My Little Ubuntu Guide

After a long stint with the Enemy (Windows) I finally got Ubuntu back on my system and better than ever. I’m ashamed that I had to do the Windows thing for a while, but alas, I needed to use some fancy schmancy video editing software…yada yada yada.

The point is I’m using Ubuntu Hardy Heron 8.04 and LOVING IT.

So I’m back to the gamat of creating scripts and installs, fixing issues, etc. for all you fellow Linux lovers who want it to JUST WORK on your laptop.

I’m still using the Dell Inspiron, but am finding many similarities in other system configs, so I’ll try to focus more on the guts of the system when talking and creating scripts.

Another cool thing: I’m setting up a totally new site, at this domain, that will be membership based, have a forum, have an easier to navigate interface for getting scripts, and eventually a really nice little guide. Yeah, an actual guide like the name implies!

Anyway, good to be back and I’ll start updating stuff asap.

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So I went ahead and decided to test this Alpha 6 version of the new 8.04 Ubuntu release scheduled for April sometime. I have to say, this is a HUGE improvement over Gutsy. It feels like this is the correct step up from Feisty and that Gutsy was what Windows ME was to Microsoft! Remember, stuff broke more!

So anyway, I’m not going to do the normal review everyone is doing, instead I want to focus on some of the granular changes that impressed me. I will however, do a quick overview of the obvious:

Obvious Changes

1. Hibernate Works with the Restricted FGLRX driver (thank goodness, because ATI’s official driver is still buggy).
2. Wireless is now handled by the b43 module for Broadcom chipsets (as opposed to the bcm43xx, now deprecated)
3. Software is more up to date, using Firefox 3 Beta 4, which is WAY COOL! It has features like the option to Save and Close, which saves your tabs and tell it to always do that…a “Smart” bookmarking system that keeps track of your most visited, etc., sites, cleaner and easier to use interface, etc….
4. Security is more advanced in the system, handling access rights to certain Admin tasks better.
5. The Tracker indexing service is much improved and easier to use/access.
6. A new Wifi feature called “Edit Wireless Networks” that allows you to see the most recently/common wifi networks you connect to and edit their settings, security, etc.

Now for the subtle changes

1. Disk checking is improved and actually gives you smart feedback on bootup when it runs, telling you the percentage it’s complete, what stage it’s in, etc. It also has a Skip option! Very nice.
2. When you mount an ISO image the system recognizes this and automatically places a CD icon on your Desktop! Awesome!
3. Regarding the install CD, you have the option to do an install, where it boots right into the install process, saving a lot of time by not loading up the desktop.
4. Compiz has new features and options, one I like is when you click an icon in your task bar to open the app, a tiny image of the icon zooms out, neet effect.
5. Remote Desktop Viewer added, which allows you to connect to other Ubuntu systems running with it enabled. It appears to be VNC so you could probably connect to any system running VNC…anyone know for sure?
6. File copy is much better, allowing you the option to Merge if there are folders with the same name. Also gives a nicer progress indicator and still has the Replace and Skip options.

So that’s the summary so far. I’ve had success running everything except Wifi. It’s buggy still. Sometimes it works and other times I can’t see any networks around! Weird. Also, it’s only successfully connected me to Open networks so far, any feedback from any of you on this? I’ve gone through what feels like millions of variations to fix this and so far still not 100%.

It is Alpha however, so I’m not shocked by this. Also, another notable bug is that the Restriced Drivers Manager, now called Hardware Drivers, crashes after FGLRX and Wifi have been installed.

Oh, here’s something else VERY important. When you install the Wifi b43 module, don’t use the Hardware Drivers panel to do it. It doesn’t do a complete job and you won’t have Wifi. Instead go to a terminal and install it manually:

sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter

Then choose Yes when it asks if you want to download and install the firmware.

That’s it for now…I’ll update as I go along.

CDs are still in the works. I’m in a crunch right now thus the delay.

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So after compiling a zillion kernels I got fed up and decided to try the latest and greatest ATI driver. And what do you know, AIGLX is working great now! Smooth as silk and speedy too…

Until I get a cleaner and more accurate how-to up, refer to this post I did earlier: http://www.mylittleubuntuguide.com/2007/12/30/how-to-ati-w-compiz-hibernate-and-suspend-working/

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UPDATE: Ok, after the initial custom kernel build everything broke. But that was my lack of foresight. So I’m doing it again, this time using the SAME KERNEL that was on here. (I accidentally installed the latest stable kernel rather than the current which broke all my restricted driver stuff and modules, etc.) I’m also grabbing a copy of the Alpha 6 release of Hardy Heron based on some reports that this may be more stable for testing.

