display managers, more or less login managers. Both gdm and lightdm allow you to chose which desktop environment will be run after the login (Gnome, kde, xfce, lxde). – pim Jun 04 '18 at 14:09
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    Form the picture you posted, looks like you want Gnome2. Big difference between Gnome2 and Gnome3. You need not waste time mucking with display manager settings - simply install the entire desktop environment properly using apt, then reboot...or reinstall the one you want to avoid confusion when you have more than one Display Environment installed at a time. – user535733 Jun 04 '18 at 17:12

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What you want is to use Ubuntu MATE I think. It looks like this:

enter image description here

Download it here: https://ubuntu-mate.org

Direct download link: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-mate/releases/16.04.4/release/ubuntu-mate-16.04.4-desktop-amd64.iso

If you want it to look like in the image above you should download Ubuntu MATE 16.04. There has been some changes to the GUI in 18.04.

  • Thanks, I have installed mate 1.14 but still getting the same appearance as before, even after reboot. Any idea how to switch to mate? – Elad Weiss Jun 05 '18 at 09:09
  • How did you install Ubuntu MATE? Did you install it from scratch using the ISO or did you install it via APT? –  Jun 05 '18 at 09:48
  • I would suggest you download this image http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-mate/releases/16.04.4/release/ubuntu-mate-16.04.4-desktop-amd64.iso and reinstall your machine with that image. –  Jun 05 '18 at 09:50
  • I installed it from package. I am now trying to install it clean from ISO with the link you sent. So far looks good no problems. – Elad Weiss Jun 05 '18 at 10:19
  • Nice to hear. No problem :) –  Jun 05 '18 at 10:36