HOWTO: Setup Desktop/Eyecandy. Tips'n'Tricks.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Also work in Ubuntu 5.10, but the 8. category might be a little diffrent
Works on Dapper and Edgy (+beryl)

I write this HOWTO, I got alot of PMs on how to do this and how to that because of my Screenshots I've added to the Gallery. So I made this simple HOWTO on the basics changes to make a desktop look mean, clean killing machine. I'll add some more to the howto continuesly.

Make sure before you start to set up universe/multiverse in your sourcelist.

NB. Don't Pm me about the icons. All of them I've gathered throughout the web and added to my desktop manually. Most of them are copyrighted/trademarked etc. So I won't transfer them. Sorry.

The Index
1. Howto setup semi-transparent panels.
2. Howto Eyecandy -gdesklets.
3. Howto Change icon size & make icons without name on the desktop.
4. Howto change GTK themes and icons for root application.
5. Howto install cursor themes on ubuntu/gnome.
6. Howto change login splash.
7. Howto change desktop themes (a.k.a GTK & Metacity).
8. Howto change login screen (GDM).
9. Howto: change skins on bmp and xmms (music player).
10. Howto advanced eyecandy.

================================================== ==

1. HOWTO SETUP SEMI-TRANSPARENT PANELS

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage.php?id=24951&name=Howto-Trans-panels.jpg

This does not require extra files or applications.
1. Right click on the upper panel and select New Panel.
2. Drag it down so it's is vertical. You can do it with middle mouse button or left+right mouse button.
3. Right click on it and select Properties.
4. In General tab: Unselect Expand and select Show hide buttons. Eventually change pixels size to your likening.
5. In Background tab: Select Solid color and change Style to your are saticefied with the outcome. I have mine on default.
6. Now move the panel to the place on your desktop you want it.

NOTE: Horizontal panels can't auto hide. Only hope is that the Gnome developers adds it. Also you can't see your windows behind the panels, only your desktop wallpaper.

================================================== ==

2. HOWTO EYECANDY - GDESKLETS


http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage.php?id=24949&name=Howto-Gdesklets.jpg
From up to down - LTNotify, LTPager and Psi-tasklist. Click the picture to enlarge.

This requires some files and application.
1. Open the terminal and write:
sudo aptitude install gdesklets gdesklets-data

2. Now we want gdesklets to start automatically every time we boot up. Click System tab in the upper panel. Then Preferences ---> Sessions.
3. Click the Startup Programs tab and click the Add button.
4. In the startup Command write: gdesklets and click OK.
5. To choose and run the gdesklets stuff. Click the Applications tab in the upper panel. Then Accessories ---> gDesklets.
6. Have a look around and pick a gdesklet you like, to add it select the gdesklet. Then go to the file tab and select Run selected desklet.
7. Now the choosen gdesklet appears and will follow your mouse until you make a left click. To move it again click with middle mouse button or left+right mouse button.
8. To configure the choosen gdesklet, simply right click on it and menu will pop up.
9. For more gdesklets: http://gdesklets.gnomedesktop.org/

NOTE: Some gdesklets might need that you have some extra libs. installed. A good way is to find the gdesklets at http://gdesklets.gnomedesktop.org/ and check up on what you need to get the gdesklet you have choosen to work.

================================================== ==

3. HOWTO: CHANGE ICON SIZE & MAKE ICONS WITHOUT NAME ON DESKTOP


http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage.php?id=24950&name=howto-icon.jpg


This does not require extra files or applications.
1. To have an launcher with no name on it on the desktop. Right click on the launcher erease the name. Now hit the Space button and press Enter afterwards.
2. To resize the icon on you desktop. Right click on the launcher and choose Stretch Icon. Four square appears in each corner.
3. Hold left mouse button down and move back and forth to change the size.
4. To exit the resize, simple left click outside the launcher.

================================================== ==

4. HOWTO: CHANGE GTK THEMES AND ICONS FOR ROOT APPLICATIONS
Are you tired of that your root applications doesn't match your desktop theme?

http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=621&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1112604992 (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=621&d=1112604992) http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=622&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1112605599 (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=622&d=1112605599)
Click to enlarge the screenshots

Here's the answer, with these codes your root applications gets the same theme, icons and fonts.


sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.themes /root/.themes
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.icons /root/.icons
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.fonts /root/.fonts


Thanks to angrykeyboarder (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=12487) for showing an easier way to do this.

================================================== ==

5. HOWTO: INSTALL CURSOR THEMES ON UBUNTU/GNOME

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage.php?id=24947&name=Gcursor.jpg
Click to enlarge the screenshots

This does require extra files or applications.
1. First we have to install gcursor application on Ubuntu. Open the terminal and write:
sudo aptitude install gcursor

2. Go to Gnome-look.org (http://gnome-look.org/index.php?xcontentmode=36&PHPSESSID=00c93645b63d36656e0bb060cdb0212e) and pick the cursor(s) you want.
3. Go to System tab ---> Preferences ---> Cursor Selection.
4. Push the Install Theme button, browse and select the cursor. No need to unpack the cursor files. Gcursor will do that for you.
5. Now pick the cursor you want in the Xcursor menu and press the Close button. The new cursor will first appear when you log in next time.


NOTE: If the cursor you have selected in gcursor don't appear in the menu then press the Go To Theme Folder button, click the folder named after the cursor. There should be a new folder with the name of you cursor in there. Right click it and choose cut. Press the Up button in your file browser and Paste the file here. That should do the trick.

================================================== ==

6. HOWTO: CHANGE LOGIN SPLASH.

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage.php?id=24952&name=Screenshot-GNOME_Splash_Screen_Preferences.png
Click to enlarge the screenshots

This does require extra files or applications.
1. Getting the boot splash application. Open the terminal and write:
sudo aptitude install gnome-splashscreen-manager
2. Find a suitable splash screen at Gnome-look.org (http://gnome-look.org/index.php?xcontentmode=160&PHPSESSID=4e511a66ca60b940fb2d146784fd5881) or http://gnome-look.org/. Download your choosed splash.
3. Click the System tab ---> Preferences ---> Splash Screen.
4. Press the Install button, browse and pick your splashscreen.
5. In the Installed Splash Screens window left click the one you want and press the Activate button.
6. Now next time you login, you'll see the new splash. Enjoy ^^.

Thanks to aboe (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=9449) for the notice of the splashscreen manager.

================================================== ==

7. HOWTO: DESKTOP THEMES (A.K.A GTK & METACITY).


1. First you need to find you a theme(s) you like at http://art.gnome.org/ or http://gnome-look.org and download it. Look under the GTK 2 to find your theme(s). Though at art.gnome.org it's split up in windowborder (metacity) and application (gtk).
2. Next go to System tab ---> Preferences ---> Theme.
3. Click the Install Theme button and browse and select the theme you want to install.
4. Now you can choose the theme in the Theme Preferences viewer.
5. If that's not the case you have to click Theme Details and select the theme manually. Control tab for GTK themes and Window border for Metacity.