—————————————————–

Sorry for the delay in posting everyone, I’ve been taking care of my wife and little girl who both came down with the flu. Then I got a little bit of it myself on Saturday, but I’m getting better now!

Today I did my first custom kernel for my Dell 6400. Keep in mind I’m not a bit kernel customizer so I may need to do this a few times to get it right, but I will get it right. The primary purpose of this is to fix the SLUB issue that is causing Hibernate and Suspend to fail. I also want to do a custom kernel with each new release to make the boot process a little “lighter”.

The deb file is almost complete from the compiling with SLAB used and this should fix all the power issues. Once I’ve tested it on my system, if it works, I’ll make it available for download.

Also, if anyone wants to take the time to determine the exact hardware on the Dell 6400 I’d love you to post it in a comment. This will be very helpful in creating the custom kernel and trimming out all the unnecessary stuff.

Thanks!

John Westbrook
www.MyLittleUbuntuGuide.com

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Hardy Heron, aka Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, is set for release in April. This comes as great news for a few reasons. Hardy Heron promises to fix the annoying Hibernate/Suspend issues and add some pizaz to Ubuntu overall.

Sporting the latest in Kernel, X, and Firefox (3), this new release may be a gigantic leap for Linux as a solution and replacement for Windows.

The Live CD comes with the ability to install within a Windows environment, just as you would any Windows application, so you can test it (minus the hibernate/suspend) on your machine before committing to it.

Enhanced security features demonstrates Ubuntu’s ability to “nip it in the bud” when it comes to foreseeing future security issues. They’ve even added a built-in firewall, which is very cool.

To see all the new features of this upcoming release, visit www.ubuntu.com/testing.

Enjoy!

John

P.S. Those Live CDs are coming…I’m running into some minor issues in the creation and need to work out all the kinks before I let you at ‘em. Thanks for your patience!

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Here’s some fun screenshots for ya:

My Mac Look Alike Desktop

The Mac Look Alike Dock

The Mac Look Alike Genie Effect

This is Better Than Mac!

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So I wanted to show you how to get some extra stuff working, since these have been problematic and now fixed for me. You are all no-doubt familiar with Google Earth and Wine, but AWN just so you know is “Avant Window Navigator”. It’s a really cool “dock” type app that lets you run a doc similar to Apple’s.

Below are scripts you can download and run for AWN and Wine or follow the steps.

Scripts for AWN and Wine:
AWN
1. Download Script HERE
2. Run With The Following Command:
sudo sh awn

Wine
1. Download Script HERE
2. Run With The Following Command:
sudo sh wine

How To Get Google Earth To Work With ATI and Compiz:
1. Install Google Earth
2. Download the following tar and extract into the GoogleEarth folder (usually at /home/yourname/googleearth/), replacing the old files:
Download Google Earth Fix
3. Start Google Earth and it should work perfectly even within an XGL/Compiz session!

How To Install AWN:
1. Add the following to the end of your /etc/apt/sources.list file:
## Avant Window Navigator
deb http://download.tuxfamily.org/syzygy42/ feisty avant-window-navigator
deb-src http://download.tuxfamily.org/syzygy42/ feisty avant-window-navigator

2. Now get the key before updating:
wget http://download.tuxfamily.org/syzygy42/8434D43A.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -

3. Now you can update:
sudo apt-get update

4. Now install AWN:
sudo apt-get install avant-window-navigator-bzr awn-core-applets-bzr libawn-bzr

How to Install The Latest Wine (supports Photoshop CS2):
1. First get the key:
wget -q http://wine.budgetdedicated.com/apt/387EE263.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -

2. Now add the Gutsy repository:
sudo wget http://wine.budgetdedicated.com/apt/sources.list.d/gutsy.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/winehq.list

3. Now update your sources and install Wine:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install wine

That’s it!

Enjoy!

John

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Ok, the CD is not finished yet, but I did get some scripting done for you all. If you’d like an easy way to configure your Dell Inspiron Ubuntu install once you’ve installed the base system, do this:

1. Download the following script into your home directory and run it.
Download Script
Run it with the following command:
sh ~/config.sh

Here’s the Readme file:
Download Readme

What this does:
If you just installed Gutsy (7.10) on your Dell Inspiron system, you will have poor resolution, no WiFi, and other issues. To fix all this without any difficulty, run the script. It will upgrade your system and then reboot it. Once it’s rebooted, run the script again from your home directory and it will then proceed to enable the restricted drivers, install XGL and Compiz-Fusion, and even install some extra Compiz plugins if you choose!

