Rebuilding Ubuntu 11.10

Each release of a new version of Ubuntu, the most popular linux-distro, is a great event, and Layfhaker could not stay away, and published an excellent review of the new system. We hope that many of our readers through this article decided to download and install Ubuntu 11.10. And today we want to offer you a brief guide to setting up and arrangement of the operating system.

from Canonical developers continue to strengthen the image of Ubuntu as the most friendly system, but go with the somewhat odd way. From version to version we leave fewer options for customizing the system, hiding from the eyes of users accustomed System Configuration utility, and some of them altogether removed from the system. Yes, for experienced users who are perfectly versed in the device system and possess the secrets of the command line, it is absolutely not a problem. But for ordinary people, also accustomed to Windows interface, many of even the most basic steps to set up the system might lead to a deadlock.

What is the point and how to use it?

In the text of this article, you will encounter a variety of commands to be executed in the terminal. Make it very simple: open the main menu and enter the search string "terminal", click on this icon. A window will appear with a user name and a blinking cursor. This way you will have to enter various commands (you can simply copy and paste), while in the course of operations you may be required additional simple steps - for example to enter your password to confirm the installation of the application, and so Further.

How to install Flash, Java, mp3, Windows fonts?

By default, Ubuntu does not contain many codecs, plugins and fonts released under a free license does not. So if you want your system-sang played, you will need to install it all by yourself. Make it quite easy: enter in a terminal the following command:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

How do I turn on the LED panel display application icons?

By default, the dashboard shows only system layout icons, network notifications, and so on. However, there can be displayed, and icons of programs such as Dropbox, Jupiter, Shutter, etc., as it was in previous versions. Follow in the terminal the following command:

gsettings set com.canonical. Unity. Panel systray-whitelist «[ 'all']»

How to change the design theme, icons, cursors, fonts?

Developers generously left us with the ability to change the wallpaper and the choice of two predefined themes. If you need more flexibility in customizing the system, you need to install GNOME Tweak Tool utility. You can use the Ubuntu Software Center, or set by the terminal.

sudo apt-get install gnome-tweak-tool

How to disable the new scrollbars?

Some call the new skrolbar beautiful and comfortable, while others - horrendous. I belong to the second, so happy to remove them.

sudo apt-get remove overlay-scrollbar liboverlay-scrollbar3-0.2-0 liboverlay-scrollbar-0.2-0

How to disable the global menu?

The emergence of a global menu for all applications in the top panel is designed to save some space on smaller screens of netbooks and tablets. If you do not have such a need, and the menu seems unusual, it can be easily unplugged.

sudo apt-get remove appmenu-gtk3 appmenu-gtk appmenu-qt

How to configure the Unity interface?

In the standard developers have not provided virtually no means to customize the appearance and behavior of the sidebar Launcher, Dash main menu and other elements of the Unity shell. Therefore it is necessary to install a special utility CompizConfig. This can be done both by the application of the Center, and in the terminal:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

Settings, this utility has a huge amount, but we are primarily interested in the section Ubuntu Unity Plugin.

How to install the good old Gnome?

If mod Unity shell fell you do not like, you can return to the classic Gnome c using the following command:

sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback

By the way, fans of the experiments can be installed even more extreme revolutionary working environment Gnome 3. Make it now possible directly in the Ubuntu Software Center.

What other applications you should definitely install?

The Ubuntu repositories contain thousands of applications to the most demanding taste, so everyone will be able to make your choice. We only want to draw your attention to gxNeur - automatic switch layouts, analogue Punto Switcher; versatile media player VLC; Jupiter - a means of control; ubuntu Tweak - a great tool for setting up and cleaning systems. And what program we advise readers Layfhakera? What should be in the arsenal of every ubuntovod?