================================================== ==

8. HOWTO: CHANGE LOGIN SCREEN (GDM).

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage.php?id=24953&name=Screenshot-Login_Screen_Setup.jpg&thumb=0
Click to enlarge the screenshots

1. You can download GDM themes at http://art.gnome.org/ or http://gnome-look.org.
2. To open Login Screen Setup: System tab ---> Adminstration ---> Login Window or in terminal:
gksudo gdmsetup
3. In local tab. Push the add button and browse to the downloaded GDM theme.

================================================== ==

9. HOWTO: CHANGE SKIN ON BMP AND XMMS (MUSIC PLAYER).

Screenshot (http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage.php?id=27887&name=bmp.jpg)

1. Download a skin from www.gnome-look.org under xmms section.
2a. if you're using bmp copy the file to /home/<username>/.bmp/Skins
2b. if you're using xmms copy the file to /home/<username>/.xmms/Skins
cd /where/you/saved/the/file
cp XXXXXXXX /home/<username>/.bmp/Skins
Or use nautilus to manouvre (the file browser) around.
3a. Open bmp and press <ctrl>+<p> and select the skin under appreance.
3.b Open Xmms and press <ctrl>+<s> and select your skin.

================================================== ==

10. HOWTO: ADVANCED EYECANDY.

Howto Beryl & Compiz - Ultimate Eyecandy (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=272104)
Knome Guide: Stealing KDE's Eye Candy (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=115974)
Make QT apps look more Gnome'ish (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=76633)
Change the default usplash colors (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=82835)
conky 1.3.0 -- lightweight system monitor for X (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=61297)
Gtk1.2 not so ugly (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=107135)


------------------------------
HOWTOs by Artificial Intelligence:
HOWTO: Use 'Create Document' option. Open Office and custom files. (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=76419)
HOWTO: Automatically play CDs and DVD when inserted. (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=77146)
HOWTO: Install F-Prot with GTK frontend (anti-virus) (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=88357)
HOWTO: Install AVG free anti-virus (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=136064)
HOWTO: Install Azureus (newest, non-repo way) (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=144546)

[henrypootel]

Another Great Tip.
Ubuntu is starting to make XP look decidedly 'rustic'(see also: butt ugly).
Thanks

[nehalem]

Wierd, can't install gdesklets and several other packages. The version it says is a available is really not there. Furthermore it depends on libcairo1 (the version that is actually there) and that's not available in the repositories. Are they updating the servers?

[Artificial Intelligence]

Updated the Howto.

Added: HOWTO: Change GTK themes for root application & GTK greeter

[Artificial Intelligence]

Updated the howto:

Added: Howto install cursor themes on ubuntu/gnome.

[shankin]

Thanks for writing this. I've been looking at your desktop pictures and drooling, but never knew how to set things up.

I noticed that after I installed gdesklets and gdesklets-data, though, that I didn't seem to have all the desklets I was looking for. The Psi-tasklist you showed, for example, wasn't included.

How do I get additional gdesklets? I'm assuming the gdesklets-data package doesn't include all that is available.

Update: I learned from the gdesklets site that the Psi desklets apparently no longer work. A pity - the tasklist in the screenshot looks much nicer than the normal Ubuntu/Gnome one.

[Muhammad]

I need to know the name of the icon theme please!

[LaSSarD]

nice :)
there's a better way to change themes for root applications (at least I think so):
just move the folders inside ~/.themes to to /usr/share/themes

I think you could give some advices for desklets, like ones you like or ones which are nice but don't work well...

anyway, nice how-to :)

[Artificial Intelligence]

Thanks for the reply.


@LaSSarD

It's just what I told /usr/share/themes, but I thought It's easier to understand it that way. This Howto is aimed for newbies who wants to set up their desktop :)

About advising what is nice or not of thet gdesklets, I won't. Everyone have diffrent taste ;)

@Muhammad

Both the GTK theme and Icon theme is called D3a.

@shankin

Just follow the howto on thte gdesklet if you want to install downloaded gdesklets.
Psi-desklet do work despite what they are saying. I'm using it right now on Breezy without any tweaking ^^
The reason why I havn't added the gdesklets I have shown for download is that I used all my ubuntu-forums space and I have limited bandweight on my site.



.:=The AI Dude=:.

[DoeRayMe]

Do you know where we could get the psi-tasklist from anywhere else?

[Nomearod]

Thanks for this how-to. It's excelente!

[Artificial Intelligence]

As people have requested I have uploaded Psi-tasklist. It's attached to the first post. Use it wisely.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Updated the howto.

Added: Howto change login splash.

[aboe]

Updated the howto.

Added: Howto change login splash.

isn't it easier to install gnome-splashscreen-manager from universe??

[Caboto]

How about adding torsmo or even better conky and some example configuration?
I really like this little progs.

[Artificial Intelligence]

#aboe
isn't it easier to install gnome-splashscreen-manager from universe??

#Caboto
How about adding torsmo or even better conky and some example configuration?


I'll take a look at it.

[Artificial Intelligence]

The Howto Splash is changed.

[Gandalf]

I've installed conky since i saw the post above and i've been playing a bit with the ~/.conkyrc file
I have done one that fits my needs, it is a changed version of:
http://conky.sourceforge.net/conky-thumb-1.png (http://conky.sourceforge.net/conky.png)

the version posted here (http://conky.sourceforge.net/screenshots.html) which i did change was for mpd, i change it to fit XMMS, you need to install the package xmms-infopipe and enable it via XMMS preferences though...

screenshot and .conkyrc attached

[Artificial Intelligence]

Testing conky. Seems nice, but there's some irrating bugs in it.
Like disappearing and dwaring you mouse over it with left mouse button makes cut into it.

[Gandalf]

Testing conky. Seems nice, but there's some irrating bugs in it.
Like disappearing and dwaring you mouse over it with left mouse button makes cut into it.
Also it flickers a lot but it's nice, hope bugs will be fixed in future releases

[merlyn]

I know that this is somewhat off topic, but could you produce a howto on compiling the nitro kernel.

Cheers.

[Artificial Intelligence]

I could add a conky howto in here, but I think it should have its own howto, a howto which go deep into configuration of it, because of the possibilties that newbies will have trouble setting it up to their likening.

[Artificial Intelligence]

I know that this is somewhat off topic, but could you produce a howto on compiling the nitro kernel.

Cheers.

Perhaps in the future, I have to many projects rolling at the moment.

