So I want to set up a compiz standalone desktop with gnome pie, gnome do, cairo dock, and conky. I've tried to follow the wiki instructions and the instructions at the webupd8 site, and I have a session I can boot into, but I still have a few problems.

- even with gnome-settings-daemon enabled, I have a blank (black) desktop with no apparent way to change the background
- cairo-dock has a black box around it, and I'm fairly sure compositing is enabled, but I'm not sure how to check.
- none of my windows have borders or title bars.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.