Ubuntu Desktop Computing Made Easy (Lucid Lynx v10.04)
This is the Lucid Lynx post (Karmic Koala can be found at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1310795). Enjoy and share!
This documentation is intended for folks that would like to add additional programs and applications to their Ubuntu Lucid Lynx installation (the best release yet) for a better overall experience with very little effort. Please keep in mind older computers may have video performance issues due to high CPU usage and increased memory requirements. This post is oriented towards 32 bit systems (although I have included some 64 bit references). There are other posts that are specific to 64 bit systems, especially if you're having difficulties with codecs.
Recommended: Pentium 4 or higher processor with 1Gb SDRAM, 256Mb graphics card, 10/100 Ethernet card and 20Gb hard disk.
The easiest way to perform most of these installs is to copy and paste from this post into a terminal window (found in Applications > Accessories).
Start by going to System > select Administration > select Software Sources > Check the appropriate boxes under the Ubuntu Software, Third-Party Software and Updates tabs > Close and Reload
Install all available Ubuntu updates at this point (there may be an update notification icon on the task bar). Reboot after updating your system and then install as many of the following as you wish.
If you're having slowness issues with the default repository go to System > select Administration > select Software Sources > Ubuntu Software tab > Download from: drop down menu > select Other > click Select Best Server and when it finishes the query click Choose Server > Close and Reload.
Many of these installations require access to the Medibuntu Repository and enabling some additional software sources. Directions are on this site: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu or simply do the following from a terminal window:
sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/$(lsb_release -cs).list \--output-document=/etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list &&
sudo apt-get -q update &&
sudo apt-get --yes -q --allow-unauthenticated install medibuntu-keyring &&
sudo apt-get -q update
If you're having problems with the main Medibuntu Repository manually enter a mirror site's URLs in System > Administration > Software Sources > Other Software. Click close and choose reload (you might get an error message). Then from a terminal prompt run run sudo apt-get --yes -q --allow-unauthenticated install medibuntu-keyring followed by sudo apt-get update.
Mirror 1:
deb http://mirrors.ucr.ac.cr/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free
deb-src http://mirrors.ucr.ac.cr/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free
Mirror 2:
deb http://mirror.oscc.org.my/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free
deb-src http://mirror.oscc.org.my/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free
Mirror 3:
deb ftp://ftp.leg.uct.ac.za/pub/linux/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free
deb-src ftp://ftp.leg.uct.ac.za/pub/linux/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free
Codecs, plug-ins and accessories... are needed for playing various multimedia formats (see above before attempting to install).
sudo apt-get install gstreamer0.10-plugins-good gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-pitfdll gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse gstreamer0.10-fluendo-mp3 gstreamer0.10-gnonlin gstreamer0.10-sdl gstreamer-dbus-media-service gstreamer-tools freepats gstreamer0.10-gnomevfs liba52-0.7.4 libavcodec52 libavformat52 libavutil49 libcdaudio1 libdc1394-22 libdca0 libdvdnav4 libdvdread4 libenca0 libfaac0 libfftw3-3 libfreebob0 libgsm1 libid3tag0 libiptcdata0 libkate1 libmad0 libmimic0 libmjpegtools-1.9 libmms0 libmodplug0c2 libmp3lame0 libmpcdec3 libmpeg2-4 libofa0 libopenspc0 libpostproc51 libquicktime1 