[merlyn]

Perhaps in the future, I have to many projects rolling at the moment.

Thankyou for responding so quickly.

I'll keep my eyes open for any new howto's from you, and should you get the time the possibility of a nitro howto.

Thanks once again.

Cheers.

[DoeRayMe]

Hmmm i installed the LTNotify, however it does not show my notification icons, my one on the gnome-panel does, but this one doesnt

How do i get it to work?

[Artificial Intelligence]

You need to remove the notify in the panel and make a logout and a login before it works perfect.

[gabhla]

This is great stuff....thanks.

[GoA]

Change of the root applications theme didn't work for me. I copied my Vista theme to the usr/share/themes folder and changed the settings accordingly to your guide and it doesn't show anything. :(

[sailor420]

When I try to install the splashscreen manager, apt/synaptic can't find the package. Is that package in some other repository?

BTW, I'm still running hoary, if that helps.

[Artificial Intelligence]

If you've added the universe to your source list then it's not there for Hoary.



@GoA
Make sure that you spelled it right. Linux is case sensitive, if that don't work try with another theme.

[sailor420]

Yeah, it's spelled right. Guess its just not there for Hoary. That's OK, ill be upgrading in the next couple of days. Thanks for the help anyways.

[anaoum]

I know that this is somewhat off topic, but could you produce a howto on compiling the nitro kernel.

Cheers.

May i ask what a nitro kernel is??

thanks

[Artificial Intelligence]

Quote:Nitro-sources is a linux kernel patchset based around the -ck patchset by Con Kolivas and is considered to be experimental, it contains numerus user-requested features and other things gathered from various sources.

[GoA]

Another theme helped. Thanks for the tip. :)

[yesplease]

A playfull variation on 1. HOWTO SETUP SEMI-TRANSPARENT PANELS by ArtificialIntelligence is to add drawers. One can make a maze of horizontal and vertical panels by adding drawers in drawers. Drawers can be made transparent too. Drawers do not autohide, but all drawers can be closed simultaneously by clicking the hide buttons of the first horizontal panel.

Right-clicking a panel gives the add to panel option, where drawers can be found (lots of them :) ).

[ntony]

Great HOWTO !!! Appreciate your work!


ntony@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get install gdesklets gdesklets-data
Password:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
E: Couldn't find package gdesklets


The package doesn't exist for Breezy:(

[Wolki]

The package doesn't exist for Breezy:(

It does. Make sure you have the unierse repository enabled. Look here for how to do it: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/AddingRepositoriesHowto

[tnq13]

is there any way to make the panels(tray,pager and the task bar) to still always on top?

tks...

[Blue1k]

How do I change the background color for the splash screen?

Thanks!

[angrykeyboarder]

Re #4. A much simpler alternative:

sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.themes /root/.themes
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.icons /root/.icons
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.fonts /root/.fonts

This has nothing to do with GTK Greeter, but what it will do is have the root user's themes, icons and fonts follow/match whatever ones you're using.

Re #6. Before checking for themes @ http://gnome-look.org/ why not first try "the home team" at http://art.gnome.org.

Or you could also install the gnome-art package and check the site from your desktop.

[ntony]

Really great HOWTO ! Thanks AI !!!



is there any way to make the panels(tray,pager and the task bar) to still always on top?

tks...

Yeah, taskbar should be always on top. I tried to configure it but got no option to make it always on top. Any suggestion?

[maltje]

try to do this sudo apt-get install gdesklets gdesklets-data
but got back that he can't find gdklets

[benplaut]

thanks a million on the nameless icon thing... never occured to me to just space :P

tip: if you have a solid background, or one with solid colors, make SVG icons of that color (only that color!), make them nameless, strech them to make them big and hard to miss, and place them. they seem invisible, but mouse over to make them work :)

[yesplease]

@benplaut: I had a similar idea, but with transparent icons on a wallpaper background (havent tried it yet).

[Vidar]

Should work fine with just transparent icons.

[^NoX]

I know that this is somewhat off topic, but could you produce a howto on compiling the nitro kernel.

Cheers.

Well, someone has wrote a howto just for you :)
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=84174

(the -cK patch is the one called "Nitro" (AFAIK) the one which you asked for)

[Joch]

It has been asked 2 times yet, but no answer.
How can you set the gdesklets 'always on top'. Because otherwise it's not really useful.

Can somebody help us ?

[Artificial Intelligence]

To have the Psi-tasklist above:


cd /home/<username>/.gdesklets/Displays/psi-tasklist
gedit psi-tasklist.display


Change:
<display window-flags="sticky, below">

to

<display window-flags="sticky, above">

restart Psi-tasklist

[onesojourner]

where do I get the Psi-tasklist? I have googled it and I come up with nothin.

[ConnyBK]

Have a look at post #12 ;)

[canadianwriterman]

It has been asked 2 times yet, but no answer.
How can you set the gdesklets 'always on top'. Because otherwise it's not really useful.

Can somebody help us ?

If you mean, literally "stay on top" I believe there is a setting for that in the preferences if you right click on the gdesklets icon in the top panel

[onesojourner]

I must be missing where it is in the first post then.

[onesojourner]

is there some other way to get Psi-tasklist?

[Artificial Intelligence]

is there some other way to get Psi-tasklist?

Its attached on the first post.

[onesojourner]

ok sorry about that. I dont know if my browser is not displaying it correct or not but I finally got it by copying the attachement lines (witch is just text in the browser) and pasting it into an openoffice document.

[erikpiper]

This is sweet! Thanks!

I was looking at your desktops and have 2 questions,

Where did you get the box wallpaper?
And how do you get the good looking disk mounter/ volume changer?

Thanks!

[dude2425]

For those who wan't true nameless icons, without even the highlighted space, just drag the launcher into a text editor like gedit, and remove everything after the '=' on the line begining "Name[en_US]="

Also, instead of using whole panels, try just adding drawers to an existing panel, and customizing it. This way you can have a purty little icon you can click on.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Updated with Howto change Desktop themes.

[renzokuken]

Hi there. Sweet desktop by the way.

I'm trying to get the "pop-out" panels on the lower left hand side of the screen working properly. I have the panels sorted, and with all the launchers for the apps working perfectly, however, i'm having alot of difficulty changing the icons for the apps (mplayer, amarok, k3b, etc etc) to some newer ones i downloaded from gnome-look.org. I've been right clicking on the launchers --> properties, then on the icon change button but i cannot select the icons i want to change them to, they are all "greyed" out so i cant select them.

Do they have to be a certain size or file type (they are all PNG 48x48 though)?

What am i doing wrong? It's one of those minor quibbles that can quickly turn highly annoying, he he >_< !

Thanks

[Artificial Intelligence]

Usually I just drag the icon instead of browsing. You may try that and see if it works.

