Ubuntu 9.10 - Newbie advice -

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Waaib

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So I felt that my life needed some frustration and aggravation. To this end I downloaded and installed Ubuntu 9.10.

Install went 100% smooth. I'm posting this from Ubuntu. My PC is a Dell D620 with Intel 945 graphics card.

So now what?

I need to install some apps etc. Where should I start reading? What threads here? What sites online?

What is a grub? Wiki says it's a fat worm.

What is a tar.bz vs a package vs a so file?

Thanks. Pass the vodka please.

EDIT: - This site - http://www.reddit.com/tb/9z2xk/ - is fantastic! "Top things to do after installing Ubuntu Linux"
 
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Waaib said:
So I felt that my life needed some frustration and aggravation. To this end I downloaded and installed Ubuntu 9.10.

Install went 100% smooth. I'm posing this from Ubuntu. My PC is a Dell D620 with Intel 945 graphics card.

So now what?

I need to install some apps etc. Where should I start reading? What threads here? What sites online?

What is a grub? Wiki says it's a fat worm.

What is a tar.bz vs a package vs a so file?

Thanks. Pass the vodka please.
Click to expand...

iNSTALL APPS = aDMINISTRATION >> Synaptic package manager
There are loads of packages, use the search function.

Grub is the bootloader for linux seen when you first start pc.

Tar.bz are compressed files.

I suggest using google, ubuntu forums is an awesome resource for walkthroughs and other helps.

*Passes the chocolate vodka over.
 
The look and feel is great. Much nicer the windows.
 
Waaib said:
So I felt that my life needed some frustration and aggravation. To this end I downloaded and installed Ubuntu 9.10.

Install went 100% smooth. I'm posing this from Ubuntu. My PC is a Dell D620 with Intel 945 graphics card.

So now what?

I need to install some apps etc. Where should I start reading? What threads here? What sites online?

What is a grub? Wiki says it's a fat worm.

What is a tar.bz vs a package vs a so file?

Thanks. Pass the vodka please.
Click to expand...

Apps you can find in Ubuntu Software Centre or Synaptic package manager if you are feeling slightly more advanced.

A tar.bz is a compressed file similar to a zip file. .tar indicates it is an archive .bz is the type of compression used (bzip2). You might also see .tar.gz


About .so
In computing, the Executable and Linking Format (ELF, formerly called Extensible Linking Format) is a common standard file format for executables, object code, shared libraries, and core dumps. First published in the System V Application Binary Interface specification, and later in the Tool Interface Standard, it was quickly accepted among different vendors of Unix systems. In 1999 it was chosen as the standard binary file format for Unix and Unix-like systems on x86 by the 86open project.
Click to expand...
http://www.file-extensions.org/so-file-extension-executable-and-linkable-format-file
 
Waaib said:
The look and feel is great. Much nicer the windows.
Click to expand...

compiz should be installed by default, but you'll need to install ccsm to access all the options for it, look in Synaptic for it.

Can also install emerald theme manager and download themes from gnome-look or something just for kicks.

I agree, it's much nicer lookin than windows. Although the win7 icons are just delicious I must admit!
 
Waaib said:
So I felt that my life needed some frustration and aggravation. To this end I downloaded and installed Ubuntu 9.10.

Install went 100% smooth. I'm posing this from Ubuntu. My PC is a Dell D620 with Intel 945 graphics card.

So now what?

I need to install some apps etc. Where should I start reading? What threads here? What sites online?

What is a grub? Wiki says it's a fat worm.

What is a tar.bz vs a package vs a so file?

Thanks. Pass the vodka please.
Click to expand...

GRUB aka GRand Unified Bootloader

I would recommend the Ubuntu Forums, lots of good advice there. Also quite a bit of nonsense, but much the same as here in that regard.

A tar.bz file is a tarball archive, if I remember correctly?. But Ubuntu is based on Debian, so look for .deb packages for Ubuntu. It's what Synaptic and the Software Centre will download. There are ways to install .tar.bz, .bin, and other archives, but .deb is the easiest, obviously. As matter of fact, rather use Synaptic and the Software Centre in the beginning, it's what I did.

Oh yes, and welcome to the dark side, we have cookies! :D

B
 
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I see compiz but not ccsm. I think i need to run the updates but can't at work. WIll do it at home this evening.
 
Happy Camper said:
My bad, you may have to enable the multiverse repository to download it.
Click to expand...

I think they activate universe and multiverse now. Should first try update apt and then try install. Run this code from terminal, if prompted for password, insert password.

Code: 
sudo apt-get update
 
Happy Camper said:
My bad, you may have to enable the multiverse repository to download it.
Click to expand...

