The document describes the standard desktop view in Ubuntu, including the top panel with menu bar and system functions, and the left Unity bar for applications. It explains the Unity Dashboard accessed by the "Dash Home" button, which shows recent files and allows navigation between menus. Each Dashboard menu can be searched and filtered. The Command Launcher is accessed with Alt to search and execute commands. Files can be browsed using the Home key or File menu to search the system with Nautilus. Additional desktop apps like window navigators can be downloaded for customization.

1. Using the Unity
Desktop in Ubuntu

2. Standard Desktop View

3. Standard Desktop View
Notice two panels
Top panel
• Contains program menu bar on left side
• Right side has clock and essential functions
– Mail
– Battery life
– Account/shutdown menu
– Volume control
Unity bar on left (default desktop style is called Unity)
• Can save applications to open quickly
• Shows open applications

4. Unity Dashboard

5. Unity Dashboard
From clicking the “Dash Home” button
Top of Unity bar (has circle of friends icon)
Dash Home shows recent files and downloads
Can move between menus at bottom of dash
Home
Applications
Files and Folders
Music
Videos

6. Dashboard Menus

7. Dashboard Menus
Search bar at top used to find files
Subcategories in each menu can be expanded by
clicking “See xx more results”

8. Dashboard Menus

9. Dashboard Menus
Each menu has its own search filtering options
Can be toggled by clicking “Filter results”

10. Command Launcher

11. Command Launcher
Press Alt while at the desktop to open
Can type commands and hit Enter to execute
Commands suggested from a drop-down list when
something is typed

12. File Browser

13. File Browser
Hit Alt + Home or go to Go → Home on the menu
bar to open up the Home Folder in the file
browser Nautilus and search manually through
the system

14. Custom Desktop Apps
Notice on earlier screenshots of the desktop that
there is a navigator applet at the bottom of the
screen
Customizable applications such as Avant Window
Navigator can be downloaded and installed to the
system and used in addition to default Ubuntu
packages