Ubuntu 9.04 Post Installation Guide

**Note: In the following guide I use gnome-terminal and apt-get to install some programs. However if you prefer you can use Synaptic Package Manager. You will find it under System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager. Just search for the package I mention, click on it to mark it for installation and click Apply.

Contents

1. Proprietary Applications
   • Ubuntu Restricted Extras
2. Multimedia
   • Audio and Video Playback
   • DVD Playback
   • SMPlayer
   • VLC
3. Eye Candy
   • Change Usplash Theme
   • Compiz Fusion
   • Conky
   • Screenlets
4. Internet Applications
   • Firewall
   • Google Earth
   • Skype
   • XChat - IRC Client
5. System Applications
   • Gnome Do
6. Java
   • Sun Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and Firefox Java Plugin
   • Sun Java Development Kit (JDK)
7. Ubuntu books

1. Proprietary Applications

* Ubuntu Restricted Extras

Note: Installation only works completely and properly when done from the command-line Terminal. The entire package will not usually install completely from within a Package Manager.

2. Multimedia

* Audio and Video Playback

* DVD Playback

sudo apt-get install libdvdread4
Next type:

sudo apt-get install totem-gstreamer
sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh

* SMPlayer

Ubuntu 9.04 by default comes with totem as its video and media player. Personally, I prefer SMPlayer for watching my video files and movie DVDs. SMPlayer is a GUI frontend it for mplayer. To install it type:

sudo apt-get install smplayer smplayer-themes
You will find it under Applications -> Sound & Video -> Smplayer

* VLC

Many users prefer the Video Lan Client (VLC) as their multimedia player. Simply install it by typing:

sudo apt-get install vlc

3. Eye Candy

* Change Usplash Theme

sudo apt-get install startupmanager
It will be installed under System -> Administration -> StartUp-Manager

To download additional USplash themes go to www.gnome-look.org

* Compiz Fusion

Compiz Fusion allows you to use advanced desktop effects such as the rotating cube desktop.

sudo apt-get install compiz compizconfig-settings-manager compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-fusion-plugins-extra fusion-icon
Run Applications -> System Tools -> Compiz Fusion Icon. A blue icon will appear to the tray. From here you can configure Compiz.

* Conky

Conky is a light-weight system monitor for X, that displays any information on your desktop.

sudo apt-get install conky

* Screenlets

Screenlets are small applications that are laying on your desktop. Eye candy stuff and useful in many ways. Just type:

sudo apt-get install screenlets
Go to Applications -> Accessories –> Screenlets choose the screenlet you want click launch/add (you can choose Auto start on login)

You can download additional screenlets from www.gnome-look.org or from screenlets.org from

4. Internet Applications

* Firewall

By default Ubuntu has ufw, a netfilter firewall, installed. If you want a Graphical Interface (GUI) install gufw

sudo apt-get install gufw

* Google Earth

sudo apt-get install googleearth-package
make-googleearth-package --force
sudo dpkg -i googleearth*.deb
Afterwards you will find Google Earth under Applications -> Internet -> Google Earth

If you want to uninstall Google Earth open a terminal and type:

sudo dpkg --purge googleearthThis will remove all configuration files of Google Earth as well.

* Skype

Skype is the popular VOIP and video conferencing program. Open a terminal and type:
wget -O skype-install.deb http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-ubuntu
sudo dpkg -i --force-architecture skype-install.deb
You will find it under Applications -> Internet -> Skype.
If you have a 64-bit sytem you must install some extra packages before. Type:
sudo apt-get install ia32-libs lib32asound2 libqt4-core libqt4-gui

* XChat - IRC Client

XChat is a popular client for connecting to the Internet Relay Chat network. Open a terminal and type:
sudo apt-get install xchat
You will find it under Applications -> Internet -> XChat IRC.

5. System Applications

* Gnome Do

sudo apt-get install gnome-do

6. Java

* Sun Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and Firefox Java Plugin

Close Firefox if it's running, open a terminal and type:

sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin

* Sun Java Development Kit (JDK)

If you want to build applications, applets, and components using the Java programming language you need to install JDK.

sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jdk

7. Ubuntu books

Here are some books you can read to learn more about Ubuntu Desktop and Server, Administration and Security!
 


If there are other things you would like to see in this guide just drop me a comment here. Enjoy!

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