Comments on The Linux Newb: The Install

I don't know much about Citrix, but Cisco VPN, at ...

2008-12-09T02:59:22.725-08:00

I don't know much about Citrix, but Cisco VPN, at least, is relatively easy to set up once you figure it out. Install network-manager-vpnc and get the group password, then you should be set.

Wait till you get into Wine and Virtualbox! (Avail...

2008-12-08T13:26:07.423-08:00

Wait till you get into Wine and Virtualbox! (Available in the standard repositories, I think)

You can seamlessly and effortlessly (especially if you had the RAM to run Vista properly) keep a full screen or windowed XP/Vista application (RDP) running in one of your virtual workspaces. Saves you having to figure out a lot of workarounds for Cisco's VPN software or Citrix/IE-only nonsense, especially with the easy networking in Ubuntu and Virtualbox.

Advanced Desktop Effects application is a must have, as you can customize hotkeys and hotcorners with amazing effects for organizing or viewing your desktop and apps.

PS: Try pressing ctl+alt+left, ctl+alt+right, and ...

2008-12-07T18:07:00.309-08:00

PS: Try pressing ctl+alt+left, ctl+alt+right, and windows+e if you have advanced effects enabled in the appearance settings.

You should really try getting used to using virtua...

2008-12-07T18:03:44.584-08:00

You should really try getting used to using virtual workspaces. When you removed the bottom bar you also got rid of the workspace switcher. You should add this applet to the top bar and give it a whirl. It allows you to use different workspaces for different things.

For example, right now I have some math homework on workspace 1 where I'm using LaTeX to type out my answers. On workspace 2, I have research documents open. And on workspace 3, I get distracted and post comments on blogger. :-)

dwasifar,I appreciate you following my blog. I wi...

2008-12-04T09:51:15.760-08:00

dwasifar,

I appreciate you following my blog. I will be making a post on AWN in the upcoming days, so far this whole experience has been great. I look forward to hearing more ideas from you, and creating articles regarding them.

I will also do some research on Ubuntu-Tweak per your recommendation.

Thanks Again,
Blake

I'm following your blog with interest. You seem v...

2008-12-04T09:35:01.977-08:00

I'm following your blog with interest. You seem very motivated. :)

FYI: deleting the bottom panel is something I do in every fresh Ubuntu install, to make way for the Avant Window Navigator dock. But you don't have to re-add Window List or anything else; it's easier to just move them to the upper panel before deleting. Right-click and unlock, then right-click again and choose Move. Then put your cursor on the top panel and click where you want it to go.

You might want to search out and install Ubuntu-Tweak. You'll be wanting to customize your desktop soon; it makes that a lot easier.

"other" in the poll: actually doing it...

2008-12-02T06:21:32.375-08:00

"other" in the poll: actually doing it...

Daisy and Chrismcm,Thanks again for posting up all...

2008-12-02T03:58:34.272-08:00

Daisy and Chrismcm,

Thanks again for posting up all the helpful information. I will definitely give all of it a shot!

Chrismcm, I really like the look of AWN, and will definitely be trying to get that working on my PC... and gnome-look.org seems to be an amazing resource to spruce everything up!!

Daisy,

I appreciate the shortcut, I will give that a try. Hopefully you will keep reading, and help me out along the way. I appreciate the time you took to post up.

Regards,
Blake

Here's a nice and simple command which should get ...

2008-12-01T23:26:31.650-08:00

Here's a nice and simple command which should get all the codecs installed for video & audio which chrismcm mentioned:

Run Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal and copy & paste the following command into it and press [enter] while you're online:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras vlc helix-player totem-mozilla

If you're into graphics I would heavily advise adding inkscape and blender to that list too.

Good to hear wireless working.Next port of call wi...

2008-12-01T21:55:06.069-08:00

Good to hear wireless working.

Next port of call will be going to add/remove (in the applications menu), selecting "all available applications" and then installing all multimedia codecs (I won't tell you, just to see how easily you find them). Install VLC, and if not in the menu, google AWN dock and learn how to install that. Good little launcher.

Also, since you have deleted the bottom bar, right click on the top one and see how to modify this.

Then go to gnome-look.org and find some wallpaper/metacity (window borders) and GTK (themes - though I like that black one as well). You can also alter your icon sets and by installing gcursor to alter mouse cursors.

If your ISP had a "free zone", and that includes ubuntu, then chances are you can also run your updates without impacting on your download quota (I have this option with my ISP). That is a little more complex, but nothing Copy+Paste won't fix (that's the beauty of the command line - copy paste will do the trick).