This tutorial shows how to install and tweak Gnome Classic (without effects) session to get a customized Classic Desktop Environment with the newest version of Gnome. If you really want Gnome 2 DE, MATE is a good choice but it’s not completely stable yet, and it’s missing a few parts.

First let’s look at what I ended up with:

STEP 1.) First of all, install classic session with latest Gnome.

sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback

STEP 2.) It’s highly recommended to add ppa:jconti/gnome3 and install its version of “indicator-applet”, “indicator-applet-complete”, “indicator-applet-session”

Add the ppa:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jconti/gnome3

Right now there’s no Precise version of this ppa (check here), so run following command edit the source and change precise to oneiric and save the file.

gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jconti-gnome3-precise.list

Now install them:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indicator-applet indicator-applet-complete indicator-applet-session

STEP 3.) Now log out and log-in back with “Gnome Classic without effects” and start tweaking your Classic DE.

Note: Do this at your own risk. For safe, recommend to do this in a Guest session.

Before the DE should look like:

Alt+Right-click to configure the panel. Remove top-panel (if you want), in bottom panel add “Main Menu”, “indicator applet”, frequently used apps, etc by “Add to Panel”. Then right-click on icons to move them.

MORE:
1. Remove the overlay-scrollbars.

sudo apt-get purge liboverlay-scrollbar-0.2-0 liboverlay-scrollbar3-0.2-0 overlay-scrollbar


2. Move window buttons from left to right.

gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string ":minimize,maximize,close"


3. Display Computer, Home, Network icons on desktop via Ubuntu Tweak.
Install Ubuntu Tweak:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tualatrix/next
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak

4. Install Hardware Sensors Indicator.

Add the ppa:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors

Right now there’s no Precise version of this ppa (check here), so run following command edit the source and change precise to oneiric and save the file.

gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list.d/alexmurray-indicator-sensors-precise.list

Install hardware sensors indicator:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indicator-sensors

Via Ubuntu Forums

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