libschroedinger-1.0-0 libsidplay1 libsoundtouch1c2 libswscale0 libtwolame0 libwildmidi0 libxml++2.6-2 libxvidcore4 w32codecs libdvdcss2 libxine1-ffmpeg debhelper fakeroot libfftw3-dev sidplay-base liblrdf0-dev xsidplay mplayer avifile-divx-plugin avifile-xvid-plugin dh-make g++-multilib g++-4.3-multilib gcc-4.3-doc libstdc++6-4.3-dbg cvs gettext-doc avifile-mad-plugin avifile-mjpeg-plugin avifile-player avifile-utils avifile-vorbis-plugin avifile-win32-plugin libcurl3-dbg libgcrypt11-doc libggi-target-emu libggi-target-monotext libggimisc2 gnutls-doc gnutls-bin guile-gnutls krb5-doc libraptor1-doc libstdc++6-4.3-doc mplayer-doc diff-doc easytag-aac faac faad ffmpeg ffmpeg2theora flac icedax id3tool id3v2 lame liba52-0.7.4-dev libavfilter0 libflac++6 libid3-3.8.3c2a libjpeg-progs libmp4v2-0 libmpg123-0 libsox-fmt-alsa libsox-fmt-base libsox1a mpeg2dec mpeg3-utils mpegdemux mpg123 mpg321 sox tagtool twolame vorbis-tools build-essential comerr-dev cpp-4.3 dpkg-dev g++ g++-4.3 g++-4.4 g++-4.4-multilib gcc-4.3 gcc-4.3-base gcc-4.3-multilib gcc-4.4-multilib gcc-multilib gettext gnome-mplayer guile-1.8 html2text intltool-debian ladspa-sdk lib64gcc1 lib64gomp1 lib64stdc++6 libao2 libaudio2 libavdevice52 libavifile-0.7c2 libc6-amd64 libc6-dev-amd64 libcurl4-gnutls-dev libdiscid0 libgcc1-dbg libgcrypt11-dev libggi-target-terminfo libggi-target-x libggi2 libgii1 libgii1-target-x libgnutls-dev libgpg-error-dev libgssrpc4 libidn11-dev libkdb5-4 libkrb5-dev libldap2-dev liblrdf0 liblzo2-2 libmail-sendmail-perl libmpeg3-1 libmusicbrainz3-6 libopenal1 libqt3-mt libqt4-xml libqtcore4 libqtgui4 libraptor1-dev libreadline5 libstdc++6-4.3-dev libstdc++6-4.4-dev libsvga1 libsys-hostname-long-perl libtasn1-3-dev libxcb-shape0 libxcb-shm0 libxcb-xv0 libxine1 libxine1-bin libxine1-console libxine1-misc-plugins libxine1-x libxml2-dev libxslt1-dev mplayer-nogui mplayer-skins patch po-debconf zlib1g-dev libdvbpsi5 libebml0 liblua5.1-0 libmatroska0 libsdl-image1.2 jack-tools jackd libjackasyn0 qjackctl libjack0 libdirac-encoder0 libdirac-decoder0 cpp-4.3 diffutils-doc gecko-mediaplayer krb5-multidev libffado2 libkadm5clnt-mit7 libkadm5srv-mit7 raptor-utils jackd-firewire
Note: I've run into a variety of issues when installing the bundled codec packages ubuntu-restricted-extras and non-free-codecs, I don't recommend them. I've included MPlayer, Gnome Mediaplayer, Gecko Mediaplayer, Jackd, EasyTAG and Audio Tag Tool accessories for convenience. The C and C++ libraries are to resolve some dependencies you may encounter.
Adobe Flash
sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree flashplugin-installer
The latest Sun Java JRE
sudo apt-get install gsfonts-x11 java-common odbcinst1debian1 sun-java6-bin sun-java6-fonts sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin unixodbc odbcinst
Kaffeine - KDE Media Player
sudo apt-get install kaffeine
Amarok is a powerful music player for Linux with an intuitive interface.
sudo apt-get install amarok
Ardour, SoundKonverter, LMMS, Jokosher and AcidRip for multimedia recording, editing, conversions, mixing, etc.
sudo apt-get install ardour soundkonverter jokosher lmms acidrip
K9Copy, K3b and DeVeDe when you need DVD, CD, VCD and VCD writer software (requires libdvdcss2)
sudo apt-get install k9copy k3b devede
OpenShot - The Video Editor for Linux
sudo apt-get install openshot frei0r-plugins
GetDeb is another repository you definitely will want. Follow the "How to Install Apps from GetDeb" instructions before attempting to install the following eleven applications. http://www.getdeb.net/updates/Ubuntu/all#how_to_install
If you're having problems with the primary repository this is the mirror site information for System > Administration > Software Sources
deb http://mirrors.dotsrc.org/getdeb/ubuntu lucid-getdeb apps
deb-src http://mirrors.dotsrc.org/getdeb/ubuntu lucid-getdeb apps
If you get a public key error, run this command from a terminal session and then retry.
