10 Tweaks and Apps for Ubuntu 10.10

can’t propose all the possible things that you could do on Ubuntu, and you probably have different tastes than me. There are a few tweaks and apps that most of us would want that Canonical is unable (or unwilling) to include in our favorite Linux distribution. Here are my top 10 tweaks for Ubuntu 10.10:

1- Install the GIMP

The GIMP was removed from Ubuntu as a default application since 10.04, but it’s as great as ever. For most people, the GIMP covers all their image-editing needs. Is there anything more to say?

2- Install Arista

Arista Transcoder makes it easy to convert your media files for use on all your devices. It’s a non-geek oriented application in which you choose the device you have first and the file type. The device comes with presets for everything, from the iPad and multiple Android devices to the web and the Playstation 3. You can also download additional presets here so you can be sure that you’ll never have a problem converting your media files for a device. It’s both worry-free and powerful, the perfect app for everyone.

3- Install Redshift

I’ve reviewed redshift before, but that was when it’s wasn’t in the official repositories yet. My conclusion was unambiguous nonetheless; I can’t live without it. Redshift changes the color temperature of your screen as the day goes by, making it much easier to work during the night. You might think your screen color is too red at first, but after two days of use, I guarantee that you’ll love it!

4- Install Gnome Do

Gnome Do is a very popular add-on to the Gnome Desktop Environment. It’s designed to accelerate almost all tasks, like launching an application, doing system actions (shutting down the computer, controlling window actions, etc.), searching for files and more just by typing a word or two. Not only is it extremely efficient, but it’s also intuitive and fun to use.

5- Install a Dock

Apple’s signature item on their Mac operating system is the dock. I’m not a complete fan of the concept, but I have to admit that it is a great alternative to the bottom panel. Which dock you will prefer depends on your taste. If you want a highly configurable dock, get Avant Window Navigator (AWN or Avant for short). If you prefer a simple, worry-free solution, I’d say that the best ones are Docky.

Extra:

As an alternative (and if you’re geeky enough), you can get both Gnome-Do and Docky together. Docky is a derivative of Gome Do’s theme of the same name. The Do team wanted to create a mix between the two concepts and improve the way the user interacts with the OS. Unfortunately, this addon is missing from the Gnome-Do package on 10.10. It will return in Gnome Do version 2.2. In the meanwhile, you can downgrade your Gnome Do by uninstalling the package and installing the older version here, at then downloading the plugins here and docklets here.

6- Configure the desktop effects

Ubuntu ships with Desktop effects provided by Compiz-Fusion. Compiz makes your desktop beautiful, fluid and more fun, but it can also make you more productive. Effects like zooming out of multiple desktops are enabled by default (Super+E) are great, but who wants to reach for their keyboard everytime they want to zoom? CCSM (Advanced Desktop Effect Settings) is available in the Software Center. It’ll permit you to configure virtually anything on your desktop. Personally, I recommend activating the “Scale” plugin (akin to the Mac OS Exposé) and using at least two of your screen corners.

7- Stop Ubuntu from locking on sleep, suspend, and hibernate

There’s one thing in Ubuntu that really annoys me. Everytime I walk away from my laptop, anywhere between 5 minutes to a whole day, the desktop locks. That’s annoying if you keep closing and re-opening your PC, or if you use your machine only intermittently. Fortunately, there’s a fix for that.
If you want your computer not to lock when it goes to sleep, all you need to do is to uncheck the “Lock screen when screensaver is active” option in the Screensaver Preferences main window (System>Preferences>Screensaver). Disabling automatic screen-locking during suspend and hibernation is slightly harder. First of all, you have to run the Gconf editor, then unearth the right options. To bring up Gconf, hit F2 and then type “gconf-editor” (without the quotes). When the window appears, navigate to “/apps/gnome-power-manager/lock” and uncheck the “hibernate” and “suspend” lines.

8- Install Burg

If you are reading this article, chances are that you have more than one OS on your computer. If so, you see an ugly GRUB screen every time you boot your PC. The solution? Install BURG. BURG “beautifies” your bootloader with pretty themes, something you’d like to look at, something you’d appreciate to see.

