Ubuntu Mate is what the Desktop should look like in 2017

I have never mentioned this on Steemit, but I have been a Linux user for about 2 years now.I have always preferred Linux for its package management, its general customizability and great support for most programming languages/environments.

For a few years now, Linux has been as good as, if not better than Windows/macOS for "generic machine used for browsing the web" use cases,which is what most computers are used for. Most casual users can start using Linux today, and they will probably find day-to-day use as easy/hard as Windows. Long-term, it will probably be easier to use than Windows because of how good Linux's package management is, and the fact that most Linux distros come with hardware drivers installed out of the box. 

But recently, the Ubuntu Mate project announced that they were releasing the second alpha for the 17.10 version of Ubuntu Mate.As I tried it out in the VM, i just re-discovered how good Ubuntu Mate particularly is. There are 3 main reasons why you should try it out:

1. It's easy to change the general feel and vibe of the system

A layout emulating macOS

The 17.10 version of Ubuntu Mate comes with a simple dropdown menu that lets your desktop emulate a variety of other systems like Windows 7/10 and macOS. It even has modes that emulate the now-abandoned Unity 7 and Gnome 2 desktops. While this functionality has been available for a few versions now, almost all of the bugs have been ironed out in the 17.10 version, which makes Ubuntu Mate, hands-down, the most adaptable desktop out there. 

Now sure, Linux enthusiasts might say, some of those esoteric window managers or DEs might be more customizable. But the vast majority of users will never do all the config file-editing required to unlock that power. 

In Ubuntu Mate, there are No config files to edit. No esoteric scripts. Just select an option in a dropdown menu, and BOOM, your desktop layout became the same as your old one, whether that's macOS or Windows.

It's not just about having the power to change the feel of the desktop, but to deliver that power to the user in such a way that it makes it practical and convenient for the user.

2. The Software Boutique App is just mind-bogglingly good

The Software Boutique App

Whenever you setup a new OS, the first thing you do is install all the third-party apps that you use, which is generally a pretty laborious experience. Now, Linux in general is already well ahead of the pack when it comes to setting up a new machine, because of the fact that you can script most software installation, so there isn't a lot of user interaction when setting up a new machine. 

But the Software Boutique, which comes installed out of the box, and is an app that the Ubuntu Mate team develops in-house, takes this to a whole new level, especially for new users.It makes that automation accessible to people who don't know bash scripting. But the thing that REALLY makes it an absolute game-changer is:

It actually curates software for the user!!!

THIS IS HUGE. When a new user drops into Linux, they have no idea what the reliable,trusted apps are.They don't know what the new hot but slightly unstable apps are. They know nothing about the ecosystem. A lot of the complaints about Linux are actually about specific apps on Linux. A lot of the times, the way to solve that problem is to simply use a different app. This is where curation comes in.

When you install something from the Software Boutique, you know it's stable, reliable and good quality software. You don't have to worry about getting hit by duplicate scam apps. You don't have to worry about dealing with PPAs.

3. The Ubuntu Mate team and community just "gets" what general desktop use is about

This is something that, while not discussed about a lot on the Internet is I think, very crucial in ensuring a great user experience. You know how Apple is talked about by tech media for giving it's users a very intuitive experience; the "you didn't know you needed it until you tried it" thing that Apple is very famous for, that's what I'm talking about. This is something that the Ubuntu Mate team seems to have understood very well.They understand that making an OS for the average user is not just about piling on a ton of apps. They understand that sometimes, you have to make their choice for them, while still providing a way to let users make their own choice. 

They understand that while giving the user options is important, the simple fact is that default settings rule, and so, it is incredibly important to have a default experience which is cohesive, and which "tells your story" instead of just being a collection of components that just exist to be interacted with.

So, in conclusion, it's all about taking the power that only a few technically inclined people had, and delivering it in a way that makes it convenient even for people who only use their computer for Facebook. That, is why Ubuntu Mate is what the Desktop should look like in 2017. Not just the Linux Desktop, but any modern desktop.  

If any of you reading this are on Windows/macOS and are even slightly interested in Linux, just try out Ubuntu Mate. You don't even have to think of any other distribution. Just Ubuntu Mate.

Thanks for reading this post. If you liked it, please upvote and resteem. Please follow me for more content like this :-)

@harshallele

Sources: 

Cover Image: https://ubuntu-mate.org/blog/ubuntu-mate-artful-alpha2/

Other screenshots are my own.