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 46D7E7CF
VLC (VideoLAN Client) is a portable multimedia player capable of reading most audio and video formats.
http://www.getdeb.net/software/VLC
sudo apt-get install vlc
Audacious2 is the very innovative Audio Replacement for XMMS
http://www.getdeb.net/software/Audacious
sudo apt-get install audacious
Songbird is a desktop Web player, digital jukebox and Web browser mash-up.
http://www.getdeb.net/software/Songbird
sudo apt-get install songbird
Transmageddon supports almost any format as its input and can generate a very large host of output files.
http://www.getdeb.net/software/Transmageddon
sudo apt-get install transmageddon
Audacity is a cross-platform multitrack audio editor.
http://www.getdeb.net/software/Audacity
sudo apt-get install audacity
AceoneISO2 is a CD/DVD image manipulator for Linux (used primarily with .iso files).
http://www.getdeb.net/software/AcetoneISO
sudo apt-get install acetoneiso
Azureus can be handy for things not found with Gnutella (see Firewalls and avast! sections below before using).
http://www.getdeb.net/software/Azureus
sudo apt-get install azureus
Frostwire is similar to Gnutella (see Firewalls and avast! sections below before using).
http://www.getdeb.net/software/Frostwire
sudo apt-get install frostwire
Shutter is a feature-rich screenshot program.
http://www.getdeb.net/software/Shutter
sudo apt-get install shutter
PDF MOD is a simple tool for modifying PDF documents.
http://www.getdeb.net/software/PDFMod
sudo apt-get install pdfmod
KompoZer is a complete web authoring system.
http://www.getdeb.net/software/Kompozer
sudo apt-get install kompozer
Gnutella is a lot like Limewire or Morpheus (see Firewalls and avast! sections below before using).
sudo apt-get install gtk-gnutella
Streamripper will allow you to download internet radio station broadcasts.
sudo apt-get install streamripper
Streamtastic is the java based gui for Streamripper.
Download the stable version from https://code.launchpad.net/streamtastic/+download
Notes: Install Streamripper and then create a folder in your home directory called Streamtastic. Create a sub folder of Streamtastic called downloads. Download Streamtastic and extract the files into the Streamtastic folder. Launch the Streamtastic.sh file from a command prompt (user@ubuntu-desktop:~/Streamtastic$ ./Streamtastic.sh) and when prompted point the download destination to your downloads folder. Select the station you would like to listen to and right-click on the reference to play and/or record. You can play and record at the same time, you'll be prompted to select a player (if you've installed amarok or vlc they're in /usr/bin). If you need to edit the configuration file to change the path to your player or download preferences, it can be found in a hidden .streamtastic folder in your home directory.
If you have folder permissions issues do the following:
sudo chown -R username:username ~/Streamtastic (put in your "username")
sudo chmod -R 700 ~/Streamtastic
Shoutcast is a good place to shop for internet radio stations. http://www.shoutcast.com/
Compiz, Emerald and Screenlets
The default Ubuntu display setup lets you choose from None, Normal or Extra. Make it more configurable with the CompizConfig Settings Manager...found in System > Preferences after installing the following:
sudo apt-get install compiz-core compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-gnome compiz-plugins compiz-fusion-plugins-extra libcompizconfig0 compizconfig-settings-manager python-compizconfig fusion-icon mesa-utils screenlets libtidy-0.99-0 python-chardet python-evolution python-feedparser python-gtkmozembed python-rsvg python-utidylib xfconf libxfce4util-bin libxfce4util-common libxfce4util4 libxfconf-0-2 emerald libemeraldengine0 gnome-art gnome-splashscreen-manager libart2-ruby1.8 libatk1-ruby1.8 libcairo-ruby1.8 libgconf2-ruby libgconf2-ruby1.8 libgdk-pixbuf2-ruby1.8 libglade2-ruby libglade2-ruby1.8 libglib2-ruby1.8 libgnome2-ruby libgnome2-ruby1.8 libgnomecanvas2-ruby1.8 libgtk2-ruby1.8 libpango1-ruby1.8 libruby1.8 ruby ruby1.8 startupmanager gnome-splashscreen-manager libatk1-ruby1.8 libcairo-ruby1.8 libgconf2-ruby libgconf2-ruby1.8 libgdk-pixbuf2-ruby1.8 libglade2-ruby libglade2-ruby1.8 libglib2-ruby1.8 libgtk2-ruby1.8 libpango1-ruby1.8 libruby1.8 ruby ruby1.8
Notes: Make sure you enable Visual Effects "Extra" (right click on your desktop, choose change Desktop Background and click on the Visual Effects tab) before adusting Compiz settings. Reset Compiz defaults by going into CCSM > Preferences > Profile & Backend > Click Reset to defaults.