Hope this helps!

Enjoy!

John

[EDIT]

Oops! Had to fix a small mistake, the scripts should work now.

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Ok, the Gutsy CD is currently being built and I’ll be testing it shortly. After tests I’ll need to see about it’s size and if it will fit on a CD. I’ll keep you all posted!

John

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The Feisty and Gutsy CDs are currently not working correctly. I’m working to fix them and will update when they are. So hang tight everyone!

John

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The following guide is how I install a fresh version of Ubuntu 7.10 “Gutsy Gibbon” on my Dell Inspiron 6400 with ATI Restricted Drivers (fglrx), WiFi, XGL, Compiz, etc. This will give you a graphically fast system but with no Hibernate or Suspend. Also, boot into the system is slower.

So really it’s a toss-up. If fast, nice, graphics are priority and you don’t care how long it takes to boot your system or whether you can hibernate/suspend, this is the How To for you. But if suspend/hibernate are more important than graphics, go with the Official ATI How To that I posted before this. It will be choppy compiz but will suspend and hibernate.

1 - Install system - I do a partition like this:
sda1 = 16 GB - Mounted at / (root)
sda2 = 135 GB - Mounted at /home
sda3 = 1 GB swap

By doing a separate partition mounted to /home, I don’t ever have to format it and can reinstall my system as much as I like without destroying my own data. I do always clean my /home directory before I do a fresh install however. To clean it I move the bookmark, key3, and signon files from within /home/john/.mozilla/firefox/***profile/ to a directory in my Documents folder. I then delete all the folders and files preceded with a “.” This way all my settings are reset on a new install. Just my preference.

2 - After installation & reboot, login to new system

3 - Go to System > Administration > Software Sources
- Uncheck “CDROM with Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon)”
- Click the “Third-Party Software” tab and check all
- Click Close
- At the popup click “Reload”

4 - Open a terminal: Applications > Accessories > Terminal and run the following:

gksu gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
- When the editor opens look for any remaining entries that begin with deb or deb-src that are commented out with “#” and uncomment them (remove the “#” in front of them. Only do this for lines beginning in “deb” or “deb-src”. There should be at least two of them.
- After changing it, save it and close
- Now type the following to update your sources:

sudo apt-get update
- Close the terminal window

5 - Right click the update icon in the top right of the screen, it’s either grey or orange with a star in the middle. Choose “Check for Updates” from the drop down menu and wait. When the icon turns orange, double click it. At the popup, click “Install Updates”. Wait for updates to finish. When finished click “Close” and again, “Close”.

6 - A blue recycle looking icon will appear in the top right, double click it and choose “Restart Now”. After system reboots, login.

8 - OPTIONAL - This step is necessary only if you will be building anything, such as installing VMWare.
- Open a terminal: Applications > Accessories > Terminal and run the following:
sudo apt-get install build-essential fakeroot dh-make debhelper \
debconf libstdc++5 dkms
- When complete, close the terminal.
- Now check for additional updates by doing the following: System > Administration > Update Manager and click “Check”. If any updates exist, click “Install Updates”. Close when completed and reboot only if required.

9 - Enable the restricted wireless and video (ATI) drivers by doing the following:
- Go to System > Administration > Restricted Drivers Manager
- Place a check in all the available boxes under the “Enable” column. At the popup, click “Enable” and wait for downloads to complete.
- For the WiFi firmware, after the Enable popup, choose the Download option and click “OK”
- When completed, Close.
- Restart by clicking the blue recycle icon in the top right and clicking “Restart Now”.

10 - Install XGL
- Open a terminal: Applications > Accessories > Terminal and run the following:

sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl
- When complete, close the terminal and reboot

11 - Install additional Compiz-Fusion features:
- Open a terminal: Applications > Accessories > Terminal and type the following:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager emerald libemeraldengine0 python-compizconfig

12 - OPTIONAL BEFORE REBOOT:
To install the compiz fusion icon that you can use to restart compiz and other things, do the following:
- Open a terminal: Applications > Accessories > Terminal and type the following commands:

mkdir ~/temp
cd ~/temp
wget http://www.mylittleubuntuguide.com/files/fusion-icon.tar.gz
tar xzvf fusion-icon.tar.gz
cd fusion-icon
make
sudo make install
fusion-icon &
- Press CTRL-C

13 - Reboot system, login, and approve any messages about XGL being started automatically. You should now have a working install!