[renzokuken]

Thanks dude, worked like a charm.

Who says theres never a simple answer. >_<

[Ðrehmini]

[url]http://gnome-loook.org

Tad bit of a typo there.

[Bloot]

Re #4. A much simpler alternative:

sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.themes /root/.themes
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.icons /root/.icons
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.fonts /root/.fonts

This has nothing to do with GTK Greeter, but what it will do is have the root user's themes, icons and fonts follow/match whatever ones you're using.

Hey many thanks, I didn't know how to match my icons and that worked fine!.

[godvalve]

I didn't notice any info on how to change the login manager. Perhaps this could be added to the guide?

Thx for the guide btw.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Updated: rewritten and changed titel 4. Howto change GTK themes and icons for root application. Thanks to Angrykeyboarder.

[Artificial Intelligence]

I didn't notice any info on how to change the login manager. Perhaps this could be added to the guide?

Thx for the guide btw.

Comming soon.

[nhisyam]

is there any safe way to restore default settings for all the changes being made on the desktop? just in case i don't like it ... or i made things go wrong..

thanks in advance

[lizardking]

you have to delete the hidden folder .gnome .gnome2 .metacity .gnome-private etc and you will got the default ubuntu desktop

[abyssspecter]

7. HOWTO: DESKTOP THEMES (A.K.A GTK & METACITY).

http://thilockdominus.freehomepage.com/images/newfoldeHowto/GTKnMetacity.jpg

1. First you need to find you a theme(s) you like at http://art.gnome.org/ or http://gnome-loook.org and download it. Look under the GTK 2 to find your theme(s). Though at art.gnome.org it's split up in windowborder (metacity) and application (gtk).
2. Next go to System tab ---> Preferences ---> Theme.
3. Click the Install Theme button and browse and select the theme you want to install.
4. Now you can choose the theme in the Theme Preferences viewer.
5. If that's not the case you have to click Theme Details and select the theme manually. Control tab for GTK themes and Window border for Metacity

Im having a problem installing my Metacity themes i got from gnomre-look. i hit install theme, and nothing came up in the prefrences, so i went to Theme Details, and its not under either Controls or Icons. I dont see a 'Window Border' tab either.

If someone could help, id appreciate it

[Artificial Intelligence]

A link to the metacity theme you're trying to use.

[RaptorRaider]

Can someone please post a download link to LTPager?
I can't seem to find one through Google.

[Artificial Intelligence]

It's within gdesklets-data

[shane2peru]

Ok, I followed this, and some other Howto guide that now I can't find. I changed everything to a nice blue - Grub screen, The booting up screen (blue text) the login-screen, and then after that I get a brown background witha usplash screen that I can change, and currently have a blue one. How do I ditch the ugly brown screen behind the splash screen? Thanks!

Shane

[era86]

i dont know if this is what you mean.. afterall im new to this myself.. but you can try going to Apps>Sys Tools>Configuration Editor

then go to apps>nautilus>preferences on the left side.. in the window to the right, find background_color (somewhere near the top)... and replace that val with watever color you want..

i could be wrong

-ERA

edit: or go to the login screen setup?

[TrinitronX]

I'm using kde as my default desktop, and I chose in my kde config to use my current kde theme to style gtk applications too. The fix for changing root's theme for gtk seems to work, but with one flaw.
It seems this works when I start programs with sudo, but not gksudo for some reason. If anyone can find a fix for the gksudo still using the ugly gtk theme, that'd be great.

EDIT: I just tried using kdesu instead of gksudo, and still any application launched from either will take on the default gtk theme, and not my kde one.

[thoffmeyer]

great howto, thanks :)

[abyssspecter]

A link to the metacity theme you're trying to use.

here you go: http://gnomelook.org/content/show.php?content=26050

[Artificial Intelligence]

here you go: http://gnomelook.org/content/show.php?content=26050

It's because there's 4 diffrent themes in the packages. Just extract them to /home/<username>/.themes


Ok, I followed this, and some other Howto guide that now I can't find. I changed everything to a nice blue - Grub screen, The booting up screen (blue text) the login-screen, and then after that I get a brown background witha usplash screen that I can change, and currently have a blue one. How do I ditch the ugly brown screen behind the splash screen? Thanks!

System ---> Adminstration ---> Login Screen Setup

GTK greeter tab. Background color box.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Added:

8. Howto change login screen (GDM).
9. Howto advanced eyecandy.

[ketan]

This looks good,

Thanks\\:D/

[gerbman]

I downloaded the psi-tasklist file and ran the installer. It said the install was successful, but I don't see psi-tasklist anywhere in the gdesklets shell. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Check under Toolbar/Misc category


OT: The images is down at the moment due to I havn't renewed webspace...

[gerbman]

Check under Toolbar/Misc category

Odd. It's not there. Did I need to install anything else beforehand? You mention that it requires the PSI theme, but I have been unable to locate that.

Thanks for your help.

EDIT: just to be clear...the entry will read "psi-tasklist" correct?

[Artificial Intelligence]

Let's take this from the beginning :)

Open gdesklets, file tab, choose Install package (and browse). Then psi-tasklist should show in the box. Select it go back to the file tab and pick run selected desklet.

[gerbman]

Let's take this from the beginning :)

Open gdesklets, file tab, choose Install package (and browse). Then psi-tasklist should show in the box. Select it go back to the file tab and pick run selected desklet.

Oh geez...I've been noobified. I wasn't installing it through the gdesklets shell, but unpacking it and running the installer myself. Sheesh...thanks :-)

[Artificial Intelligence]

Live and learn ^^

Enjoy gdesklets :)


.:=The AI Dude=:.

[endersshadow]

Solid beginner's guide, AI. Would just like to suggest another link...if only because once you do it you'll be playing with it for hours on end:

Switch desktops in 3D (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=100167) by anil_robo

[Artificial Intelligence]

Thanks :)
I've added the link.
Also the images are now displaying again, found a good place to storage images cheap.

[halfvolle melk]

:oops:

[jamesford]

i cant get LTnotify to work. i mean, it works but no icons show up in it..isnt it supposed to 'replace' the systray?

[Artificial Intelligence]

i cant get LTnotify to work. i mean, it works but no icons show up in it..isnt it supposed to 'replace' the systray?

You need to log out and log in before it works, also you need to remove the standard notify before it work correctly.

[maxdevis]

Do you know where we could get the psi-tasklist from anywhere else?

for what use is this psi-tasklist?

[Artificial Intelligence]

for what use is this psi-tasklist?

To show application windows etc. like the standard in ubuntu but just more eye candy-ish.

http://www.imageviper.com/displayimage.php?id=24949&name=Howto-Gdesklets.jpg
The one in the buttom.

