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Home Linux Tips and Tricks Ubuntu Quick and Dirty Desktop Tweaks - Part 1

09

Jun

2008

Linux
Ubuntu Quick and Dirty Desktop Tweaks - Part 1 Print E-mail
Tips and Tricks
Written by Rick Russell   
  After the default install of Ubuntu, things are pretty, but kinda boring compared what we can have. Even on a lower end machine we can still enjoy a hefty amount of eye candy and features. Here's basically a run down of what I do on a fresh install of Ubuntu to get the full effects of of my desktop as well as a couple handy features that will help tremendously with productivity and task management.  When finished with your default install of ubuntu, let's touch it up a bit. 

   First, if you have an NVidia, or ATI card, I suggest installing EnvyNG.  I'll quote the Envy site to explain:

"Envy" is an application for Ubuntu Linux and Debian written in Python and PyGTK which will:
1) detect the model of your graphic card (only ATI and Nvidia cards are supported) and install the appropriate driver. However automatic detection can be overridden with the "Manual installation"
2) install the right driver for your card and all the required dependencies
3) configure the Xserver for you

   So, to install:
sudo apt-get install envyng-gtk  Afterwhich you'll probably have to reboot.  When you get back into Ubuntu, you can check to make sure your video card is using the Hardware Drivers Utility.  Go to System > Administration > Hardware Drivers, and check to make sure your card is enabled and "in use."  Next go to System > Preferences > Appearance and click on the "Visual Effects" tab.  Choose "Normal" for lower end video cards and "Extra" for higher end ones.
  Now we can enable the Enhanced Desktop Effects, but before we can do so, we need to make sure that the beryl-settings-manager is installed.  to do this:
sudo apt-get install beryl-settings-manager
  Now head up to System > Preferences > Advanced Desktop Effects Settings.  There's all sorts of options in here, but to start, for productivity, lets enable enhanced graphics, and add a rotating desktop cube to help us with multi-tasking.  While inside Advanced Desktop Effects, Right Click on the 2 grey squares in the right corner of your dekstop and go to Preferences.  Set the current number of workspaces to 4. Go back into the Advanced Desktop Effects Setting dialogue and look for the Desktop category on the left, then find "Desktop Cube" under the main options. When you select this option you'll get a Warning: "Plugin Desktop Wall provides feature largedesktop which is also provided by Desktop Cube," Disable the Desktop Wall and continue.  While your in this category, also enable the "Rotate Cube" Option. Now hold down your mouse wheel and move your mouse back and forth, you should now have box as your desktop with 4 fresh desktops to put whatever you want on!  I usually use each Desktop for different applications.  Terminals, web apps, multimedia apps, games all seperated neatly! 

   Part 2 will include a more in depth look at AWN, or Avan Window Navigator, instead of using the Gnome-Panel, and also a couple tips on setting up Evolution with Exchange and Gmail.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 18 June 2008 17:26 )
 
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