The Perfect Desktop
Ubuntu 7.10
"Gutsy Gibbon"
Version 1.0a

Author: Oliver Meyer <o.meyer@projektfarm.de>
Editor: Bob Lavallee <bobspcrepair@gmail.com>
Last edited:

This document describes how to set up an Ubuntu 7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon" desktop. The result is a fast, secure and extendable system that provides all you need for daily work and entertainment. About 23,000 packages are available in the repositories.

This HowTo is a practical guide without any warranty - it doesn't cover the theoretical backgrounds. There are many ways to set up such a system - this is the way I chose.

 
1 Installation


1.1 Get Ubuntu 7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon"
The CD image is available free online.

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

 
1.2 Live-CD
Start/restart your computer and insert the Live-CD - be sure that your BIOS is configured to boot from your CD/DVD drive first. If there are no special reasons to do something else, select "Start or install Ubuntu" in the first window to boot the Live-CD.




The Live CD boots up.




A few moments later the Ubuntu desktop appears:




1.3 Start The Installation
Double-click on the "Install" icon on the desktop. The install wizard appears. Choose your preferred language and click Forward to proceed.




Select the timezone nearest to your location and click Forward to proceed.




Choose your keyboard layout and click Forward to proceed.




Select how you want to partition the disk and click Forward to proceed.




If you chose the manual partition in the window before, you'll see this window. Here you can create, modify or delete partitions and mount points.

Important: incorrect choices can cause your personal files to be erased and lost. Always back up personal files before proceeding. Restoring a lost Windows set up is far easier when you have handy a solid back up.




Enter the required data for your first account and the name for your computer into the corresponding fields.




This window contains the summary of your choices. If you want to change the device for the boot loader installation click on "Advanced" and change it to your needs. Click on "Install" when you agree to your choices.




If you click the Advanced button you get the Advanced Options dialog. The Boot Loader mentioned here is the GRand Unified Bootloader lovingly known as GRUB. GRUB will detect any other operating systems, such as Windows, on your PC and add an entry in the list that appears when you start up your machine. Assuming you don't erase your Windows set up GRUB will allow you to choose whether to boot into Linux or Windows. With Ubuntu the first choice is Linux. Sorry Bill.




The system is being installed:






Remove the installation CD/DVD after the installation finished and restart your computer.




1.4 After The Installation
The system restarts. If you want to start another kernel, edit the start parameters or run a memory test, hit "Esc". Otherwise wait a few seconds to start with the default settings.




If you hit "Esc" you will see this window, or if you have Windows installed on a different partition. Have a look at the instructions at the lower end. Before making modifications you may want to visit a forum or tutorial page that will walk you through editing these choices.




Afterwards the login-screen appears. There are some options available in the bottom left corner. Log in with the username and password that you chose in the install wizard. (If you want to restart or shutdown the computer, click "Options" on the bottom-left and make your choice.)




Welcome to your desktop.




2.0 Clean It

2.1 Remove Software
Before you updating the system for the first time check if there is software installed that you don't need, or rather that you want to replace with other software. The goal should be a clean system with only the programs installed that you really need.

Which programs you should uninstall or replace with others is up to you - you'll find a summary of already installed software at Step 3 and a little assortment of additional software (including replacements for already installed software) at Step 5.

You can simply uninstall software with the Synaptic Package Manager - have a look at Step 4.1. Afterwards it's time for the first update (if there are updates available) - have a look at Step 4.3.


2.2 Disable Services
Some services are enabled by default on your system - maybe some of them are needless (depending on your hardware and your needs). The deactivation of needless services will save system resources, so it's worth to take a look on the service settings.

The settings for services are available via the gnome system menu.




When you click the icon the system will request your password.




After you enter your password the Sevices Settings window appears.

Some services to be on the lookout for:

Bluetooth device management (bluetooth) - disable this service if there is no bluetooth device attached in your system or if you don't want to use it.




Hotkeys management (hotkey-setup) - disable this service if you don't have hotkeys on your keyboard or if you don't want to use them.



You can disable services simply by unmarking the corresponding checkboxes.


2.3 Reduce Power Consumption
With Powertop, a tool from Intel for Intel Platforms, you are able to find what software is using the most power on your system. Specifically notebook users will benefit from reduced power consumption - meaning longer battery life.

If you want to use powertop, install the following package:
Note: How you can install software is explained in detail at Step 4.2.

But since you're here and probably making your way through this step by step, let's cheat and install powertop now.