[maxdevis]

i want to install corner xmms, with gdesklets, but i get always this error:

/home/michiel/.gdesklets/Displays/CornerXMMS/cornerxmms-bottomright.display
> 1 xmms = get_control('IKXmms:4qz2i6vxsrqcia2mbt1lf2ca1-2')

[Artificial Intelligence]

I get the same errors and havn't been able to solve it yet. A bug report to the maker of the theme would be a nice idea.

[KCMiller3]

Thanks for the great guide...

I am currently using psi-tasklist and followed your advice to get it to stay on top and it does just that but is it possible to allow windows to snap to it so that it isn't above important windows. Thanks!

~Kevin

[Artificial Intelligence]

Not what I know of.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Updated:
Added: 9. HOWTO: CHANGE SKIN ON BMP AND XMMS (MUSIC PLAYER).

[bluevoodoo1]

4. HOWTO: CHANGE GTK THEMES AND ICONS FOR ROOT APPLICATIONS
Are you tired of that your root applications doesn't match your desktop theme?

Here's the answer, with these codes your root applications gets the same theme, icons and fonts.


sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.themes /root/.themes
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.icons /root/.icons
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.fonts /root/.fonts


Thanks to angrykeyboarder (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=12487) for showing an easier way to do this.

I attempted that to use that link to my .themes/.icons/.fonts and still I can't get root themes to work, (the link has now been removed). I tried installing some themes with gksudo gnome-theme-manager and when I close it and run 'sudo nautilus --no-desktop' or synaptic there are no changes. I'm running blackbox so any metacity problems are fine, but even in GNOME I can't get root themes to work. Changing themes as a regular user work fine. Any ideas?


brian@ubuntu:~$ sudo gnome-theme-manager
- using device default
- using device default

(gnome-theme-manager:10823): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_get_filename: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed

(gnome-theme-manager:10823): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_free: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed
Window manager warning: Failed to read theme from file /usr/share/themes/metacity-1/metacity-theme-1.xml: Failed to open file '/usr/share/themes/metacity-1/metacity-theme-1.xml': No such file or directory

(gnome-theme-manager:10823): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_get_filename: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed

(gnome-theme-manager:10823): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_free: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed

(gnome-theme-manager:10823): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_get_filename: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed

(gnome-theme-manager:10823): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_free: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed

(gnome-theme-manager:10823): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_get_filename: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed

(gnome-theme-manager:10823): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_free: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed


You have an awesome desktop.

[AlexR1]

Why don`t you move your theme to /usr/share/themes/
To be more clear when i download theme Test i exctract them to desktop.so now i have directory Test on my desktop.
cd Desktop
sudo mv Test /usr/share/themes/
enter password
and then i change to theme Test trough theme preferences.
Like this i got root application skied too.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Or

(just change d3a with the theme you want)
cd /home/<username>/.themes
sudo cp -r d3a /usr/share/themes
sudo gedit /etc/gdm/gdm.conf


Now I changed under [gui]

GtkTheme=d3a
GtkThemesToAllow=d3a

[benplaut]

include a link to one of the E17 howtos under advanced eye candy?

[Artificial Intelligence]

Can you post a link to the specific you had in mind?

[bluevoodoo1]

Why don`t you move your theme to /usr/share/themes/
To be more clear when i download theme Test i exctract them to desktop.so now i have directory Test on my desktop.
cd Desktop
sudo mv Test /usr/share/themes/
enter password
and then i change to theme Test trough theme preferences.
Like this i got root application skied too.

Tried that too, still nothing. I'd really like to get the icons in sudo nautilus working more than anything else. Still getting errors like...


(gnome-theme-manager:8429): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_get_filename: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed

(gnome-theme-manager:8429): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_free: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed

(gnome-theme-manager:8429): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_get_filename: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed


Any ideas?

[NoWhereMan]

what do you think of this?
http://forgeftp.novell.com//greent/homepage/screenshots.html
A console which comes down from the top of the screen pressing an hotkey, like the QuakeIII one! Sweet! :mrgreen:

[Artificial Intelligence]

Nice one,but I havn't be able to find the config file for to change background and/or making it transparent.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Tried that too, still nothing. I'd really like to get the icons in sudo nautilus working more than anything else. Still getting errors like...


(gnome-theme-manager:8429): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_get_filename: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed

(gnome-theme-manager:8429): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_free: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed

(gnome-theme-manager:8429): Gtk-CRITICAL **: gtk_icon_info_get_filename: assertion `icon_info != NULL' failed


Any ideas?

Did you try my way? (posted above). There might be some complication when doing it with one of the default themes that comes with ubuntu.

[NoWhereMan]

Nice one,but I havn't be able to find the config file for to change background and/or making it transparent.

it shares the same settings of gnome-terminal

bye

[styven]

Hi there,

Whilst trying to change my some resolotion settings in properties for the panel, I lost all taskbar panels, they flash up at start up and keep on flashing up, then dissapear, how do i get them back. All i was doing was changing the resolution, not setting them to hide or anything.

Steve.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Sounds like bug.

Okay first try <alt>+<F2> and write

gnome-panel

[styven]

Thanks for such a prompt response, sadly pressing alt/f2 does nothing, do i take it that i need to open a teminal, is that the only way from the keyboard? if it is i am stuffed!!

[Artificial Intelligence]

It should give you the Run Application box.

Okay we just make a launcher then. Right click on the desktop ---> Create launcher.

Name: terminal
command: gnome-terminal

Try this way.

[bluevoodoo1]

Did you try my way? (posted above). There might be some complication when doing it with one of the default themes that comes with ubuntu.

Yes, I just tried it, and no luck.... hmmmmm.

[styven]

okay...........

I have a terminal up now, what do i need to do next?

Steve

[Artificial Intelligence]

try with


gnome-panel

[styven]

Okay......

It does the same thing as a at strat up, flashes on and off, i have the followwing error message in the terminal..............

styven@edubuntu:~$ gnome-panel
/home/styven/.themes/T-ish-Brushed/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:2: Unable to find include file: "iconrc"
Segmentation fault
styven@edubuntu:~$

Is there a command i can type that will set the taskbar/icon resolution back to default?

Steve.

[styven]

Have sorted it....

It was the pixels that i changed, and to changing it back sorted it, i gad only changed it from 25 to 26.

Bear in mind that the tasbar only flashed up for a second, in that time i had to right click, hit properties then the panel properties box opens for about a second in which time i had to change the pixels back to 25 and all is back to normal:D

Took about 4 goes but i got it!!

Thanks for all your help\\:D/

[kaks]

do any of these commands work on dapper 64bit?

Thanks in advance

[Artificial Intelligence]

In theory, yes. If you want you can test it if you like and report back.