Kiff. I enable a bunch of stuff there. Still not downloading but I'm sure it's the VPN.

sudo apt-get update gives error in terminal - "no route to host'
 
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Waaib said:
Kiff. I enable a bunch of stuff there. Still not downloading but I'm sure it's the VPN.

sudo apt-get update gives error in terminal - "no route to host'
Click to expand...

I agree- compiz is a must have, especially with rotating desktop cube- google it for images if you want to see what it looks like...

http://optics.csufresno.edu/~kriehn/fedora/image_files/cube2.png

A)
you need to go into system/administration/ synaptic package manager

install compizconfig- settings manager (small file)

then go to system/ preferences/ compizconfig settings manager

B)
you can enable more than 2 desktops for the cube effect- otherwise its just a flat plane that spins around

http://www.debuntu.org/how-to-get-compiz-cube-to-work-on-multiple-desktop

In order to get 4 desktops, you need to start gconf-editor, to start it, type the hotkey Alt+F2 and type gconf-editor, then go to /apps/compiz/general/screen0/options/ and change the value of hsize from 1 to 4.

C)

to get different images on each desktop- follow the following tut

http://anuragbansal.wordpress.com/2...erent-wallpapers-on-each-workspace-in-ubuntu/

(just note that in ubuntu to have different images you have to disable the ability to have icons on the desktop- well that was true in 8.10, im not sure if it is still)


NOTE: some of the things have changed from the time of writing the tutorial:

1) when they say go to advanced desktop settings they actually refering to compizconfig settings manager

2) when they say Select Desktop Cube >Appearance > Background images
you actually need to add the images in utility > wallpaper


some other interesting apps:
wine: windows emulator- allows you to run apps like photoshop from inside linux
Shutter: a great print screen utility, that allows you to capture custom sized images of your desktop
 
Use a local account to dload and install all those lovely little apps if youre pointing to the SA servers ;) which it does by default now I think as long as you said Johannesburg in the setup :)
 
Oh and ave... 4 desktops I got by just right clicking on em at the bottom right and choosing how many columns I want under preferences :p youre doing it all linux geeky like

i do believe Im going to try find that Ultimate theme thingy someone youtubed somewhere .... need to have a look :)
 
Welcome to the dark side. We hope you enjoy your stay. :)

P.S for bandwidth/nettraffic monitoring I suggest:

vnstat

Code: 
sudo apt-get install vnstat

then


Code: 
sudo vnstat -i <connection (either eth0,eth1,wlan0,other>

let it run a for couple of minutes


Code: 
vnstat

Voila!

Also:


Code: 
sudo apt-get install conky

Is a good little system monitoring program. Google for some custom scripts to make it look amazing!
 
ave said:
I agree- compiz is a must have, especially with rotating desktop cube- google it for images if you want to see what it looks like...

http://optics.csufresno.edu/~kriehn/fedora/image_files/cube2.png

A)
you need to go into system/administration/ synaptic package manager

install compizconfig- settings manager (small file)

then go to system/ preferences/ compizconfig settings manager

B)
you can enable more than 2 desktops for the cube effect- otherwise its just a flat plane that spins around

http://www.debuntu.org/how-to-get-compiz-cube-to-work-on-multiple-desktop

In order to get 4 desktops, you need to start gconf-editor, to start it, type the hotkey Alt+F2 and type gconf-editor, then go to /apps/compiz/general/screen0/options/ and change the value of hsize from 1 to 4.

C)

to get different images on each desktop- follow the following tut

http://anuragbansal.wordpress.com/2...erent-wallpapers-on-each-workspace-in-ubuntu/

(just note that in ubuntu to have different images you have to disable the ability to have icons on the desktop- well that was true in 8.10, im not sure if it is still)


NOTE: some of the things have changed from the time of writing the tutorial:

1) when they say go to advanced desktop settings they actually refering to compizconfig settings manager

2) when they say Select Desktop Cube >Appearance > Background images
you actually need to add the images in utility > wallpaper


some other interesting apps:
wine: windows emulator- allows you to run apps like photoshop from inside linux
Shutter: a great print screen utility, that allows you to capture custom sized images of your desktop
Click to expand...

I think I have followed all the steps in this info but I can't still get a cube on my screen! I can switch between 4 desktops in the panel but there is no cube.

EDIT:
Cube is now there although it's too big, I will keep playing with it.
 
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You may have to go to cssm and change from desktop wall to cube. Remember to enable "rotate cube" as well.
 
Downloading at home work great. This Ubuntu stiff has weird names - conky? lol.

Interesting to me so far ... the whole thing seems to work much faster than XP. I'm just browsing the net and installing a few things (flash, VPN etc) and it's seems really fast.
 
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