The GNOME Shell redefines user interactions with the GNOME desktop. It aims to be a replacement for the GNOME desktop  when GNOME 3.0 is released some time in 2010.

The guiding principles behind GNOME Shell are based on making the desktop an intuitive and convenient tool for accessing applications, documents, contacts, notifications and system preferences.

GNOME Shell

GNOME Shell

The GNOME Shell has rich visual effects enabled by new graphical technologies and aims to make working in GNOME  productive or efficient, and enjoyable for the user.

GNOME Shell Features

The following are some of the salient features of GNOME Shell.

  • A full-screen mode (Overlay mode) that allows the user to concentrate on switching to a new activity by opening new applications, documents, or both.
  • A simple, user-friendly Panel on top.
  • A retractable sidebar outside of overlay mode, which provides place for adding additional widgets.
  • Easy Screen recording. GNOME Shell has a built-in feature that allows video recording of the desktop activity. Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R to start and stop the screen recording.

There is a lot more to GNOME Shell than meets the eye. You can learn how to be productive and efficient in GNOME Shell by reading this cheat sheet.

A series of screencasts on GNOME Shell  can be found here.

How to Install GNOME Shell in Linux

You can install GNOME Shell in Linux (existing GNOME desktop) in two ways.

  1. Download the source code and compile it yourself.
  2. Install binary package from your Linux distribution repository. Most main stream Linux distributions have a preview package of GNOME Shell in their repositories.  For instance, Here is how you can install GNOME Shell in Ubuntu.

[Reference : live.gnome.org]

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