Thanks.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Update:
Added LTPager desklet to attachment.

[digitalkarabao]

i tried all methods on changing the themes of the root applications but i am still stuck with the gray, boring theme for root applications. the issue is selective though. i noticed that i can change the theme of the root application to themes that have 'gtk', 'metacity' folders inside the theme folders. i am trying to use a theme which only contains 'index.theme' file inside it.

am i doing something wrong?

[Artificial Intelligence]

I don't think you can do it if it only contains a index.theme file. Well none of what I know off.

[x5452]

a couple questions on splash and gdm, first off, from gnome-look i downloaded a splash 'grub' screen, so it makes a cool screen where it shows the choose kernel and os page, how do you get to the menus where you are supposed to edit stuff so those work?
Installation:

Copy the file (*.xpm.gz) to e.g. /boot/grub/

Then add the following line to your /boot/grub/menu.lst:

splashimage=(hd1,0)/boot/grub/Debian_Ent_GRUB.xpm.gz

Change the (hd1,0) if you have a different setup.

Also, are those splash screens ONLY for the grub part, or will it be the same pic after? Are there splash screens that FILL the screen? I only find ones that are small little rectangles.

Is there any screens you can get to change where, on boot up, it says ubuntu, and lists all the stuff as it is loading it up?:confused:

[RRS]

Haven't spent much time on "eye candy" yet, just a couple things from gDesklets, still learning how to use Linux in general.

Main question on the subject is should I wait till final version of Dapper is out? Just wondering if any pre-release bugs will cause me difficulty I can avoid by waiting.

Thanks

[Artificial Intelligence]

Well...if you dist upgrade with apt-get you might run into problem. But if you make a clean install you should be save. Just remember the golden rule number one: backup your stuff first. :)
Oh...Dapper just hit Beta.

[oyvindaa]

I've installed several new login screens like described in the first post of this subject, but it crashes when I try to log out and log in. It happens with all of the newly installed themes. Anyone know why?
I'm using ubuntu breezy badger.

[x5452]

Hey there, I was linked earlier to a thread of yours where you told how to change the 'main menu' icon from that orange thing, and it worked, cool. I am curious if there is a way also, to change things like, screenshot, lockscreen, volume, trash can ect.. the ones where you right click but dont have the option. How do you find out where the icon is located to change it? also, I was following the instructions here:
http://gmail-notify.sourceforge.net/faq.php
to change the icon for the gmail notifier, but when i open gimp, find the icon and replace it with what i want then click save, it says it cant save, permission denied... any ideas? thanks a lot!

[Artificial Intelligence]

It's a bit tricky...well time consuming to find all the icons and change them manually. But the easist way is download a theme from gnome-look.org install it and go to the folder where the icons is /home/<username>/.icons/<icon theme name> and look there for eventually if it have the icon that change the specific icon you want to change. Then replace it.
Another way is to use the "Search for files" application and search under system. Eg. search for gmail and a list of files shows up and properly also the icons of that application.

Other places to look is commenly
/usr/share/pixmaps
/usr/share/icons/hicolor

to change the icon for the gmail notifier, but when i open gimp, find the icon and replace it with what i want then click save, it says it cant save, permission denied... any ideas? thanks a lot!]

As it says you don't have permission ;). It's a security thing that you don't have access to the root/system as an user (a reason why linux is way much secure than windows by default). So if you want to change the icons, find a new icon or make your own and name it after the icon you want to change.
Lets take the gmail as an example again. I've found the gmail notify icon in /usr/share/pixmaps and its name is gmail-notify-icon.png so the icon I want to replace it with shall have the same name. To replace it, Open the terminal:
sudo cp gmail-notify-icon.png /usr/share/pixmaps

or if you have many icons and want to move them all in ones to the same location:
sudo cp *.png /usr/share/pixmaps
Which makes it easier.

[x5452]

ah i get, so its like the same advice i saw you gave for chaning the main menu icon, ....time consuming, lol. I found a bunch in usr/share/icons/hicolor, so ill start there. Im curious though, if the one that is standard is named icon-name.png, and you change the name of the one you want to the same thing, then move it to the folder, how does it know to use the new one?

[Artificial Intelligence]

It have to be the same name. Surely you could hack the specific application and make it look for another icon. But frankly that's a more time consuming.

[newpants2003]

thanx a lot

[shurguywutt]

word...

[gauravmakin]

I am new to linux and had a question. I installed gdesklets and have been trying ever since to get the desklets to be transparent. How can i make the desklets to be transparent. Most of them dont give that option but the screen shots show transparent desktops.
I have been trying on the weather desklet for example, a common transparent desklet, but for me, i can not seem to get it to be set to transparent.

please please please help me on this as soon as possible. I would really appreciate your help

[Artificial Intelligence]

Gdesklets aren't real transparent, only for the background/wallpaper)

[Artificial Intelligence]

Changed the howto to 6.06, some minor changes to fit it.
The howto still works for ubuntu 5.10 except category 8 that might be a little diffrent.

[Gaurav]

Gdesklets aren't real transparent, only for the background/wallpaper)

I have been trying to get the transparent desklets. If you can :confused: please help me out in getting some transparent desklets on my desktop. What do i need to install and using what commands. Please please if you can help me out here.

I was using gdesklets and uninstalled them due to not been able to acheive transparency. Is there anyway i can get transparent desklets like in your screenshots. I am willing to change stuff that i am using to be able to acheive transparent desklets.

Please help me out. I shall be really grateful. Thank you
Waiting for your reply

[Artificial Intelligence]

Can you provide a screenshot at the current state of your gdesklet?

[JGKC9AYC]

I'm using Gnome.
I didn't have much luck figuring out Gdesklets.
I like the way you have your desktop set up w/the weather & system monitor...was that done w/Gdesklets?
Also, I tried getting rid of the Ubuntu logo beside "Applications" using the "killall" command, but that didn't work. Is there a way to use other logos besides the Ubuntu & the Gnome?
Is there a way to combine "Applications", "Places", & "System" by using a "Start"-like button?
That's all I can think of for now.
Thanks! :)

[Artificial Intelligence]

Yes, it's gdesklets.

I didn't have much luck figuring out Gdesklets.

By running it? Or setting it up?


Also, I tried getting rid of the Ubuntu logo beside "Applications" using the "killall" command, but that didn't work.

Which method did you use?

Is there a way to combine "Applications", "Places", & "System" by using a "Start"-like button?

right click on the panel ---> add to panel. Select Main Menu.

[JGKC9AYC]

By running it? Or setting it up?

Both


Which method did you use?

I went to this (http://doc.gwos.org/index.php/Gnome_Icon) site & followed the instructions...it worked w/Breezy.

