Now that I’m running Ubuntu Linux, I’d like to change the desktop wallpaper photo. What’s the fast way to pick a new picture?
Another Ubuntu user. Excellent. Here’s the thing though: Linux has gone through so much evolution in the last few years with window managers and increasingly sophisticated user interface development that it’s really quite similar in behavior to both Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X in a lot of different ways. So when I show you how to change your wallpaper, you’ll say “jeez, just like Windows!”
But first, an important topic to discuss are window managers. Unlike the Mac or Windows system, Linux machines allow you to pick a window manager that matches your own interaction style because it’s built atop something called the X Window System. When you boot up a stock Ubuntu Linux system, for example, you’re running Unity, which is what’s producing the taskbar, etc. There are actually quite a few different window managers available for Linux systems, as listed here: Window Managers and Desktops for Ubuntu Linux. I bet you had no idea, eh? 🙂
Now back to your question. The answer’s actually rather easy.
Ready? Right click on the desktop…
Yup, the last of the options on the resultant context menu is “Change Desktop Background“.
Select it.
There ya go. Lots of really attractive pictures from which you can choose. But there’s more going on with this rather poorly designed window that’s worth examining. To start, click on “Wallpapers” on the right:
You can set your own Pictures Folder if you prefer to have a rotation of your own desktop wallpaper images, and for some users, a peaceful color gradient is a big win.
Sticking with this window, though, click on a photo and you’ll see the desktop behind you temporarily display that as its wallpaper, as shown in this screenshot:
It’s a nice way to preview what things will look like if you stick with that particular choice.
But look on the very bottom: What you and I call the “taskbar” in Ubuntu is actually called the “launcher” and with the slider you can actually change icon size. By default, I have the icons pretty big:
but it’s easy to use the slider to make ’em smaller if that’s something you’d prefer:
Again, this is directly analogous to adjustments you can make to both the Windows Taskbar (to some extent) and to the Mac OS X Dock to maximize your screen real estate.
And one more thing before we’re done. Click on the “Behavior” tab to see what’s hidden back there:
Turns out that the Launcher can have auto-hide enabled, which is pretty handy. I also really like workspaces (Mac users are familiar with this as just “Spaces”). Tweak things as desired, then just close the window knowing your Ubuntu desktop is updated for your own usage preferences.