From the top, left menu:

Applications → Accessories → Terminal



When Terminal pops up key in the following code, then hit the Enter key. (In this article all Terminal commands will be formatted as) :

CODE:
 sudo apt-get install powertop

This command requires your password. Once the process is complete and the Terminal returns you to the blinking command prompt. You can now run powertop. It is recommended to run it as the root-user, otherwise it cannot use all the features of this tool.

Run powertop with root privileges:

CODE:
 sudo powertop

Powertop will permanent collect data from the system. In intervals it shows you what uses the most power and how to optimize your system. In certain cases powertop optimizes the system itself if you hit the key that is shown. See the picture below (taken on Fedora 7 running on an ASUS G1S) for example. The standard program runs in English.



You can probably save a few watts.


3.0 Ubuntu's Default Software
These software programs (packages) come pre-installed on Ubuntu 7.10 ...

3.1 Multimedia
3.2 Internet
3.3 Graphics
3.4 Office
3.5 System

 

4.0 Package Managment (or Add/Remove Software)
There are several different ways of installing software in Ubuntu Linux. The simplest is by Add Applications under the Applications menu. But the most powerful GUI method is:
4.1 The Synaptic Package Manager
The Synaptic Package Manager is an easy to use program to install and uninstall software from the available repositorys - or just to check which programs are installed. There are about 23,000 Packages available in the repositories that are added by default in Ubuntu 7.10.

The Synaptic Package Manager is accessible via the gnome system menu.




Click its icon and you will be asked for your password.




After you enter your password the Synaptic Package Manager appears.




4.1 Uninstall Packages
To uninstall one or more packages switch to Status view by clicking the Status button (lower left) and clicking "Installed". Now you'll see all packages that are installed on your system - you can browse them or search one or more packages with the search function. Within you can enter a package name or search term.




If you found a package that you want to uninstall, click on the green checkbox and select "Mark for Removal" or "Mark for Complete Removal" from the context menu. The difference between the option for a complete uninstall is the removal will also delete configuration files while the normal removal will not. This can be useful if you want to keep configurations for packages. Reinstalling something you removed will maintain settings such as recipies for a recipe program, etc.




The package is marked with a red X.




Click on "Apply" in the upper menu bar for the changes to take effect and Apply in the Summary dialog.




The uninstall process begins.




4.2 Install Packages (or Adding Software)
To install one or more packages switch to the status view and mark "Not installed". Now you'll see all packages that are not installed on your system - you can browse them or search one or more packages with the search function. Within you can enter a package name or search term.

Note: when searching for a specific program click Look in and select Name instead of "Description and Name". This speeds up the search process immensely. When searching conceptually (i.e., "browser" "game" "fun" restore Look in to Description and Name.




If you found a package that you want to install, click on the white checkbox and select "Mark for Installation" from the context menu.




The packages you want to install will occasionally have dependences - then a window will pop up and you have commit the marking of the additional needed packages.




Afterwards the package and its dependences are marked with a yellow arrow. Dependences are marked green as well.




To take the changes affect click on "Apply" in the upper menu bar and afterwards commit the summary.




The packages are being downloaded...




...and afterwards installed.




4.3 Update The System
The system will check for updates automatically and notify you if updates are available. You can adjust the check-intervals within the Synaptic Package Manager.








The system will notify you if there are updates available. Click on the orange button for details.




Within the update manager you can see detailed informations about the new packages. If you don't want to install a package, unmark the corresponding checkbox. To install the updates click on "Install Updates".




You'll be asked for your password.




Afterwards the updates are being downloaded...




... and installed.




If system critical updates were installed (e.g. a new Linux kernel) a system restart is required.



Note: Some screenshots were taken on Ubuntu 7.04 - there were no updated packages available when I was writing this howto.


5 Additional Software
I present you a little assortment of additional software to make the agony of choice easier for you. I don't recommend to install all this software - there is no point in installing three audio-players etc... Don't forget to uninstall an already installed software if you are going to install a replacement.

How to install or uninstall software is explained at Step 4.


5.1 Medibuntu
Some packages like the Adobe Reader are not available in the standard-repositories. The easiest way to make such packages available to your system is to add the medibuntu repository. If you want to add this repository open a terminal ...



... import the repository ...

CODE:
 sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/gutsy.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list

... import the gpg-key and update your package-list.

CODE:
 wget -q http://packages.medibuntu.org/medibuntu-key.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update


5.2 Recommended Software
Let's add some extras to Ubuntu that we've come to take for granted in the Windows world such as fonts, codecs, etc.