To install BURG, first add the BURG PPA and download BURG to your system with the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bean123ch/burg

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install burg burg-themes

You can then install burg to your MBR using the command below (substitute ‘hd0’ with an alternative drive if your MBR is not on your first hard drive).

sudo burg-install “(hd0)”

Finally, update BURG (If you do not do this, nothing will happen and you will still see your default GRUB):

sudo update-burg

BURG is now installed! When you see the default BURG screen hit ‘T’ and chose the theme that you prefer!

9- Set up Ubuntu One

I know this is not a tweak per se, and it can’t be considered an application as it comes pre-installed with Ubuntu 10.10, but you should really consider using Ubuntu One. Ubuntu One, for those who don’t know, is Ubuntu’s cloud solution. It’s incredibly well integrated with the OS; I’ve never seen a cloud solution as simple to use as this one. And if you have more than one computer, I don’t think there’s anything better to sync their files. Simply go to “System>Preferences>Ubuntu One”, create your account, and you’re ready to go!

10-Keep a tweak tool handy

Great! You’ve tweaked your system as I’ve told you (or not), now what? Well, there are thousands of applications to install so why not start by checking the Software center for more? There are also thousands of tweaks that you may discover to be perfect for you. Unfortunately, most of them are hidden. Fortunately, there are apps that serve as perfect tweaking guides for the customization-avid Ubuntu user. What tools do I recommend you? Two of them caught my attention: Ailurus and Ubuntu-Tweak, and both are pretty good. Ailurus (you can read my review here) is a great tool for users who want to learn more about their system, get accustomed with it, and then become good enough not to need the tool. Ubuntu Tweak, on the other hand, has no intention of teaching you about your system. it’s simpler to use, and has a better interface. The caveat is that you mught get a bit dependent on it in the long run (if you like customizing too much). You can download Ailurus here and Ubuntu Tweak here.

And so here they are, my ten recommended tweaks and apps for your new Ubuntu 10.10 install. Have I missed anything? Would you not recommend any one of this. What are your experiences? Please comment below.

Contact the author via email

http://ftp.cvut.cz/ubuntu/pool/universe/g/gnome-do-docklets/gnome-do-docklets_0.8.2-2_all.deb