Various compression/extraction and encoding/decoding utilities...
sudo apt-get install unace rar unrar zip unzip p7zip-full p7zip-rar sharutils uudeview mpack lha arj cabextract file-roller libuu0
PeaZip is a Cross-platform file and archive manager. Features include volume spanning, compression, authenticated encryption. Supports 7Z, 7-Zip sfx, ACE, ARJ, BZ2, CAB, CHM, CPIO, DEB, GZ, ISO, JAR, LHA/LZH, NSIS, OOo, PAQ/LPAQ, PEA, QUAD, RAR, RPM, split, TAR, Z, ZIP.
http://sourceforge.net/search/?type_...t&words=peazip
Note: You'll have to create a menu item for PeaZip, in Applications > Accessories by right-clicking Applications, choosing Edit Menus, selecting Accessories, click New Item and enter in the Name: PeaZip Command: peazip and Comment: File Compression and Extraction Utility. Click the Launcher icon and you'll see peazip.png, highlight and click the Open button then close.
Clam Antivirus (to be listed as Virus Scanner in Applications > Accessories) http://clamtk.sourceforge.net/
sudo apt-get install clamav clamtk
Operations available from a terminal session...
Update virus definitions: sudo freshclam
Scan files in your home directory: sudo clamscan
Scan files in an entire directory: sudo clamscan -r /<directory name>
Scan on the entire drive: sudo clamscan -r /
Email, VoIP and Text Chat
Thunderbird and SpamAssassin for email.
sudo apt-get install thunderbird spamassassin
Note: In Thunderbird go to Tools > Add-ons and add the Lightning extension if you would like a calendar along with your email.
Kopete is an instant messenger client supporting AIM, ICQ, Live Messenger, Yahoo, Jabber, and more.
sudo apt-get install kopete
XChat is an IRC chat program that allows for multiple IRC channels (chat rooms) at the same time.
sudo apt-get install xchat
Pidgin is an easy to use and free chat client to connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and more chat networks all at once.
sudo apt-get install pidgin
Popular fonts for OpenOffice and other word processing applications.
sudo apt-get install ttf-mscorefonts-installer mplayer-fonts ttf-xfree86-nonfree xfs cabextract ttf-liberation ttf-mscorefonts-installer
Fonts, fonts and more fonts (pick and choose).
sudo apt-get install ttf-larabie-straight ttf-larabie-deco xfonts-terminus-dos xfonts-terminus xfonts-terminus-oblique xfonts-mona tv-fonts ttf-tuffy ttf-sjfonts ttf-georgewilliams ttf-fifthhorseman-dkg-handwriting ttf-essays1743 ttf-opensymbol ttf-mgopen ttf-freefont ttf-dustin ttf-dejavu-extra ttf-dejavu-core ttf-dejavu ttf-bpg-georgian-fonts equivs ttf-sil-gentium gnome-specimen bsd-mailx dctrl-tools devscripts diffstat dput libapt-pkg-perl libauthen-sasl-perl libdevel-symdump-perl libio-pty-perl libio-stringy-perl libipc-run-perl libparse-debcontrol-perl libpod-coverage-perl libterm-size-perl libtest-pod-perl lintian patchutils postfix wdiff
Note: Postfix is is associated with some of these fonts, be careful not to modify Postfix configurations if required for email purposes, otherwise select "no configuration" when prompted.
I typically don’t use Arabic and Asian fonts, to remove them from a terminal window type:
sudo apt-get remove ttf-kochi-mincho ttf-kochi-gothic ttf-arabeyes ttf-arphic-ukai ttf-arphic-uming ttf-baekmuk ttf-bengali-fonts ttf-devanagari-fonts ttf-gentium ttf-gujarati-fonts ttf-indic-fonts ttf-kannada-fonts ttf-kochi-gothic ttf-lao ttf-malayalam-fonts ttf-mgopen ttf-oriya-fonts ttf-punjabi-fonts ttf-tamil-fonts ttf-telugu-fonts ttf-thai-tlwg ttf-unfonts-core ttf-indic-fonts-core ttf-wqy-zenhei
Note: Add them by simply using install instead of remove.
HP printer driver issues? http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/downloads.html
Adobe still makes one of the best .pdf viewers.
sudo apt-get install acroread acroread-fonts
PDFedit is editor for manipulating PDF documents.
sudo apt-get install pdfedit
Printing to PDF is a little tricky, first install the PDF print driver.
sudo apt-get install cups-pdf
Then create the default "PDF" save to folder in your home directory (ex. \home\<user name>\PDF)
Lastly, change the permissions on the following folder and file...
sudo chmod 755 /usr/lib/cups/backend
sudo chmod 700 /usr/lib/cups/backend/cups-pdf
AbiWord is a fast and easy to use word processing program.
sudo apt-get install abiword
gLabels is a program for creating labels and business cards for the GNOME desktop environment.