5.2.1 Microsoft's TrueType Core Fonts
Some fonts, including Arial, Times New Roman and Verdana for example.

If you want to use these fonts, install the following package:
You will see this window during the setup. Simply click on "Forward".




5.2.2 W32codecs
Codecs needed to play MS video formats.

If you want to use these codecs, install the following package:
Note: The medibuntu repository is required for this package.


5.2.3 Adobe Reader
Homepage: http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/

With the Adobe Reader you can open PDF-documents.




If you want to use the Adobe Reader, install the following packages:
Note: The medibuntu repository is required for this package.

The plugin for firefox will be installed automatically. If you want to check it, open firefox and enter about:plugins into the url-field. Afterwards you should see this:




5.2.4 Adobe Flash Player
Homepage: http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/

The Adobe Flash Player enables your browser to play embedded flash content.

If you want to use the Adobe Flash Player, install the following package:
The plugin for firefox will be installed automatically. If you want to check it, open firefox and enter about:plugins into the url-field. Afterwards you should see this:




5.2.5 Sun's JAVA
Homepage: http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Sun's Java Runtime Environment adds full Java support to your system.

If you want to use Sun's Java Runtime Environment, install the following packages:
You will see this window during the setup. If you agree with the license terms, mark the corresponding checkbox and click on "Forward".




The plugin for Firefox will be installed automatically. If you want to check it, open firefox and enter about:plugins into the url-field. Afterwards you should see this:




5.2.6 NTFS Configuration Tool (ntfs-config)
Homepage: http://flomertens.free.fr/ntfs-config/

With nfts-config you can enable or disable write capability for all your internal and/or external NTFS devices.



If you want to use ntfs-config, install the following package:
5.3 Replacements
Not all the default Ubuntu choices are stellar. They work, but they can be bloated or less efficient than other choices. And Linux is all about choice. Here are some replacements for some default packages.


5.3.1 Audacious (Replacement for Rhythmbox)
Homepage: http://audacious-media-player.org/

Audacious is a lean audio-player.



If you want to use Audacious, uninstall Rhythmbox and afterwards install the following packages:
Note: The theme on the screenshot is "almond dark blue".


5.3.2 MPlayer (Replacement for Totem)
Homepage: http://www.mplayerhq.hu

MPlayer is a video player with many features - supporting nearly every known video format, e.g:
The w32codecs from Step 5.1.2 are needed to support some of the listed formats.



If you want to use the MPlayer, uninstall Totem and afterwards install the following packages:

5.3.3 Digikam (Replacement for F-Spot)
Homepage: http://www.digikam.org/

Digikam is photo management software.



If you want to use Digikam, uninstall F-Spot and afterwards install the following packages:
Note: The theme on the screenshot is "dark".


5.4 Optional
Some optional packages depending on your needs. If one of the following appears to be software that will benefit you, this is how to install it.



5.4.1 FireFTP
Homepage: http://fireftp.mozdev.org/

FireFTP is an extension for Firefox. It provides an easy to use, full featured ftp client. It can be startet without firefox from the gnome applications menu.




If you want to use FireFTP, open Firefox:

Click on Tools → Add-ons in the upper menu:




Click on "Get Extensions" in the "Add-ons"-window:




Enter "FireFTP" in the search box and click on "Search":




Click on "FireFTP":




Click on "Install Now":




Accept the installation:




After the installation is finished restart Firefox. FireFTP is available in the upper menu.




To start FireFTP without Firefox from the gnome applications menu create a new launcher and add the command:

QUOTE:
 firefox -chrome chrome://fireftp/content/

Open the main menu editor.




Click on "Internet" on the left side and afterwards on "New item" on the right side.




Insert/select the following in the launcher-window:



5.4.2 K3B
Homepage: http://www.k3b.org/

K3B is a burning suite with a lot of features. For Windows users you may wish to use this if you're familiar with Nero Burning ROM.



If you want to use K3B, install the following packages:

5.4.3 Azureus
Homepage: http://azureus.sourceforge.net/

Azureus is an easy to use bittorrent-client with a great many features.



If you want to use Azureus, install the following package:

5.4.4 Streamtuner
Homepage: http://www.nongnu.org/streamtuner/

Streamtuner is a stream directory browser. With Streamtuner you can listen to SHOUTcast-streams etc.



If you want to use Streamtuner, install the following package:

5.4.5 k9copy
Homepage: http://k9copy.sourceforge.net/

K9copy is a DVD backup tool, which is able to shrink the content of a DVD9 to fit on a DVD5.




