The perfect setup?

[siliconshaman]

I think we've all heard the gripes about Unity on Ubuntu. So I thought I'd share my configuration for those that want to try it out.

Ok, so here's the "recipe" for you to roll your own Unity-free Ubuntu.
1 start with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS distro.

2 install Cinnamon desktop like so, in the terminal type :

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gwendal-lebihan-dev/cinnamon-stable
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install cinnamon

3 install MDM [mint] login manager instead of GDM [gnome] login manager.

again in the terminal type;

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mdm mint-mdm-themes

 

4. configure MDM login manager from Menu>Administration>Login Window. Set Cinnamon as default. [and whatever other tweaks&theme you want for your login screen].

You can go ahead and uninstall Unity, but leave gnome as cinnamon does use sections of it.. plus it's handy to have a backup. Cinnamon itself, unlike gnome, is fully customisable and works well with the new kernal. Compiz also works well with it.