Ubuntu customization

This post was initially created for Ubuntu 7.10, however, these instructions also work for Ubuntu 8.04

Download the latest version of Ubuntu

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Troubleshooting installation problems

After a successful installation , the first thing is to update the system (it’ll take a while). Ensure Software Sources are checked System/Administration/Software Sources go to the Updates and enable first , second and fourth boxes.

sudo apt-get update

Also, some development tools such as gcc needs to be activated using:

sudo apt-get install build-essential

Instructions in Italic must be run in the terminal (Applications Menu -> Accesories -> Terminal)

Ubuntu pretty much depends on internet not only for updates but also for using Ubuntu repositories which prevent Malware in Linux. It also start with Firewall enable unlike other OS. To have a GUI interface of the iptables install Firestarter

sudo apt-get install firestarter

To know more about firewall:

http://www.lavasoft.com/support/faq_firewall.php?
http://mailman.lug.org.uk/pipermail/wolves/2005-August/016216.html

Info about sudo command

Grub customization

Once Windows is installed both Ubuntu and RedHat GRUB will recognize your Windows OS, however it might skips some previous Linux installations. The easiest method to solve it is to locate the partition where resides the OS you’re looking for, and then configure manually GRUB (/boot/grub/menu.lst) For additional info:

http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/manual/html_node/Installing-GRUB-natively.html

VLC Media Player

Use Evolution Mail to send and receive email directly from Ubuntu. Yahoo will not work unless you pay for it, however Gmail works just fine. Follow this link:

http://tuxicity.wordpress.com/2007/03/08/howto-set-up-gmail-in-evolution-gnomes-mail-client-and-organizer/

or

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingGmailWithEvolution

Remember to back up your mail settings.

While the use of command line through the Terminal is outstanding, there is no harm to customize a little and obtain a fancy terminal. Its name is TILDA

http://phorolinux.com/how-to-install-tilda-095-on-ubuntu-710-gutsy-gibbon.html

To restore Tilda: run the command “tilda -C“

A variety of desktop backgrounds, themes, icons, splashes, windows borders is found in Art Manager. Search for gnome-art in Synaptic Manager. After installation will be found in Systems/Preferences. The compact and very effective menu will lead through the use of this package.

After a complete update in Ubuntu, Compiz should be installed by default. To install CompizConfig Settings Manager go into Synaptic, and search for compizconfig-settings-manager. Navegate in your preferences menu and look for Advanced Desktop Effects.

To install the dock AWN. Follow these instructions from a Terminal window. Furthermore, install the AWN Manager so you can customize the dock, and additional applets to have more variety.

http://wiki.awn-project.org/DistributionGuides

or

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=385981

Set up Firefox Security Preferences (Edit/Preferences)
In tab Privacy:
Check: Always clear my private data when I close Firefox
In Tab Security:
Uncheck: Remember password for sites & Use a master password

Add-ons from firefox.

My favorites are: Youplayer, Dai.sy, WOT (must install !! a communal rating system for browsing), FireFTP, DownloadHelper, McAfee, Live IP Address, Download Statusbar, ScribeFire Blog Editor, ThumbStrips.

To install Virtual Machines, from Synaptic install Virtual Box

To burn movies, fist copy the movie in your computer and convert it into an ISO file using k9copy. After the installation, select the folder where to save it and click in DVD.

http://www.my-guides.net/en/content/view/77/26/

Once you have copied the movie in your computer, use GnomeBaker to copy the movie into a disk. Install it from Synaptic Package Manager. This can also be done using Ubuntu, after you insert a blank DVD, it’ll pop up a message to make a Data DVD, just search for the ISO file copied before and write it into the DVD.

For remote desktop connection, use Terminal Server Client.

SSH Server for remote access

sudo apt-get install openssh-server

UbuntuCostomizationPart2