sudo apt-get install glabels glabels-data
iSpell comes in handy when spell checking documents from a terminal window
sudo apt-get install ispell iamerican spell
Wordnet is a comprehensive word database maintained by Princeton University
sudo apt-get install wordnet tcl8.5 tk8.5 wordnet-base wordnet-gui
The web interface for Wordnet is http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
FBReader is an e-book reader for various platforms.
sudo apt-get install fbreader
Dia is similar to Microsoft® Visio.
sudo apt-get install dia
GanttProject is a tool for creating a project schedule with Gantt and resource load charts.
http://ganttproject.biz/download.php
Gnome Planner for Gant charts and project plans.
sudo apt-get install planner
OpenProj is a desktop replacement of Microsoft Project.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/openproj/files/
Scribus is a desktop publishing application.
sudo apt-get install scribus
Inkscape and Skencil for illustrations.
sudo apt-get install inkscape
Gimp is an incredible image editing application.
sudo apt-get install gimp gimp-data gimp-data-extras gimp-gap gimp-plugin-registry libbabl-0.0-0 libblas3gf libgegl-0.0-0 libgfortran3 libgimp2.0 libglew1.5 libgtkglext1 liblapack3gf liblqr-1-0 libtiff-tools gimp-help-en icc-profiles glew-utils libtiff-opengl freeglut3 gimp-help-common libglewmx1.5
Byzanz records your desktop and saves to animated GIF files (great for tutorials) that are viewable in any web browser.
sudo apt-get install byzanz
Note: Byzanz is a panel applet and not listed in Applications, add it by right-clicking the panel and selecting Add to Panel > Desktop Recorder. Desktop effects have to be turned off to use Byzanz. More information is available by typing man byzanz-record from a terminal window.
Xara Xtreme is a user friendly vector graphics drawing program.
sudo apt-get install xaralx xaralx-examples
Blender is open source software for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, interactive creation and playback.
sudo apt-get install blender
webKam is simple webcam application http://code.google.com/p/webkam-kde4/downloads/list
Elltube is a YouTube downloader and converter http://elltube.sourceforge.net/download
If you program in C\C++ languages you’ll need Build-Essential packages.
sudo apt-get install build-essential
Geany is a fast and lightweight IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for programming in various languages.
sudo apt-get install geany
Bluefish is an editor for experienced web designers and programmers supporting many programming and markup languages.
sudo apt-get install bluefish
Eclipse is an awesome open-source IDE for Java, C/C++ and Python.
http://johnpaulett.com/2009/06/26/in...ubuntu-jaunty/
Note: Eclipse is available from the repositories but limits you to java development by default, I recommend the manual install referenced above. If you are "fortunate" enough to develop apps in C/C++ this link should help as well... http://www.eclipse.org/cdt/downloads.php
Vim, Gvim and Cream may come in handy for file editing (gedit works good too).
sudo apt-get install vim-doc cscope vim-gnome vim-gui-common vim-runtime emacsen-common tclreadline cbrowser cream
Gedit (Text Editor in Accessories) is installed by default but the plugins are not...
sudo apt-get install gedit-plugins
Note: Enable Gedit plugins in Edit > Preferences > Plugins.
The Gedit wiki is at http://live.gnome.org/Gedit
jEdit is a java based full featured editor (make sure you have Sun JRE installed).
sudo apt-get install jedit
Meld is a visual diff and merge tool.
sudo apt-get install meld
gFTP is a generic FTP client (port 21 is typical and consider file permissions when uploading).
sudo apt-get install gftp gftp-common gftp-gtk gftp-text
Convert .rpm files to .deb http://www.howtoforge.com/converting...deb_with_alien
sudo apt-get install alien
Htop, SysInfo and HardInfo for referencing system information and benchmarking.
sudo apt-get install htop sysinfo hardinfo
Fish (the applet, not the shell) is a fun animated panel applet that tells fortunes.
sudo apt-get install fortune-mod fortunes-min librecode0
Note: Add the panel applet by right-clicking the panel and selecting Add to Panel > Fish.
Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer.
sudo apt-get install stellarium
Note: The users guide for Stellarium can be found at http://softlayer.dl.sourceforge.net/...e-0.10.2-1.pdf
Glipper is a clipboard manager for the GNOME panel.
sudo apt-get install glipper
Note: If Clipboard manager does not appear in the panel applet menu, in a terminal window cd /usr/lib/glipper then run ./glipper It should allow you to add it as a panel applet at this point. The keyboard shortcut is <Ctrl><Alt>c
GNOME Commander is a "two-pane" graphical filemanager for the Gnome desktop environment.
sudo apt-get install gnome-commander
Add some useful features to Nautilus...
sudo apt-get install libapr1 libaprutil1 libsvn1 nautilus-actions nautilus-gksu nautilus-image-converter nautilus-open-terminal nautilus-script-audio-convert nautilus-script-collection-svn nautilus-script-manager nautilus-scripts-manager nautilus-wallpaper subversion
Note: Nautilus will display a two pane view by pressing F3 (thanks Paresh!).
NTFS Configuration Tool mounts NTFS drives (2000/XP/2003/Vista).
sudo apt-get install ntfs-config
gksudo ntfs-config
Note: Found in System > Administration.
luckyBackup...a powerful, fast and reliable backup & sync tool http://luckybackup.sourceforge.net/download.html
Partimage system backup, instructions can be found at: http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/partimage
sudo apt-get install partimage
KDE Partition Manager allows you to manage your disks, partitions and file systems:
sudo apt-get install partitionmanager
Note: Documentation can be found at http://docs.kde.org/development/en/e...ger/index.html
GParted is the GNOME partition editor for creating, reorganizing and deleting disk partitions.
sudo apt-get install gparted dmraid jfsutils kpartx xfsprogs reiserfsprogs reiser4progs ntfsprogs libdmraid1.0.0.rc16 libparted0
Note: Documentation can be found at http://gparted.sourceforge.net/
Reconstructor will help you create your own Ubuntu based distribution http://www.reconstructor.org/wiki/reconstructor
Defrag (or fidefrag I should say)
sudo apt-get install bzr python-psyco bzrtools python-paramiko
bzr branch lp:fidefrag
cd fidefrag/src
sudo python fidefrag.py -d /<directory name>
Note: It's not a good idea to defrag your whole system, some directories won't react very well. I typically defrag /usr (this one takes a long time), /var, /lib, /home, /etc, /bin and /sbin
Google Earth install: http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2009/0...h-5-on-ubuntu/
Rainy days or a lot of time to kill? Frozen Bubble is a very addictive game.
sudo apt-get install frozen-bubble fb-music-high frozen-bubble-data libmikmod2 libsdl-console libsdl-gfx1.2-4 libsdl-mixer1.2 libsdl-net1.2 libsdl-pango1 libsdl-perl libsdl-ttf2.0-0 libsmpeg0
Kids in the house? Childsplay, GCompris and TuxPaint.
sudo apt-get install childsplay childsplay-alphabet-sounds-bg childsplay-alphabet-sounds-en-gb python-numpy python-pygame python-sqlalchemy gcompris gcompris-sound-en tuxpaint tuxpaint-config gnucap gcompris-data libgnet2.0-0 libnetpbm10 netpbm tuxpaint-data tuxpaint-plugins-default tuxpaint-stamps-default libfltk1.1 glchess libportmidi0 python-gtkglext1 python-opengl
Firewalls
Internet security is important these days and firewalls can be quite complex, hopefully the following will help...use only one of these two applications and please read all of the documentation first. Most people are already behind a broadband router configured to give you "TruStealth" protection on the internet...check your current protection at the Sheilds Up! link below before being too concerned.
ufw ("uncomplicated firewall" included with Ubuntu), by default is set to "allow" all network traffic, the wiki instructions are at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Un...d_Firewall_ufw then sudo ufw enable the firewall at system startup.
Personally I would rather use the gui interface for ufw...
sudo apt-get install gufw
Firestarter is quite easy to configure https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Firestarter
sudo apt-get install firestarter menu
Check your firewall protection at Sheilds Up! (click Proceed and use the All Service Ports option).
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
Wireshark is a full featured network protocol analyzer.
sudo apt-get install wireshark
Simple file encryption using GnuPG
From a terminal window in the directory where the file is stored:
gpg -c <filename> (encrypts, prompts twice for pass-phrase, creates <filename.gpg>)
gpg <filename.gpg> (decrypts, prompts for pass-phrase)
Notes: The source file can be deleted or moved after encryption. Sometimes when decrypting the pass-phrase prompt will pop-up behind the pinentry window. Type man gpg from a terminal window for more options. If you would like more advanced file encryption with keys and signatures visit http://www.gnupg.org/documentation/howtos.en.html for more information.
