It's no secret that comfortable work on the computer is almost impossible without such an element as the taskbar. In different operating systems, its appearance, functionality and customization options (personal settings) may vary. This article will focus on the taskbar in Ubuntu OS.
Ubuntu: taskbar
Its purpose, both in this and in most other operating systems, is quick access to favorite programs, files or folders, as well as displaying information about running applications. Unlike other operating systems, Ubuntu has two taskbars. Each of them has separate functions.
First panel
By default, it is vertically left on the screen. It contains the labels that you yourself added to it.
Initially, several icons are visible there: entry to the main menu, default browser, home folder, Ubuntu application center, several applications from the office suite, system settings management, and also the trash.
In addition, this panel has a button that allows you to change the virtual desktop to one of the four possible ones. Application windows are divided into four work areas, each of which is a full-fledged desktop. Switching between them is carried out by this button. This feature is a trademark of all systems based on the Linux kernel.
Second panel
This is a horizontal area, located at the top of the screen by default. Unlike the first one, it is more informational than functional. This taskbar consists of several parts. The name of the currently open application is displayed in the left corner, regardless of whether it is expanded to full screen or not. When you hover over this area, the menu of this application is displayed to the right of the name (in Windows it is located at the top of the open window).
On the right side is the so-called system tray. There are icons for the Internet connection, Bluetooth (if available), sound volume, current time, and a button for quick access to the main system settings. Clicking on each of these icons displays additional information and settings related to it.
Taskbar not working
One of the disadvantages of Ubuntu is that it is designed for advanced users who already have experience with computers. Therefore, those who began their acquaintance with the virtual world from this operating system can, due to inexperience, change the parameters,responsible for the appearance of the taskbar and ensure that it disappears from the screen altogether. If you have the above problem, do not despair! With a few simple steps, you can return the taskbar to its original state:
1) Open a terminal (this can be done with the Ctrl-Alt-T combination).
2) Install the dconf-tools package with sudo apt-get install dconf-tools.
3) Reset all settings with dconf reset -f/org/compiz/.
4) Now reload your desktop shell by typing the following in the terminal: setsid unity.
Done! Now you can enjoy the default look of your Ubuntu desktop and taskbar again.
