Ubuntu 11.04 Natty – Screenshots, Review, What’s New [UPDATED]

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I have been testing out Natty since it was in its Alpha stage and its time for me to show you what I observed with today’s final release. Many of you might have read my previous posts on Ubuntu 11.04 Screenshots and Overview and you can now easily find out the new changes and developments.

Before you go any further, here is a video showing the new features in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal.

Overview

Software changes

Many softwares are updated to new versions and Banshee replaced Rhythmbox as the default media Jukebox player and LibreOffice has replaced OpenOffice.

Nautilus 2.32.2, GNOME 2.32.1, Firefox 4.0, Shotwell 0.9.2, Empathy 2.34.0, Banshee 2.0, LibreOffice 3.3.2, Evolution 2.32.2, Gwibber 3.0.0.1, Xorg Server 1.10.1, X.Org 7.6, Totem 2.32.2, Compiz 0.9.4, GDM 2.32.1, GRUB 1.99 RC1, Mesa 7.10, New artwork, Linux kernel 2.6.38.3, Compiz Fusion 0.9.4 and many more

It also come with the next generation browser Mozilla Firefox 4.0.

Unity

Unity has been set default in Ubuntu which is totally rewritten from Gnome 2.x.x. The fact is Unity uses compiz to run. Not to worry users can revert back to to the old classical Gnome during the login page. If you have tested the beta release, you would have seen the new Launcher (Dock) and Dash.

Launcher

It is the dock at the left which displays the running Applications.

Dash

It is basically a menu through which you can access Applications, Files and folders by clicking the Ubuntu Logo on the Launcher. The Launcher turns grey when you open the dash.

Run Window

The run (Alt+F2) has been changed in Unity.

Global Menu (App Menu)

This is a big leap in this release the Window menu has been integrated with the Top Panel. It increases space in the window but it is difficult to get around.

Compiz

To tweak Unity Compiz has added Unity plugin which configures launcher reveal mode, keyboard shortcuts and some experimental settings like panel opacity and launcher icon size. You need to manually install the Compiz Settings Manager.

Then you can launch it by run about:config in the run command window.

New Wallpaper and Improved Theme

The desktop has been totally advanced to a new level. The background has been changed slightly and 17 new Wallpapers have been added. The default Ambiance theme has been once again improved, it has been darkened.

Ubuntu Software Center

The new Software Center offers user reviews, better support to buy apps, and other enhancements. It also provides suggestions and apps to install.

Scrollbars

Another worthwhile feature in this release is the overlaying scrollbars (they appear were the scrollbar should be). This increase the productivity of the window.



Improved Installer

The new installer allows you to upgrade directly using the disc to Ubuntu 11.04, it also Allows users to upgrade their existing Ubuntu installation.

Don’t like the new Unity? Revert to Ubuntu classic

This is again a good feature added in this release.  To be honest I had a time using the unity, but I soon switched to Ubuntu Classic.

(Er..sorry for the blur image.) You can select the session during startup.

Other worth mentioning changes in Ubuntu 11.04

  • Revamped Indicator Applet – Volume control applet supports Banshee now, weather is now integrated, and much more
  • Built-in support for installing proprietary software – automatically, straight from the file manager
  • Ubuntu One Control Panel – integrated into Unity, the new Control Panel for Ubuntu One offers users a great control over their cloud account
  • Better support for iPhone – users can mount the iPhone’s documents directory now
  • Support for multi-arch – to install library packages of different architectures

Download Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal

If you’ve installed Ubuntu 11.04 alpha or beta you can upgrade using Update manager to get the final release.
For users who don’t have internet can upgrade to Ubuntu 11.04 using the Live CD. For more info read @ How to Upgrade to Ubuntu 11.04

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