Advanced file encryption with GNU Privacy Assistant (use with caution and knowledge)
sudo apt-get install gpa
The Lucid wiki can be found here http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Lucid
The Karmic wiki can be found here http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Karmic
The Jaunty wiki can be found here http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Jaunty
The UNR (Ubuntu Netbook Remix) wiki is here https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UNR
Ubuntu Manpage Repository http://manpages.ubuntu.com/
The Ubuntu Pocket Guide can be found at http://www.ubuntupocketguide.com/download_main.html
Ubuntu Desktop Essentials http://www.techotopia.com/index.php/...top_Essentials
ListOfOpenSourcePrograms https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Li...SourcePrograms
Best 100 Open Source Applications http://ubuntulinuxhelp.com/top-100-o...-applications/
Best 50 Ubuntu Opensource Applications For Design And Developing http://www.emmaalvarez.com/2007/12/t...pensource.html
GetDeb software site for Ubuntu and Debian http://www.getdeb.net/
Gnome Desktop software site http://www.gnomefiles.org/
Linux App Finder http://linuxappfinder.com/
KDE-Apps.org http://www.kde-apps.org/
Ubuntu PPA Search https://edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+ppas
Ubuntu Games https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Games
Cool wallpaper and more http://www.kde-look.org/
Maximus Issues (windows always maximize when an application is launched)
If you have a Netbook and auto maximize windows is driving you crazy try this from a terminal window: type gconf-editor then go to Apps > Maximus > check no_maximize
If Firefox windows open off screen or are too large to use, you may need to reset Firefox's controls and toolbars.
1. Close down Firefox completely: On the Firefox window, click the File menu then select Exit.
2. From a terminal window type: firefox -safe-mode
3. Firefox should start up with a Firefox Safe Mode dialog with options.
4. Check mark Reset toolbars and controls.
5. Click Make Changes and Restart to restart Firefox
Get your Trash Can and other desktop icons back...
The default for new installed Ubuntu is clean desktop. So, for example, if you want to get your Trash Icon back you need to change the default setting.
Step 1. Run Desktop Configuration Editor
Open Application > Accessories > Terminal and type gconf-editor.
Step 2. Change the value for trash_icon_visible
After the Desktop configuration Editor is displayed, open apps > nautilus > desktop and click the value for trash_icon_visible. This also works for your computer, home and network icons.
Setup Samba peer-to-peer with Windows http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=202605
Install Samba stuff
sudo apt-get install samba samba-common samba-tools smbclient swat samba-doc samba-doc-pdf smbfs libpam-smbpass libsmbclient libsmbclient-dev winbind samba-dbg libwbclient0 smbldap-tools ldb-tools keyutils libuser1 python-libuser system-config-samba libconvert-asn1-perl libcrypt-smbhash-perl libdigest-md4-perl libjcode-pm-perl libldb0 libnet-ldap-perl libtevent0 libunicode-map-perl libunicode-map8-perl libunicode-maputf8-perl libunicode-string-perl libdigest-sha1-perl openbsd-inetd
Once Samba is installed you can setup a very basic shared folder as follows:
You’ll need to create Samba passwords with this command:
sudo smbpasswd -a USERNAME
Make a backup copy of the original smb.conf file, in case you make an error:
sudo cp /etc/samba/smb.conf ~
Add a share to the very end of the file:
sudo gedit /etc/samba/smb.conf
[mystuff]
path = /home/USERNAME/mystuff
available = yes
valid users = USERNAME
read only = no
browsable = yes
public = yes
writable = yes
(There should be no spaces between the lines, and note also that there should be a single space both before and after each of the equal signs.)
Save the file and restart samba with this command:
sudo service samba restart
Use this command from a terminal window to check that your smb.conf doesn’t contain any syntax errors: testparm
Don't forget to create your shared folder and modify the permissions as needed. You may also have to allow specific IP address TCP/UDP access through your firewall as well. Keep in mind if security is an issue to read up a lot more on the topic.
How to setup remote access http://www.techotopia.com/index.php/..._Linux_Desktop
Alternative shells for Linux...
C, K, T, Z & Fish shells
sudo apt-get install csh ksh tcsh zsh fish xsel zsh-doc
Bash Reference Manual http://www.gnu.org/software/bash/manual/bashref.html
chmod calculator http://www.javascriptkit.com/script/...chmodcal.shtml
Adding a Personal Package Archive (PPA) to your Ubuntu repositories
Adding a PPA to Ubuntu takes no more than a couple of minutes.