Format

Ubuntu’s a great OS, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that but there’s no perfect OS for everybody. That’s why any self-respecting geek’s first reaction when he sees his new OS is “I need to configure this.” I can’t propose all the possible things that you could do on Ubuntu, and you probably have different tastes than me. There are a few tweaks and apps that most of us would want that Canonical is unable (or unwilling) to include in our favorite Linux distribution. Here are my top 10 tweaks for Ubuntu 10.10:
1- Install the GIMP
The GIMP was removed from Ubuntu as a default application since 10.04, but it’s as great as ever. For most people, the GIMP covers all their image-editing needs. Is there anything more to say?
2- Install Arista
Arista Transcoder makes it easy to convert your media files for use on all your devices. It’s a non-geek oriented application in which you choose the device you have first and the file type. The device comes with presets for everything, from the iPad and multiple Android devices to the web and the Playstation 3. You can also download additional presets here so you can be sure that you’ll never have a problem converting your media files for a device. It’s both worry-free and powerful, the perfect app for everyone.
3- Install Redshift
I’ve reviewed redshift before, but that was when it’s wasn’t in the official repositories yet. My conclusion was unambiguous nonetheless; I can’t live without it. Redshift changes the color temperature of your screen as the day goes by, making it much easier to work during the night. You might think your screen color is too red at first, but after two days of use, I guarantee that you’ll love it!
4- Install Gnome Do
Gnome Do is a very popular add-on to the Gnome Desktop Environment. It’s designed to accelerate almost all tasks, like launching an application, doing system actions (shutting down the computer, controlling window actions, etc.), searching for files and more just by typing a word or two. Not only is it extremely efficient, but it’s also intuitive and fun to use.
5- Install a Dock
Apple’s signature item on their Mac operating system is the dock. I’m not a complete fan of the concept, but I have to admit that it is a great alternative to the bottom panel. Which dock you will prefer depends on your taste. If you want a highly configurable dock, get Avant Window Navigator (AWN or Avant for short). If you prefer a simple, worry-free solution, I’d say that the best ones are Docky.
Extra:
As an alternative (and if you’re geeky enough), you can get both Gnome-Do and Docky together. Docky is a derivative of Gome Do’s theme of the same name. The Do team wanted to create a mix between the two concepts and improve the way the user interacts with the OS. Unfortunately, this addon is missing from the Gnome-Do package on 10.10. It will return in Gnome Do version 2.2. In the meanwhile, you can downgrade your Gnome Do by uninstalling the package and installing the older version here, at then downloading the plugins here and docklets here.
6- Configure the desktop effects
Ubuntu ships with Desktop effects provided by Compiz-Fusion. Compiz makes your desktop beautiful, fluid and more fun, but it can also make you more productive. Effects like zooming out of multiple desktops are enabled by default (Super+E) are great, but who wants to reach for their keyboard everytime they want to zoom? CCSM (Advanced Desktop Effect Settings) is available in the Software Center. It’ll permit you to configure virtually anything on your desktop. Personally, I recommend activating the “Scale” plugin (akin to the Mac OS Exposé) and using at least two of your screen corners.
7- Stop Ubuntu from locking on sleep, suspend, and hibernate
There’s one thing in Ubuntu that really annoys me. Everytime I walk away from my laptop, anywhere between 5 minutes to a whole day, the desktop locks. That’s annoying if you keep closing and re-opening your PC, or if you use your machine only intermittently. Fortunately, there’s a fix for that.
If you want your computer not to lock when it goes to sleep, all you need to do is to uncheck the “Lock screen when screensaver is active” option in the Screensaver Preferences main window (System>Preferences>Screensaver). Disabling automatic screen-locking during suspend and hibernation is slightly harder. First of all, you have to run the Gconf editor, then unearth the right options. To bring up Gconf, hit F2 and then type “gconf-editor” (without the quotes). When the window appears, navigate to “/apps/gnome-power-manager/lock” and uncheck the “hibernate” and “suspend” lines.
8- Install Burg
If you are reading this article, chances are that you have more than one OS on your computer. If so, you see an ugly GRUB screen every time you boot your PC. The solution? Install BURG. BURG “beautifies” your bootloader with pretty themes, something you’d like to look at, something you’d appreciate to see.
To install BURG, first add the BURG PPA and download BURG to your system with the following commands:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bean123ch/burg
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install burg burg-themes
You can then install burg to your MBR using the command below (substitute ‘hd0’ with an alternative drive if your MBR is not on your first hard drive).
sudo burg-install “(hd0)”
Finally, update BURG (If you do not do this, nothing will happen and you will still see your default GRUB):
sudo update-burg
BURG is now installed! When you see the default BURG screen hit ‘T’ and chose the theme that you prefer!
9- Set up Ubuntu One
I know this is not a tweak per se, and it can’t be considered an application as it comes pre-installed with Ubuntu 10.10, but you should really consider using Ubuntu One. Ubuntu One, for those who don’t know, is Ubuntu’s cloud solution. It’s incredibly well integrated with the OS; I’ve never seen a cloud solution as simple to use as this one. And if you have more than one computer, I don’t think there’s anything better to sync their files. Simply go to “System>Preferences>Ubuntu One”, create your account, and you’re ready to go!
10-Keep a tweak tool handy
Great! You’ve tweaked your system as I’ve told you (or not), now what? Well, there are thousands of applications to install so why not start by checking the Software center for more? There are also thousands of tweaks that you may discover to be perfect for you. Unfortunately, most of them are hidden. Fortunately, there are apps that serve as perfect tweaking guides for the customization-avid Ubuntu user. What tools do I recommend you? Two of them caught my attention: Ailurus and Ubuntu-Tweak, and both are pretty good. Ailurus (you can read my review here) is a great tool for users who want to learn more about their system, get accustomed with it, and then become good enough not to need the tool. Ubuntu Tweak, on the other hand, has no intention of teaching you about your system. it’s simpler to use, and has a better interface. The caveat is that you mught get a bit dependent on it in the long run (if you like customizing too much). You can download Ailurus here and Ubuntu Tweak here.
And so here they are, my ten recommended tweaks and apps for your new Ubuntu 10.10 install. Have I missed anything? Would you not recommend any one of this. What are your experiences? Please comment below.
Contact the author via email