Are you thinking of switching a Windows user to Ubuntu? Surprisingly how the switching operating system can affect your workflow? Well, I am a former Windows user using Linux for almost a decade, and there are five ways that Ubuntu has changed how I use my PC.
My introduction to computers began with Windows XP in the early 2000s, and I lived in Windows Ecosystem for more than a decade. It was not until 2016 that I started trying the Linux Distros, and Ubuntu was my first real entry point. I was surprised by how different the whole experience was compared to Windows – how the operating system shapes the entire workflow not only in the look. This made me realize that an OS is much higher than a platform to run your apps – it has its own personality and can affect how you use your system.
5
Embrace a desktop with two panels
As someone has used Windows since childhood, I was accustomed to working with the same panel (taskbar) at the bottom of the screen. All these quick shortcuts and equipment will need me, such as app launcher (start menu), pinned and currently open apps, quick settings and time. Now, I knew about the Macos and its two-panel layouts on the top menu bar and downwards, but ever since I have never used it, I didn’t realize how much it could affect my overall workflow.
My first exposure for two-paanal layouts was using Ubuntu, which provides a full-length dock on the left hand side for the top bar for system settings and all pinned and running apps. First, it felt slightly meaningless and a waste of screen space, as the single-panel Windows taskbar could do all that. However, the more I used Ubuntu, the more I understood the appeal, and I currently prefer two-panel layouts on Windows’s unique taskbar.
First, Ubuntu Top Bar, by default, is apparently diluted compared to Windows Taskbar, only system information, some quick toes and some extensions display if you enable them. This means that you are saving slightly more vertical screen space, which is important because modern monitors are longer widespread. In addition, to take advantage of horizontal screen space, Ubuntu Dock, which is the same size of the Windows taskbar, is located on the left side of the screen. In this way, it is not found in the way of modern apps and websites that are designed to show materials in more vertical scrolling layouts.
Another advantage of two-pane layouts is that I can auto-hide a wide dock to free more screen space. When you can also auto-hide the Windows taskbar, I rarely saw it as a practical solution because it intervened to check time or network status. But on Ubuntu, all this system information appears in a thin top bar, so I just leave the dock on the autohyde, only trigger it if I need to reach an app.
4
Understanding the power of virtual desktop
During the early days of Windows, virtual desktops were not really one thing. It was only with Windows 10 that Microsoft introduced the virtual desktop, and still, it was not a completely flash-out feature that was thoughtfully integrated into the system. On the other hand, Linux had virtual desktops since the early 2000s. So when I started using Ubuntu, I was made aware of a mature and well integrated version of virtual desktops (called workpace), which I loved.
The main appeal of the virtual desktop is that they neatly allow you to organize all your open windows. For example, you have all your communication apps on one desktop, your work apps on the other, and maybe you are entertained on a third. It only makes everything more manageable. However, this is only bare minimum that you will expect and what windows were given.
With Ubuntu, virtual desktops are in front of the entire user experience and in the center. When you log in to your system, you are greeted with observation of activities, which is basically a dashboard for your virtual desktop and application. Even pressing the super key (Windows key) is observed by default, making it easier to switch or organize the desktop on the fly.
Now, the feature that really makes Ubuntu virtual desktops super powerful Scope indicator expansionThis allows you to see all your active virtual desktop from a panel or top bar – there is no need to switch to any different observation. You can easily switch between virtual desktops by clicking on the panel easily, and even pull and drop the applications between the desktop. This is a much more powerful and easy way to organize your workflow, and there is nothing like that on Windows.
Windows back in 7 days, I was a great fan of the desktop widget and felt a little less when Microsoft killed him, citing security weaknesses. I really liked the desktop, always show me calendar, weather and system data. This is why I started using the renme widget on the windows, and when I was migrated to Ubuntu, Kanki.
However, when you really think of it, desktop widows are not practical! If you have a window open (which is almost always), you don’t see your widget yet. This means that if you need to see your widget, you will need to reduce the window you are working, take a quick look at your calendar or CPU use, and then maximize the window, which simply harass your workflow.
Now Ubuntu, or rather gnom, resolves this issue with extensions. They allow you to add widget -like functionality to panels, which always appear, even with windows. Whether you want a clipboard manager, virtual desktop switcher, system resource monitor, or even Pomodoro timer, you can add all that directly to the top bar and it is always available with your open windows.
2
Installing desktop app using app store or repository
One of the biggest changes I saw after switching to Ubuntu was how to establish different (and honestly, how simple) application. On Windows, the general process is to search for the online app, go to the website, hope you did not accidentally finish on a sketch page, and finally download the correct installer for your system. If you are not careful, there is always a risk of downloading adware or malware, so you have to pay extra attention to the source every time. In fact, you need to be cautious even during the installation wizard or you may accidentally agree to install some unwanted toolbar or additional software.
Vyldi installer on Windows 11, which promotes an antivirus service.
Fortunately, on Ubuntu, this whole problem is not available. You get a dedicated app store, much as you have on your phone. Most applications you need, inside the official repository, curates and checked for security by the Ubuntu team. You don’t have to worry about finishing with malware or taking the wrong app version – you only find the app you want and install it with click or command.
If you cannot find what you are seeing in the official store or repository, Ubuntu lets you add additional repository called PPA to more software. Now, the PPA is not veto directly by the Ubuntu team, so make sure you get them from a reliable source. Once you add that PPA to your store, installing the app is the same as before, with some click or the same command.
I admit that Microsoft introduced a similar app store in Windows 8, but it was not a good implementation and I, along with many others, was just kept to download exe files from the Internet. He said, the current Windows 11 app store is very decent and worth checking outside.
1
Pilgrimage
It is not at all benefit from using Ubuntu, but it is a real part of the experience that I did not have to think as Windows users. When I was on Windows, I was very careless about hardware. If I some mainstream-keyboard, mouse, printer, whatever, I think it would just be plug-end-play. The worst situation, in the old days, I have to use the CD coming in the box to install the driver and then be able to use my new peripheral.
However, with Ubuntu, it is slightly more complex. Most standard goods work, but always have some exceptions – especially when it comes to top and premium hardware with features such as RGB lighting or programmable button. For example, a lot of tools required to customize RGB settings on keyboard or mice are not available on simply linux, so you lose access to some features. For example, my Loditech MX Master 2S Mouse has a base button to switch the virtual desktop, but it only works on Windows when configured with official software – it does not work on Ubuntu.
The printer is another area where things can be difficult. Some models do not just play well with Ubuntu, and you eliminate the need to hunt the ending of the end or hunt specific drivers. The same goes for some Wi-Fi or Bluetooth modules, especially in the laptop. The issue usually boils proprietary hardware drivers, where the hardware manufacturer has not provided good Linux aid, so the device cannot work out of the box.
Because of this, I have always learned to check compatibility before purchasing new hardware. I will usually search to see through forums and communities to see if the other people using Ubuntu or any other dystro have been successful, or if the known issues and workarounds are. Here is an additional step involving that the bus is not part of the Windows experience, but it is something that you use if you want your hardware to work firmly on Ubantu.
In my experience, most people who have used only one OS, who use their entire life – whether Windows or MacoS – think that the computer is the only way to use a computer. This only happens when you experiment with different OS that you find out how different each OS can be, and how much effect your workflow can be. In fact, some OS may suit your unique needs than others. This happened exactly to me and why did I leave windows for Linux.
