Ubuntu – Confused about what makes up the Ubuntu GUI

compizgnomeguithemesunity

I am now getting more into customizing my Ubuntu experience and want to understand better what all these different things I keep running into are. What is Gnome3 and Gnome2 in relation to GTK3 or GTK2? Are they related at all? Is Gnome3 another version of Unity? What is Unity? What is compiz?

To make this all VERY basic, the core question is:
How is the Ubuntu GUI built? What are the elements from the bottom-up that make up the desktop environment?

Trying to understand this better so I know what I need/want in order to have my desktop the way I would like it. If this question is better suited for a forum of some sort, please let me know and I will understand completely.

Thanks in advance!

Best Answer

The GUI on Ubuntu is made up of a large number of pieces, working together. At the base level is Gnome 3 (Not to be confused with Gnome Shell). Gnome 3 uses GTK "widgets" to display all the parts of applications on the screen. On top of Gnome 3, Ubuntu uses Compiz and Unity to give the shell, which consists of the launcher, the menu bar, and the other Ubuntu pieces. Unity is the actual shell, while Compiz is what's known as a compositor - it deals with all of the graphics, transparencies, and animations you see.

So, any Gnome 3 theme will theme your Ubuntu box.

Hope this helps!

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