[Some_Bored_Dude]

Just on a note for new 6.06 Installs. You need to uncomment the universe repositories from the sources list located in /etc/sources.list to install gdesklets & gdesklets-data. Unsure about any others =)

You'll find the following 2 lines:
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper universe
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper universe

This will vary depending where you live. Mine has au. infront of archive (Due to living in Australia), so Im assuming without au. is the default.

Nice how-to by the way :mrgreen:

[Artificial Intelligence]

Both

Installation:
sudo apt-get install gdesklets
If you are on Dapper it also installs gdesklets-data, if not you need also to install this.
Now a launcher is made in applications ---> Accessories (if not killall gnome-panel) click it.
Now choose a gdesklets you want to use (left click the desklet) and go to file tab and select run selected Desklet (Note some of them might need extra libs to work, like HDD temp etc.) http://doc.gwos.org/index.php/Lm-sensors_hddtemp
Also check gdesklets homepage for more desklets.
To make gdesklets to startup on every boot go to System tab ---> Preferences ---> Sessions.
Click the startup tab and afterwards the add button. Write gdesklets

I went to this site & followed the instructions...it worked w/Breezy.
If you use a custom icon theme. Rename the the icon you want to use to distributor-logo.png and move it to /home/<username>/.icons/<name-of-the-theme>/128x128/apps

[JGKC9AYC]

Now choose a gdesklets you want to use (left click the desklet) and go to file tab and select run selected Desklet (Note some of them might need extra libs to work, like HDD temp etc.) http://doc.gwos.org/index.php/Lm-sensors_hddtemp

I got this message:

No i2c device files found. Use prog/mkdev/mkdev.sh to create them.


Also check gdesklets homepage for more desklets.

Couldn't get the temps working & for the weather, all I got was Tokyo...that's too far east of me. :) I ended up installing a different (iWeather) one, but it's size can't be adjusted, I don't think. I can go up to a 10 day forecast, but it takes up the entire bottom of my desktop if I do that, so I keep most of it hid.

If you use a custom icon theme. Rename the the icon you want to use to distributor-logo.png and move it to /home/<username>/.icons/<name-of-the-theme>/128x128/apps

Got that taken care of...thanks!

[sandpaperback]

Re #4. A much simpler alternative:

sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.themes /root/.themes
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.icons /root/.icons
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.fonts /root/.fonts



The reason this doesn't work for some people is because it actually creates an extra directory. Like this:

/root/.themes/.themes

So, change the command line to this and your root apps should have the proper theme:

sudo ln -s /home/<your name here>/.themes /root

You'll probably have to delete any /root/.themes, /root/.icons, /root/.fonts that you've tried to make work before.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Thanks for the input, sandpaperback. I'll suggest that for people who have trouble with it :)

[JGKC9AYC]

I'm still having problems w/gDesklets disappearing from my desktop only to leave a gray box in their place. The icon also disappears from the toolbar. I can't seem to find an answer for this.

[foxjwill]

I'm trying to install this one theme from gnome-look.org, and it keeps saying that the file format is invalid. Here's the link: http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php?content=43354

[Artificial Intelligence]

Extract the package to /.themes then go to the theme selector and click theme details. Now you can select Murrina in Controls (gtk theme).

[argie]

Thank you so much. I was looking the themes bit.

There's a little typo there though, in section 7. Gnome-look.org has one too many o's.

[spiral777]

How do I change the fonts for my root applications back? I like the rest, but for some reason the fints in all my webpages are messed up now.

[Artificial Intelligence]

cd /root
sudo rm -rf .fonts

[zeroaquarius]

Thanks for the very detailed guide! :-D . I am new to linux and had a bit of a tough time changing some of the eye-candy (especially the splash-screen!) and thanks to your guide here, I'm well on my way to customisation heaven! Kudos!:-D

[Special K]

Hi Guys, i found this to be a very informative and helpful thread.....but boy my eyes are aching now:D

I have a question, which i cant see on here, so apologies if i missed it.

I am running all gdesklets i need and have them config'd and running ok....except one of them and its proving very frustrating.

No matter what weather desklet i use, i just cannot get any of them to work!

The ones that advise to use the direct yahoo http/xml/rss feed address i simply cannot get to work. I have restarted desklets, removed and re-added and still no output.

I have used the 4 letter aviation codes and the 4/5 digit weather station codes abd still no joy.

There has got to be a simple answer to this.....

Has anyone got it please?

Cheers

Spesh

the address i am using from yahoo is below, as copied from their site...can anyone see any errors in it, which would cause it not to work

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/UKXX0078.html

[foxjwill]

I've had the same problem. I found it was a heck of a lot easier just to stick to the gnome weather panel applet

[Special K]

Yup! i'm begining to think that too!!

Someone must have come across this problem and solved it though.

Spesh

[talrasha]

This tutorial is nice.
I can't wait on trying this until I completely finished my Drapper server setup.

I just want to try this art skills coz I'm not into designing desktop themes. This one motivates me. Good work! :D

[hoagie]

Really nice guide, now I have a wonderfull desktop, thanks to you. Thanks alot

[Artificial Intelligence]

updated added link to XGL and compiz.

[Marsan]

Nice howto :D Can i suggest u take a look at kiba-dock? It`s the best dock i have tried. You should add that in your howto imo :D

[_simon_]

I can't drag any desklets below approx half way of the screen. They shake a lot and refuse to move any lower.

I'm using XGL and compiz.

Any ideas?

[Artificial Intelligence]

The current version of gdesklets doesn't work with compiz and XGL.

[Dinerty]

Thanks for this guide, got my desktop looking very proffessional, thanks for this brilliant guide Artificial Intelligence

[Dinerty]

I can't drag any desklets below approx half way of the screen. They shake a lot and refuse to move any lower.

I'm using XGL and compiz.

Any ideas?

If you have a seperate gnome session:

Have excatly the same annoying problem, one way I found which works "sometimes", is to boot into a normal gnome session (without xgl/compiz) and place gdesklets where you want them, then log into xgl/compiz and pray there are there. Has worked quite a few times for me

EDIT: Sorry for double post, this can be merged with my other one, it's getting late :(

[bugz0r]

What are the themes and such in each of the screenshots?

[Artificial Intelligence]

GTK2/metacity: D3a
Icon theme: D3a

[Artificial Intelligence]

Tested in Edgy....works on Edgy.

[jhenager]

Another Great Tip.
Ubuntu is starting to make XP look decidedly 'rustic'(see also: butt ugly).
Thanks

Same with cutting edge Vista :p :-D

[Artificial Intelligence]

updated:
Cleaned up in advance eyecandy
added link
removed obsolited links.

[noktekniq]

this is soome cool tricks

[hotbrainz]

thanks for the excellent HOW-To Artificial Intelligence. Really nice stuff.