If you want to use k9copy, install the following packages:

 
5.4.6 Skype
Homepage: http://www.skype.com/

Skype is a software for internet telephony, instant messaging etc.




If you want to use Skype, install the following package:
Note: The medibuntu repository is required for this package.


5.4.7 XChat
Homepage: http://www.xchat.org/

With XChat you can join multiple IRC channels (Internet Relay Chat). File transfer is supported. You can customize XChat with various scripts and plugins.




If you want to use XChat, install the following packages:

 
5.4.8 Realplayer
Homepage: http://de.real.com/player/

Realplayer is a player for RealMedia content.




If you want to use Realplayer, open a terminal and enter ...

CODE:
 wget -c http://www.debian-multimedia.org/pool/main/r/realplay/realplayer_10.0.8-0.1_i386.deb

CODE:
 sudo dpkg -i realplayer_10.0.8-0.1_i386.deb


 
5.4.9 Audacity
Homepage: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Audacity is a software to edit audio files.




If you want to use Audacity, install the following package:

5.4.10 Gtkpod
Homepage: http://www.gtkpod.org/

With gtkpod you can manage your iPod. Many iPods are supported, including



If you want to use gtkpod, install the following package:

5.4.11 Wine
Homepage: http://www.winehq.org/

Taken from the Wine Homepage: "Wine is an Open Source implementation of the Windows API on top of X, OpenGL, and Unix".

With wine you can run a lot of windows software on Linux. A list of software that is known to work on wine can be found at http://appdb.winehq.org/.



If you want to use wine, install the following package:

5.4.12 Cedega
Homepage: http://www.cedega.com/

Cedega is the further stage of WineX with focus on Windows games. Many games are supported - a list of supported games (with screenshots) can be found at

http://games.cedega.com/gamesdb/
and
http://cedegawiki.sweetleafstudios.com/wiki/Main_Page.

Cedega is not free. Have a look at the Homepage for details and pricing.











Note: The screenshots above were taken on Fedora 7 with Cedega version 5.2.3 (Game: Guild Wars). The actual Cedega version is 6.0.3.


5.4.13 VMware Server
Homepage: http://www.vmware.com/products/server/

With VMware Server you can install guest operating systems as Windows, Linux, NetWare or Solaris.







If you want to use VMware Server, install the following packages:
Afterwards open http://www.vmware.com/download/server/ in your browser. Download the latest version (.tar.gz) and register to get a serial number.



Now open a terminal, switch to the directory where you downloaded the VMware Server, and unpack it. After that switch to the unpacked files and start the installer.

CODE:
 tar xvfz VMware-server-1.0.4-56528.tar.gz

CODE:
 cd vmware-server-distrib/

CODE:
 sudo ./vmware-install.pl

You will be asked a few questions about install paths etc. - simply hit enter for every question. You also have to accept the license agreement (if you agree to it). At last enter your serial number. The VMware Server is now available in the gnome applications menu.




6.0 Links
Ubuntu: Linux for Human Beings: http://www.ubuntu.com/

The Ubuntu Forums (sign up, ask questions, get answers, help others): http://www.ubuntuforums.org/

GetDeb homepage (more free software): http://getdeb.net/

The Ubuntu Guide: http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Gutsy

The Fridge: News for Human Beings: http://fridge.ubuntu.com/

Document Storage Facility:

Application Equivalence List: http://doc.gwos.org/doku.php/doc:apphelper

Desktop User Interfaces: http://doc.gwos.org/doku.php/doc:desktop

Multimedia and Sound: http://doc.gwos.org/doku.php/doc:multimedia

Network Magic: http://doc.gwos.org/doku.php/doc:network

Office and Productivity: http://doc.gwos.org/doku.php/doc:office

System Administration: http://doc.gwos.org/doku.php/doc:admin

Full Circle Magazine: http://fullcirclemagazine.org/

Ubuntu Tips: http://www.ubuntutips.net/

Ubuntu Geek: http://www.ubuntugeek.com/

Planet Ubuntu Users: http://www.ubuntugeek.com/

Fresh Ubuntu Podcast Page: http://freshubuntu.org/

Ubuntu Video: http://www.ubuntuvideo.com/

Ubuntu Tips and Tricks: http://www.debuntu.org/

Ubuntu Heaven: http://ubuntuheaven.blogspot.com/

Ubuntu page on DistroWatch.com: http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=ubuntu