Please post comments about problems, etc. I’m going to try to get a CD that does all this for you up soon.

Thanks!

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I blew my system away again.

Running Compiz Fusion with the Official ATI drivers is extremely choppy and sluggish. The tradeoff just to have hibernate and suspend working, is definitely NOT worth it for me! I’m reverting to using XGL and FGLRX for now.

I’ll just have to wait the extra 12 seconds for my system to boot up. Boohoo.

Ah, now I have a fresh system, no bugs, no sluggishness, ready for a new year!

Happy New Years Everyone!

John

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UPDATE: Using the latest ATI driver (8.471 and above) you can now have everything working! This means your system will Hibernate, Suspend, run Compiz, etc…

Using this method eliminates the need for XGL since ATI utilizes AIGLX. Follow this guide to either fix your system or configure a new system.

Please give me feedback so we can get this how-to really clean and updated. Thanks!

References
http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubuntu_Gutsy_Installation_Guide
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/ATI
http://combatwombat.7doves.com/index.php/2007/10/31/gutsy_effort_in_new_ati_driver
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=601310

Phase 1 - Clean Up
If you are not going from a fresh install of Gutsy do steps 1 through 3. If this is a fresh install, only do step 3:

1. Remove anything with “fglrx” in the name by opening System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager and doing a search for fglrx. Only remove entries that have fglrx in the name! If it’s only in the description somewhere, leave it alone.

2. Remove anything with “XGL” in the name by opening System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager and doing a search for XGL. Again, only remove entries that have XGL in their name.

3. Your system is now clean and you can proceed to installing the ATI drivers.

Phase 2 - Installing ATI Drivers
1. Make sure your sources.list file has all sources uncommented.
gksu gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Here’s a snapshot of mine:
——————————————————————————————————
# deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 7.10 _Gutsy Gibbon_ - Release i386 (20071016)]/ gutsy main restricted
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy main restricted
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy main restricted

deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-updates main restricted
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-updates main restricted

deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy universe
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy universe
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-updates universe
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-updates universe

deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy multiverse
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy multiverse
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-updates multiverse
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-updates multiverse

deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy-backports main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu gutsy partner
deb-src http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu gutsy partner
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu gutsy-security main restricted
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu gutsy-security main restricted
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu gutsy-security universe
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu gutsy-security universe
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu gutsy-security multiverse
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu gutsy-security multiverse

#AUTOMATIX REPOS START

deb http://www.getautomatix.com/apt gutsy main
#AUTOMATIX REPOS END

#Screenlets Start
deb http://hendrik.kaju.pri.ee/ubuntu gutsy screenlets
#Screenlets End
——————————————————————————————————

2. Now update sources
sudo apt-get update

3. Next install necessary tools
sudo apt-get install build-essential fakeroot dh-make debhelper \
debconf libstdc++5 dkms

4. Now download the latest ATI driver from the following site to a temporary folder:
(You’ll need to create the folder. I recommend “temp” inside your home directory, then cd into it and do the following)
ATI Linux x86 Driver Download

5. Next, build the DEB files:
sudo bash ati-***.run --buildpkg Ubuntu/gutsy
Remember you must replace the *** above with the actual file name!

6. Now blacklist the old fglrx modules since the new driver will have it’s own that make Hibernate and Suspend work:
gksu gedit /etc/default/linux-restricted-modules-common
Once open, at the end of the file put fglrx in the quotes like this:
DISABLED_MODULES="fglrx"

7. Install the .deb files you just made:
sudo dpkg -i *.deb
Remember to replace the * with the file name of each .deb file created.

