See here to see why you might want to install the Mate flavor of Ubuntu 14.10.
Then, install it and consider doing these things. Get your system up to date. Yes, yes, you just installed it but that install image was old(ish). Update and upgrade now:
First, you probably want to open the Software Center, to to Software and Updates, and enable all the Ubuntu Software Sourcews (other than source and the CDRom option). Then:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Go to Preferences/Additional Drivers and then allow additional drivers, and pick a proprietary driver for your graphics card if you like.
Install the Synaptic Package manager and if you like use it for some of the following updates. I like Synaptic package manager better than the Ubuntu software center.
sudo apt-get install synaptic
You might not need to install gdebi but make sure it is there. This is an application that installs .deb files.
sudo apt-get install gdebi
So now you have a better set of installation tools.
Go to the Google Website and install Chrome. Not Chromium Chrome. Chrome will run Netflix for you. Later, when you run it, it will ask if you want it to be your default browser. Your choice (I use Chrome as my default browser.)
Using Synaptic Package Manager (if you like) you may want to install vlc media player, and your favorite audio software.
I like emacs, you probably don't, but if you do, this is a good time to install it, and consider updating your .emacs file.
Open up the control center and fiddle with stuff.
You then might want to head on over here and see if you want any of the suggested software for power management or other functionality.
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Install partclone and immediately make a backup image of your installation.
Install your favourite tools and then install Customizer.
Now create a customized boot image and install it on a flash drive.
Do you have any suggestions for upgrading from Ubuntu (Unity) 14.10 to Ubuntu Mate 14.10? I've got two machines that I don't want to do a fresh install on, but want to get to Mate.
Buddha, you can install mate on Ubuntu using one of the following commands; the first will be the minimal install, the last with extra packages, the middle one in between.
The problem is you may get frequent notificaitons of "system error" and the installation may not be clean.
sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment-core
sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment-core
sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment-extras
(Just do one of those.)
A restart will probably be needed.
Thanks. I was concerned that since Unity under 14.10 does not play nice with others it would be more complicated, similar to your discussion of installing Gnome3 on Ubuntu14.10 (requiring TaskSel to remove Unity first).
Buddha, consider a re-install to avoid the 'system error' issues that Greg alluded to. You'll want to separate your '/home' directory into its own partition first (to save all your customizations, settings, and data files).
Then re-install using the Ubuntu Server Edition. This will install Ubuntu without a GUI; it will boot to a command line prompt when done. THEN you can install 'mate' as per the above, without any 'system error' issues -- because Unity will never be installed and won't cause any conflicts.
Of course, afterwards you'll need to re-install any packages you added after you did your original 14.10 installation. If you get in the habit of keeping '/home' in a separate partition, this will make it easy to preserve (and separately back up) your personal data files, etc.
This will also make it easy to multi-boot, which is another (even preferred, perhaps) method of changing your Ubuntu install: You create an additional OS partition (12 GB is a good size), then leave your original 14.10 install alone and install a second Ubuntu (such as Server edition, followed by Mate). On rebooting, you'll get your choice: 14.10 with Unity or 14.10 with Mate... or Windows, or anything else you're multi-booting.
My suggestion is to not install unity at all, install a different flavor, then add non unity desktop to that.
I nhad Ubuntu 15.10 and some blank ext4 partitions set up and selected the option to replace the Ubuntu install, expecting tolove it and hoping my so-so backup regime would not fail me...I hated to see all the apps get overwritten but bit the bullet becauseI had messed up my encrypted home file and locked myself out...well to my surprise the Ubuntu 15.10 is still there and the Mate installed alongside...have not checked yet which partitions but it is a pleasant surprise....assuming it did not overwrite my Mint OS ...
Great tips Greg all the terminal stuff ran fine...I had Ubuntu 15.10 and some blank ext4 partitions set up and selected the option to replace the Ubuntu install, expecting to over write it and hoping my so-so backup regime would not fail me…I hated to see all the apps get overwritten but bit the bullet because I had messed up my encrypted home file and locked myself out…well to my surprise the Ubuntu 15.10 is still there and the Mate installed alongside…have not checked yet which partitions but it is a pleasant surprise….assuming it did not overwrite my Mint OS …