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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