8. Setup your xorg.conf file:
sudo aticonfig --initial
sudo aticonfig --overlay-type=Xv

9. Reboot:
sudo shutdown -hr now

10. Now edit the xorg.conf file:
gksu gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Comment out the following:
# Section “Extensions”
# Option “Composite” “0″
# EndSection

Here’s a snapshot of mine:
——————————————————————————————————
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen" 0 0
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "HorizEdgeScroll" "0"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "stylus"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "eraser"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "cursor"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Dell LCD"
HorizSync 30.0 - 70.0
VertRefresh 50.0 - 160.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI X1400"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "XaaNoOffscreenPixmaps" "true"
Option "UseFastTLS" "2"
Option "VBERestore" "true"
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
Option "DRI" "true"
Option "ColorTiling" "on"
Option "EnablePageFlip" "true"
Option "AccelMethod" "EXA"
Option "RenderAccel" "true"
Option "AGPMode" "4"
Option "AGPFastWrite" "on"
Option "KernelModuleParm" "agplock=0"
Option "UseInternalAGPGART" "no"
Option "EnablePrivateBackZ" "no"
Option "DisableGLXRootClipping" "true"
Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "true"
Option "AllowGLXWithComposite" "true"
Option "mtrr" "on
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "AIGLX" "on"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI X1400"
Monitor "Dell LCD"
DefaultDepth 24
EndSection
——————————————————————————————————

Phase 3 - Installing Compiz
1. After ATI is running and you’ve rebooted, re-enable Compiz.

2. Next fix the /usr/bin/compiz file by adding fglrx to the Whitelist and removing the Blacklisted PCIID:
gksu gedit /usr/bin/compiz
Now locate the following sections and fix according to my entry below:
# Driver whitelist
WHITELIST="fglrx nvidia intel ati radeon i810"

# blacklist based on the pci ids
# BLACKLIST_PCIIDS="$T"
BLACKLIST_PCIIDS=""

3. Before doing the next step, check to see if it’s necessary by doing this:
sudo cp /etc/xdg/compiz/compiz-manager.ubuntu.dpkg-new /etc/xdg/compiz/compiz-manager.ubuntu
sudo shutdown -hr now
After your system reboots, enable Compiz. If it starts skip the last step. Otherwise you may need to do the following.

3-b (May Be Unnecessary). Before you enable Compiz you may need to edit the /usr/bin/compiz file and change some lines. If Compiz won’t start try changing the following lines in /usr/bin/compiz beginning at line 30:
(note: these three lines are not all together and shouldn’t be, they are just lumped together for this how to)

COMPIZ_BIN_PATH=”/usr/local/bin/” # For window decorators and compiz
PLUGIN_PATH=”/usr/local/lib/compiz/”
COMPIZ_NAME=”compiz” # Final name for compiz (compiz.real)

Change these to look like this:

COMPIZ_BIN_PATH=”/usr/bin/” # For window decorators and compiz
PLUGIN_PATH=”/usr/lib/compiz/”
COMPIZ_NAME=”compiz.real” # Final name for compiz (compiz.real)

Now restart X and enable compiz. Everything should work!

That’s it!

Comments(3)

Ok folks, good news!

I installed the latest driver from ATI yesterday and…wholla! I can Hibernate and Suspend!

No need to rollback the kernel!

So tonight I’ll be doing a fresh install and using the new ATI driver. I’ll then do some testing and create a bootable install disk from the results that is custom for all you ATI users!

Talk to you soon…

John

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There are some really nifty widgets available for linux users called Screenlets. Here’s a quick How To to install Screenlets in Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy) using Compiz Widget Plugin. If you don’t care to do it yourself using the How To, click below for an auto install script:

NOT AVAILABLE YET
NOTE: To use the script, after download do a “sudo chmod +x screenlets.sh” on it to make it executable. Then run it with “sudo ./screenlets”. After you’ve run the script open Compiz settings and enable

Below each line of code is entered seperately

1. Update Your Aptitude Sources
sudo su -c 'echo deb http://hendrik.kaju.pri.ee/ubuntu gutsy screenlets >> /etc/apt/sources.list'
wget http://hendrik.kaju.pri.ee/ubuntu/hendrikkaju.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -
sudo apt-get update

2. Install Screenlets
sudo apt-get install --assume-yes screenlets
mkdir ~/.config/Screenlets
mkdir ~/.config/autostart

3. Open your compiz Advanced Settings and enable the Regex Matching and Widget Layer plugins.

4. Open the Widget Layer plugin and go to the Behavior tab. Paste the following into the space provided and close the window:
name=Screenlet.py

5. Now you can enable various Screenlets under your menu’s Other section and hit the F9 key to see them and make them disappear.

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The “RUSH” of the holiday season has pretty much come to an end here. So it’s back to work for me, giving more great help to my fellow ubuntu enthusiasts!