Step 1: Copy the lines from the apt sources.list entries section of the PPA overview page. For example:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-wine/ppa/ubuntu lucid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-wine/ppa/ubuntu lucid main
Step 2: On your Ubuntu computer, open System > Administration > Software Sources.
Step 3: Click the Third Party Software tab.
Step 4: Click the Add button.
Step 5: Paste the individual lines copied in step 1 by clicking the Add Source button.
When prompted, reload the software sources information. Don't worry if you see a warning about unverified software sources; we're going to fix that next.
Adding the PPA's key to Ubuntu
Now Ubuntu knows about the PPA. It also needs to know how to check the software hasn't changed since Launchpad built it.
Note: This is not an endorsement of any of the software in PPAs. You must make sure you trust the PPA owner before installing their software.
Step 1: On the PPA's overview page you'll see the PPA's OpenPGP key id. It'll look something like this: 1024/12345678. Copy it, or make a note of, the portion after the slash, e.g: 12345678.
Step 2: Open your terminal and enter:
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 12345678
Replace 12345678 with the key id you copied in step 1.
Step 3: Finally, tell Ubuntu to re-load the details of each software archive it knows about:
sudo apt-get update
You're now ready to install software from a PPA, using a tool such as apt-get in the Terminal or Synaptic.
Chromium (Google chrome)
sudo apt-get install chromium-browser (after repositories are added)
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu lucid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu lucid main
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 4E5E17B5
Note: If you hate underlines as much as I do, this extension for Chrome should help http://www.chromeextensions.org/appe...erlined-links/
Compiz
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/compiz/ubuntu lucid main
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 42C24D89
ClamAV
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-clamav/ppa/ubuntu lucid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-clamav/ppa/ubuntu lucid main
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 5ADC2037
Shutter
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/shutter/ppa/ubuntu lucid main
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 009ED615
FireFox
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/fta/ppa/ubuntu lucid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/fta/ppa/ubuntu lucid main
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 0C713DA6
X Updates
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates/ubuntu lucid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates/ubuntu lucid main
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com AF1CDFA9
Collection of useful commands...
---------------------------------------------------------------
Searching for Packages: apt-cache search some_string
Show Package Info: apt-cache showpkg xxx
Show Package Dependencies: apt-cache depends xxx
Install: apt-get install xxx
Re-Install: apt-get --reinstall install xxx
Remove: apt-get remove xxx
Remove All (configs too): apt-get remove --purge xxx
Upgrade: apt-get -u upgrade
Show Upgrades: apt-show-versions -u
Show All Installed Packages: dpkg --list
Find Package by File Name: apt-file search /bin/ping
Find filenames in a Package: apt-file list xxx
Updating the apt-file Cache: apt-file update
Info on Installed Package: aptitude show xxx
System Hardware Info: sudo lshw > hardware.txt
Linux Command Directory http://www.oreillynet.com/linux/cmd/
Linux Commands - A practical reference http://www.pixelbeat.org/cmdline.html
Clean up your system and free up space with sudo apt-get clean and sudo apt-get autoremove
If you're curious (like me) or have the need to know uname -a && cat /etc/*release in a terminal window will tell you the kernel version and release date, the distro id/release/codename/description.
Ok, about wine...in most cases a free to use Linux program will work just as well as apps on that other well known operating system. I don't recommend it but for the folks that like wine this wiki should help https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wine
Wine Application Database (AppDB) http://appdb.winehq.org/
To my friends...
I'm more than willing to add your suggestions and reference your favorite applications, this is your post as much as mine. I do ask that you keep the description brief and on a general level and degree of difficulty minimal (for new users) when making recommendations. I started posting "Ubuntu Desktop Computing Made Easy" a while back (Gutsy Gibbon) mainly out of the frustration I had getting my workstation and personal computer to perform as expected (without hours upon hours of setup, search and configuration). It's my goal to make it "easy" for anyone to setup an Ubuntu Desktop Computer with everything they need or want, in a short period of time, ensuring the overall experience is an enjoyable one.
Note: This post can be found very quickly by doing a Google search on Ubuntu Desktop Computing Made Easy. If you would like to link to this post or publish it elsewhere I do request that you obtain permission and give credit where credit is due.
Regards,
-TrakerJon
Dell GX270 3.2GHz Pentium 4 w/ 2Gb SDRAM using NVIDIA GeForce 6200 AGP w/ 256Mb video and MSI Wind Netbook U100 1.6GHz Intel Atom w/ 2Gb SDRAM using Intel Mobile 945GME Express video on Ubuntu 10.04
Adv Reply
Originally Posted by mb_webguy
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