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Summary
Ubuntu 23.04 uses a new installer and GNOME 44.
The Files surfing app and prefs app have been updated.
The System Menu now shows background applications and up to two lines of text per quick tweaks button.
Dave McKay/How-To Geek
Flatpak has been removed by default, but can be installed if needed.
Canonical’s latest release of itsUbuntu Linux desktopis here and we can hear its claws clacking.
It is an interim release, one of the three 6-monthly releases that come between eachLong Term Supportrelease.
Interim releases receive nine months of support that includes bug fixes, hotfixes, updates, and upgrades.
In contrast, LTS releases have five years support.
The last LTS release was 22.04, and the next one will be 24.04 due in April 2024.
Let’s take a look.
Keep in mind we’re looking at the release candidate here, ahead of the actual release.
There may be small differences in the final version.
Related:What Is the Latest LTS Version of Ubuntu?
How it looks and and how it behaves are still important, though.
The first-time Ubuntu user needs the steps in the installation process to be clearly presented and simple to understand.
They need to feel comfortable about selecting options and making choices during the installation.
The new Linux installer is built using Google’sFlutter SDK.
It leverages Canonical’s existingSubiquityandCurtinserver installation projects.
One area where you’ll notice improvements is the slideshow you see as theoperating systemis installed.
This has been embellished with controls that can pause, move forward, or move backward through the slides.
We’re going to be looking at the default desktop version, which uses GNOME.
The GNOME desktop is updated every six months or so.
The latest release isGNOME 44.
GNOME 44 doesn’t break new ground, but it does have some nice touches and additions.
System Menu and Quick tweaks Buttons
The quick tweaks buttons now support two lines of text.
The number of applications running in the background is shown at the bottom of the system menu.
Clicking on the arrow opens the “Background Apps” menu.
Clicking the “x” beside the name of an software closes that software.
Perhaps more features will be added over time.
At the top left of the system menu, there’s a new screenshot icon.
choose the hamburger menu and select
in List View to unlock this much-missed feature.
Switch to List View, and you’re able to navigate the directory tree right inside the List View.
This means you’re able to still see the file key in for filenames that have been shortened.
Right-clicking a tab reveals a tab context menu.
you’ve got the option to now paste a copied image and create an image file.
Right-click an image in a web surfing app and select “Copy Image” from the context menu.
Then right-click in the files internet tool and select “Paste” from the context menu.
You’ll see a new files called “Pasted Image.”
The GNOME console (not the default terminal window) has an overview for open tabs.
With two or more tabs open, pressing “Ctrl+Shift+O” opens the tab overview.
it’s possible for you to close tabs, reorder them by dragging, and open a new tab.
Clicking a thumbnail closes the overview and makes that tab the current tab.
They look better, are more intuitive, and allow configuration of touchpad gestures on laptops.
The
dialog now offersWireguardVPN as an option.
The “About” pane shows the kernel version.
The “Accessibility” pane now groups entries into logical categories.
This should make it easier to locate the option you’re looking for.
There are plenty here to choose from, including a disturbingLovecraftianimage of a bleached, Moon-straddling lobster.
The login screen displays a larger user avatar than before.
Mutterhas betterWaylandintegration, something that should help make fractional scaling smoother.
The GNOME developers continue their work of unearthing and replacing GTK3 code.
This is still a work in progress, but they’re making good headway.
Snap is a distribution-agnostic way of packaging applications and their dependencies as a sort of mini-container.
The tool runs within its own sandboxed environment.
There are other—competing—initiatives working in this space, such asFlatpak.
Not only that, but all of the official Ubuntu flavors are following suit.
The average user won’t know the difference.
Here are the versions of some of the major applications.
These are either bundled with Lunar Lobster or are the versions installed from the Lunar repositories.
Should You Upgrade?
Users with mission-critical installations will be running an LTS release, and waiting for the next LTS release.
The interim releases don’t even register on their radar.
For the casual Ubuntu desktop user, it’s a different story.
An updated kernel and refreshed software applications with bug fixes and security patches are always attractive.
Related:How to Install Linux in VirtualBox