I know many of you want a new Gutsy CD/DVD. However, that is not going to happen for a while. The main reason being that I’m not changing anything until the ATI issue is fixed on a stable level that I can then pass along. I’m not doing any of this rebuild the kernel crap.

My goal with this site is to help others learn how to do linux stuff and make it work for them and to make it easy.

So, I’m focusing on making your Ubuntu experience one that works and is enjoyable.

Following this little “I’m back” post, I’ll be posting several how to’s on some basic things that make Ubuntu work better and be more productive.

till then, happy holidays!

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Ok, this has nothing to do with Linux or Ubuntu, but I’m having some crazy ass mice attack my house!

It all began when I was down in my basement/office working the other night. Suddenly I hear a PLUMP on the paneled ceiling above me, then tiny running feat racing around above me. What the hell?

Then they began to multiply, I’d hear a PLUMP over hear and one over there, then running toward each other. I honestly think these tiny bastards are holding some sort of annual Mousolympics up there. I’ll hear them run, then hop hop hop, and BOOM, land.

I’m not totally ok with these rodent sporting events and the muscular mice that attend and partake in them! I’m trying to run a business here!

I’ve owned a few of these really cool live traps for a couple years now, and they work like magic (I don’t like killing the little creatures). So I have them setup in my kitchen and this morning, low and behold, the star athlete was chilling in my trap!

He took a long trip into Chattanooga with me, but apparently he was either exhausted from the night before, or just liked the smell of Starbucks and Pasties…either way he did not want to leave the trap. I literally had to shake it to make him get out and then try to scare him off into the wilderness. What a freak. The mouse, not me ;)

So any suggestions you all may have on how to put a stop to these fur flying events, please let me know (non-killing methods only please).

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Ok folks, I’ve been running Gutsy successfully, somewhat, so far. I’ve gotten Compiz working perfectly to my liking and every other application is flawless. Except of course, Hibernate and Suspend. I’ve tried several techniques to getting it to work to no avail.

There is some talk out there about going back to a previous kernel, etc. I’m not going to do that. To me that defeats the purpose of progress here. I want to figure out how to make things work moving forward, even if it means waiting for the next kernel to come out.

There is a bug report that you can follow along on this issue over here: Bug Report

In the mean time, if any of you run across any other work arounds, leave a comment please! :)

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Ok, I’ve made some progress. As of now I’m running the “official” compiz and it’s working exactly as my hacked version was before. The system seems very stable, all my apps work great.

Only thing still on the agenda to fix is Hibernate/Suspend.

From what I’ve read on the bug report about that issue is they are not fixing it till the next release. I think we can get this working however without having to revert to the old kernel. I’ll continue working on it and keep you all posted.

Until I get a new CD with the Compiz stuff working, here’s a quick and dirty tutorial:

1. Enable all software resources EXCEPT the Trevino ones. To do this, click System > Administration > Software Sources and uncheck the following under the “Third-Party Software” tab:
http://download.tuxfamily.org/3v1deb feisty eyecandy
http://download.tuxfamily.org/3v1deb feisty eyecandy (Source Code)

2. Now install compiz and all other “parts”:
sudo apt-get install compiz compiz-bcop compiz-core compiz-fusion-plugins-extra compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-gnome compiz-plugins compizconfig-settings-manager emerald libcompizconfig-backend-gconf libcompizconfig0 libdecoration0 libemeraldengine0 python-compizconfig librsvg2-common gnome-compiz-manager libgnome-compiz-manager0-d

3. Now download and unzip the fusion icon:
wget http://www.mylittleubuntuguide.com/files/fusion-icon.tar.gz
tar -zxvf fusion-icon.tar.gz
cd fusion-icon

4. Now we build it:
make
sudo make install

5. Now re-enable the Trevino sources by returning to System > Administration > Software Sources and checking the two “trevino” repositories under Third-Party Software. Close and choose Reload.

6. Now install Emerald Themes:
sudo apt-get install emerald-themes

7. For good measure let’s make sure Emerald is handling the window decorations:
emerald &
Now right click the blue icon that appears in the upper right on your task bar and click “Select Window Decorator” and ensure “Emerald” is checked. If it’s not, check it.

That’s it! Now restart compiz and you can change the settings in System > Preferences > Advanced Desktop Effects Settings

Note: You can get all of your virtual desktops back on the cube by changing the General Options setting in Advanced Desktop Effects Settings, under the tab “Desktop Size”, change the “Horizontal Virtual Size” to your liking.

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