Just one thing. When putting a new panel from gdesklets with the minimised windows in it, it is a major hassle to move it around. Everytime i do that ... windows open up and i cant do the positioning properly.

[Aaron Whisman]

Hey, thanks for those. Do you, by any chance, know how to put web content onto the Gnome desktop? I want to put my Xbox Live Gamercard on there and it's possible in Windows but I can't seem to find how to insert web content onto the GKT desktop. This is the Xbox website with how to do it on Windows. (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/myxbox/desktopgamercard.htm)

Thanks if you can help please.

[Aaron Whisman]

Please, anyone at all know? I really would love to have my gamercard on my desktop...

[Artificial Intelligence]

Sorry, don't know.

I can advise you to make a new thread about it.

[NoWhereMan]

if that card is an rss you can use a gdesklet for that

[Mazehero55]

the gDesklets site isn't working form me, So I can't find any gdesklets to install from anywhere. is this a bad link or something. it says permission denied.

[jeyaganesh]

Very helpful thread. I changed my desktop into eyecatching environment. Thank you very much.:D

[wxnker]

the gDesklets site isn't working form me, So I can't find any gdesklets to install from anywhere. is this a bad link or something. it says permission denied.

http://gdesklets.zencomputer.ca/

[Nikron]

http://gdesklets.org/ (Offical new gdesklets site I believe.)

Side note: gdesklets doesn't really work well with beryl

[adam.tropics]

I use this on my Gnome install and it's a great guide, thanks.

I am having a play with kde, and I was wondering if there happens to be any Kubuntu users here who might know the equivalent for the symbolic links in the guide that keep root themes etc consistent with your user....as below.

sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.themes /root/.themes
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.icons /root/.icons
sudo ln -s /home/<insert your username here>/.fonts /root/.fonts

[establishment]

Extremely helpful guide! Bravo! :)

[boob11]

thanks

[Depressed Man]

Any idea where to get new panels (or plugins for panels). Or are the ones that shipped with Gnome all the panels there are?

[breakerr]

This a very helpful topic....THAKS a lot, I just wanted to ask something....after playing so much with the desktop and all those settings in case that for any X reason I have to get back to my usual Gnome interface and get to defaults without clicking swtching and flying around how could I or we set panels to defaults...I mean is there a command or something to make all get back to the first confirguration from when you first installed ubuntu.

right now I cant get my panel to show me the little icon with 2computer monitors together showing that I'm connected to internet and also cant find the way to make gaim or any other apllication show in the systray as it was before...apparently I changed something and know I don't know how to fix it.

THANKS A LOT FOR THIS WONDERFUL THREAD

[betawind]

Would anyone happen to have the d3a theme by chance? I've searched high and low for it to no avail.

[Artificial Intelligence]

It have been taken down. Try go to the art forum of this board and ask if anyone have a copy of it.

[betawind]

It have been taken down. Try go to the art forum of this board and ask if anyone have a copy of it.

Wouldn't happen to have a copy of it lying around? Hehehe. I'll check there.

EDIT: Yeah..I apparently can't read.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Nope, I don't have it anymore. Been 2 years since I last used it.

http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=16

[silvar]

ok i've followed the instructions at the beginning of this thread, got everything to work fine, but there was a bit of flickering etc, so i stopped using beryl, uninstalled, but now have problems.

i was using a dark theme before and did the thing that makes a symbolic link between themes/icons etc on ur desktop, and the ones used in programs.

since removing beryl and switching to a light theme, my main menu, drop down boxes and main menu in firefox are all the wrong colour.
(main menu - black, firefox drop boxes - black, firefox top menu bar text - white)
screens:

http://www.britishbombing.com/images/ffox.png
http://www.britishbombing.com/images/menu.png

[goonies]

Failed: Failed: Schema `/schemas/apps/workspace_switcher_applet/prefs/display_all_workspaces' specified for `/apps/panel/applets/applet_3/prefs/display_all_workspaces' stores a non-schema value
Failed: Failed: Schema `/schemas/apps/workspace_switcher_applet/prefs/num_rows' specified for `/apps/panel/applets/applet_3/prefs/num_rows' stores a non-schema value

I am getting the following error after removing LTPager and trying to reload the default gnome workspace switcher. Anyone have any idea whats going on here and how can i fix it?

[NoVista]

If i follow the guide on page 1, with regard to changing my root theme, does that still work for Gutsy, and are there any drawbacks to it?

[Genotrius]

on Gusty; I can't seem to get gcursor to do it's job- pressing the Install button does nothing. Just, nothing.

[Phiber_tek]

Another Great Tip.
Ubuntu is starting to make XP look decidedly 'rustic'(see also: butt ugly).
Thanks


Alright so this may be from 2 years ago none the less, Ubuntu is now making Vista look 'rustic' lol this is amazing something free looking, feeling, and for me being more stable then the biproduct of a bureaucratic $300 piece of software hmm...

[faical117]

wow thanks :-)

[marekj7]

on Gusty; I can't seem to get gcursor to do it's job- pressing the Install button does nothing. Just, nothing.

It's a bug in gcursor https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gcursor/+bug/138491 All of buttons is not working...

I have repaired it. Here is a .deb package: http://ubuntu.marcik.cz/gcursor-bugfix.deb

Installing:
dpkg -i gcursor-bugfix.deb

With regards, Marcik

[Jackp90]

Thank you i was wondering how to do alot of what you just said and then there was some more that i am going to try . . .

Thanks again

[NipplesAndLicks]

when i open Xcursors it wont let me click install or go to theme?

and when i GNOME splash screen it will let me go to the file then it closes and help?

[ReyPorUnDia]

WOW!
Great Topic, Added to my favs!

[cjmabry25]

This is a great guide. I'm doing some of these right away. Thanks so much!

[hyperddude]

That's weird, I don't have a theme button. I go to System > Preferences , and then there's no theme.

EDIT: Ohhhh it's appearances for me, not theme. Gah. Sorry.

[Fancycakes]

Updated the howto:

Added: Howto install cursor themes on ubuntu/gnome.


I installed gcursor and I changed the cursor, but it' switches back to the default cursor when I move the cursor outside of windows, like the status bar or the desktop.

Is this a normal thing that I'll just have to live with or is there something I'm just not getting?

[Artificial Intelligence]

I installed gcursor and I changed the cursor, but it' switches back to the default cursor when I move the cursor outside of windows, like the status bar or the desktop.

Is this a normal thing that I'll just have to live with or is there something I'm just not getting?

Try logout and login again.

[Fancycakes]

Oh, there we go. Thanks a bunch. I really loved the walk-through.

[Artificial Intelligence]

It's very old and lot have changed since.

[faical117]

thanks but gcursor not working well i can't change or add any cursor :(