Ubuntu has chosen Gnome 3 as the default desktop but that does not mean that users cannot choose another default desktop to use our Ubuntu. Currently the MATE desktop has positioned itself as the most complete and lightweight alternative to Gnome 3. It is ideal for those who need programs with GTK 3 libraries but do not have enough resources to make Gnome 3 work properly.
Next we are going to explain how to install MATE on Ubuntu 18.04, all without having to erase the hard drive and install the official Ubuntu MATE flavor.
The MATE desktop is located in the Ubuntu 18.04 repositories, so its installation is quite simple. To do this, the first thing we have to do is open a terminal and execute the following:
sudo apt install -y ubuntu-mate-desktop
This will begin the installation of the MATE desktop after which it will ask us what type of session manager we want to use, if GDM 3 or LightDM. If we don't have many resources, it is best to choose Lightdm. Once this option has been chosen, then we must restart the computer with the following command:
sudo reboot
Now, after restarting the computer, Ubuntu will show us the login screen where we have to mark the MATE option as the default desktop. We will find this in the Ubuntu symbol that will appear next to the Login user.
But we may not have Ubuntu 18.04 but Ubuntu 16.04, so how do I install the latest version of MATE Desktop?
The installation is just as simple, but in this case we have to use an external repository from the Ubuntu team. Thus, we open the terminal and execute the following:
sudo apt-add-repository ppa:ubuntu-mate-dev/ppa sudo apt update sudo apt install -y ubuntu-mate-desktop
It will ask us again if we want to change the session manager. And after doing it we will restart the computer with the reboot command. Now, when the computer restarts, we have to do the same as before in the login screen.
After this we will have the latest version of MATE in our Ubuntu, with the consequent saving of resources and with the Gtk3 libraries.
Question from a newbie, to install this desktop, then you can uninstall it like any other software or you can return to the Gnome Ubunte desktop.
These are the doubts that arise.
It can be changed in any case by the previous one. Are the doubts that I have
As long as you have another environment, you have no problem. Just an indication when uninstalling, You must be careful if you use Gnome, Cinnamon since these three environments share some libraries and dependencies as they are based on "Gnome".
You simply have to run:
sudo apt-get –purge remove mate *
Since if you execute remove without the –purge flag you will have problems with the dependencies and in any case you will have to repair from the console.
Thanks for your answer, is what I wanted to know. I am learning something every day thanks to this page and others that I am reading simultaneously. And if something breaks, well, I always have an Ubuntu DVD to re-install. I have two machines, one with which I work and the other with which I learn Linux and if it breaks, I will learn from my mistakes and move on.
Greetings from Argentina
If mate is already in the repositories, why do you recommend a ppa?
Hello. You can help? After trying to install it, it puts this in the terminal:
Des: 272 http://es.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic / universe amd64 gnome-system-tools amd64 3.0.0-6ubuntu1 [3.690 kB]
Des: 273 http://es.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic / universe amd64 mate-dock-applet amd64 0.85-1 [85,0 kB]
Des: 274 http://es.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic / universe amd64 redshift amd64 1.11-1ubuntu1 [78,3 kB]
Des: 275 http://es.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic / universe amd64 redshift-gtk all 1.11-1ubuntu1 [33,6 kB]
Downloaded 194 MB in 2min 25s (1.335 kB / s)
E: Failed to get http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/m/mysql-5.7/libmysqlclient20_5.7.24-0ubuntu0.18.04.1_amd64.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 91.189.88.152 80]
E: Failed to get http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/t/thunderbird/xul-ext-calendar-timezones_60.2.1+build1-0ubuntu0.18.04.2_amd64.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 91.189.88.152 80]
E: Failed to get http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/t/thunderbird/xul-ext-gdata-provider_60.2.1+build1-0ubuntu0.18.04.2_amd64.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 91.189.88.152 80]
E: Failed to get http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/t/thunderbird/xul-ext-lightning_60.2.1+build1-0ubuntu0.18.04.2_amd64.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 91.189.88.152 80]
E: Could not get some files, maybe I should run "apt-get update" or try again with –fix-missing?
Hello. You can help? I get this when trying to install:
Des: 272 http://es.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic / universe amd64 gnome-system-tools amd64 3.0.0-6ubuntu1 [3.690 kB]
Des: 273 http://es.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic / universe amd64 mate-dock-applet amd64 0.85-1 [85,0 kB]
Des: 274 http://es.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic / universe amd64 redshift amd64 1.11-1ubuntu1 [78,3 kB]
Des: 275 http://es.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic / universe amd64 redshift-gtk all 1.11-1ubuntu1 [33,6 kB]
Downloaded 194 MB in 2min 25s (1.335 kB / s)
E: Failed to get http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/m/mysql-5.7/libmysqlclient20_5.7.24-0ubuntu0.18.04.1_amd64.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 91.189.88.152 80]
E: Failed to get http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/t/thunderbird/xul-ext-calendar-timezones_60.2.1+build1-0ubuntu0.18.04.2_amd64.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 91.189.88.152 80]
E: Failed to get http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/t/thunderbird/xul-ext-gdata-provider_60.2.1+build1-0ubuntu0.18.04.2_amd64.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 91.189.88.152 80]
E: Failed to get http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/t/thunderbird/xul-ext-lightning_60.2.1+build1-0ubuntu0.18.04.2_amd64.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 91.189.88.152 80]
E: Could not get some files, maybe I should run "apt-get update" or try again with –fix-missing?
I have followed the instructions. Mate installed. The problem is that I keep getting Gnome and it doesn't give me the option to choose Mate. It's like I haven't installed anything. I use Ubuntu 18.04 Any suggestions? Thank you very much in advance!