The best way to install Compiz Fusion on Ubuntu Feisty

[Forlong]

I have written a complete how-to over the weekend how you can install and configure the packages of Amaranth's repository:
The best way to install Compiz Fusion on Ubuntu Feisty

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Update: I finally managed to put up another how-to that's recommended for Kubuntu and Xubuntu users. Just follow the link above and decide after the introduction which guide to use.
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These packages have been backported from Gutsy (Ubuntu's next release) and are therefore pretty stable in comparison to the other packages around.

I took the time to write this because I felt it was necessary to give people that are new to Ubuntu and/or Compiz a detailed guide how to set things up (more experienced users can use this as well, of course).
Also there are a lot of threads in the forums with people complaining latest update broke their Compiz, or the like.
I think this is mostly due to the fact, that the packported repository isn't established enough - most people seem not to know there's a reasonable alternative to a bleeding edge install.

I hope this will help people to get an awesome Compiz Fusion install as well as a glimpse of how to set things up.


Regards,
Nick


P.S. The guide is written with the "standard ubuntu user" in mind - that means it focuses on installing Compiz Fusion on GNOME.
I'm writing an additional guide for experienced users atm (exclusively with terminal commands), where I will also focus on installing Compiz Fusion on KDE and Xfce.

[ru0n]

Great Guide! I'll try it out later today.

[CAD-MAN]

Ah, good stuff - I'll give it a try in a couple of days!

[Pablo Pablovski]

Thanks - really useful guide to setting up Compiz. I've bookmarked it for when things go sadly awry.

[BottomsUp]

Awesome thanks. Yes, Im new to Linux and yes Ive been stuggling with this for days.

I ran into a problem. When I get to the part about launching Compiz under First steps I cant launch it.

The problem is this button were there from a previous failed attempt and didnt disappear after I removed the package. Clicking it does nothing. I also have a compiz icon in another location. See screeshots below...any ideas?

TIA

[Forlong]

The fusion-icon is not included in the repository, as it's not considered to be stable enough.

But you don't really need that anyway. Just do as I said in the how-to:
Press [Alt]+[F2] and type:

compiz --replace

If you want a starter on the panel (or the desktop) use this command for that - also if you want to start Compiz by default, add this command to System → Preferences → Sessions → Startup Programs.

I hope this helps.

The Compizconfig Settings Manager icon should work, though.


P.S. if there's a specific part in the guide that's not clear enough for you or if you miss something, please leave a comment in the blog entry, so I can advance the how-to.

[orange2k]

I followed this guide, and let me tell you: this is the best ******* guide for installing compiz fusion that Ive seen so far. For the first time since I started using compiz (or beryl for that matter), can I say that Ive experienced no troubles or errors. No more constant searching and asking unneccessary questions on the forum for me...

I think this guide of yours deserves a special place in the forum, as the best/most-easy-to-use for newbies such as myself...

It should become a sticky...

One more time: this kicks major ***...

[ozzyprv]

thank you Forlong.

I will give it a try once I get home.
I have try every single guide out there for installing Compiz. So far, no luck.
This is what always happens:
I always start from strach, clean install followed by a Nvidia driver update to get my 1140x900 resolution.
Then as soon as I enable Desktop Effects I loss my wondow borders. The only way to get them back is by running "metacity --replace" which in turn stops Compiz....

Forlong, does your guide assumes one has "Desktop Effects" enabled?

Thank you.

[BottomsUp]

Originally Posted by Forlong The fusion-icon is not included in the repository, as it's not considered to be stable enough. But you don't really need that anyway. Just do as I said in the how-to: Press [Alt]+[F2] and type: compiz --replace If you want a starter on the panel (or the desktop) use this command for that - also if you want to start Compiz by default, add this command to System → Preferences → Sessions → Startup Programs. I hope this helps. The Compizconfig Settings Manager icon should work, though. P.S. if there's a specific part in the guide that's not clear enough for you or if you miss something, please leave a comment in the blog entry, so I can advance the how-to.

Thanks. My problem is that when I try to perform this step..clicking the CompizConfig Settings Manager via System → Preferences doesn´t do anything. Its like the button is corrupted or something. Any ideas?

Also, if I run compiz --replace from the terminal I get this message. compiz (core) - Fatal: No composite extension. I ran it from Alt-F2, but nothing happened.
Thanks again.

First steps

Before we launch Compiz for the first time, start the CompizConfig Settings Manager via System → Preferences.

* There we click on Preferences and in the Backend section choose "Flat-file Configuration Backend" (this is the most reliable and it won't mess with your previous settings of Compiz in gconf).
* Then click Back and look for the Window Decoration button. Right next to Command, type gtk-window-manager (this will prevent the window borders to disappear in certain situations) - if you want to use Emerald as your default window decorator, see below.

[Techpenguin]

when i finally manage to get ubuntu i'll try it